Becky’s lips turned up into a smile, and her eyes brightened in greeting. Rory’s heart soared with joy at the lightness she felt in her grandmother. She made a mental note to spend time doing some things to make new memories that she’d have to remember her by.
She and James took their seats at the table. “Where’s Jules and Erin?” she asked.
“Jules has an early appointment at the Gynecologist today, and Erin opted to go with her,” Cora volunteered.
“Okay, that’s great. I know Jules really wanted her sister to be here, so I can imagine she’d want to spend as much time as she can with her.”
“She spoke to you about Erin?” Cora asked, surprised.
“Um…not really,” Rory tried to deflect. Cora’s unwavering, expectant gaze made her cave— a little. “She just said that she missed her and that if she were here, she knew that things would be a whole lot better for her,” she confessed.
Cora looked down at her plate of food before looking up at Rory once more. A barely there smile on her lips. “I’m really happy that she has at least one person she’s comfortable talking to and having around.
Rory pursed her lips in uncertainty.
“You know how these young adults are…they will choose to let us, the parents, know what is happening with them last, but they’re always reminded just how much they need us and that we give the best advice, free of charge.
Rory felt the pang of guilt course through her.
“The important thing is to let her know you love her, Cora.” Andrea passed the platter of pancakes to her daughter, then the platter with eggs and sausages, which she helped herself to, passing the platter over to James.
“James, you didn’t say when you were going back to Seattle.”
“In a week.”
“Oh, that’s great to hear,” Andrea expressed. “I hope you guys get to spend time together.”
“We’re planning to,” Rory responded, giving James a small smile.
“Well, I’m happy for you both,” her mother expressed. Rory shared a smile with her.
“Wanna go for a walk?” Rory leaned over to ask.
“I’d like that,” he smiled.
After breakfast, they left the house to walk out to the harbor. The air had grown even more chilly, and Rory was sure by the first week of December rolled in, she’d have to draw out her parka.
“Are you cold?”
Rory looked over at James, who stared worriedly back at her. “Just a little, but I’m fine,” she promised.
James still shrugged off the coat he wore over his t-shirt and draped it over her shoulders lovingly.
“Aren’t you cold now?” she looked up at him with concern in her eyes.
“I’m fine as long as you are.”
Rory felt her face heat up, and color whooshed up her neck. When they made it to the harbor, she eagerly allowed him to intertwine their fingers as they strolled along the fringe of the coast.
“This is nice,” James commented as they came to a stop and stared out at the endless pool of water pulling and pushing against the pull of the tide.
James walked up behind her to offer added warmth to her back. She shivered but not from the wind blowing around them. His arms came around her waist, hugging her closer to him. He rested his chin on the top of her head. Her hands came up to rest over his in a way that was familiar to them. She missed this. She had been craving it— the ease of being together— no outside interference and influence.
“I missed this,” James voiced.
Rory’s face settled into a gentle, calming smile. “Me too.”
For the next couple of minutes, they stood, her back to his chest, her hands over his resting over her stomach as they stared in comfortable silence at the water and the few birds that were dotting the skyline, probably in search of their prey.
