Reunion

by Karen Kingsbury; Karen Kingsbury

  They chuckled as she and Tommy headed toward the restroom. When they were alone, Luke turned to her and his smile faded. “Okay, tell me, Ash. How is she? Really?”

  This question had been coming since he stepped off the plane; Ashley could tell that. She had planned to smile and nod and give some sort of reassuring answer. But this was her Luke, her brother, the one who could look into her eyes and see straight to her soul. Ashley opened her mouth, but no words came. Her eyes found Luke’s and held them.

  Grief and sorrow and fear came together and shaded his expression. “It’s bad, isn’t it?”

  Without warning, the tears came. They spilled from her eyes down her face, and all she could do was go to Luke, hold him close and tight so her heart wouldn’t break in half. Of all the Baxter kids, Luke was the one who understood her best, and now that they were losing their mother, he was the one who would know her pain better than anyone.

  “Luke . . .” She spoke his name against his chest. “She looks awful. You . . . you won’t recognize her.”

  He held her close, stroking her hair and rocking her. “I should’ve come sooner.”

  “No.” She sniffed and pulled back enough to see him again. “Actually it was worse before, during her chemo.” Ashley dropped her gaze for a moment before looking at him once more. “It was awful, Luke. She was so sick.”

  “So . . .” His eyebrows raised a bit, hopeful. “She’s getting better? That has to be a good thing.”

  Ashley shook her head. “She’s not getting better. She’s recovered from the chemo, but she’s wasting away.” Her chin quivered. “You’ll see, Luke. It scares me how bad she looks.”

  He searched her face. “What are we going to do?”

  “I don’t know.” She hugged him again. “I really don’t know.”

  They were quiet as they found the luggage and met up again with Reagan and Tommy.

  “Are you hungry?” Ashley pointed to a snack stand nearby. “It’s a long drive; we can pick up something if you want.”

  “I’m fine.” Reagan cradled Tommy in her arms.

  “Let’s go straight home.” Luke’s tone was somber as they headed for the parking lot. “Mom’s probably got dinner going.”

  “She does. She’s definitely waiting for us.” Ashley dried her eyes and uttered a soft laugh. “Counting the minutes.”

  “Well, then, let’s hurry.” He slipped one arm around Reagan, the other around Ashley. “I don’t want to waste a single one.”

  He picked up the luggage and started walking. His steps were purposeful, almost fearful, and Ashley hurt for how he would feel when he saw their mother. But despite all the sorrow and potential loss ahead of them, she couldn’t help but feel a ribbon of excitement weave itself across her heart.

  They were all going to be together, just like old times. The kids would laugh and run and play together in the field in front of the old Baxter house. The adults would talk about the past and share long hours of silliness and conversation. And after they’d spent a couple weeks together, the greatest thing of all would happen. The thing that kept her going despite her mother’s sickness.

  All of heaven would sit back and smile and she, Ashley Baxter, would really and truly marry Landon Blake.

  * * *

  Elizabeth was in the kitchen with John when she heard voices at the front door. The casserole was in the oven, and she was watching John prepare the salad.

  He looked up from the salad. “They’re here.” He gave her a questioning look. He knew how badly she wanted to seem well tonight. “You ready?”

  She frowned and smoothed her hands over her apron. The sound of the grandchildren in the background doubled her energy, but she was still worried. Luke hadn’t seen her since she’d lost her hair. The navy beret and matching bulky sweater and pants did the best job yet of making her look like her old self. But still her appearance had changed; there was no hiding that fact.

  John took a step closer and kissed her on the lips. “You look beautiful, Elizabeth.” He took her arm in his. “Let’s go say hello.”

  Elizabeth rounded the corner and stopped short. They looked so happy, so healthy and full of life. Ashley had stopped to get Landon and Cole, and now Cole was jumping up and down trying to make his little cousin laugh. Right behind them were Kari and Ryan and Jessie.

  And Tommy . . . the boy was huge, the exact image of Luke at that age.

  Luke noticed her first. “Mom . . . hi.” His expression went from thrilled to shocked in as much time as it took him to tell her hello. But Ashley had obviously prepared him for the moment. He managed a smile despite the conflict that showed in his eyes. “I like your hat.”

