Tides and Tidings

Chapter 8

Blythe

“B irdie!” Wren’s sweet southern voice called. Confused, I opened my eyes. The sun shone through the sheer curtains, and I felt that wine from last night. I rolled over to see Charlie on FaceTime with Wren.

“Hi, Little Bird.” My voice was raspy. I sat up next to Charlie. “Have you done anything fun with Grammy and Pops?”

“Yeah! We had mac and cheese for dinner. And we went to the park. And we watched Christmas movies.”

“It sounds like you’re having a good time,” Charlie responded to the six-year-old, who would never want to come home.

“Soo much fun!” The kid had way too much energy for seven thirty in the morning. When she’s home, good luck trying to get her up. I don’t know her mom, but she takes after her dad when sleeping in—except on boat days when they’re up before the sun.

“What are you doing today?” I asked, still trying to wake up.

“I’m helping Grammy decorate.”

“Oh, that’ll be cool!”

“What are you doing today, Birdie and Daddy?”

I looked at Charlie and smirked, “I don’t know, Wrenny. Ask your dad.”

“I’m taking Birdie on a special date. We’re going to stay at a fancy hotel tonight.”

Why did Charlie just say special that way? Fancy hotel?

“That sounds like—”

“Wren?” Marjorie was calling for her granddaughter. “Are you…in here.” It came out like a statement rather than a question.

Marjorie lowered herself into the frame, “Oh, Wrenny. Did you call your parents?” Her hair was in curlers.

Wren nodded, her blonde curls bouncing.

“I’m so sorry, kids. I was making breakfast and didn’t realize she ran off with my phone.”

“It’s all good, ma. We missed the kid, so it was nice to talk to her.”

I nodded in agreement.

“Why did you call them, Wren?” Marjorie addressed her spawn’s spawn.

“I just wanted to say good morning.”

“Well, good morning, my Little Bird. Have a great day with Grammy.” Charlie went into dad mode.

“Thanks, Daddy! I love you!”

“Love you too,” I watched as the grumpy coffee shop owner I met turned into this mush.

Charlie ended the call and set his phone on the nightstand. I snuggled closer to him and traced little circles mindlessly on his chiseled frame.

A yawn escaped my mouth, “What’s first up on the docket?”

Charlie gave me a smug grin, “You.”

If Charlie ever asked me to marry him, I would in a heartbeat. We’ve not had any official talks about it, so who knows if he’s at that point, but I love him with every fiber of my being. I love his daughter like she’s my own. His parents have welcomed me in with open arms. His community has embraced me in ways I could’ve never thought possible. We own a business. We live together. If the opportunity arose to ensure this wonderful human being stayed in my life forever, I would take it immediately.

As someone who was very against wanting to have children, my heart might have changed recently. We were at Friendsgiving, and one of our friends had just had a baby. When I saw Charlie holding that baby, I thought my insides were going to explode.

Charlie was right. Even if we didn’t want a kid right now, we could have fun practicing.