It was the first time they’d all been in a room together since the party.
Rachel squeezed Maddie’s hand before the two of them took aseat. His grandfather held a chair for his grandmother and Kyra took a chair next to him. His parents looked like they might stay standing, another attempt at the upper hand, but his mother gave his dad a look that had him pulling out her chair first.
“I trust everyone read the link I sent,” his father started. Despite his hard tone, he looked tired, as if the days had worn on him just as much as the rest of them. “I’m finding it rather ironic that we decided not to go with the very lucrative Home Needs deal to protect our shiny reputation only to tarnish it ourselves.”
His grandfather flexed his fingers, the lines on his hands showing age but not weakness. “Yes. And is there any irony in the fact that you were the one to damage that reputation when you didn’t get what you wanted with that deal?”
“I’m not sure that’s the right definition ofirony,Grandpa,” Kyra said.
Will covered his mouth to hide his twitching lips and saw Maddie shoot Kyra someknock it offdaggers with her eyes.
“The best word to describe all of this isshameful,” his grandmother said. Small of stature but big of heart, she rarely attended meetings even though they were all equal shareholders. “How you behaved was unforgivable, Jackson. If you had a problem with your father’s decision, you should have spoken to him, not theSeattle Times.That’s hardly the place to share family news. There or in the middle of a celebration. Which you all but ruined.”
His grandfather reached out a hand, covered his grandma’s when her voice shook. “Your mother is right. But I shouldn’t have just sprung it on you. I’d talked to Madeline and I have reasons for my decision. I should have been more open about that, and for my part in it, I apologize.”
His mother leaned into his father, said something only he could hear. To his credit, his father straightened and looked his own father in the eye, his frown softening.
“I’m not a big fan of being blindsided by important information,” he said, his gaze moving to Will. “It feels like Emily and I are the last to knowabout important family milestones. Like engagements.” He looked at Maddie. “And promotions.” Then back to his father. “And retirements.”
Will’s stomach clenched. “It was never my intention for you to find out that way, Dad.”
His dad’s gaze burned into his. “But it was always your intention to marry a woman your mother and I knew nothing about?”
“Is that what bothers you most? Not that he’s getting married but that you didn’t have a hand in choosing her?” Kyra said, her thumb furiously clicking the end of her pen.
“Kyra. Don’t speak to your father like that. How dare you,” his mother put in before his dad could respond.
“She’s not a child, Mom. You can’t reprimand her,” Maddie said.
Several of them started to speak at once and things were already elevating when Rachel stood up.
“Stop. All of you. Stop.”
Everyone’s gaze turned her way. Maddie reached out, took her hand, and pressed her lips to the top of it. Rachel sat back down, folding her hands on the table.
“I love all of you. I’ve been part of this family for more of my life than I haven’t. I’ve watched all of you grow and change and adjust. Sometimes gracefully, sometimes painfully. You’re all angry and hurt and I get that but you’re also so lucky and I think you forget that.”
No one said anything. Rachel was here for one reason: Maddie wanted her here for whatever she needed to share. It seemed prudent to listen to a woman who truly knew what she was talking about. Not only did Rachel work with her own large family, but they ran a small empire successfully.
“Everything that happens with my family’s company goes through lawyers, board members, and accountants. I understand, Jackson, that you wanted to expand but your father and Will were right. The financial possibilities aren’t as important as this core group of people. You have something very special in this room. You don’t always show it theright way but you all love one another so much. I’ve seen that. I’ve felt it. Grandpa,” Rachel said, looking at him with respect and love. “You should have foreseen the dent to Jackson’s pride. I think, if I’m understanding you correctly, you were trying to save your own son from waiting too long to extricate himself from a very consuming business. Because what matters isn’t what we do or sell. It’s who we surround ourselves with.”
Grandpa looked at Will’s dad. “Your mother and I wanted to ask you and Emily to join us on a cruise. Our treat. I’ve been thinking about this for a while. It’s time and Rachel’s right—I didn’t want you to wait twenty years too long to enjoy time with your wife, outside of this building, or with your family. I’m sorry for the way I went about it.”
His father said nothing but his expression softened and he reached for his mom’s hand.
“Mads will serve this company well and I think all of you can agree on that,” Rachel said. “She’s been Jeremy’s right hand for years now while you’ve done what you do best, Jackson. And you, Emily, have created such an amazing social network. I’m so in awe of the connections you’ve made in the community, the impact you’ve helped this company have on so many charities.”
“Thanks, honey,” Maddie said, sucking in a somewhat shaky breath. “Rachel’s right. We’ve always had our strengths and we’ve played to them. But I don’t want this position if it comes with tearing us apart. These last several months have felt like we’re chasing down different dreams. Will and I just want to build on what Grandpa has created. But Mom, Dad, you both seem so driven to expand. Mom, you’re on more committee boards than I can name. Dad, you work sixty-five hours a week and think you can do more. I don’t want to. If that’s the direction you want to take this company, then I won’t take part. I’ll step back.”
His father’s hands curled into fists. “I want to work with my family. That has always come first for us.”
“If that holds true, then we can’t go forward like this.” Maddie looked at Rachel, who gave her a slight nod, then faced all of themagain. “Grand Babies is a household name, particularly in the Pacific Northwest. I think Will’s idea to partner with Comfort Plus is a good one. I also think we can expand our online reach to a more global level, and Dad, I’d like you and Kyra to work together on that. You have the company and business knowledge that will pair perfectly with her social media and marketing knowledge. It’s a compromise.”
“I’ll agree, communication hasn’t been our strength,” Will added. He hated his part in that but he would never be sorry life had led him to Lexi. And thinking of her and communication, he decided to make it clear to his family where he was headed with his own future. “I’m sorry all of you were blindsided with the news of my engagement. To be honest, I didn’t mean for it to get printed in the paper.” Still half-truths, but they’d turn out well in the end. “But I’m in love with this woman and I very much want to bring her into our family. I know you had a vision for my future, Mom, but I think you and Dad need to figure your own out and let us take care of ours.”
Maddie laughed. “On that note and the idea of bringing people into this family and starting fresh with open communication, Rachel is pregnant. We’re going to be moms.”
Everything else fell away, ceased to exist. His parents and grandparents rushed to them first while Will looked at Kyra and mouthed,Did you know?
