Letting go of Grace by Ellie Meade

She is drawn to the Graces like I am. She immediately looks at his charm and starts looking around for me. I see her take hers out of her shirt and show him she has the same one. They all have strength and courage. I smile at them and start bringing food out.
    “Mommy, Grant has another brother and he is here. Do you know him? He has the same necklace as me.” I kiss her head.
    “Yes, Shane is Grant’s brother. Did you meet his wife Annie? She has a baby in her belly.” She looks over at her and leaves running back to them. Shane is animated with her. I can tell he will be a great father by the way he is talking to her and interacting with all the kids. I begin to wonder what it would be like if Aiden or Grant were here.

EVERYONE EATS AND I START to clean up to get ready for cake. I look over and observe Shane on the trampoline. All the kids are being bounced around by him and I think the mothers are drooling over him. I laugh at the thought and get the cakes ready.
    I have two cakes. They each get their own because I don’t think you should ever have to share your birthday cake. I light the candles and gather everyone around. We sing to Ella first because she is older, then we sing to Hunter. My heart begins to ache as I think of Chase. I watch them blow out their candles and I force a smile while holding back the tears. I quickly remove myself and head back into the kitchen for plates and utensils. When I come back out I notice everyone standing around a cake with thirty something candles on it. I stop in front of it and listen as everyone sings to me. I hold the tears back but one slips through. I wipe it from my face as Becca takes my hand. I lock eyes with her and I can tell she knows what I’m feeling. I think everyone here knows.
    I blow out the candles and make a wish. I wish that all the wrongs in my life will be made right. It’s a vague wish, but I hope God knows what I need and I hope he leads me to it. I start cutting the cakes and handing out pieces. I’m happy Shane and Annie have stayed this long. Annie is talking to a few of the mothers and Shane is mingling with everyone. They fit in here. For a split second I wish Aiden here, but the thought fades as fast as it came. I have one of the Graces here for my birthday, my favorite one. That’s good enough for me. Kids start to leave and Hunter, always the social butterfly, hands out the goody bags. It’s just family left with a few friends lingering. I finally sit and talk to Shane and Annie.
    “So, how long are you staying out East for?”
    “A week, I finally have some time off. Grant actually gave me off two months for after Annie has the baby.”
    “Don’t you own the company, too?”
    “No. Grant owns it all. I work for him.” I look at him confused.
    “I thought you all owned it.”
    “No, it’s the family name. We all work there, but Grant started it. It was his baby from the start. He built it all himself. You didn’t know that?”
    I shake my head at him and watch as he takes his phone out.
    I feel like it all happens in slow motion. It’s like when I watched Aiden hear the news about his father all over again. I hear Richard say my name and I turn to him.
    “Everyone is getting called into the hospital. There was some kind of explosion on the expressway.” I turn and look at Shane who is as white as a ghost.
    “What’s wrong?” Annie grabs his hand.
    “There was an explosion in one of the trucks.”
    “On the expressway?” I stand up because I know I have to go into work.
    “Yeah, everyone was on their way to the Hamptons.”
    “Who?” I whisper. I hear panic in my voice.
    “John, Autumn, Aiden, Sara, Grant, my mom, and Addy,” he answers in a distraught tone.
    “I will find out what I can when I get in.” I rush into the house to inform Becca of what just happened. I’m going to need her to stay with the kids. After a quick change, I kiss the kids goodbye and grab my keys. Richard is out the door and I follow