Elizabeth rested her head on Viola's shoulder. Julie was sitting across from them on the love seat. All three women were silent, the gravity of Nathan's assignment hitting all of them. A movie was playing, but none of them were paying much attention.
Viola was calmly smoothing Elizabeth's hair back in long, repetitive motions. The sensation was a soothing one, helping Elizabeth to relax slightly. Though she had a sense of peace, the fear was still present. She marveled at the fact that it was her long-estranged sister who was providing her with comfort now.
Julie picked up the remote and hit the pause button. She turned so that she was facing Elizabeth and Viola. "Do you want to talk, Beth?" she asked, compassion lacing her voice.
Elizabeth let out a long breath. "I'm just worried about him," she said softly.
Viola hugged her closer. "Of course you are. You love him. That is plain as day. And when you love someone, you worry about them. Especially in situations like this."
"I knew the risks going into this marriage," Elizabeth said. "I've accepted them, and I know Nathan will probably be just fine. It's the uncertainty that gets to me."
Julie stood, coming over to join her sisters on the couch. Sandwiched between Viola and Julie, Elizabeth felt a curling warmth fill her. It reminded her of the times they were all girls, holding each other when something happened to hurt one of them. They had always had each other's backs. Time had changed things, but it was now slowly coming back to what had once been.
Elizabeth impulsively wrapped her arms around each of them, hugging them close. "I love you both so very much," she whispered, a lump growing in her throat. "Thank you for being here right now."
"You're welcome, sweetie," Viola said, sounding emotional. Julie couldn't speak; she simply held Elizabeth tighter.
How long they stayed that way, Elizabeth didn't know. All she knew was that she was surrounded by the love of sisterhood, a bond that had started at birth and grew into what it was now.
All three of them sat up a little straighter at the sound of a car door shutting. Elizabeth held her breath. She gave a cry of relief as Nathan walked through the door, standing to rush over to him and hold him tightly. Tears poured down her cheeks, relief rushing through her in waves.
"You're alright," she sobbed, pressing as close as she could to him, needing to feel his strength and his warmth to prove that he was indeed there.
"I'm alright, sweetheart," he murmured, his arms closing around her in return. "Everything went well, and everyone is safe and unharmed."
"Thank God," she said, drawing back only far enough to reach up around his neck. Pulling his head down, she kissed him passionately, not caring that they had an audience. Nathan kissed her gently back, his calm demeanor bringing a sense of calm to her as well. She sighed against his lips, feathering little kisses down his jaw. Nathan's arms tightened around her reflexively.
"I love you," he whispered, pulling back and cupping her cheek in his hand.
She smiled at him, pressing her cheek into his hand. "I love you too."
They slowly pulled apart. Nathan looked like he was trying not to laugh as he glanced over her shoulder. Elizabeth looked back to see Julie and Viola standing there with matching grins. Julie looked at Viola. "Remind me to find someone who loves me as much as our brother-in-law loves our sister."
"No kidding," Viola said with a chuckle. "Everyone should be so fortunate." She looped one arm around Nathan and the other around Elizabeth. "Why don't we go to that Italian restaurant you both have told us so much about? My treat."
"That sounds wonderful," Elizabeth said. "Thank you, Vi."
"Yes, thank you," Nathan said. "That is very kind of you."
Julie groaned. "You might have to roll me out of that restaurant," she said with a laugh. "I always eat too much Italian food. It's so delicious!" She grinned. "Maybe I'll get away with waddling out."
Elizabeth laughed. "If anyone's waddling, it's going to be me." She placed a hand on her belly. "I know I still have about three months to go, assuming these girls stay in there full term, and I already feel huge."
"You look perfect," Nathan said, his eyes softening as he gazed into her eyes.
Elizabeth melted into him with a sigh, hugging him around the waist.
Viola chuckled. "I think we just disappeared from the room," she said to Julie, amusement in her voice.
Julie grinned. "Like I said. That's the kind of love I'm holding out for."
Elizabeth smiled up at Nathan before looking at her sisters. "It's out there for you too," she said. "You'll know it when you find it."
