“Cait, I know you draw, but do you paint?” Abby asked.
“Sometimes,” she said as Aiden pulled another box from the closet and began going through it.
“Would you like my dad’s easels and the other supplies? I’d love to keep them in the family.”
“Really? Are you sure you don’t mind?”
“It would make me happy, and I know Deirdra would feel the same way.” Abby pushed the boxes over to Cait.
Cait put one of her hands on top of two of the boxes ever so lightly, as if they were fine pieces of art, and said, “Thank you.” She sat like that for a long time, and as Abby started going through another box, she said, “I’ve been thinking about the Bistro. How would you feel if I painted a mural on one wall? Remember the story Grant told us about your dad painting on the patio? I have this vision in my head of your father standing at his easel and our mother sitting on a chair with you on her lap and Deirdra behind her chair, leaning her elbow on the back of the chair, with her chin in her palm. You’re all watching him paint. I can’t seem to shake the idea, but if you’d rather I didn’t, that’s totally fine.”
“Oh, Cait, that sounds beautiful. But it wouldn’t feel right if you weren’t represented, too. You’re a big part of the Bistro now, and of our family.”
“But I wasn’t there,” Cait said.
“I have a feeling you were never far from your mother’s thoughts,” Aiden said as he handed Cait a journal he’d been looking through. “Based on the dates in that journal, I’d say the baby Ava is talking about is you.”
“What?” Abby moved next to Cait and scanned the pages the journal was open to.
The lump that had clogged Abby’s throat earlier was back in full force as she read her mother’s innermost thoughts about loving the child she would never have a chance to know. Cait turned the page, revealing more of their mother’s heartbreaking sentiments about longing to hold and to get to know her baby.
“She loved me,” Cait whispered, tears spilling down her cheeks.
Abby, swamped by her own emotions, could do little more than take hold of Cait’s hand and choke out, “She did.”
Aiden knelt between them and gathered them both in his arms, holding them as they wept for the mother and daughter who never had a chance to be together and for the sisters who had finally become a family.
Much later that evening, after clearing out the junk room, which was a pretty impressive master suite, they got cleaned up for dinner, and then Aiden turned on one of Abby’s father’s records and set the table while Abby gave Cait another cooking lesson. They enjoyed a delicious chicken Parmesan dinner, and as they cleared the table, Aiden twirled Abby around the kitchen to the sound of the Allman Brothers. He washed the dishes and Abby dried, while Cait stood at the counter drawing in one of her sketchbooks and telling them about a new tattoo she was designing for a client. Aiden tried to focus on what Cait was saying, but he was sidetracked, trying hard not to think about leaving in the morning and how much he hated the idea of missing almost an entire week with Abby.
Deirdra called as they finished cleaning up, and Abby answered on speakerphone as she dried the last pot. “Hi, Dee.”
“Hey. I just finished working and wanted to see how you were holding up today.”
“Aw. Are you getting sentimental on me?”
“Please,” Deirdra said. “Are you okay?”
“Yes, I’m good. Thanks, Dee. Cleaning out Mom’s room was weird, but it’s done, and remember how bad the junk room was? I have to show you what we did. You can actually see the floor. I’m going to FaceTime you, so accept the call.”
Deirdra groaned, and then her face appeared on the screen. Her hair was pinned up in a messy bun, and she looked tired.
“There you are. Say hi to Aiden and Cait.” Abby moved the phone so Deirdra could see them.
Cait waved, and Aiden said, “Good to see you.”
“Hi, you guys,” Deirdra said with a tired smile. “How are you two doing this Mother’s Day?”
“It’s been the best one I’ve had in years,” Aiden said honestly.
“Me too,” Cait agreed.
“Guess what Aiden did?” Abby raved about the work he’d done outside, how they’d planted all morning, and how excited she was to have a garden again.
“That was really nice of you, Aiden,” Deirdra said, a tinge of suspicion in her tone. “How long are you there for?”
“Actually, I’m heading out tomorrow for the week,” he said regretfully. “I’ll be back Friday and will stay until the following Sunday, when my vacation is over.”
“But we’re not talking about that because it bums me out,” Abby said. “Let me show you the junk room and Mom’s room.”
When Abby left the kitchen, Cait said, “You’re leaving?”
“Unfortunately. A client has an issue I have to take care of.”
Abby came through the kitchen chatting on her way upstairs. And just like that his heart did a double take. Damn. He’d gone his entire life not thinking twice about taking care of business, and in the span of less than two weeks, Abby had not only gotten under his skin, but she’d become such a big part of him, he didn’t want to leave her.
“Will you be here with Abby while I’m gone?” Aiden asked.
“Yes, until Friday morning.”
“Good.” He knew Abby could take care of herself, but he liked the idea of her having Cait to keep her company.
Abby returned a few minutes later, still talking to Deirdra. “I was thinking about using the junk room for my bedroom, unless you or Cait want to use it?”
“Not me,” Deirdra said.
“I’m cool with staying in the apartment when I’m here. I really like having my own space,” Cait said. “Unless you want the apartment for something else?”
“No, I just didn’t want to make plans until I checked with you,” Abby said. “I’m going to make a few calls tomorrow to have the boxes, Mom’s bedroom furniture, and the rest of the stuff picked up. I’ll swap the living room furniture with mine when I have it shipped. I’m excited to give the house a makeover.”
“I can see that. Look how happy you are, and how much you’ve accomplished,” Deirdra said earnestly. “Mom and Dad would be proud of you.”
“Do you really think so? You never talk like that about Mom,” Abby said, her words laced with emotion.
“I know I don’t. It’s harder for me than it is for you, but yes, I think they’d be very proud of everything you’re doing.”
Abby teared up.
“Oh no. Don’t get all weepy on me.” Deirdra raised her wineglass and said, “How about we make a toast instead?”
“Hold on!” Cait hurried out of the living room and returned with the bottle of champagne and the bottle of tequila they’d left in the foyer the other night. “Looks like Wells Silver is good for something after all.” She held up the bottles and said, “Tequila or bubbly?”
“The bubbly is to celebrate Abby’s win.” Aiden took the bottle of champagne and set it aside.