“Daddy!” Kennedy cried, throwing her coat to the ground and running to hug him. His other children were hot on her heels, barreling into him. He nearly fell over.
Tears filled his eyes, hot against the terrible cold air that had come in with the open door. He didn’t know what to say, so he bent down and hugged his children harder, willing them not to disappear. He couldn’t imagine what had brought them here. It was the most wonderful of Christmas miracles.
And then, he heard Addison’s voice, talking to Nina. They were speaking as though they’d met before.
“It was a crazy day, yeah, and then we had to get the kids some winter clothes, so you can imagine,” Addison explained. “They’ve never seen winter before!”
Slowly, Jack opened his eyes to find his wife standing in the foyer of the White Oak Lodge. It was a sight he’d never imagined. She gazed down at him with a look of incredulity mixed with love. It could only be love. He’d just seen it, echoing from Benjamin Whitmore’s eyes as he’d looked at Francesca. He would recognize it anywhere.
Jack rose to his feet, his hands still on his children’s shoulders. “Addy,” he breathed.
Addison walked over to them. Gavin cried, “Mom, you didn’t tell us Dad would be here!”
“I wasn’t sure if he would be,” Addison said gently.
“But you guessed it,” Kennedy said, accusing her.
“I didn’t know,” Addison said. “I didn’t want to get anyone’s hopes up.”
Jack’s stomach ached. He couldn’t understand how she’d found him, nor how she knew Nina, nor why she didn’t want to rip him to shreds. He raised his hand and touched her cheek. But she flinched and drew back, as though she couldn’t trust him. He knew he couldn’t blame her.
“I can’t believe you’re here,” he said, letting his hand drop.
“Ditto,” she returned.
Chapter Twenty
It was nearly impossible for Addison to eat a thing. Sitting next to Seth, her nostrils filled with the musk of him, her stomach still sloshing from the airplane and the endless travel and the ferry boat ride, Addison sipped her wine and told herself to calm down. Around her were the Whitmores, the sensational Whitmores, and they were terribly pleased that she and the kids were here. When Benjamin and Francesca met Kennedy, Penelope, and Gavin, love had poured out of them. Even now, everyone peppered the kids with questions about their lives in Hawaii, about what they thought of the snow, and what they wanted for Christmas. This hurt Addison’s heart, as well. She realized she’d forgotten their Christmas presents back in Hawaii. She needed to buy more.
Across the table, Charlotte eyed her and offered a wry smile. She was the only one who knew that Addison was on her way and bringing the kids. Via text, when they landed in Boston, Charlotte had explained that she’d be spending the holidays with her boyfriend, Vincent, and that Addison, the kids, and Seth could take over the house at Madequecham Beach.
Charlotte: It’s Jack’s place, after all. He bought it all those years ago. It’s time that he brings his family there.
Addison wasn’t sure if she could get used to calling her husband Jack. She wasn’t even sure if she could find a way to forgive him. She told herself to calm down and take it slow. It was still their first family dinner. They hadn’t had time to talk yet.
The lodge was beautiful, both inside and out. Sitting after dinner with that same wine that she just couldn’t finish, Addison sat in a soft green chair and listened to Francesca and her children getting to know one another. Kennedy, ever brash, asked Francesca why she had an accent, and Francesca told her all about her homeland, about the rolling hills of Tuscany, and about how someday soon, she’d teach all three of them to speak Italian. For a woman with cancer, she seemed filled with energy, as though meeting another set of grandchildren had given her more strength.
Seth sat beside Addison, holding her hand. He looked both ill and pleased. She wondered if guilt gnawed at him, if he knew that she was going to tear into him when they were alone. Oh, but she couldn’t refuse herself this gorgeous feeling of belonging. She took another cookie from the tray that Nina brought past and closed her eyes, tasting the buttery frosting.
At nine thirty, all the kids began to yawn—including Alexander’s teenagers. It was decided that they pack up for the night and maybe reconvene tomorrow for another dinner. Christmas was a few days away, but Benjamin seemed bent on celebrating it as much as they possibly could. Addison gathered her kids and their belongings, and Benjamin and Francesca walked them to the front door to say goodbye. Francesca kissedAddison on the cheek, bringing with her a wave of beautiful floral perfume.
“You are wonderful, my dear,” Francesca whispered into Addison’s ear. “My son was lucky to meet you when he did.” And then, after a dramatic pause, she added, “I hope you can forgive him. I know it will be terribly difficult to do so.”
Addison’s ears rang. She’d never imagined that Seth’s family would be on her side in this. She offered a strained smile, thanked Francesca, and stepped into the swirling snow, eager to get back to that house on Madequecham. She wanted her children to rest for the days ahead.
And it was time to talk to Seth about what had happened.
Seth zipped up his coat and followed her. He said he didn’t have his car here, as his father had picked him up from his mother’s place. Addison said she’d take him back. Seth slipped into the passenger seat and turned to grin at their children, who screamed with excitement. It was like they couldn’t get enough of looking at his face.
“Dad, why did they call you Jack?” Gavin asked. “Is that a nickname?”
Ice shot through Addison’s heart.
“That’s a story for another day,” Seth explained joyfully. “But I promise I’ll explain.”
“It’s a nickname,” Kennedy said to Gavin. “I told you that already.”
“Jack is always a nickname,” Penelope offered, “but it’s a nickname for John, not Seth.”