“Hey! How are you this morning?” asked Janie.
“I’m fine. I’m planning the twins’ party and I need some direction. I’ve been on your Pinterest board, and I need your creative vision to help me create the Dr. Seuss wonderland you’ve been pinning.”
“I’d love to help. Want me to send you a list of things to go get?”
“Yes! That sounds like a perfect idea! I’m not quite as creative as you are.”
“I love birthday parties and can’t wait to celebrate their big day. I’ll text you a list of some items to purchase and we can talk later to figure out the cake and all that.”
“Thanks!”
Janie must have been working quickly because 29 minutes later, Heather had a list.
9:39 Janie: Buy red and white tablecloths-sky blue plates, red napkins, white silverware-red and white paper straws-cups the same color as the plates.
9:45 Heather: K. Thx. Luv u!! xo
Saturday rolled around and as much as she tried to put on a happy face for the kids, her heart was still heavy with the Jenny episode hanging over her head. Janie arrived at 8:30 to help and put Peter to work setting up tables around the pool. Michael and Hayes were in charge of decorating with balloons. The girls set out the paper goods. Heather had run a million errands all week trying to execute the overall theme for the party. Janie thought there should be a dessert bar filled with red and white lollipops, marshmallows dipped in chocolate, a Truffula tree fruit salad, pepperoni pizza rolls and of course a cake. The cake was the centerpiece. It was a three-tiered cake with Thing 1 and Thing 2 running all around it. Heather stood back and looked at all that Janie had envisioned and was amazed, and thankful. She knew it would end up on Pinterest the next day.
After all their work, Heather felt guilty that it was going to be such a small party. She wished more people, especially Jenny, could celebrate with them. Diane, Donna and Phil and Janie and Chris gathered to celebrate the twins' special day. Lauren, Hank's sister, and one of Lauren’s girls came down from Northern Virginia to party with them as well. Her husband and oldest daughter stayed back because she had to work.
"Where's Jenny?" asked Diane.
"She had to go up to her parents’ house for awhile," said Peter.
"Hope everything's ok. It was strange that she ended up not coming over to help at the end of the week while you were gone."
Heather, Peter and Janie exchanged looks.
"She's fine. Just trying to get away from the 2-3-1-1-3. You know how she is when she's not feeling very Zen," said Janie.
They all chuckled at Jenny’s reputation for needing calm and quiet. Heather wanted to ask Janie for some more Jenny details. She was dying to know what she was thinking and what her plans for the future were. She just didn’t want to ask in a big crowd.
"Are you excited to head to Maine? I can't wait for you to see where we grew up," said Janie in an attempt to change the subject.
"Not looking forward to the monstrous car ride with five kids, but other than that, it should be great."
"What time are you leaving?" asked Chris.
"We're on the road by 4. I'm getting everyone up in their pajamas. Even this one," said Peter as he slapped Heather's ass.
"The idea is that they should still be tired from this big birthday party and will sleep most of the way," said Heather.
"Good theory. Let me know how it works," said Chris.
Lauren and Heather sat and talked at the pool. Lauren had adeptly figured out something was wrong.
"What's with the doom and gloom attitude you're carrying on your shoulders?"
She filled Lauren in, and Lauren wasn't that sympathetic.
"You broke the cardinal rule of friendship, you know that right?"
"Yes, but I was overwhelmed and leaving on the trip and wanted to be here to help her."
"Stop playing the overwhelmed card. You're too smart and accomplished for any of us to believe that. I get that your plate is full - very full. You have five kids and a career and a new marriage and a ton of baggage. But buck up, little camper. You're wasting your life and your time playing the ‘overwhelmed mama’."
Heather didn't move she just listened to someone who had known her for almost her whole life.
"You should have told Jenny right away. You shouldn't have gone on a tropical vacation and enjoyed yourself while you knew your best friend was going to be destroyed. Own it and move on."
"I did own it. I told her I made a mistake."
