Tides and Tidings

Chapter 2

Blythe

I awkwardly climbed over the center console of the Jeep and plopped down next to Wren. “You were so excited when we left the house. What changed in the ten-minute drive, Little Bird?”

She sighed loudly as I unbuckled her. “What if I mess up, Birdie? Everyone will laugh at me.” Her small bottom lip quivered, tears threatening to fall.

“Oh, sweetheart,” I grabbed her out of the seat and pulled her close, “I promise no one will laugh at you if you make a mistake. What do your dad and I always say?”

Wren sniffled, “It’s time to go to bed?”

I bit back a smile because she wasn’t wrong. Charlie and I always tell her she needs to go to bed—it’s usually well past her bedtime, and we have, umm , adult things we need to tend to. “Well, yes, but mistakes happen, and it’ll be okay.”

“I just want you to be proud of me.” Her blue eyes fell.

I squeezed her tighter, “I am always proud of you. Want to know a secret?”

A wry smile spread across her face, “Yeah.”

“You’re my best friend. You can’t tell your dad, though.” I held my pointer finger up to my lips.

Her eyes went wide, “No way!”

I nodded dramatically, wiggling my eyebrows. “What do you think, are you ready to head into your classroom?”

“I think so. Will you walk me in?”

“Of course I will.” I exited the car and carried Wren into the school since she insisted she couldn’t walk because she was too nervous. The pout she gave me when I suggested she walk was all her dad, and they both knew it worked on me one hundred percent of the time. We approached her classroom door, and I put her down. “Head on inside. I’ll try to wave so you see me in the crowd.”

I knelt to her level before adjusting her halo. “You’re going to be incredible. When you get nervous, look at the back wall.”

Wren threw herself into my arms. “I love you, Birdie. I’ll see you after the pageant!”

“I love you too!” Wren started saying I love you to me pretty quickly, but it still squeezed my heart when she said it.

And with that, she was off. I went down the hallway and into the auditorium with a small stage. I scanned the room, looking for the backs of Charlie and Marjorie’s heads.

“Lookin’ for me?” A husky voice with a southern drawl whispered against my neck. His stubble scratched the base of my throat, and my legs became weak. For someone adamant about not wanting a relationship not long ago, I cannonballed into the deep end by dating and moving in with a man with a six-year-old. I wouldn’t trade living in Wippowa for anything. Packing up and leaving Seattle was the best decision I have ever made.

I turned to face the six-foot-three man behind me. A devilish grin spread across Charlie’s face as he wrapped his arm around my waist and led me to the first row where Marjorie and Ron were seated. “I’ll be right back. I have to get Wren’s little gift out of the car.”

“Mornin’, Bee.” Ron directed at me.

“Good morning!”

“Good mornin’, dear.” Marjorie’s soft voice filled the space between us. “Ready for an adults-only weekend?”

A small smile danced on my lips, “Very much so. Are you sure you don’t mind watching Wren?”

“An entire weekend to spoil my favorite girl? Don’t be silly. I’ve been counting down the days!” She bumped into my shoulder. “Besides, Charlie has quite the weekend in store for you.”

“He told you what he has planned?” Charlie was tight-lipped about this weekend. The only detail he gave me was that I needed a dress for Saturday night.

“Oh yeah. He ran his entire plan by me.”

I opened my mouth to see if she would spill the beans, but I was met with Wren’s frantic teacher. “You’re Wren Hannigan’s mom, right?”

“I’m her dad’s…” I thought of the best way to word my response but gave up. “Yes, I am.”

“Can you please come with me?” Mrs. Smith ushered me over to Wren’s classroom. “She was fine, but when we started to line up to go into the auditorium, she panicked, and I couldn’t get her up. She said she needed you.”

My eyes fell to the small girl cowering in the corner. “Oh, my Wrenny…” I immediately went over to her and brushed her hair out of her face. “What’s going on?”

She threw herself into my arms, “I don’t want to do this.”

“I thought you were okay once we talked in the car. Did something else happen?”

Wren nodded, and her curls bounced.

“What happened?”

“Celly told me that I wouldn’t be a good angel.” A small sob finally broke through.

“Well, that’s not true at all.” I leaned in closer to whisper in her ear. “Do you know what I think? I think Celeste was jealous, and she’s trying to make you nervous.”

