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  Sarah sunk back into the couch sensing her entire world ready to crumble. Her heartbeat slowed, and her eyes disappeared into the darkness around her.

  “Shit.” Zach walked toward the window and opened the closest liquor bottle, the only comfort he could find in the room. He drank directly from the bottle, gulping each swallow as if it were his last. “Mom, let it go.”

  Teddy's face grew even paler. “I don't understand what you're talking about, Mom.”

  “Zachary fathered Sarah's baby. They slept together hoping she would get pregnant because you're unable to father children. I'm sorry, Theodore. I couldn't stand by and let you raise another man's child, even if it is your brother's, without being part of the decision. History cannot repeat itself.”

  Teddy's eyes bulged, and he stared at his wife. “You slept… with Zach?”

  “Yes, Teddy.” Tears puddled under Sarah's eyes. “I slept with your brother, but you fathered this baby.”

  Zach stopped in his tracks at those words and rotated his body until she was in full view. “What?” His voice stammered, his shoulders lifted.

  Olivia looked confused. “You told me it was Zachary's baby?”

  “Teddy and I went to the doctor and learned I'm due February 1st. I was already pregnant when Zach and I slept together. The baby is really Teddy's.”

  Zach's heart raced. “I'm not the father?”

  Sarah shook her head, part of her happy to deliver the news, part of her sad her husband had to find out this way. “No.”

  Olivia motioned to her son, her gut full of guilt and remorse over everything she forced to happen that day. “Zachary, let's leave Sarah and Theodore alone to talk.”

  Zach and Olivia walked to the door. Zach thrilled at the turn of events, Olivia despondent she hadn't listened to Sarah's plea.

  “No, stay. I'm the one who needs to leave.” Teddy pushed by them heading toward the hall. He stopped a few feet away and stared at his wife and brother. As he weighed the consequences of doing the right thing or letting his emotions control his behavior, his body betrayed his mind and won the spar. His right fist pulled back and slammed forward punching Zach's shocked face, landing directly on his left eye, knocking him back a few feet into the sideboard.

  Olivia shut her eyes unwilling to take sides between her sons.

  Sarah tried to grab hold of Teddy but could see in his eyes it would be a mistake. She retreated to her corner unnerved at the turn of events.

  Zach, leaning on the sideboard, watched as his brother took a step closer to him. “Go ahead, Pickles. Hit me again. I deserve it.”

  Olivia screamed, but she was torn between two sons, right and wrong, the truth and whatever else had happened between them.

  Teddy's eyes pierced through his brother, then back toward his wife. “You're not worth it.” He rushed out the door leaving his family standing in silence unsure of what would come next.

  With a voice full of years that held back her angst and fury, Sarah screamed while rushing out the door after her husband. “You're an awful woman, Olivia. You never listen to anyone else. It's always about you being in control.”

  Olivia never heard Sarah as her mind was distracted, grateful no one noticed her comment about history repeating itself among the commotion. She knew she'd still had one more conversation with Rowena Hector before she could reveal the contents of Ben's letters. And that would occur in just a few agonizing days. Nothing else mattered until she had her answers.

  Chapter 22 – Caleb

  Olivia watched and listened from the kitchen window as her son embraced Jake on the back deck, recognizing the love and respect they had for one another as a married couple. Caleb had grown into a caring and loving man, an echo of Ben, and recognizing the son she hadn't seen in years back in her life diverted Olivia's mind toward to the impending crisis. Olivia fiddled with the envelope in her pocket knowing all she needed to do was open it to know which boy's life would change, sizing the repercussions if she learned Caleb was not her child. She'd lost years with him because he never felt close enough to her and Ben to confess his secrets. Since reconnecting, they sewed the first stitch on the patch that would mend their relationship before he became a father. How could she possibly lose him again? She returned Ben's letter to the drawer in his desk in the study and locked it with the key.

  * * *

  Caleb and Jake stayed in Brandywine for a few more days after the weekend's tumultuous events. While packing their bags, they finished chatting about the implications of everything that had been revealed during their visit.

