Chapter Five

 

Reggie ended up leaving the center later than she’d planned and then rushed over to the diner across the street from the clinic. She hoped to catch Kate before she left for the evening. She had a good excuse if Keith questioned why she’d gone there. She could simply tell him she was picking up dinner, like they did on many occasions when neither of them wanted to cook.

She never needed an excuse to stop by and see Keith’s mother. Kate would always tell her that. Still, Reggie grabbed a few of the linens from the back room that they’d used for a spaghetti banquet a few weeks ago at the Center. Since they’d opened the WVC, there had been weddings, Logan and Poppy's wedding had been the first, and special fundraising for programs intended to help veterans get back on their feet after when they came home after being deployed, and general fun banquets to give veterans and their families a chance to talk and share experiences with other veteran families. Kate had mentioned she’d needed a few tablecloths and cloth napkins to use for her holiday table.

Kate had told her that the family had grown so big that they no longer had sit-down dinners the way they used to when the boys were younger. But that didn't mean the Kate didn't enjoy setting a pretty table. Reggie liked that about Kate. She was a hard worker, having started the diner when her boys were very young. She’d worked throughout the years, merging family and a business together seamlessly. In many ways, Kate was Reggie’s hero.

It meant that Reggie had some big shoes to fill where Keith was concerned. Not that he’d ever said anything like that to her. Reggie knew she was being ridiculous feeling inadequate around Kate because Keith never expected her to live up to anyone. All that pressure was pressure she’d put on her own shoulders. Still, she couldn't help but wonder how Kate had managed it all when Reggie was faced with having to do it with just one child.

She walked through the back door of the diner like always, and headed into the back room where the family normally gathered away from patrons. Skye was in the back room with Alex and Logan’s son, Keith, refereeing some argument over a game they both wanted to play. Skye was pregnant too, although much further along than Reggie.

Skye was another mother who seemed to have it all together. She managed a six-year-old, a job, and being pregnant as if it was nothing. She looked fabulous. The only thing Reggie wanted to do these days was sleep.

She found Kate behind the counter refilling the coffee pot and getting it ready to brew. Kate beamed when she saw Reggie come behind the counter.

“Ah, and you remembered the linens. My dining room table will look so pretty. Thank you.”

“I was on my way home so I figured I'd drop by to save you the trouble of coming out to the Center.”

“Oh, thank you, dear. Let me just finish refilling some coffee cups. Skye is in the back room dealing with a major catastrophe between Alex and Keith.”

Reggie laughed. “Yes, I know. I started to go into the back room, and then thought better of it.”

Kate laughed. “Smart girl. You learn quick.”

“I'll just leave these tablecloths and napkins on the table in the kitchen.”

Kate was already making her way down the counter refilling empty cups of coffee as she went. She waved to Reggie. “Oh, don’t run off yet. I'll meet you back there.”

“That's okay. I know you're busy. I can just leave them.”

“No, I'd like to talk to you.”

Skye was still giving a lecture to the boys about sharing when Reggie walked to the back of the kitchen and sat down at the “family” table. She drummed her fingers on the table for a bit and looked around the kitchen. The cook was busy hopping from the fryolator to the burners where he was cooking up something that would normally be pleasing to Reggie, but right now made her stomach turn.

Andy noticed her sitting. “Can I get you anything, Reg?”

She shook her head. If she didn’t move, maybe her stomach would stop rolling.

“You look a little tired,” Kate said, coming into the back of the kitchen. “You’re working too hard again. You look like you're ready to fall over. And you’re losing weight.”

Hardly.

“I really should be going,” she said, getting up from the chair.

Kate turned to her with surprise. “You’re not leaving town again, are you?”

Keith may not have told Kate about the pregnancy, but he’d clearly griped about her traveling.

“No. That last trip was a last-minute thing. I’m done until after the holidays.”

Kate nodded. “Good. We missed you last Sunday at dinner.”

“I wasn’t feeling well.”

Kate walked over to her and gently put her hands on Reggie’s shoulders. “Sit down before you fall down. You still look like you’re under the weather. Can I get you some soup?”

