Sally lifted a clear statue of sculpted crystal. It sparkled as the porch lights pierced it. Buffy had seen it up close so she knew Ridge was seeing the image of himself that had been on the poster, the one that had encouraged everyone viewing it to Be a Hero to support their veterans and wounded warriors. Behind Ridge’s image stood three wounded soldiers saluting, one in a wheelchair, two others with prostheses much like Ridge’s company fitted veterans with all over the globe at no charge, thanks to the consortium of companies that made up MiliCare.
Handing the statue to Ridge, she said, “The AIRW would like to present the Humanitarian of the Decade award to Ridge Romano for his tireless and continuing efforts to change the lives of veterans of all wars.”
The applause was amazing. Buffy could hardly see Ridge through her tears. He accepted the award and waved her onto the porch. “Buffy.”
She shook her head. This was his moment, by golly, and only his. But he wouldn’t go on without her so she marched up and into his arms. “Can’t you let us appreciate your efforts and accept the award graciously?”
Ridge smiled and turned to the group in the yard. “My wife just asked why I couldn’t just accept the award graciously for my efforts.” A few flashbulbs went off. He looked at Sally then Buffy. “It’s because many people had a part in this, least of all me, like thousands of writers and their readers, veterans and their families, all of whom showed up in the streets to demonstrate for the big vote. And I doubt if any of it would have happened if my lovely wife hadn’t persuaded me to pose for her and then proceeded to show me how short-sighted I’d been. This award belongs to all those dedicated individuals and if I may…” he swallowed, cleared his throat… “I wish I could share it with my brother, John Romano, whose life might have been different—”
“You are sharing it with John, Ridge,” a voice interrupted from the side yard. As a couple appeared at the side of the house, a young girl came flying around the corner of the porch. “Uncle Ridge!” He caught her with one strong arm as she jumped up and clasped him around the neck.
“Carrie, I’ve missed you, sweetie.” While Carrie kissed her uncle, his late brother’s wife, Belinda and a man stood by smiling. Ridge held out his arm and Belinda walked to him.
“Still taking care of everyone else aren’t you, my friend?” Belinda asked.
Ridge looked at the man for permission and when he grinned and nodded, he smacked her on the lips and held her close. “I’m much better, Belinda. God, it’s good to see you. All of you.” He drew back and looked down at his brother’s growing daughter. “Carrie, you have become a beautiful young lady.” Lifting his gaze to Belinda, he said, “I’ve missed you guys.”
“It’s been too long,” Belinda agreed.
“But I see you’ve been busy.” Ridge pointed at her large belly and she laughed pulling the man beside her closer. “You can blame my husband for that. Ridge, I’d like you to meet Jeff Bowman.”
Ridge held his hand out. “Great to meet you, Jeff. Sorry if I interfered with your plans early on.” Ridge had thought himself indispensable to his brother’s wife after his death until she’d pointed out it was time for him to get a life and informed him he was interfering with her new relationship—with Jeff.
The blonde-headed man surprised Ridge by straightening and saluting until Ridge returned the gesture. Jeff lowered his arm and grinned. “It’s an honor to meet you, Ridge, and don’t worry about the other. I know you meant well. I’ve also benefited from the new bill and your expertise in bionics.” He lifted his trousers to show Ridge his hi-tech lower leg.
“I’m glad, Jeff. It looks like congratulations are in order for you.” Jeff looked down at Belinda with all the tenderness and love she deserved. She’s going to be all right, John, Ridge thought, and in that moment felt John’s presence more than he had since his death.
Carrie put her hand on her mother’s stomach and grinned, showing her missing front teeth. “I’m getting a baby brother and we’re going to name him John after Daddy.”
Ridge swallowed, suddenly speechless.
Buffy hugged Belinda and Carrie then turned to Ridge. “We’re not finished, Ridge. Sally has something else for you.” Their friends had been paying close attention to the exchange and now started chanting, “Ridge, Ridge,” and urging him back to the porch. They were enjoying the surprising turn of events.
Ridge promised to visit with them later and leaned over to whisper in Buffy's ear. “I have something for you too, my love.”