  “It’s not a hat, Luke.” Ashley bopped him on the shoulder. She grinned at Elizabeth. “It’s a beret, right Mom? The French would be appalled.”

  “Hi, everyone!” John crossed over to Reagan and Tommy and hugged them both at the same time. Then he shook Luke’s hand and pulled him into a long embrace.

  Whatever John was saying to Luke, Elizabeth couldn’t quite make out. She came a few steps closer, trying not to look tired or worn out. “Reagan, you look lovely, dear.” She hugged her daughter-in-law and blinked twice to keep her eyes from tearing up. “Thanks so much for coming.”

  Reagan angled her head, her own eyes glistening. “We wouldn’t have missed it.”

  “And look at Tommy.” She kissed her grandson on the forehead and held out her hands.

  “He’s a brute, huh, Mom?” Luke helped transfer the baby from Reagan’s arms to Elizabeth’s.

  Up close, Tommy looked even more like his father. Elizabeth slid him onto her hip. The weight of the child sent a sharp pain through her torso, but she ignored it. Nothing was going to keep her from holding her grandson. Tommy pointed to her hat and smiled, showing off four little teeth. With her free hand, Elizabeth hugged Luke. “This is exactly how you looked at his age.”

  “Was I a chunker like him?” Luke pulled back, but just a bit.

  “Definitely.” Elizabeth laughed and looked back at Tommy. As she did she saw the resemblance again, but this time not to Luke. To her firstborn, the one she was still praying daily for. “Yes, he’s a Baxter.”

  Cole skipped up and tugged on Elizabeth’s sweater. “I’m not the only boy now, Grandma. Isn’t that the bestest thing you ever heard?”

  She tousled Cole’s hair and smiled at Ashley and Landon nearby. “The absolute bestest thing, Cole. You’ll like him even better in a few years when you can teach him how to catch frogs.”

  The group fell quiet as sorrow seized the moment. If her doctor was right, Elizabeth wouldn’t live to see Tommy grow up, or to cheer when Cole taught him how to catch his first frog.

  “Okay.” John gave a light clap and turned toward the family room. “Let’s come on in and get settled. Dinner’s in the oven, and Brooke’ll be here with Erin and Sam and Heidi around six.”

  Time flew as they sat around, catching up on Luke’s work at the entertainment-law office and hearing about the online courses Reagan had been taking. She wanted to work as a copy editor for one of the publishers in New York City—a job she could do from home on a part-time basis.

  “And what’s the situation at the law firm?” John sat next to Elizabeth, his hand in hers. “You have the whole summer off, but they want you back in the fall?”

  “Right.” Luke was on the floor holding his hands out to Tommy, who was just learning to walk. Reagan sat in the closest chair, ready to catch the boy if he fell. Cole was trailing behind him offering words of encouragement.

  “Sounds like a nice group of people.” John gave a single nod. “And entertainment law, of all things. So interesting.”

  Luke picked up Tommy’s pacifier from the floor and set it on the table. “The job started out as an internship, but I connected real well with the attorneys.” He shrugged. “They want me to work on a more regular basis starting in September, and after I have my law degree, they’re talking about giving me a chance wit
h some of their clients.”

  “Are they all movie stars?” Elizabeth loved this, loved hearing her grown son talk about his career, loved watching him interact with his wife and son. Things were so different than they could’ve turned out. So different from the way they’d been in the months after the terrorist attacks.

  “Most of the clients work in the industry, but they’re not all movie stars.” Luke grinned and looked at Ashley. “Did I tell you Dayne Matthews came in a while ago?”

  Ashley laughed and leaned a little closer to Landon. “The Hollywood playboy, huh?”

  “Actually—” Kari slid forward, bouncing Jessie on her knee—“he’s not too shabby.”

  “Hey . . .” Ryan gave her a gentle elbow in the ribs. “What’s this now?”

  “Don’t worry, honey.” She laughed and winked at Ashley. “Dayne Matthews doesn’t hold a candle to you.”

  “He sure has a bad reputation with the women.” Ashley gestured to Cole, and he came running over, cuddling between her and Landon.

