“I know.” Sean smiles, shuffling awkwardly on his feet. “Mom and Anne are waiting back here.” He jerks his head toward the corner. “Come and I’ll make introductions.”
I clutch Beck like a lifeline as we follow my uncle to a private booth in a corner of the restaurant facing out onto the white sandy beach. It’s not as hot or humid in Florida in November as in the height of the summer, but it’s still warm enough to see sunbathers on the beach and plenty of activity in the turquoise sea.
“Here we are,” Sean says when we reach the table where an older petite woman with reddish-blonde hair and green eyes sits beside a taller younger woman with dark auburn hair and the same blue eyes as Sean.
“Mom, Anne, this is Stevie, Stevie’s mom, Monica, and Stevie’s boyfriend, Beck.”
I’m not surprised he jumped to the obvious conclusion, and I don’t bother correcting him. I’m too freaking nervous to concentrate on anything but the people in front of me. People who are now part of my family.
After awkward hugs and a strange start, we all loosen up over iced lattes and cake. Mom tells them how she came to meet Liam and the efforts she made to contact him after she discovered she was pregnant. Beck keeps his arm wrapped around my shoulders as he sits alongside me in the booth, and I’m grateful for his physical and emotional support.
“The Navy didn’t pass any letters on to him,” Sean says, leaning back in the booth. “My brother would not have abandoned you.”
“My Liam lived for family,” Susan says. “He would have done right by both of you had he known.”
I can’t believe I have a second grandmother. I was already blessed with the one I have, and I can tell I’m going to be blessed to have Susan in my life too. She’s softly spoken with a warm smile, and she has talked so reverently about her three children. Anne is the oldest, followed by Liam, and Sean is the baby of the family. Though it sounds funny saying that when I know he’s forty.
“I got that sense from him,” Mom says with a sad smile. “He talked about his family, and I could tell you were all close.”
“What happened to him?” I ask.
“He died a year after you were born. He was traveling by helicopter to land, from the ship he was stationed at, when they ran into engine trouble and crashed into the sea,” Sean explains in a haunted voice.
“They never recovered the bodies,” Anne confirms. “We didn’t even have his body to bury.”
“It still breaks my heart,” Susan says. “It broke my Arthur’s heart too. He died with a smile knowing our son was waiting for him in heaven.” Sean had previously explained how his father, my grandfather, had died seven years ago from lung cancer.
“Looking at you is like looking at Liam,” Susan says. Tears glisten in her eyes. “We thought he was lost to us forever, and then we discover a miracle.” She reaches across the table for my hand. “A piece of my son lives on in you. We’re so glad we found you, and we only wish it hadn’t taken so long.”
“Better late than never, Mom,” Anne says.
Susan squeezes my hand before withdrawing her own. “Absolutely. We already love you, Stevie, and we hope we can become a part of your life.” She smiles at Mom. “Both your lives.”
“I would like that,” I choke out. Mom and I already discussed potential outcomes of today’s visit, and I know she will agree.
“Wonderful.” Susan swipes tears of joy from her eyes. “We look forward to getting to know you.” She retrieves a heavy photo album from under the seat. “I pulled out all the photos I had of Liam after Sean told us about you. I got duplicates taken, and I made this for you. I thought you might like to have it.” She hands it to me.
Tears pool in my eyes as I accept the gift. “This is very thoughtful. Thank you.” Beck hands me a monogrammed handkerchief. I swear he only stocks up on them for me. I peer into his eyes, comforted by his presence. “Thanks.”
He kisses my cheek.
“Why don’t we go back to the house?” Sean suggests. “It will be more comfortable there, and we can go through photos, and I can show you his room and the places we hung out as kids?”
“If you aren’t in a rush, that would be lovely,” Susan adds, looking hopeful.
I glance at Beck, not sure if he’d agreed a time with the pilot for the return journey.
“Take as much time as you need,” he says, answering my unspoken question. “The plane is on standby.”
I look at Mom.
“It’s your call, sweetheart, but I am happy to find out more about Liam.” This has been a big shock to Mom. I hadn’t even told her I’d submitted DNA on the site, so it’s been a lot to take in. But I think she’s relieved. Obviously, it’s really sad my dad died, but knowing he didn’t purposely abandon us has given Mom the closure that has evaded her for years.
“That sounds perfect,” I say, smiling at my uncle, my aunt, and my grandmother. “Show us the way.”
ChapterSixty-Three
Beck