Reggie did as she was told, but the thought of soup made her stomach roll.

“Not now. Maybe I’ll take some home for Keith.”

“Sure. I’ll put some in a containers. You just sit there.”

Reggie watched as Kate bustled around the kitchen the way she always did. Emotion bubbled up her throat, but she kept it at bay. This was what it was like to have a mother. Reggie hadn’t thought about it in so long. She’s lived most of her life without her mother. But seeing Kate dote on her made her realize what she was missing. Kate was the mother Reggie had always hoped her mother would be, but wasn't.

Kate came back with a cup filled with tea and a clean spoon. She placed both of them down in front of Reggie. Then she grabbed a napkin from the dispenser and placed it on the table beneath the spoon.

“You look like you could use something to settle your stomach. You’re looking a little green, sweetie.”

“Do I?”

Skye came walking through the kitchen, and stopped to say hello. “I saw you from the corner of my eye,” Skye said.

“Crisis averted?” Kate asked.

Skye rolled her eyes. “For maybe the next five minutes. The two of them have been bickering so much lately.”

Kate dragged a chair away from the table and sat down. “It's to be expected. Keith has a baby sister, and some days he's none too happy that he has to share his time with Auntie Poppy and Dad. Alex has had you all to himself for so long that it's hard for him to imagine someone else is going to take some time away from him when you have this baby.”

Skye rubbed her belly. “How did you ever manage that with your boys?” Skye asked.

“Who says I did?” Kate said with a chuckle. “Oh, my word, Sam was pitiful when I had the twins. He wanted to throw Ethan and Logan out in the garbage. He nearly had one of them out of the door before Don caught him in the act.”

Reggie laughed.

“Wade and Keith were like Frick and Frack. They spoke their own language. Half the time I didn’t understand them, but they knew what they were saying to each other. They’re so close in age that they’re practically twins. They just got into a whole lot of mischief together.

Skye’s eyes suddenly widened. “Who's in front?”

“Julie.”

Julie was a new waitress that had only been working at the diner for a few weeks. Keith had filled Reggie in about Julie.

“I’d better get out there,” Skye said with a panicked look on her face. “The last time I left her alone she tried to make coffee and I thought the coffee pot was going to explode.”

“Already took care of it,” Kate said. “Don’t worry. She’ll catch on.”

Skye disappeared into the dining room and left Kate alone with Reggie. Kate peered over at Reggie with concerned eyes.

“I heard you weren't feeling too well.”

“News does get around quickly in this family, doesn't it?”

Kate shrugged. “It’s not so bad when it comes out of love.”

“I know. Ian kept checking on me all day today, too. I thought Keith was bad, but Ian was at my office door every half-hour.”

Kate sighed and then her eyebrows stretched on her forehead. “He had to think it was something to check on you every half hour.”

Reggie leaned forward and rested her elbows on the table. “Just fatigue.”

“Just? You’re working too hard,” Kate said in a motherly tone. It made Reggie want to cry. And Reggie didn't cry that way. Not over something like this. She hadn't for a long time.

“I could say the same thing about you,” Reggie said.

Kate shrugged. “I've been at this a long time. I raised five boys, and when you start running you just don't stop or you fall over. That's just the way it is.”

“Did you always know you wanted to be a mother?”

Kate smiled warmly. “Oh, yes. There was never a doubt in my mind that I wanted to have children. I can't say that there weren’t times in my life that I wish I had had a little girl. But I've been blessed with daughters-in-law for all my boys. I keep wondering when I'm going to make you mine too.”

Kate wasn't prying. It wasn't her way. But it was hard to put into words everything that she doubted about herself.

“I’m not going anywhere, Kate.”

Kate reached across the table and gave Reggie’s hand a squeeze. “I’m glad to hear it.

* * *

Keith was in a bad mood. Reggie could tell. His hands gripped the steering wheel as he drove as if he were about to rip it off the console.

“Lighten up,” Reggie finally said. “Did you really think I wanted to miss this? We go to this every year.”