As the group made their way to the car for dinner, Elizabeth refused to let go of Nathan's hand. She was so relieved that he was safe and home again. Breathing a prayer of thanks, she sent up another prayer that he would have no other dangerous assignments for a long, long time.
"Can I talk to you?"
Nathan glanced up in surprise at his sister-in-law. Viola was usually with either Julie or Elizabeth; now neither of them were anywhere to be seen. He placed his book on the end table, gesturing for her to join him on the couch. "Of course, Viola. Please sit down."
"Thank you," she said, accepting his offer. She pursed her lips, clearly thinking. Nathan let her have the time to formulate her words. The two of them had yet to speak alone, even though Viola's time in Kauai was coming to an end. In two days she and Julie would be heading back to New York.
"I wanted to say that I am sorry for all the things I thought and said about you when I found out you and my sister were getting married," Viola said, straightening her shoulders.
Nathan raised a brow. "You realize I have no idea what those things were?" he asked with a little smile.
She nodded. "I know. But I bad mouthed you with my parents, to my friends, to our extended family. All without even knowing you." She looked down, her throat working. "I'm sorry, Nathan. I judged you harshly, thinking you weren't worthy of my sister simply because of your job. I was wrong." A smile broke through. "The two of you are perfect together. If I've learned anything in this last month, it's that the two of you are truly, deeply in love, and that you are the best man I've ever known. I see how much you care for others, and I see how much you care for your community. The society men in New York could learn a lot from you."
Nathan had never figured out how to take a compliment without feeling slightly uncomfortable. He could feel the heat rising in his cheeks, but he smiled at his sister-in-law. "Thanks, Viola. That means a lot coming from you. And I know Elizabeth is happy that the two of you made amends."
"So am I," Viola said. "I wish I could get back all the years that my stubbornness and pride kept our relationship from growing, but that's in the past." She pushed his shoulder playfully. "You'd better get used to seeing me, brother. I plan on visiting regularly from now on."
Nathan grinned. "We'd be happy to welcome you anytime." He paused, a question forming in his mind. "Viola, can I ask you something?"
She nodded. "Of course."
Glancing around to make sure Elizabeth wasn't within hearing distance, Nathan lowered his voice. "Do you think your parents will ever come out here? Will they get past their dislike of Elizabeth's choice to marry me?"
Sadness filled Viola's eyes. She slowly shook her head. "It would take nothing less than a miracle, Nathan. They are firmly set against you. They said…" She stopped suddenly, biting her lip.
Raising a brow, Nathan studied her face. "They said what?" he asked.
She shook her head. "It's nothing good. In fact, it's downright shocking. Even when they said it, I was shocked. And I didn't like you then."
Steeling himself, Nathan sat up straighter. "What did they say?" he asked again.
Viola sighed, looking at him directly. "They said the only way they would come to see Elizabeth again is if she divorced you or...or if you were to end up in a coffin." She looked away. "And only then to say 'I told you so'."
Nathan blinked, absorbing that information. "Are they really that cold?" he asked finally.
Viola shrugged. "I don't know, Nathan. It was said in the heat of a moment, and they were both very angry. It was right after they received the wedding invitation. Whether or not they meant it is up for debate. But I do know that it would take divine intervention to get them here."
Leaning back, Nathan folded his arms across his chest. "I suppose I should be more surprised than I am," he said. "But considering how against me they've been from the start, I'm not." It was his turn to sigh. "I'll start praying for that divine intervention. It truly doesn't bother me one way or another, but I think Elizabeth would like to have a reconciliation."
"Stranger things have happened," Viola admitted. "I never thought I'd be here, but here I am. There is a possibility it could happen for Mother and Father as well." She stood. "I'm heading to the beach with Elizabeth and Julie in a few minutes, but I'm glad we had this conversation." She smiled. "I'm glad you're my brother. Thank you for being so good to Elizabeth."
He stood as well, pulling her into a hug. "It's my honor, Viola. And I'm thankful to have you as a sister." He grinned and winked. "Maybe next time you come, we can find a way to keep you here. I have a buddy on the force, Mike…"
Viola laughed, pulling back. "Oh no, you don't!" she said. "I have never known a male to be a good matchmaker. And as much as I trust you, I'm not sure I trust your thought process there."
