Zoe pounded on her husband’s back, yelling to let her down, and the three sisters went to hug the new one. Natalie came to stand beside Sam, slipping her hand into his. He pulled her, so she was in his arms.
With a shrug, both Sam and Natalie decided that the game was over since once the hugs were done between the sisters, the newcomer’s husband walked around the car carrying a two-year-old in his arms. They received the same hugs and handshakes from the men. Zoe, who had managed to get free, pulled the toddler boy from his arms as Della went into the back of the car to take out a car seat that must have contained a baby.
Looking up, Della noticed them standing off to the side and waved them over. It felt odd going over to the big family greeting, but Sam knew she had to go over there and meet her new relatives. This might be her only chance.
“I’m sorry we forgot about you guys. My sister Zephyr is here with the kids,” she said, and the tall black man cleared his throat. “And Zachary, of course.”
They nodded at him, and he smiled at them. In a smooth southern accent, he said, “Hi, Zachary Wainwright. That’s my wife, Zephyr. Zion is with Zoe, and the baby is Zelda.”
“Sam and Beckett Sullivan.” He indicated to himself and Natalie.
“Nice to meet you. They get a little crazy. I’m not used to it,” the man informed them as if sensing they were uncomfortable.
“Us either.” Natalie spoke for the first time.
Della turned to them, holding a six-month-old baby in her arms. “This is Zelda. Zelda, this is Beckett.” Oddly, she didn’t introduce Sam to the baby, just her. In fact, she didn’t even look his way.
“Hello, Zelda. How are you?” Natalie asked the baby with a smile, shaking the tiny hand.
Sam looked from her to the baby and back again. The skin tone was far closer to what Natalie’s had been in the baby pictures Patrick had displayed in his house. And even the button nose was there. For a moment, he knew this is what Natalie’s babies would look like, or far closer than the other kids there that day. That was if she could have them. It was a punch in the gut to see it.
“Zephyr and Zachary are staying at the B&B tonight. Also, they always stay over there,” Della informed them.
The new arrival walked up to her sister and put her arms around her with a smile, and said, “Happy Birthday, Della.”
“Thanks,” Della said, but she didn’t smile with her sister.
“We stay at the B&B because that’s where I fell in love with Zachary.” Her southern accent was as pronounced as her husband’s—far different from any of her three sisters.
“Liar, you were already in love with me long before we got here.” Zachary slipped an arm around his wife.
“It’s still very special to me,” Zephyr said, looking at her husband with love in her eyes.
“Beckett here is a librarian,” Della informed her.
“Really,” was all Zephyr said. Not expanding on why it was something that needed to be said.
“Yes.” Natalie didn’t know what else to say about it. Her job was pretty boring most of the time.
The crowd was starting to disband. Evie took the baby from Della and went into the house with Zoey. Soon Zephyr and Zachary headed into the house also, and the kids soon followed, looking for something to eat.
Soon it was just Della, Max, Beckett, and Sam on the lawn, watching the last of the people wander into the house after the new arrivals.
“We should go and let you be with your family,” Natalie said from his arms.
“No, you come and join us,” Della insisted, and Sam watched Max pull her into his arms and whisper something in her ear.
“Supper is about ready, and it’s Della’s birthday party. She would really like you two to be there. She doesn’t do much for her birthday usually,” Max said with a lazy smile.
Feeling the tension leave Natalie’s body at his words, Sam said, “We can stay for a little while. But can you give us a minute?”
“Sure, see you inside.” Max let his wife go from the embrace but took her hand to lead her to their house.
Sam and Natalie watched them walk across the yard hand in hand and then walk up the stairs. They were chatting quietly as they walked, and at the top of the stairs, Max pulled her into his arms and kissed her. Sam could hear her laugh when they separated.
“Did you want to go?” He pulled Natalie in for a hug.
“They remind me of my mom and dad, that’s all,” she explained from his shoulder.