“Really?” The six-year-old still wouldn’t make eye contact.

“Yep. You’re going to be amazing, Little Bird. Grammy, Pops, Daddy, and I are in the front row. When you get up on that stage, look at us and you won’t get nervous. Pretend like you’re singing to us.”

“What about when I have to say my line?” she shot back, finally making eye contact.

“When you have to talk, just look at one of us.”

“Can I look at you, Birdie?”

“Of course you can. You know I’ll always be your biggest cheerleader.” I gave her a tight squeeze. “Love you to the moon…”

“And back!” Wren finished.

“Do you think you’re ready to head out there?” Mrs. Smith asked Wren.

She hesitated but then nodded.

“I’ll see you soon!” I exited the classroom and made my way back to my seat.

I took my seat in between Charlie and Marjorie. Charlie had a worried expression across his face.

“Celeste told her she was going to be a bad angel and it psyched her out.”

“Is she okay now?” Dad mode was activated.

“I think so? Maybe?” I sighed, “I did my best.”

Charlie kissed the side of my head, “I’m sure you helped her more than you know, babe.”

Christmas music started playing and we could see the class standing outside the auditorium door. Wren was close to the front of the line and looked green from nerves. All I wanted was scoop her up and take her to get a toy. The small group of kids walked in and filed onto the stage. Our little Wren was front and center. It took her a moment, but she spotted her four favorite people and gave us a small wave. We all waved back, and she was visibly relaxed.

Half an hour later, the kids were taking their bows before returning to their classroom. Halfway through the little performance, I saw Charlie’s eyes water. When we first met, he was stone-cold; today, he’s a weeping mess.

“I’ll go get her.” Charlie was up and ready to get his little girl before the rest of us even had a chance to stand up.

My heart melted, “We’ll wait here.”

Marjorie, Ron, and I waited outside and raved over Wren’s performance. She knew all the words to the songs and nailed her lines. A few minutes later, Charlie appeared with Wren in tow.

“There’s our girl!” Ron welcomed her with open arms.

“Pop! Did you see me?” The kid was elated.

“I sure did. See, nothing to be nervous about.” He reassured her.

“Grammy!” Wren shifted from one grandparent to the other. Giving her grandma a warm embrace.

“You were outstanding, Little Bird!”

I stood back, letting the family have a moment together before I joined in.

“Birdie!” Wren wrapped herself around my legs. “I didn’t make a mistake!”

“You were incredible! I’m so proud of you!” I gave her the tightest squeeze I could muster.

Wren turned towards Marjorie, “Can you take a picture of me dressed up with Birdie and Daddy, Grammy?”

“I’d be happy to.” I handed my phone over to Marjorie. Charlie picked up Wren and held her close while I wrapped my arms around them while she snapped pictures.

“Now one of just me and Birdie!” She said emphatically.

Charlie handed over Wren and she snuggled into my neck before rubbing her eyes.

“Are you doing a big smile?” I asked, bouncing her slightly on my hip.

“Mhm.”

“Are you tired?”

That got her to perk up, “No.”

“Are you lying?” I pressed.

“Not really.”

Marjorie chimed in, “Do you want to go back to my house and take a nap instead?”

“I’m awake, Grammy.” Wren picked her head up and we took a picture together.

I handed an overtired Wren over to Charlie and grabbed my phone back from Marjorie. Scanning through the pictures, I couldn’t help but tear up. The photo of the three of us was one of our best pictures. As soon as we get in the car, I’ll make that picture the wallpaper on my phone.

We briefly chatted with the other parents when Ron motioned over to a sleeping Wren. The girl was out cold. “Do we still want to grab lunch? Or do you want us to take her back to our house and let her nap and y’all can bring Marsh over in a bit?”

I looked over at Charlie, down at sleeping Wren, and back up to Charlie. “Your call.”

There was a slight glimmer in his eye, “Why don’t we send her home with Grammy and Pops so we can go home and relax?”

“Fabulous plan!” Marjorie piped up. Something in my gut told me that she knew something she wasn’t letting me in on, but honestly, with the little sleep I’ve gotten over the last week and a half, I didn’t care. A midday nap on the couch sounded glorious—like something I hadn’t done since college.

The grandparents took Wren and her bags and were off, giving Charlie and me the green light to go home and do nothing…until whatever Charlie had planned for us.