Mad About You

Bailey asked. "I didn't even know it was missing."
    Chad looked up at her, his eyes miserable. "You didn't tell him?"
    She shook her head.
    "But you knew I took it, didn't you?"
    She nodded.
    Chad's face crumpled again. "I was feeling bad about it anyway, and then I got home from the camping trip, and you'd made me that neat picture box, and said nice things even after I broke you and Bailey up—"
    "You didn't break us up, son," Bailey injected with a smile. "We're adults, we make our own mistakes."
    "Well, I know I caused your fight. And I know it made Ginny sad." His lower lip trembled again. "And that letter was there saying you have to take me to court—I'm too much trouble."
    "Hey," she said softly, planting a kiss on his temple, "you let us be the judge of that. Why did you leave your skateboard in the park?"
    "I figured if you thought someone had kidnapped me, you'd be glad I was gone and wouldn't come looking."
    Horror bolted through her, and she pulled his chin up to look directly in his eyes. "Chad, if I ever lost you again, I would never stop crying, do you understand?"
    "I'm sorry," he said, tears sliding down to wet her fingers. "I wouldn't blame you if you still wanted me to leave, but I want to stay with you, Ginny."
    Amazed, she exchanged a glance with Bailey, then wiped a few of Chad's tears with her thumb. "But I thought you wanted to live with Bailey."
    Chad straightened his shoulders and sniffed, then jutted out his chin. "Sons are supposed to take care of their mothers."
    Joy ballooned in her heart and filled every cell of her body. She smiled through her tears. On the other side of Chad, Bailey cleared his throat, then winked a glistening eye at her in the flashlight beam.
    She clasped Chad's hands with hers. "I'm honored you feel that way, but you've got it turned around—it's my job to take care of you." Smiling wide, she said, "Besides, it'll be the two of us for only a little while."
    Chad frowned, confused.
    "Your father and I are getting married," Virginia said with a grin.
    Chad's eyes widened, then he looked back and forth between them. "Really?"
    Bailey's gaze flew to hers. "Really?"
    "Really," she said, laughing. Bailey reached over to squeeze her hand, smiling at her from the shadows.
    "Hm," Chad said, suddenly thoughtful. A small frown furrowed his brow.
    "What?" she probed.
    "Well, with all the kissing you two do, I guess you'll be having babies and stuff."
    Exchanging glances with Bailey, she ventured carefully, "And how would you feel about that?"
    Chad shrugged and grinned, clearly happy at the prospect. "Whatever."

Epilogue

    VIRGINIA SMOOTHED THE SLIM SKIRT of her short wedding dress, taking a deep, calming breath. The music had started, her mother and Rita had just left the dressing room, and she had all of five minutes before once again becoming Mrs. Bailey Kallihan. She was as nervous as she'd been all those years before. Unlike her first wedding day, however, she wasn't plagued with doubts about Bailey's level of commitment, and the child growing within her then was now the joy of her life.
    A small knock sounded at the door. She turned away from the mirror. "Yes?"
    "Mom?" Chad asked, poking his head and shoulders in the room. "Can I come in?"
    She smiled. "Absolutely. You can help me tame these butterflies."
    "Wow, you look great." He walked toward her with his hands behind his back.
    "Thanks," she said. "You don't look so bad yourself." She straightened his bow tie, her heart swelling with pride at the sight of him in his small black tux. "Are you excited?"
    He nodded. "We're almost a family."
    Tingling with happiness, she stroked his cheek. "We always were, sweetheart, we were just a bit... scattered."
    "I got something for you," he said shyly, withdrawing a small package from behind his back.
    She took it, swallowing the lump in her throat. The paper, silver with white wedding bells, had been mangled a bit, then repaired with yards of cellophane tape. A big white bow sat crookedly on top.
    "I wrapped it myself."
    "It's so pretty," she whispered.
    " Open it. "
    Carefully, she tore away the paper to uncover a jeweler's box. She glanced at her son suspiciously, but he was wide-eyed with anticipation.
    "Hurry, you don’t have much time."
    She lifted the hinged lid to reveal a shiny gold locket on a gold chain. She pressed her lips together to stem her welling tears. "It's lovely," she whispered, pulling the necklace from the box and fingering it lovingly. She slipped