Beth was, of course, right. Jamie did love it. It had been so long since she had really been a part of any family. While Amanda had been her best friend of over twenty-five years and her family had always made a point to include Jamie in family events, she had always felt a little like she was intruding, or sitting on the outside, observing. But this family—Beth’s family—it felt like hers,too.
Jamie pulled the door open and, wincing at the familiar whine of the hinges she kept meaning to fix—note to self: get WD-40—smiled atSarah Gallagher and Nell Stanhope, who stood side by side on the porch in front of her, drink carrier in hand.
“You are my new favorite person,” Jamie said, grinning at Sarah while reaching out and taking the coffee carrier. “Come on in.”
They stepped inside the foyer, sliding their shoes off before heading back into the kitchen. “Morning,” Beth said cheerily from her station behind the griddle where pancakes were beginning to fluff and turn golden.
Jamie set the carrier on the counter, proceeding to pass around the drinks before putting Lily’s in the fridge.
“Has anyone been able to figure out what this big announcement is?” Sarah asked, sliding onto the stool next to the one Nell had taken.
Jamie handed Beth her coffee and resumed the slicing of fruit Beth had abandoned.
“No, she’s been pretty tight-lipped about it,” Beth said. “When did she get so good at keeping secrets?”
“Is it really a secret? Or is it just a strategy? She clearly has a plan in mind for how she wants to deliver whatever her news is,” Nell mused. “Very effective if you ask me.”
Jamie laughed, dropping the sliced strawberries into a larger bowl. The front door opened and closed again, followed by thevoices of Sean Cassidy and his daughter, Dylan calling out, “Hello, hello.”
“We’re back here,” Sarah called down the hall.
The pair entered the kitchen; Dylan set a reusable shopping bag on the counter and hugs were passed around.
“Dyl, can you go grab Lily?” Beth asked. “Let her know everyone is here.” Dylan nodded before disappearing back down the hall.
Jamie watched Beth turn to her best friend Sean with a conspiratorial smile on her face as soon as Dylan was gone. “Were you able to get anything out of her?”
“Not a peep,” Sean said, handing a plate to Beth as she began to stack pancakes. “And she’s usually so easy to get to crack.”
Nell pulled the bag Dylan had left on the counter towards her and began unloading the pastries Sean had brought. “Well, we’ll know what it is in a few minutes.”
Jamie continued slicing strawberries, letting herself enjoy this moment as the group continued to speculate what Lily’s big news could be. She loved moments like these—slightly chaotic but filled with so much heart. It was what she had come to expect from this odd little cluster of people she surrounded herself with. It had taken her a while to get used to suddenly having people who cared about her in ways she had come to know and love, but now she appreciated it for what it was: family.
The brush of Beth’s hip against hers made Jamie turn away from the group, focusing her attention solely on Beth. She flashed a reassuring smile and Jamie wanted to melt into it and this moment forever. This, right here, was her happy place.
“Aunt Kelly’s here with Amanda!” Lily called as she and Dylan returned, setting four gift bags on the table.
Okay, Jamie was definitely confused now. She shot Lily a look that saidWhat are you up to?Lily returned her look with a smirk that was oddly reminiscent of Sarah before whippingaround to chat with Nell. Kelly and Amanda entered just as Beth plated the last of the pancakes.
“How is it you two are always arriving after the work is done?” Jamie said, smiling at her best friend who stood with her fingers laced with Kelly’s.
“A skill I’ve refined over the years.” Amanda winked, tossing her motorcycle helmet on the couch as Kelly did the same.
“Grab a plate, everyone, we’re doing this buffet style,” Beth instructed, motioning to the stack of plates on the end of the island as everyone scrambled to form a line.
Once plates were layered with pancakes and fruit and seats were taken, Lily stood. “Okay, I know you’re all curious why I wanted to do a Pancake Sunday.”
Jamie’s phone vibrated on the table. She reached for it quickly, glancing at the screen. Her stomach dropped—Dr. Albright’s office. Jamie silenced the phone, sending the call to voicemail. Nope. Today was about Lily. Whatever news, good or bad, that Dr. Albright’s office was delivering, it could wait just a little bit longer. Family time was more important to her at this moment.
A sudden warmth filled her hand under the table as Beth wove their fingers together, giving her a soft squeeze.
“Less speech, more secret revealing!” Kelly called from her spot on the couch.
Lily’s smile grew wider as she grabbed each of the four bags, handing them over one by one to Sarah, Nell, and Beth, saving Jamie’s for last. Typical Lily.
Jamie took the bag from her, still with curiosity burning. She ran through every moment with Lily over the last few months, searching for anything that could help this moment make a little more sense. That curiosity mixed with her anxiety over the voicemail that was surely waiting for her from the doctor’s office.
“Moms,” Lily said, looking at Beth then Sarah, “and Jamie and Nell. I know I said I wanted to take a year off before going to college, but after some careful consideration and a lot of weighing my options, I changed my mind.” She gestured to the bags. “You can open those, by the way.”
