CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN
The LaBella and Novak family members were seated around the large table inside Jennifer’s kitchen. “I hope everything went well last night,” Victor said, as he sipped his coffee.
“Me too,” Grace agreed. “At least they spent the night together, with no one storming out. That’s a good sign.”
“Shhh! They’re coming. Act natural,” Gina said, looking out the window at Meg and Sky walking hand in hand towards the house.
Meg opened the back door and found six pairs of eyes staring at her and Sky. “Good morning,” she said with a smile. “I see everyone’s up early. Hope Quint didn’t keep you awake all night.”
“Nope. He slept straight through the night again,” Drew replied.
Jen stood and handed Meg two coffee mugs. “Want some eggs and toast?”
“Sounds good.” Meg poured two mugs of coffee, and carried them to the table. She handed one to Sky, who was seated at the table, and took a deep sip from the other before putting it down. She stood behind him, draped her arms around his shoulders, and kissed him on top of his head. “I want to thank all of you for your support over the past couple of days. Sky and I are good. We’ve worked everything out, and we’re going to fly home to Nashville together later today.”
While everyone in the room breathed a collective sigh of relief, Victor stood up and gave Meg a hug, then patted Sky on the back. “Glad to hear it. I’ll give you a lift to the airport whenever you’re ready.”
“Thanks, dad.”
After breakfast, Sky arranged for a jet to take them home, while Meg fed Quint and packed their things. As they were loading the luggage into Victor’s truck, Meg asked, “Dad, can we take a detour before we go to the airport?”
“Sure. Where do you want to go?”
“To the cemetery. I want to see mom.”
Meg was quiet on the short ride from Fair Fields to the cemetery. When her father stopped the truck, she unlatched the car seat and took Quint into her arms. “Dad, Sky, would you come with me too?”
“Sure, baby,” Sky said, as he and Victor followed Meg towards her mother’s grave.
They stood in silence for a few minutes before Meg finally spoke. “Hi, mom, it’s me. I’m sorry I didn’t come to see you back in April on my birthday.” Hot tears slid down her cheeks, and her voice cracked as she spoke. “I’m a mom now. This is my son, Quint,” she said, as she held the baby close against her chest.
Both Sky and her father placed their arms around her, and she took a deep breath. “For so many years, dad told me that I shouldn’t blame myself about what happened when I was born, and I ignored him when he told me that you wouldn’t want me to. I never understood before, but I do now that I’m a mom. I wouldn’t want that for Quint. So…I wanted to tell you that I’ll still stop by and see you when I come home for visits, but I’m not going to make special trips here every year on my birthday anymore. I’m going to forgive myself, and focus on my husband and son, because I know now that’s what you’d want me to do.”
Quint began to squirm, and Sky took him from Meg. “Let me take him back to the truck. You and Victor should have some time alone with your mom.”
“Thanks.” A feeling of warmth spread through her body as she watched Sky walk away. When he was out of earshot, she turned towards her father. “I’m sorry, dad, for everything I put you through over the years. It didn’t occur to me until recently that by not letting go of my guilt over mom’s death, I was also hurting you, and preventing you from moving on with your life. I’m so sorry.”
“Sweetheart, there’s nothing to be sorry about.” Victor pulled Meg in for a hug. “You’re my baby girl, and I love you so much. I had a feeling that once you became a mother you’d understand.”
When they returned to Nashville, Meg suggested they find someone to help with Quint. “I know that he’s slept so much better the past couple of nights,” she said to Sky that evening over dinner. “But now I realize that it’s important to accept help from others. Would you be okay if we hired someone?”
“I’d be more than okay,” Sky replied. He squeezed Meg’s hand. “Let’s find out what agency Jack and Becky used to find their nanny. And in the meantime, let’s see if Mrs. B would be willing to help out. Maybe even one weekend when my dad comes up to visit her, the two of them can stay with him, and you can come out on the road with me. We could have a little alone time on the bus.”
Meg grinned. “I’d love that.”
Over the next few weeks, Meg and Sky continued to work on repairing their relationship. Meg went out on every weekend run with Sky and the band, while Fiona helped by either watching Quint at home, or accompanying them on the tour bus.
Trey joined them on the bus some of the weekends, prompting Meg to observe, “Well, I guess we’re back to having luaus.”
Sky laughed, and agreed. Their marriage was back on track, and he was never happier than when he was surrounded by his family on the road.
The band added a new opening act, Callie Jessup, and unlike Larissa, she came with no baggage or drama. Meg and Becky took her under their wings and called her their “adopted little sister”. Callie’s vocals brought a new dimension to “Heat” onstage, and offstage she proved to be a valuable writing partner for Sky and Jack as well.
In addition to their weekend runs, the band also booked some private weekday events during the summer. The corporate retreats paid particularly well, and only required quick same-day trips on private jets in and out of the venues.
More often than not, Meg chose to stay home rather than accompany Sky to the private concerts. The day before the band was scheduled to play at a corporate event for a large Arkansas-based retail chain, she said, “It would be different if you were going to be away overnight, but it doesn’t make sense for me to go along tomorrow just for the day. Besides, I have a doctor’s appointment.”
Sky’s head snapped up. “Is everything okay?”
She smiled. “Everything’s fine. Just a check up.”
“Okay, baby. I just don’t want anything to happen to you. I love you way too much.”