“We've gone two years in a row.”

“Yes, that’s every year we've been together. That makes this a tradition.”

He glanced at her quickly, and then looked back at the road. It had snowed earlier but it had since stopped, which was the only reason she was able to convince Keith that they should go to the light parade in Rapid City. Ever since her miscarriage scare, Keith had been more on edge. It was driving her crazy. But deep down, she loved how he worried about her.

“I was beginning to think that you didn't want any traditions.”

She frowned. “Is that sulking I hear? Because I don’t want any sulking while we enjoy the light parade. Besides, where did you get a stupid idea like that?”

He shook his head. “Never mind.”

“No, tell me. You can't drop something like that out there and then just leave it at that. I told you how much I love you. I tell you every day.”

He shifted in the driver’s seat and started tapping his fingers on the steering wheel. When he stopped, he said, “It’s just…I’ve been wondering.”

“Wondering what? I'm right here.”

“Sometimes I wonder. That’s all. Can’t a guy wonder?”

“That is the most cryptic thing I’ve ever heard you say.”

“Every time you look at me you tear up, as if you’re afraid to tell me something.”

She glanced out the window and let out a slow breath.

“I just want to enjoy this moment. Is that so wrong? Besides, I don’t want to have all these weird feelings between us when we’re around Poppy and Logan. I’m not ready for questions yet.”

He nodded and then continued to nod his head as if he were thinking it over and having a conversation with himself.

“I’m sorry. You’re right. Let’s make some traditions.”

* * *

“It's freezing” Reggie said. She heard Keith snicker, and then turned to him. His smile was wide.

“You’re the one who insisted on coming. Did you forget it was like this last year?”

She took his hand and began walking with him towards the parade route. “I keep hoping the tropical winds will suddenly burst through the center of the United States and reach South Dakota. But I guess that’s not going to happen.”

“Highly unlikely. I'll keep you warm,” he said, pulling her closer.

They continued walking with a string of people who were parked far enough away from the parade route that it felt as if they were in a parade of their own. Since this was Rapid City, Reggie didn't know any of the people who were walking along the path. She was used to that. But she'd also gotten used to the small town of Rudolph. She liked that she could going to the corner grocery store and see a half dozen people that she knew who lived in the town. She understood completely why Keith felt as if they were all part of a big family.

“Didn't Logan and Poppy say they were coming early?” Reggie asked.

“Poppy's home with Emma. Emma still has that bad cold and they didn't want to take her out tonight. But Logan is bringing Keith and Alex. I think Wade might be coming with him. I’m not sure.”

“With all these people, it might be hard to spot them.”

“If we don’t see them during the parade, we’ll meet up with them soon enough at the ice cream shop. I'm sure the boys are going to want to get a treat after the parade.”

“Are you sure it's not for you and you’re just making excuses?”

Keith chuckled low. “Hey, they're McKinnons, too. We’re all like that, didn’t you know?

“Well, about food anyway.” Reggie laughed for the first time in days.

She wasn't feeling any stronger. In fact, most days at the Center she wanted to put her head down on her desk and take a nap. If she didn't know any better, she'd think that Ian suspected she was pregnant. But he never said anything.

The roadside along the parade was already in rows of five and six people deep. Keith held onto Reggie’s hand as they continued to walk so they wouldn’t get separated in the crowd. They finally found an opening where they could see the parade unobstructed.

She heard Keith’s phone ping, indicating he just received a text message. Her stomach dropped. Keith was a doctor. Emergencies happened at all hours. But she’d really hoped that they wouldn't have to leave early tonight if there was an emergency back home in Rudolph. Keith quickly glanced at his phone. “Logan sees us from across the street. He’s down the road a bit. We'll meet up with him later to get some ice cream.”

The parade of lights were beautiful just as they had been the previous two years. Reggie marveled at the displays and the bright colors. There were so many families in attendance. Kids were up way past their bedtime when the parade finally wound down and the last float passed them by.