She smiled over her shoulder. “Anything you say, dear. Now get up there.”
Sally and Buffy raised a large piece of cardboard. “In addition to the award, I have a check from last year’s fundraisers for whatever you determine is the most pressing need…” The band played a quick drumroll, and the crowd cheered as they turned it around. “…In the amount of one hundred and thirty-thousand dollars!”
Ridge was vaguely aware of the applause from his friends. He looked at the check humbled at their dedication. That this amazing group of writers would continue the work they’d begun two years before was an honor to the men and women they both served. “Thank you, Sally. Your organization continues to make me proud of our association. And you can report that the check went to a much-needed facility—a local project—the Battlefield Retreat.”
He smiled over the heads of the guests as the woman he’d been talking to earlier raised her hands and shouted, “Yes!”
Ridge smiled. “Kelly Mitchell has renovated a three-story farmhouse and barn on a parcel of land near here. She’s turned it into a refuge where wounded warriors can heal and transition to civilian life. She was telling me about the need for beds, kitchen equipment and improvements to their REC center.” He waved Kelly forward and handed her the check. “This should take care of some of those renovations.” Kelly wiped tears away as she took the large check from him and hugged him.
Ridge took Buffy’s hand and said, “We’re glad all of you could make it this Christmas Eve. It’s been quite a night and I think it’s a perfect time to break open those bottles of champagne, but don’t go anywhere, it’s a while until daylight. The music can start back up now… I assume.” He turned to Buffy, “No more surprises tonight?” She shook her head, and some of their guests laughed as he made a show of holding his heart steady with his hand. Zeb popped the cork on the champagne.
Ridge turned to Belinda and her husband. “I assume my wife wouldn’t let you give me a heads up about coming.”
Belinda smiled. “She said it was a surprise and we wanted to be a part of your big night. It was a wonderful idea, a more exciting Christmas than we had planned. We’ve missed you, Ridge. I didn’t mean for you to just stop coming to see us. Carrie and I have made a new life with Jeff but you know we’ll always be family. Buffy has kept us up to date on your success with the studio and the consortium.”
Ridge took Carrie’s hand and said, “Come on. I’ll introduce you to everybody. And maybe this lovely young lady will do me the honor of dancing with her old uncle.”
Carrie jumped up and down. “Really?”
“Really,” Ridge grinned.
Chapter Fourteen
Buffy’s heart was light as she watched her husband enjoying himself. The whole evening couldn’t have gone more smoothly, including Sam’s almost instantaneous delivery. It hadn’t even disrupted the party, only enhanced it. Once again, she felt the deep sense of community that had drawn her back home after so many years away.
She watched Carrie as she skipped alongside her Uncle Ridge from table to table. He was going to be a wonderful father. She walked to Brenna and Nick’s table and sat down while they ate.
Di said, “Wow. You sure know how to throw a party! I have to tell you. If I’d known I was going to love these mudbugs so much I’d have dressed in a hazmat suit.” They all laughed. It was her first time to eat crawfish and her outfit looked like it. But she didn’t seem concerned at all that she had crawfish juice and guts and bits of shell
all over her.
Buffy handed her a damp towel. “You’ll need this. There’s uh… some crawfish guts in your hair.” She leaned forward to pluck it from her friend's blonde mane as Di broke off another tail and peeled the shell away. “I’m glad you’re having a good time. Brenna tells me she’s trying to entice you to move to Thunder Point.” She looked across at Brenna and Nick. “I think she belongs here. She’s even sucking the heads.”
Brenna said, “Godiva's going to be the baby’s godmother. She needs to live nearby so she can babysit.”
“Oh, now the truth comes out,” Di said, wiping her hands. Brenna and Nick laughed. She said, “This area is charming and the food is exquisite, must be the New Orleans French Cajun influence. But I swear walking around down town by the harbor, I'd think I was in Bermuda or some tropical island. Brenna was trying to convince me to rent a surfboard—in December!”
Nick said, "I heard there was a Christmas Day surfing event out at Frenchman's Point. The lighthouse is all lit up for the holidays and the water's not too cold."