  “Yeah, I guess.” Luke caught Tommy, turned him around and sent him toddling toward Reagan. “In person, he’s not that bad, really. Stopped in to meet me and the two of us got to talking. He’s just a regular guy when you’re one-on-one with him.”

  “Is he tall or short?” Elizabeth hadn’t ever seen one of his films. She wasn’t taken much by celebrity status, but if it involved Luke or his job, she was interested. “Most actor types are short; isn’t that right?”

  “He’s actually pretty tall.” Luke caught Tommy by the back of his sweatpants, tossed him in the air a few times, and set him back down again. “About my height, I’d say.”

  “And did Luke get me an autograph?” Reagan held Tommy’s bottle in the air in mock exasperation. “Of course not. Has one of the most famous guys in Hollywood in his office and forgets to get an autograph.”

  They all laughed, and the conversation shifted to Ashley and Landon’s wedding, where everyone could go for a tuxedo fitting, and how the reception was going to play out. Time passed quickly, and before long they were interrupted by the sound of more voices at the front door.

  “Erin!” Elizabeth raised her eyebrows at John. “Now I can see that little Heidi Jo.”

  Before John could help her, Luke was at his mother’s side, easing her to her feet. He hadn’t been maudlin or emotional, but he was fiercely protective of her. Even though it was another reminder of her illness, Elizabeth enjoyed his attention. She looped her arm through his and moved with the group into the foyer.

  Even before she got there, she heard quiet gasps coming from the others. Brooke and Peter were in sight, standing there with Maddie beside them and Hayley in Peter’s arms. The commotion must’ve been about Erin’s new baby. That had to be it. When Luke and Elizabeth rounded the corner, they both stopped short.

  Erin and Sam were standing near the door, but each of them was holding an infant. Between them stood two gorgeous little girls with blonde curls, wearing matching play clothes.

  Elizabeth’s head began to spin and she held more tightly to Luke’s arm. “Erin . . .” She searched her daughter’s face. Her words were breathy, capturing the feeling of the moment as the other Baxters stood in a circle, grinning, teary-eyed, too stunned to talk. “What’s going on?”

  “Mom . . .” Erin’s eyes were wet. She uttered a nervous laugh as she approached Elizabeth. “This is Heidi Jo.”

  “She’s beautiful.” Elizabeth reached out and took the infant in her arms. John came up along one side, and with him and Luke supporting her, she lifted her eyes to Erin, waiting.

  “This is Amy Elizabeth.” Sam held the infant in his arms so they could all see her sweet face. Then he grinned at the little girls, both shy and quiet, who had taken up positions on either side of him and were now clinging to his legs. “And these two are Chloe and Clarisse.”

  Elizabeth’s knees felt weak. She handed Heidi to John and held her hands out to Erin. Her throat was so thick, the words would barely come. “You have . . . four babies?”

  They fell into each other’s arms, hugging and rocking and hearing six conversations strike up around them. “Erin . . . ,” Elizabeth whispered into her youngest daughter’s ear, “I’m so happy for you. I didn’t think—” she swallowed, willing herself not to break down—“you always wanted a big family. I didn’t think I’d live long enough to see it happen.” She sniffed. “God is so good to us.”

  The group stayed that way, each of them meeting the new children and making introductions with Maddie and Hayley and Cole and Tommy and Jessie. Kari and Ryan took turns talking to Chloe and Clarisse, and then the group shifted and Ashley and Brooke knelt down to meet them.

  All the while, Elizabeth held on to Erin, listening to the story: how the social worker had called a few days ago, and how the girls’ grandmother had become the legal guardian because of Candy’s arrest, and how the older woman had called social services to find out if Erin and Sam were still interested. Not only in the baby, but in the other two sisters too.

  Erin wiped at her eyes. “If we were willing to take all three girls and still give her chances to visit them, the grandmother was willing to sign over her rights. She wants to work on a cruise ship and travel.” Erin gave a disbelieving shake of her head. “She said she thought the girls needed a real family, and that Sam and I could give that to them better than she could.”

