Page 114 of The Summer We Mended
After dinner, the kids were tucked into sleeping bags and couches with cartoons on low volume and Max curled up at their feet.Claudia and Jess handled the cleanup while Margot boxed leftovers with military precision.
“So you have meals for the rest of the week,” she told Anna, placing a hand on her shoulder.“Just heat and eat.”
“You didn’t have to do all of this,” Anna said softly.
“We wanted to,” Jess said.
Lily stood in the doorway of the kitchen, watching as Cody helped Luke settle into one of the armchairs.His bandages were visible beneath his loose shirt, and the edge of a healing scar peeked out at his collarbone.
“Still hurts?”Cody asked.
“Like hell,” Luke admitted.“But it’s better than what it could’ve been.”
Cody nodded solemnly.“You scared the crap out of us, man.”
“Scared myself a few times,” Luke said.“But I kept thinking of you guys.That kept me going.”
Lily turned away before the tears could fall.She moved to the porch, stepping into the cool night air.The stars were out, and the sky was clear.She folded her arms around herself, feeling the peace settle into her bones.
A few minutes later, Anna joined her.“I can’t believe he’s really here.”
“I know.”
“He looks so different, but also… exactly the same.”
Lily nodded, her eyes still on the stars.“He’s strong.”
Anna leaned against the railing.“Do you think Dad had something to do with this?Like… watching over him?”
Lily didn’t hesitate.“I know he did.David would’ve moved heaven and earth to protect the people he loved.”
They stayed there in silence for a long moment, the quiet broken only by the occasional bursts of laughter inside the house.
“When will you guys head back to Langley?”Lily asked softly.
She didn’t want to voice the words, because she didn’t want to know the answer.She loved having the kids here, loved having Anna here and she didn’t want them to leave.
“At least another week, if that’s okay.And then…and then I think Luke is going to put in for retirement and will transfer out of Langley and come back here to the Vineyard for our forever home.”
Lily gasped in shock and excitement.“You guys can stay here however long you need to.Oh, you just made my heart so happy.Having Luke here will be good for Cody, too.Maybe the two of them can keep each other entertained in their retirement.”
“They’re already talking about businesses they can start together,” Anna laughed.“I don’t know how well the kids will tolerate leaving for the time being.They’ve grown to love the Vineyard just like I always have.Being here with you, that’s priceless, Mom.We’re so lucky to be surrounded by family here, too.”
“It’s what it’s all about, right?That’s what your dad used to tell me all the time.I think I forgot that for a bit.Having the house so full tonight, it’s reminded me of how lucky we are.”
“We are, aren’t we?”Anna replied as she leaned into her mother.
Lily closed her eyes, offering up a quiet prayer of thanks.For Luke.For family.For love that had carried them through the darkest storm and into this warm, golden light.
Tonight, the house was full.And so was her heart.
ChapterForty-Five
Lily
“Grandma, are you excited?”Blaze asked as he rubbed his hands together excitedly.“I can’t wait to show off our work.”
“Me neither,” Lily replied with a laugh.