"Then wait for her to come back to you, and in the meantime, enjoy what you have around you. Look at these beautiful kids and that fucking hot as hell husband. You have too much good in your life, and I've known you for too long to let you do this to yourself."
Peter must have seen the look of surprise on Heather's face. He walked over and interrupted the rest of the conversation.
"What's up girls? We've missed you, Lauren."
"I'm just giving your wife some straight talk to shake her out of her head. But, I can do that since I have also had the luxury of wiping her ass." Lauren did help her in the bathroom on her wedding day because she couldn't wipe under her huge tulle skirt.
Lauren gave her a big kiss, and Peter decided it was time for cake. For the finale, George grabbed a tier of Janie’s gorgeous cake and smeared frosting all over Emily. Everyone went to bed early in preparation for their big trip.
Chapter 21
The next morning the Meadows-Adamson clan was driving up 95 to Maine. Heather sat in a fog most of the time thinking about Jenny and missing her friendship. She knew Lauren was right but the conversation still stung. She spent her time passing back sippy cups and juice boxes to the five kids behind her. Peter did all the driving. After a grueling thirteen hours, they arrived. Peter had rented a four-bedroom house on the beach a few miles from his parents' home. The rental house had white clapboards and had a gigantic green porch with four rocking chairs facing the ocean. There was a grassy knoll before a long expanse of public beach. A rocky point jutted out about 100 yards to the left. Heather stood on the porch and took a deep breath before helping Peter unload the car. The sea air felt refreshing. The salt and the breeze off the not quite warm ocean filled her senses. It seeped into every pore and loosened her constantly tight muscles. Before she could take her second breath, Henry ran through the house.
"Mom, this place rocks. I think it might even have a ghost. The shutters were moving upstairs."
"It's the wind, Henry. The sea breezes blow the shutters."
"No, it was a ghost. Trust me."
Heather smiled and walked to the Suburban. The twins were still asleep. The drive had taken longer than anticipated because they had to make so many throw-up stops. All of her offspring had a habit of getting carsick. Heather started throwing beach towels back in Massachusetts. She couldn't bear to stop any more and she could tell from the way Peter tapped the steering wheel incessantly that he didn't want to have to stop again either. This was his first roadtrip as a dad. He was not indoctrinated in slowly by starting with just one child. He got to start by taking five kids all at once. She grabbed her laptop and purse and brought them inside to the kitchen. The kids had helped Peter carry everything up to their rooms. Everyone was busy exploring. Gracie ran in with a huge smile.
"Mom, my room has a turret and a window seat. I can read and watch the ocean." Heather smiled. Gracie was so quiet and introverted. It made Heather happy to see her so excited to be somewhere. Peter came down into the kitchen and opened some windows to get the sea breeze flowing through.
"My parents are bringing dinner in an hour. They can't wait to see the kids."
"Speaking of kids, Gracie, would you run out to the car and see if George and Emily are awake yet?" asked Heather. The car was pulled up right next to the house and all the doors were open. Heather and Peter had taken turns going in and out so many times they figured the twins would be awake shortly.
"Sure."
Peter walked over to Heather and started r
ubbing her shoulders.
"You're not as tight as usual."
"It's the sea air. I feel like I can breathe again."
"Then I think I like Heather in Maine," said Peter as he pressed his lips up against hers.
"Ewww...get a room!" yelled Henry as he came in. Hayes walked in behind him and rolled his eyes.
"Mom, the twins are awake," said Gracie. Heather and Peter walked out to the car and each grabbed a baby. Peter had asked his parents to come in and baby proof the house before they arrived. There were gates and guards on the plugs. While Heather and Peter got settled, the twins toddled and crawled around.
Mary and Tom, Peter's parents, walked in a little while later with several bags filled with dinner. They were thrilled to see the kids. They had almost given up hope that Peter would settle down with a wife and kids. But they could see that this family he inherited was one of the best things that had ever happened to him.
"Heather, it's so great to see you," said Tom as he hugged her.