"I'll pass thank you," Di said laughing. "This time."
Buffy said, “If you decide to move, there are always opportunities here with the studio and with film companies who come through several times a year.”
“I’ll keep it in mind, Buffy, thanks. I’ve recently been thinking about opening my own business but the prospects in DC are daunting with the price of real estate and the cost of living. I haven’t made a decision yet though.”
Brenna said, “Ridge seems to be enjoying little Carrie.” Buffy smiled as Carrie and Ridge joined a dance chain, snaking around the grass near the lively band. He looked… playful and happy, two traits that were fairly new to him, the former obviously brought about by the presence of a child, and the latter from the changes in his life in the last two years. She felt tears threaten as gratefulness nearly overwhelmed her.
“He hasn’t seen his niece in almost two years. After his brother died they were really close. I thought this would be the ideal time for a reunion on his side of the family. And why not? We’ve got Larues, Calloways, Romanos, Burkes. We should start a new tradition with the Gabriels as well.”
Brenna’s parents were deceased and Buffy didn’t know where Nick’s family lived. “Next year you’ll have a new little one and—” she stopped herself just in time, her hand going to her flat stomach— “and with Sam’s baby, well, we’ll have to have a celebration of first Christmases.”
That’s a great idea, isn’t it Nick?” Brenna looked at her husband.
Nick squeezed her against him. “Whatever you want is fine with me.” He brought her hand to his lips.
Godiva grinned, “Aren’t they just sickening—” She straightened as something caught her attention, one perfect blonde brow rose and for just a second she seemed annoyed. “What’s he doing here? I mean… ” She looked at Brenna her face once again neutral. “I wasn’t aware Declan would be here. He certainly gets around.”
Brenna and Nick looked at each other and Buffy wondered what they knew that she didn’t. She rose as their friend Declan Murphy stopped at their table. A bronze-haired, rugged looking man with an easy smile, Declan never seemed to have a bad day. “Hi, Brenna, Nick.” Some emotion flitted across his face as his eyes met Di’s but it was brief. “Godiva. Didn’t know you were coming down for Christmas.”
Di just nodded her head. “Declan.”
There was definitely an undercurrent. Buffy put an arm through Declan’s and offered to take him around. “Though I can’t imagine there are many people here you don’t know. Like Di said, you do get around. I’d like you to meet Ridge’s sister-in-law and niece. First, would you like something to drink?”
“Sure,” Declan said. She led him over to the bar so he could get a glass of wine. He grinned. “I heard about the excitement. I was at the hospital when Victoria and Samantha Larue showed up with the baby. What a Christmas story, huh?”
Buffy smiled. “It really was special, Dec. How are Sam and Nina doing?”
“Sam's mom and the cop were fixin’ to take them home,” he said taking a sip of his wine.
“Really,” Buffy’s eyebrows rose.
Ridge turned as Buffy and Declan arrived at his side. He introduced Declan to the Bowmans. “Declan is a local contractor, minister, and an EMT. He wears more hats than anyone I know and does it all well.”
Declan smiled and shook hands with them. “It’s nice to meet you folks. If you’re going to be in town tomorrow, we’re having a Christmas service at ten in the morning.”
Ridge said, “If you’d been here earlier, you could have delivered Sam’s baby.” Belinda and Jeff looked surprised so he filled them in on the excitement.
Belinda said, “Now I see why there is so much energy here tonight. We live in California and haven’t seen Ridge in a while,” she explained to Declan.
Carrie tugged on Ridge’s arm. “Uncle Ridge. Can we dance again?”
He said, “If you still want to after the band takes a break. They’ve been playing all night without one.” At that moment the singer announced they’d return in fifteen or twenty minutes at which time they’d play Christmas songs until midnight.
Just as the music ended and quiet settled over the backyard, as if everyone took a breath, Declan said to Buffy, “I’d have been here earlier but we had an emergency down at Twin Lakes. Nothing serious. Is it too late to look at that room you want to renovate?”