  “I still can't believe you've never been to Connecticut before this trip,” Caleb said.

  “Nope. Never had time. I want to absorb as much as possible about your family while we're down this way.”

  “Especially before we have the baby. We'll never get here easily again.”

  “Speaking of the baby,” Jake said.

  “Yes?”

  “Can we visit with Matt and Margaret tomorrow before we drive home to Maine? I want to learn more about having a newborn. They've got a whole boatload of kids at this point.”

  “Yes, definitely. You've never been around babies, have you?”

  “No, I was the youngest of my siblings and cousins back in Iowa. And even though I'm a teacher, pre-teens are a different sort of nightmare. Being a father beckons quite a more abstract skill set, I suspect.”

  “You know how to relate to sixteen-year-olds and can mentor those monsters like no other, but we're in for a whole different ball game with babies and toddlers.”

  “Matt and Margaret will know how to coach us.”

  “It'll be good to see my brother. I'm still so upset over what he's done to himself with the drugs and the money. He really needs help.”

  “All the greats turn to some vice at one point or another, babe. Matt's overwhelmed and needs better coping skills. They'll teach him how to handle stress and deal with triggers when he checks into the rehab facility. It'll be good for him.”

  “You should tell him tomorrow. He needs to hear it from everyone. Since you're still a stranger to him… I mean that in the best way possible, Jake… it'll have a bigger impact coming from you.”

  “I am a newbie, but I don't want to be. The door is open now. My family wants nothing to do with me, so it's important I get closer to yours. I want to fit in with them.”

  “You will. Just be careful what you ask for. Once we let them back in, they're in. You saw what happened at the family meeting this week.”

  Jake laughed. “I did, but it was comforting how everyone cares about each other.”

  “Yup. So… have you decided what to do about teaching this year? We either need to hire a nanny, or you'll have to stay home. I've got so many projects lined up, I can't easily stop working.”

  “Are you still thinking about having a second baby again soon?”

  “Yeah, it would be great to have our kids close in age. Despite all the drama, I'm glad I had my brothers.”

  “Well, I guess maybe I should stay home this first year and see how it goes. If we adopt a second baby, we can figure it out as we go. I can take a leave of absence for six months. I've got my tenure already.”

  “Are you sure? I don't want to pressure you.”

  “Yes. Remember, we're in this together. I'll take this first year, and maybe you can decrease the projects for next year and take the lead staying home. It's a fair balance. Plus, I'm sure your mother will be up north to visit more often, and she can pitch in.”

  “And we're gonna want to bring our kid home to play with Teddy's and Matt's new babies. Wow, we're all having children. It's nuts.”

  “Are you sure it's Teddy's baby?” Jake laughed. Caleb had told him about Zach's drunken phone call confessing he'd slept with Sarah.

  “Yes, he texted me this morning. Sarah confirmed it is definitely Teddy's baby.”

  “You're family's a mess, Caleb.”

  Caleb placed his hand on his husband's knee, then d
rew him in for a kiss. After pulling away, he said, “No, Jake. Our family's a mess.”

  * * *

  Caleb took a few trips back and forth to Brandywine over the next month to spend as much time with Ethan as he possibly could between his commitments for work and his preparation for the baby's arrival. While back in Brandywine, he and Ethan spent a few days fishing at Lake Wokagee, where their father had taken them as children, attempting to repair the damage and lost time between them. The other brothers couldn't attend, but Caleb was glad as he wanted time to bond with his youngest sibling on his own. At the southern part of town, a few streams emptied into the lake separating the towns of Willoughby and Brandywine, usually a prime location to catch a few bass. They settled on the banks early one morning under an unrelenting sun.

  “I'm sorry I failed to be a good brother to you,” Caleb said.

  “That's ridiculous,” replied Ethan. “When you left for college, I was barely a teenager. I understood you had your own life to start. I knew it would be different. Change was necessary.”