  “So . . .” Elizabeth brushed her hand against Erin’s cheek. “You have four daughters.” She snapped her fingers. “Just like that.”

  “Yes, Mom.” She hugged Elizabeth close again. “Just like you.”

  “Just like me.”

  The group started migrating toward the kitchen. Elizabeth called out in the happiest voice she could muster. “John . . . I think we’ll need a few more plates at the table.”

  He grinned at her and nodded his approval. “That’s what reunions are all about.”

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Their mother’s decline happened right before their eyes, and quicker than any of them had expected. Least of all Ashley.

  Those first few days of being together, Mom was her old self: upbeat, energetic, the one starting conversations and keeping them going. And there was so much to talk about. Erin’s new girls, Kari’s pregnancy, Hayley’s progress, the wedding. And all the changes and stages the kids were going through.

  The one thing their mother hadn’t wanted to talk about was her health. “We can talk about that later.” She’d give them a partial smile. “Besides, without more tests, there’s nothing new to talk about. Right now I feel good, and that’s all that matters.”

  The day before had been Elizabeth’s roughest since she’d gotten sick. She couldn’t get through a sentence without coughing, and twice she’d disappeared into her bedroom for a few hours.

  Ashley had gone to check on her once and met her father coming out of the room. “How is she?” But the question wasn’t necessary. Her father’s face was a mask of sorrow and fear, a look Ashley had never seen him have in all the years she was growing up.

  “Not good.” He’d closed the door quietly behind him. “She’s coughing up a lot of blood.”

  “No!” Ashley’s stomach tightened. “We can’t let that happen, not now. She wants to be with us so badly.” She took her father’s hand. “Let’s get her to the hospital, Dad. There’s gotta be something they can do.”

  He shook his head. “There’s nothing. Cancer like your mom has is so wicked, it literally takes over the body and suffocates a person.” He slumped against the hallway wall. “We have to keep praying, but it’s time to make some hard choices.”

  “Choices?” Ashley’s heart had slipped into an irregular beat. They weren’t really talking about her mom this way, were they? Not when she had been perfectly fine a few months ago.

  “Pain meds.” Her father’d hung his head and rubbed the back of his neck. “She’s in a lot of pain, Ash. The cancer’s tearing up her insides. That’s why she’s been sp
ending time in her room. Praying . . . trying to tolerate the pain without resorting to medication.”

  “That’s crazy.” Ashley worked to keep her voice low. “If she needs medicine she should take it.”

  “It’s not that easy.” Her father had led her away from the bedroom. “The medication would make her sleepy, too groggy to get out of bed most of the time.”

  Ashley felt sick to her stomach. No wonder her mother hadn’t said much that day. She’d been trying so hard to mask her pain, she had worn herself out.

  Now it was Monday morning. Today’s plan was for everyone to meet at the house before noon and have a picnic on the back lawn. Ashley had intended to use the morning to work on a painting for her mother—one based on a photo of the Baxter family taken at Luke’s wedding. But as soon as she woke up, Ashley had wanted to be only one place.

  At the Baxter house with her mother.

  She and Cole had a quick breakfast and arrived at the house at nine. Her father, Landon, and Peter were scheduled to work that day, so other than Ryan and Luke and Sam, the picnic would involve the women and kids. But when she pulled into the driveway she saw her father’s car.

  Before Ashley had time to think it strange that he’d still be home, she knew. Her mom must be worse; there was almost no other explanation. She pushed back her fears, parked the car, and followed a bouncy Cole into the house.

  “Hi, everyone! We’re here!” Cole leaned his head back and made the announcement. He looked around, then turned to Ashley. “Mommy, yesterday there were a hundred people here. Now where are they?”

  She caught her son’s shoulder and whispered to him. “Let’s be quiet, Cole, okay? Grandma might be sleeping.”

  “Oh.” His eyes got wide and earnest. “But where’s all the people?”

  Ashley smiled. Cole would’ve done great as the oldest in a family with eight kids. He was loving the commotion and crowded conditions of the reunion. Lots of aunts and uncles and cousins; Landon always around; Grandma and Papa taking it all in. He knew nothing of how sick his grandma was, only that this time with family was the best thing in the world.