When it was over, most of the people along the parade route were headed back to where they’d parked their cars. Keith and Reggie walked hand-in-hand against the flow of the crowd, and then veered off down a side road until they found a cozy restaurant where they were to meet Logan and the boys. Once inside they found Logan, the two young boys, Wade, the eldest of the McKinnon brothers, and Keith’s cousin Grace McKinnon and her son. Reggie hadn’t met the man sitting next to Grace, but from what Kate had told her, Grace and Jace were an item.

Keith was genuinely thrilled to see his cousin. “Hey, I didn't know you were going to be here.”

Grace lifted her face with a smile. Keith gave her a quick kiss on the cheek and then a squeeze. He shook Jace’s hand.

“There’s two seats over by Alex and Keith,” Jace said.

“We are celebrating tonight,” little Keith blurted out.

Alex, his cousin and partner in crime most days, then added, “That means we get to have two scoops of ice cream and even some whip cream. But it won't be as good as Grandma's pie.”

The two boys then looked at Logan as if they'd been warned.

“That's right,” Logan said. “No one makes pie like Grandma does.”

“Not even Auntie Poppy,” Keith said. The people at the table erupted with laughter as Reggie and Keith settled into their seats.

Curious, Reggie asked, “So what is it that we’re celebrating tonight?”

Grace stuck her hand out and leaned across the table to give Reggie a good look at the diamond ring on her finger.

“Wow, congratulations to the two of you.”

“Thank you,” Jace said giving Grace a loving glance.

“He said he was going to wait until Christmas Eve. But then he didn't want it to be lumped in with everything else going on that night.”

“Lumped in? What else is happening that night?” Keith asked.

“I don't know,” Grace said. “My mother just warned me that there was going to be some kind of a special announcement. We haven't told anyone but all of you and my mother of course.”

Reggie gasped. “You haven't told Kate yet?”

Grace shot her a guilty look, and shook her head. “I know. I feel so guilty. But it just happened.”

The boys sat back in their seats and whistled. Reggie bit her lip and said, “You know that's not gonna go over well at all.”

“I know. I wanted to tell her before everyone else, but then I saw all of you and…I’m calling as soon as I get home.”

“Because you know if you don’t, two little boys over there won’t be able to hold their tongues,” Logan said, pointing to the boys who looked completely clueless.

“Are we getting ice cream?” Alex asked Wade.

“Ice creams all around,” Wade said, and everyone cheered.

Keith looked at Reggie and she saw sadness in his eyes. Leaning against him, she whispered. “Stay with me, Keith.”

He kissed her forehead. “Always.”

* * *

They’d stopped by Logan’s house on the way home because Keith had wanted to check on Emma one more time. Poppy had said the baby sounded like she had the croup and Keith wanted to make sure her lungs were clear. After a quick exam that Emma was none too happy about, Reggie followed Poppy upstairs to put the baby to bed.

Reggie watched as Poppy placed her sleeping daughter in the crib, carefully. Reggie came into the room and stood by the crib.

“She's beautiful.”

Poppy beamed with pride. “She amazes me every day. Sometimes I can't believe this little person came from Logan and I. But I thank God she did. And then as I see how much she’s grown, I can’t believe she came out of me at all.”

Little Keith called out from the other room. “Aren't you going to read me a book?”

“I guess I better go to it,” Poppy whispered. “If I linger here much longer he'll start yelling and then Emma will definitely wake up again.”

When Reggie hung back by the crib and gazed down at Emma, Poppy added, “Just leave the door cracked when you go out.”

Reggie nodded.

Babies truly were a miracle. She and Keith were creating a little person. Part of her couldn’t wait to see if it was a little boy who looked just like Keith. Or maybe it would be little girl who would be best friends with Emma, her cousin.

She placed a hand on Emma's back and rubbed gently. A shadow stretched across the wall and Reggie turned towards the door to find Keith standing there.

“Pretty amazing, huh?” Keith whispered.

Reggie quickly walked over to the door so she wouldn't disturb Emma. They both walked out into the hallway.

“She is so precious.”

Keith’s smile was wide. He touched her cheek and gave her a gentle kiss on her lips. “I was talking about you.”

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