  “We've lost out on so much, and we have no time to fix it.” Caleb focused on the line he dropped in the water ten feet out. The fish hadn't yet begun to bite.

  “We don't need to fix it. It's not broken. By the way, you're letting the wind carry the line too far away. You always let that happen. I remember Dad trying to get you to be more careful,” Ethan joked and patted his brother on his back.

  “I know. I never could get the hang of it. Remember how Dad caught those giant largemouths on Labor Day weekend? When he asked me to hold the line, so he could unhook it? And I dropped the pole in the water. I'd never heard him curse so much.”

  “He was angry, but he also knew you tried. It was never your strongest talent.”

  Caleb looked back at his brother. “This really sucks. I'm gonna miss you. Even though I wasn't always here, you never left my mind.”

  “Let it go, Caleb. We can let the anger and the sadness derail us, or we can be happy for the time we had. We can learn from it. You have a kid to take care of in a couple of weeks. Remember what Dad taught us and be sure to teach it to your children. And tell them about me. It'll keep his memory alive for both of us.”

  * * *

  After Caitlyn, the woman who'd selected Caleb and Jake to adopt her baby, went on bed rest for the last few weeks of the pregnancy, Caleb decided she should move into the guest bedroom on the main floor of their house. Having her close would allow them time to talk to the baby each night, as well as to ensure Caitlyn received enough rest and care. Once she gave birth, Caitlyn planned to move back to her own apartment to finish her dissertation and head to the West Coast where she already secured a new job. She would keep in contact with Caleb and Jake in case any medical issues arose after the baby was born, but Caitlyn had wanted to move on with her life and let them be responsible for their child. Shortly into September, Caleb and Jake rushed her to the hospital when labor kicked in. After twelve intense hours, they became the proud parents of a new baby boy.

  Caleb called his mother to let her know she had her first official grandson. Olivia was ecstatic and asked if she could visit for a few days. Ethan's health was only just starting to decline despite the occasional trouble he had walking, but Ethan insisted Olivia take a long weekend to meet the new baby. Both Emma and Diane would be around to watch over Ethan.

  Olivia arrived in Maine the day Caleb brought his son home from the hospital. As they drove to the front of their house, Olivia met Jake and Caleb on the porch excited to see the newest member of her family. It had no longer mattered that her son was gay, or he had gotten married without her ever knowing. She would have preferred to have been a part of the wedding but convinced herself to let go of what she lost in the past when it came to Caleb. It was the only way to ensure they could have a future.

  Jake stepped out of the backseat of the Jeep while Caleb fidgeted over his new family and stopped to check every few seconds that nothing had blocked Jake's exit as he carried their precious new addition. As he neared his mother-in-law, Jake handed his son to Olivia, thrilled to be part of his new family, too.

  “Have you decided on a name for this little munchkin?” Olivia tickled the baby's cheek.

  Caleb smiled at his husband, and Jake winked back at him.

  “Yes, Mom. We're going to name him Ethan Benjamin Glass.”

  Chapter 23 – Zach

  Olivia met Zach in Brooklyn for dinner, surprising him as for once by taking a train into NYC from Connecticut to visit her son. As they sat in a corner booth at the diner, Anastasia played on her iPad while Zach flipped through his phone patiently waiting for the custody lawyer to call back. Olivia noticed the diner packed with hipsters, and while she felt out of place, the happy, younger crowd brought a smile to her face. She'd even chosen more casual clothing the last few days encouraging the freedoms retirement could offer her.

  “The bruise appears to have healed well. I wouldn't have expected Theodore to react that way, but then again, I wouldn't have expected you to sleep with his wife. You need to be more careful, Zachary.” She chided him while caressing his cheek. “Think about all you're trying to set right. You've done everything you can to prove Katerina is an unfit mother and does not deserve to have any custody other than supervised visits with Anastasia.”

  “I know, but I need to know it's final. I'm putting everything back together from this hellish summer we've had. Between Dad's death, this custody battle, and the situation with Sarah, my nerves are shot.” Zach checked the phone's volume, pressing until it went on high.

