Page 24 of Tides and Tidings

I watched as her auburn hair blew in the cool breeze and couldn’t help but fall more in love with her.

Blythe

Something about it being almost seventy degrees in December threw me off. Looking at Christmas trees while not wearing a jacket is…odd. I grew up in Seattle, where it was usually in the thirties during the holiday season, so this sure is a culture shock. Last year, I went back to Seattle for the holidays. Charlie and Wren wanted me to stay, but after the drastic life change, I needed some sense of familiarity.

As I took in all the beautiful holiday decorations, I couldn’t help but feel so grateful that this is my life. I get to live out my dream of owning a bookstore with the love of my life—Wren, obviously—and Charlie. The two of them made me feel complete. When we were together, it felt like nothing else mattered. The world goes silent when I’m with them.

“Look to your right,” Charlie whispered in my ear.

I turned just in time to see a giant turtle statue covered in lights. I instinctively grabbed my phone and practically laid on top of Charlie to get some good pictures for Wren. The kid loved turtles, so who was I to deprive her of these sights?

“You go so out of your way for her.” He observed.

“She’s the best.”

Charlie wrapped a strong arm around my shoulder and pulled me close to him. “You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to us.”

“I don’t know about all that,” I joked. I’m an awkward soul. When people compliment me, I never know what to do, so I make jokes or divert the attention away from myself.

His gaze was serious. “I mean it. You pulled all my broken pieces back together. You gave Wren the mom she deserved. You give her love that she hadn’t experienced before.”

“I’d do anything for that girl. She’s helped me heal my wounds from my messed-up childhood.”

“The kid would kick me to the curb in a heartbeat if it meant she could have her Birdie forever.”

A wide smile spread across my face. Butterflies danced in my stomach, “I have no plans of going anywhere.”

He pressed a kiss to my temple, “Good.”

Charlie’s love language was quality time, so I knew riding around in an old trolley with fifty strangers wasn’t his cup of tea. He was the type of guy who liked to do things at his own pace—without a mob of tourists. He enjoyed nothing more than a chill boat day with the two women in his life that always outvoted him. Charlie is the type of guy who adores cuddling while watching a movie but will never admit to it in public.

Truthfully, I was the same way. Unlike most women, I am not a fan of public displays of affection.

We rode around for another twenty minutes, taking in all the sights. Don’t get me wrong, they decorated Savannah beautifully for the holiday season, but it didn’t hold a candle to Wippowa. Back home, string lights run up and down the palm trees. The trolleys hand out candy canes and hot chocolate in the evenings. The buildings downtown—including Sea Reads and The Coastal Cup—had net lights covering the entirety of the front. At nighttime, it was truly something special.

Until yesterday, when Wren’s teacher came looking for me, I had never felt more like a mom than when we took Wren to see the Christmas tree lighting last weekend. While she looked at the tree with wonder, I couldn’t help but tear up because she wouldn’t have this childlike wonder forever.

Charlie threaded his fingers through mine, sending tingles up my arm. Whenever this man touches me, my nerve endings electrify.

When I called my best friend Rose after the first time Charlie and I brushed hands, she said, and I quote, “You’re gonna marry this man, honey Bee.” At the time, I brushed it off.

Rose: August 29, 1:54 P.M. I’m calling it now. Blythe Whitlock will marry Charlie whatever his last name is...

Blythe: Hannigan.

Rose: Look at you already knowing his name! When’s the wedding?

Blythe: Ha! Never.

Rose: I’m screenshotting these texts to show at your wedding one day.

Blythe: A screenshot you will delete… because it’s not needed.

Rose: What do I get if I’m right?

Blythe: I’ll pay for your manicures for six months.

Rose: Done deal!