Ridge’s head turned toward Buffy. Her eyes widened and with a sense of the inevitable, she heard Declan say, “I thought you might like a nursery similar to Brenna’s.”
He caught the look on Ridge’s face just as Buffy covered her mouth. Ridge’s eyebrow rose. Then his face lit up with that smile that turned her heart over every time. “Are we in the market for a nursery, darling?” Ridge’s voice carried and several of their friends turned.
Declan said, “I’m sorry, I—”
Buffy put her hand on Declan’s arm and looked up at him. “You’re only a day early, Declan. I wanted to surprise my husband and announce it to the family tomorrow, but tonight has already been perfect, with so many of our friends here, Carrie and Belinda… well. . . ” She turned to Ridge. “You are surprised aren’t you, sweetheart?” His eyes turned soft as he looked down at her. “Ridge? Are you happy—”
“Am I happy! God, Buffy, I can’t believe it.” He put his arm around her. “Everyone, did you hear? We’re having a baby.” He picked Buffy up and twirled her around, his face a wonderful canvas of happiness she’d never seen before, making her glad the news had come out as it did. It was the right time.
“Lana?” Her mother’s voice came from the porch. “Lana, did I hear right?” Pamela ran to them kissing them both on the cheek. “I was beginning to think I would never have a grand-baby. Wait until Mother and the rest of the family hears. I think I’ll run over and tell them in person.” She released them and ran back into the house. Buffy just laughed but when she looked at Ridge again he had a serious expression on his face.
“I’m sorry, Ridge. I meant to tell you first, tomorrow night. That was going to be your main Christmas present. You’re not mad, are you?” Amid the cheers and handshakes and toasts going on around them, he took her face in his hands and stared into her eyes. His glimmered with emotion.
“Buffy Romano, I can’t even put into words how I feel.”
She smiled back. “It’s a good thing Mom is going to the farm with the news or we wouldn’t be allowed through the gate for Christmas dinner.”
Declan edged closer and said, “I’m sorry, Buffy. I don’t usually mess up that badly.”
Ridge clapped him on the back. “No problem at all, Declan, this is news I’d take anyhow, anytime.” Declan nodded and returned to Brenna and Nick’s table.
“What’s this I hear about a nephew?” a voice said from behind Buffy.
Chapter Fifteen
Buffy spun around and let her brother Ted pick her up off her feet and kiss her.
“Congratulations!” He shook Ridge’s hand and clapped him on the back. “Boy or girl? Let’s have a boy!” Ted said.
“This is not like ordering parts from China, Teddy. It’s a little soon to tell and why, pray tell, do you care what sex the baby is?” Buffy asked. Ted had never seemed interested in children one way or the other. She hadn’t even been sure he knew that children were what eventually became adults.
Ted said, “Sports, of course. I can help you with babysitting if we have baseball or soccer practice, etc. But I am not changing diapers or messing with dolls.”
Buffy looked at Ridge and shook her head. “Even boys have to have their diapers changed, brother mine, even you.”
Ted frowned and made a face. “Oh, well then, put me down for the babysitting queue after it’s potty trained.”
Buffy rolled her eyes. “So noted. Where have you been?”
“I had three open houses today, believe it or not. Sold one of them,” he said grinning with just a hint of arrogance, "that vacant building in the Prisms. It's been empty for three years. What can I say? I’m good.” Okay, more than a hint.
His eyebrows rose nearly to his hairline when he spotted Godiva. “Who’s the stunner?” Ridge smiled at Buffy. They’d had conversations about Ted’s chauvinism, mostly recently illustrated by how he hadn’t acknowledged that his future niece could wind up being an athlete just as easily as a nephew.
As they walked toward the group, Declan turned in Ted’s direction. Buffy said, “That’s Godiva, a friend of Nick and Brenna’s. You remember Brenna?”
“Sure… and Dec. Good to see you, buddy.” Ted and Declan had worked together often over the years ever since Declan first started doing carpentry during high school. They shared some kind of special handshake and then Ted asked, “Is she with anyone?”
Whispers of Winter: A Limited Edition Collection of Winter Romances Page 61