  “How is the situation with Sarah?” Olivia said. “Have you and Theodore talked since the party?” Her voice no longer held a bitter undertone.

  Zach shook his head. “He hasn't returned any of my phone calls. I spoke with Sarah, and she assured me with one hundred percent certainty, Teddy fathered her child. But he can't get past knowing she and I slept together, that we were going to hide it from him if I had been the father.”

  “He has more than he can handle on his plate with preparing to sell the firm to Davis and Wittleton. I spoke with Theodore this morning, and he expects the sale should be complete in a few weeks.” Olivia grew more comfortable with saying goodbye to the legacy Ben had built over the last thirty years. She recognized her future depended on her ability to accept the past.

  “Did he say anything about me?”

  “No, we didn't talk about you, but I forgive you. Not that you did anything to me, but I've had time to reflect, and I know your heart was in the right place. I've also seen the progress this summer in your own way despite everything that's occurred. You're pulling your life back together by protecting Anastasia and helping Matthew and Ethan get through their own struggles. You're a good father and brother, Zachary.”

  “Except to Pickles.”

  “Pickles will come around.” She laughed at saying Theodore's nickname for the first time in years. “Let him have a few days to deal with everything. Don't you recall asking me to give you time with Anastasia? Have you thought about my proposal?”

  “Yes, but it depends on the results of the custody case, Mom.” He checked his phone again, but still no response.

  “Let's order food. I'm hungry. Perhaps I should try those loaded burgers with all the toppings. I need more adventure, but I'm not ready for White Castle.”

  Zach laughed at his mother's sudden transformation. “Are you really my mother? I'm not sure I recognize you anymore.”

  Olivia smiled, closed her eyes, and breathed deeply. “I hope so.”

  * * *

  Diane took Olivia and Anastasia for lunch leaving Zach home with Emma and Ethan for the afternoon. They played a few games of chess, but by midday, Ethan was tired and retired upstairs to take a nap leaving Emma in the den with Zach.

  “How does he seem to you today?” Zach noticed how young Emma looked. Even though they were only six years apart, he'd lived a longer and tougher life. He also knew once Ethan died, it would
all change for her. She'd soon have the same distraught expression as the rest of the Glass family, strained and stressed over the damage they'd suffered not only from life but also one another's actions.

  “He's good. The headache disappeared, and he finished lunch. He only wanted to rest for thirty minutes, but I suspect he may sleep the whole afternoon. He tossed and turned a lot last night.” Emma relaxed into the opposite side of the sofa.

  “Do you want to watch a movie?” He noticed the energy dripping from Emma's usual cheeriness. “You look tired, maybe you need to take a nap.”

  “I am a bit wiped, but I don't want to sleep. Let's watch a movie, something funny. I need to laugh a bit.” Emma kicked off her flats and curled her legs into the sofa.

  At the same time, they both said, “The Hangover.”

  Zach laughed. “You dig that movie?”

  Emma jumped up. “Yaaas. I love it. It's my favorite.”

  “Ed Helms is awesome,” they both said.

  “He slayed it.” Emma tossed a throw pillow at Zach. “For your neck. Cute tattoo, for sure. The vine looks so real. What does it mean?”

  “You're the first person to ask me that question. No one ever saw past the ink.” He smiled at her, enjoying her company, despite the reason she'd moved into the house. “It's a symbol of our family. Each flower represents my parents, my aunt, my brothers, and how we're all part of the same vine, the same tree. We're all tied together fighting for our survival. I understood it right after I knew I would become a father and what family truly meant to me.”

  “That's beautiful, Zach. You should tell your mother. She'd be thrilled.”

  As Emma downloaded the movie, Zach fixed drinks. Emma wanted to taste a bourbon and soda.

  “I never had one before. It's smooth. Nice follow-up kick,” she said.

  “Exactly, it's the expensive stuff. Only bourbon I will drink these days. My dad introduced me to it. He used to sneak drinks to me when I'd come home from school on weekends. My mother would have killed him if she knew.”