Diego started to speak again but Babs cut him off.
This time, Diego didn’t take no for an answer. He turned and stood face-to-face with Babs. “My relationship with Suzette was lovely but fleeting. With you, everything is different. We’ve loved each other for more than forty years and when we are together, I feel like I am home. Even though things haven’t always been smooth between us, and you may have found other friends, I still think of you as my life partner. We can choose to be angry with Suzette for not telling us these things, or we can try to understand and forgive her. Is it not punishment enough that I have not had Carla in my life, in our lives, for four decades?”
Babs’s eyes filled with tears and she gave him the slightest nod.
“I made my decisions to protect you,” Diego said firmly.
The four of them stood together, the wind making their clothing flap. Carla wanted to wrap her arms around Diego and Babs and hold them tightly, but everything felt too soon, too sensitive right now.
Diego took hold of Babs’s hand. “I would still love for us to be married one day.” He looked deeply into her eyes. “It is what I have always wanted.”
Carla’s ears pricked up at what sounded like a proposal and she glanced at Aaron, who was wearing an excited grin.
Babs lowered her eyes, thinking for a few moments before she fixed Diego with an expression that was regretful but resolute. “I’m sorry, but I can’t marry you.”
Diego took a step backward, treading on Aaron’s toe. “Oh.”
“Ouch,” Aaron said.
“I do love you, you silly thing.” Babs reached out to squeeze Diego’s bicep. “I just think love is a private affair and I don’t want to give it an audience. I don’t need a piece of paper to seal our relationship, but I would like to live with you again.”
Diego stared at her for a while. “I think that is the most sensible thing you have ever said.”
“I’ve got more wise nuggets where that came from. Do you think you can give me a chance?”
After a little consideration, Diego said, “I do.”
“I do, too,” Babs replied.
Aaron performed an exaggerated shrug. “You guys almost did it just then.”
Carla wondered if this was really a fitting conversation for a funeral, but then she thought Bertrand would be pleased by this outcome. “It means you won’t officially become my stepmother, but you’ll be like a step-grandmother to my baby,” she told Babs.
Babs’s eyes misted over. “Oh, petal. I’d never thought of it like that.” She winked at Diego. “Perhaps I could be persuaded to make a trip down the aisle, especially if it meant a new outfit...”
He laughed and circled his arm around her waist, pulling her close.
“What’s going to happen between you and Tom?” Babs asked Carla.
She placed a protective hand on her stomach. “I may have to go it alone, like Mum did.”
“Well, Suzy did a great job with you. I always said I wanted to be part of a big family. I just didn’t expect it to be like this.”
They heard someone approaching, and Jess appeared at their sides with a small hi, then she turned toward Diego. “Our lot can be pretty overwhelming but you get used to them after a while. If Carla is your daughter, it must mean we’re related in some way, too, or else I’m totally up for being adopted. There aren’t many men in our family, so others may try to grab for you, too. Be warned.”
Babs dissolved into laughter at the fear in Diego’s eyes.
Lucinda arrived in the doorway and waved her arms to get everyone’s attention. “Time to come inside, people.” She took hold of Carla’s arm as they made their way into the room that was supposed to have hosted her wedding reception.
All of Carla’s mismatched family was there together again—her ex-husband, her fiancé (if he still was her fiancé), Tom’s parents (who should have become her in-laws that morning), her newly discovered father, her potential stepmother, her aunts, sister, her beloved gran, plus lots of others. She thought she even saw Myrtle tucked away in a corner.
She’d contacted the catering company who’d changed the table decorations and napkins from floral to a pale gray. There were flowers instead of balloons, and a buffet instead of a three-course meal. Gentle music played instead of a disco, and there was lots of chatting and reminiscing among her relatives. She heard Agatha’s name passed around, followed by adjectives like inspirational and brave.
Carla looked across the room at Tom, who stood talking to his parents in the corner. She didn’t know if it was the appropriate time to introduce herself or not and felt relieved when she saw the three of them heading her way.
Tom’s father shook her hand warmly. “It’s lovely to meet you, Carla. I’m sorry for your loss—and about today.”
Tom’s mother wore a kind but guarded smile. “We thought we’d just pop in to pass on our regards. We’re not staying to eat.”
“Of course, that’s fine. Thank you for coming.”
Tom’s parents both looked at Tom for guidance on what they should do now.
“I’m going to take Mum and Dad for a drive,” he told Carla. “If that’s okay?”
“Yes, of course. Hopefully I’ll see you all soon,” she said.
“That would be lovely,” Tom’s mum said.
“Take care, love,” his dad added.
Tom gave Carla a brief peck on her cheek and left her alone.
Her heart felt like it might snap in two as she watched him through the window, walking down a gray path outside instead of down their wedding aisle. Her shoulders rounded as she took a seat. The tables had been arranged in a U shape around the outside edge of the room.
Carla noticed Aaron chatting with her relatives and she watched as he flattered and flirted and charmed, just like old times. He poured glasses of wine for them and pulled out their chairs. He went to the buffet table, where he took a tomato, cut it into quarters and popped the pieces into his mouth, one after another.
Carla sat by herself, unable to eat a thing.