"We can't wait to show you all of our fair city," said Mary as she gave Heather a kiss.
"It is beautiful here. This house is gorgeous."
"Yeah, but it's haunted," said Henry.
"Buddy, it's the wind, I promise."
"Whatever, Mom. What did you bring for dinner?" asked Henry.
"That's rude, Henry."
"He's fine, sweetie. We brought lobster rolls fresh from our favorite restaurant," said Mary.
"DELISH! I am starved!" said Henry.
Heather found dishes in the cupboard and started to get things out. Tom and Mary had stocked the fridge with all of the necessary items. Peter thought of everything and it wasn't lost on Heather. His author's attention to detail was something she cherished. He was constantly noticing, remembering and thinking of everything. It made Heather's life easier. Even though his need to control everything drove her a little bit crazy sometimes.
After a dinner that was enjoyed by everyone, the babies went to sleep and Tom and Mary offered to stay at the house so the rest of them could go for an evening walk along the shore. Heather was happy to oblige and couldn't wait to get out on the beach. The sound of the waves soothed Heather's soul. She couldn't wait to sleep with the windows open.
As the five of them were walking along the beach together, Heather explained the seventh wave theory to the kids. Her dad used to tell her that the seventh wave was always the largest. She spent so many years wondering how that was true. Her seventh wave was bound to be someone else's sixth wave or another's third wave. Nonetheless, it kept her busy staring at the water when she was little and that was probably her dad's original goal. Henry was occupied for the rest of the night counting waves as they walked. Gracie was looking for a perfect conch, and Hayes and Peter were tossing the football.
Peter watched Heather and could see her relax. He could see her leaving the drudgery of carpool, packing lunches and fighting with Jenny at home. He knew how hard the last few years had been on her and sometimes the toll became obvious. All the love he could give her didn't make up for the loss she suffered or the craziness of having five kids. Carefree Heather was on Virgin Gorda but she couldn't maintain it at home. He was a little bit jealous of Hank's time with her imagining that before kids she had been more laidback.
"Ok guys. Race back to the house!" said Peter racing passed Heather. She took off running too but was easily beaten by the four of them.
They said good night to Tom and Mary and made a plan for them to watch the twins while Peter took everyone out on his sailboat the next day. The boys went up to their bedroom and Heather took Gracie up to hers. Gracie brought along the t-shirt quilt of her dad's old t-shirts and wrapped herself up. Heather cuddled with her until she fell asleep.
Heather walked into her bedroom and found Peter in bed on his iPad.
"Working?"
"Just checking e-mail. The edits should be coming in on my new book. Come get in bed."
"I might take a shower. Join me?" asked Heather with a twinkle in her eye. Peter got out of bed in a hurry and started the water. The shower at this rental home was smaller than the one they had at home, but most showers were smaller than the gigantic double shower they had in their new house. This one had a window in it and the light from the almost full moon was streaming in. As soon as the water warmed up, they got in. Peter had unpacked his body wash. A wash that Heather had become addicted too. Henry was tired of her smelling like a guy, but she was happy he hadn't clued into why she smelled like one. Peter rubbed the lotion all over Heather not missing a spot. She moaned as his hands touched her. She traced each of his tattoos as he moved his hands around her stomach and gently into her. Heather sighed and turned around to kiss Peter. He wrapped his arms around her back and grabbed her ass. He loved touching her. Having five children hadn't changed her body much. She complained about her twin skin or teeny tiny belly she wanted to get rid of, but Peter thought she was perfect. She held onto Peter's neck as he began thrusting his tongue between her lips. She wanted him inside of her. And he obliged.
"MOM? Where are you?" Heather jumped and Peter pulled himself out of her. She grabbed a towel and met a startled Henry outside of the shower.
"What are you two doing in there?"
"I was just getting out and Peter was getting in. I didn't want to turn the water off," said Heather trying to think quickly and stammering through her explanation.
"That's gross and weird."
"Why are you up?"
