Page 39 of Holding On

Cami looks at the boxes of comforters on the floor. “There’s over twenty-five hundred dollars in bedding here. And how did you get so many of them so fast? I don’t think there were even that many on the shelf at the store. And I don’t have that many beds! I’m so confused.”

“Finding certain things sometimes just comes down to knowing the right people—or having a sister that is a borderline professional shopper,” Theo offers with a soft smile. His sister Pippa knows the owner of the store, of course she does, so getting a few extra comforters sent overnight wasn’t that complicated in the end.

“You said the bed in Jack’s guest room was like sleeping on a cloud, right?” Liam asks with a grin. Cami nods and wearily looks at me.

I smile at our sister. “Earlier this week, that same bed was delivered to each of their houses, minus Liam.”

Liam raised a finger. “Simply because I don’t have a permanent house yet, purely a technicality.”

“So now, for those of us with homes anyway, you will have a room that’s fully yours. You can come and go. You can stay at my penthouse and never sleep in any of them. Or if I bug you, you can go to one of their houses and know you have a bed … and a home with us.”

“And if all of us drive you nuts—and we will at some point—that code on the card will get you a suite at the Forrest Falls Inn for however long you want to stay. It’s the best I could do without a permanent home built yet,” Liam confesses. “But I wanted to give you a space to go if you needed it.”

“And before you protest this, it’s not about a financial thing. While certain people wanted to do a more dramatic gesture, like replacing Cherry with a top-of-the-line RV.” Cami’s jaw drops at Dad’s statement as Liam shrugs and mutters that he still thought it was a good idea. “When the girls told me what they wanted to do, I wanted in too. Your room here is at the top of the stairs, end of the hall.” Dad must have chosen what we always referred to as the blue room because of the pale blue pinstripe wallpaper in the room. “It just needs your bedding added.” Dad gives her a soft smile, but I can tell he’s barely holding back the emotion.

“We want you in our homes, and more importantly, in our lives. So, this gesture, as Sav called it, is our way of letting you know that you are welcome and…” Vivian swallows hard as her lip wavers. She waves a hand at her face to fight the tears threatening to fall. “Sorry, you are welcome and so very wanted, Cami. We are lucky to have you in our family.”

“But you don’t even know me that well yet,” Cami protests.

“I don’t care, Cameron Maura Walsh. You are our sister, and we are keeping you.” Savannah full-names her as she pulls her in for a hug, which Vivi joins and it becomes an awkward three-person hug—awkward, mainly because Vivian’s twin boys have made her stomach a significant barrier requiring adjustments with most typical movements. After a few moments of sharing tears and whispering things to each other, they separate and Cami looks up at each of us individually as she speaks.

“Thank you for this … gesture. It may very well be the kindest, and by far, the most thoughtful gesture I’ve ever received in my entire life. I still think you all spent way too much money, but I’m honored by the intent and grateful for … well, all of you, really.” She squeezes both sisters’ hands before standing and taking her turn to hug each of us. Walker and Theo both pull her in for hugs as well. She briefly hugs Dad, exchanging a few words between them. That’s an emotionally complex road they are both navigating, but they’ll find their way.

“I don’t know what to say, but thank you,” Cami says as I pull her in for a hug. “But if this is a hint to move out of your space, you could’ve just told me!” She tries to joke but I shake my head. I’m not going to make light of this, even if it’s slightly overwhelming for her.

“Nope. You don’t have to sleep anywhere you don’t want to. Or you can rotate nightly and take turns staying in each of your bedrooms. We wanted you to know that you’re part of The Cavalry now, and when you’re with us, you’re home. And now that goes for us when we’re with you too.”

“Thank you, for … everything,” she says as she pulls back and wipes away a tear.

“Merry Christmas, Cami, and welcome home.”

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Me

Did Santa bring you everything you wanted?

Jack

Depends.

Me

???

Jack

Will you have a bow on the top of your head when I see you next week?

Me

I can’t believe it worked out for you to actually come. I can’t wait to see you.

Jack

I’ve been planning on coming for months. Didn’t Wells tell you?

Me