Nathan laughed. "Famous last words, Vi. Who knows? He could be your Prince Charming."
She shook her head, chuckling as she walked toward the door. "Keep dreaming, Nathan."
"We're sorry to see you go," Faith said to Viola, bouncing little Hope on her lap. "What time do you and Julie leave tomorrow?"
"Our flight is at 6:00 in the morning," Viola answered. "Nathan will be taking us to the airport."
Elizabeth pushed her lower lip out in a mock pout. "I'm bummed that my sisters will be leaving," she said. "You'll both have to come out again after the twins are born. I want them to have a good relationship with their aunties."
Everyone was gathered at the Coulters' home for their usual dinner and game night. Elizabeth had made a special dessert, a blackberry white chocolate poke cake. She had been craving blackberries lately, and white chocolate was Viola's favorite flavor. Elizabeth had tested a version of the cake last week for Faith's café, and it had come out perfect. She knew she had to make it for her sisters' last night in Kauai.
Rosemary was handing out plates of cake to everyone. Jesse, Clara, and Lucas were sitting uncommonly still at the table, focused on the sweet treat in front of them. Rosemary grinned as she handed Elizabeth some cake. "If you can get my children to sit that quietly and eat their food, they can have your desserts every night!" she exclaimed. "I've never seen Jesse that still for so long."
Elizabeth chuckled. "Happy to help, Rosie."
Hope started fussing, and Rosemary quickly took her from Faith. "Let me hold her for a while," she said. "You enjoy your time with the girls."
Faith watched as their friend walked away, cooing to the little girl. "Rosemary is so good with her," she said.
Julie smiled. "Your daughter is adorable, Faith. Are you and Carson planning on having more children?" she asked, taking a sip of her coffee.
Faith nodded. "We would like to," she said simply. "We're planning on intentionally trying for a baby when Hope is a year old. Right now we're not trying, but we're also not doing anything to prevent a pregnancy. If it happens sooner, it happens sooner. If not, that's fine too."
Viola looked between Faith and Elizabeth. "You two could potentially be pregnant at the same time," she observed. "Down the road, of course." She grinned. "I doubt Elizabeth is going to have a second pregnancy soon after the twins."
Elizabeth laughed. "Probably not. It took me and Nathan a while to conceive these two, so I'm a little worried it might take a long time to get pregnant again when the time comes."
"So you for sure want more babies?" Viola asked.
"Oh, definitely," Elizabeth said quickly. "We are open to however many children we're given. I think we said our ideal would be five, but who knows if that will actually happen." She placed a hand on her stomach. "For all we know, Arianna and Cecilia could be our only children." She paused. "Though I do hope we're able to have more."
Julie placed a hand on her shoulder. "I'm sure it'll happen," she said.
Elizabeth smiled. "Hopefully. But one thing at a time. First, I need to birth these babies and get used to being a mother. Maybe once they're about a year or two, Nathan and I will try for another."
"What about adoption?" Viola asked. "Is that something you would consider?"
"Possibly," Elizabeth said. "We're not closed to that idea."
Julie sighed. "All this talk of babies has me wanting to get married now more than ever," she said. "Where are all the good men hiding?"
Elizabeth and Faith laughed. "Your man is out there, Julie," Elizabeth said, her eyes twinkling. "Keep your heart open, and one day he'll walk into your life and sweep you off your feet."
"Or you won't be able to stand each other, and then through a series of fortuitous events that throw you together, you'll realize you're perfect for each other and fall madly in love," Faith said, grinning.
Julie and Viola rolled their eyes simultaneously. "That sounds like the plot of a Hallmark movie," Julie said, shaking her head with a laugh.
"It could happen," Faith said in a sing-song voice. "You never know what your happily-ever-after will look like."
Elizabeth looked at Nathan, sitting across the room talking with Lee and Carson. "That's for sure," she said softly. "I never would have dreamed this is how my life would have turned out." She rubbed her stomach, feeling one of the twins pressing a foot again her. Looking back at the group around her, she smiled again. "I wouldn't change a thing."