"The ghost’s in my room. It keeps banging the shutters."
"Henry, there isn't a ghost. It's the sea breeze. I can close your window, but the shutters might still blow. You'll just have to get used to it."
"I can see what I can rig up in the morning to keep it from blowing, buddy," said Peter.
"Head back to your room and I'll be right in."
Peter grabbed Heather and whispered, "We're getting a lock for our doors in the morning. We'll finish when you get back to bed."
Heather went into the boys' room and closed the windows and sat with Henry.
"Mom, I think it's Dad. I think he followed us to Maine."
"I'm sure he did follow us to Maine, but I don't think he's banging the shutters to keep you up at night. Go to sleep. I'll stay here with you for a minute."
Heather sat with Henry until he fell asleep. He was too young to have too many memories of Hank. Hank's stories had become like legends to him. He never tired of him but Peter was more of a dad to him. Henry had slipped into the role of Peter's son without any issue. Gracie had done the same. It was harder for Hayes, the teenager, because he had the most memories of Hank. She hoped Hayes and Peter would have an amazing relationship one day.
She walked back into her room closing the door before climbing back into bed.
"That was a close call. Do you think he believed you?"
"I'm not sure he has any reason not to believe me," said Heather.
"Now where did we leave off?" asked Peter.
Peter brought Heather back to where they had stopped. He held her arms above her head and entered her. He kissed her as she moaned and she came first quickly followed by Peter.
"Like I said earlier, I like Heather in Maine. I might have to keep you here."
"Well, I like Peter anywhere. But I do like Maine so far too."
"Can't wait to take you out on the boat tomorrow."
"I better get to sleep. Big day tomorrow. Love you."
"I love you more than you can imagine my sweet. Good night."
Heather could hear the shutter banging, but she was too tired to care and let the sound of the waves lull her to sleep.
Chapter 22
The sea gulls woke George up early, which in turn woke everyone up in the house. The plan was to go to the beach, come back for lunch and head out on the boat when the twins went down for their afternoon nap. Taking barely one-year-old twins to the beach was an undertaking. The beach was basically their backyard, but all of the kids and things made
it feel like it was a hundred miles away. Heather and Peter loaded up a wagon with toys, towels and other paraphernalia, put the twins in the jogging stroller and went down to the beach with the other three kids. Hayes carried a plastic pool. She planned on filling the pool up with a little water and hoped George and Emily would be happy in it. Heather brought two beach chairs but knew that sitting at the beach while watching five kids was going to be next to impossible.
Hayes and Peter went right into the ocean. Heather laid out the towels and set the pool up for the twins. She got a wave of butterflies as she stole a glance at Peter in his swimsuit. Every part of his body was perfectly chiseled. His Vineyard Vines swimsuit contradicted the tattoos covering his arms. But that's what Peter was in so many ways, a contradiction. He looked like a bad boy but acted like Prince Charming.
Heather got everything situated and put the twins in the pool. George wouldn't leave Emily's sun hat alone and kept grabbing it off her head making her cry each time. Heather couldn't get him to stop because he was only one, and there was no rationalizing with a one-year-old. He heard the word "no" more than any of her other kids ever had and had earned the nickname "Master of Disaster" for all of his crazy antics as he crawled around the house and destroyed things.
Peter heard the cries from the water and came back up to see how he could help.
"George is driving Emily crazy. I'm afraid he's going to annoy the crap out of her for the rest of her life," said Heather.
"She'll get him back when they start dating. She's just going to have to tolerate him for the next thirteen or fourteen years."
"Want to help me bring them down to the water?"
"I would help you do anything my crazy, gorgeous wife."
Heather smiled. The word wife still sounded odd to her. Marrying Peter on Hawaii was a dream come true for all of them but still felt surreal. They walked the twins down to the water and let them get their toes wet. George squealed with delight, but Emily was a bit hesitant. She was definitely the cautious one of the two.
The New Ever After (The New Ever After Series) Page 10
