Page 26 of Wisteria Winds (Wisteria Island #2)

T he waves lapped gently at Wisteria Island’s shore as Danielle stood on the deck of her cottage, watching the winter sunset paint the sky in breathtaking shades of pink and gold.

Six months had passed since her perfect wedding day, and the memory still brought a smile to her face.

The beautiful gazebo stood off in the distance, a testament to her wonderful new marriage.

She absently placed her hand on her abdomen, still flat but harboring the most precious secret. Three pregnancy tests had confirmed what she’d begun to suspect two weeks ago. She and Bennett were going to have a baby.

The sliding door opened behind her, and Bennett’s arms wrapped around her, his chin resting on top of her head.

“That’s a beautiful sunset,” he said.

“Perfect timing,” Danielle said, leaning back against his chest, “and everybody should be arriving soon.”

They’d invited their closest friends for dinner—Clara, Dorothy, Morty, and Cecilia, who was visiting from New York for the weekend.

Her mother’s health issues before the wedding had led to some significant life changes.

She addressed her hypertension and exhaustion, and then Cecilia shocked everyone by cutting back on her academic schedule to establish a telehealth consultancy focused on rural healthcare access.

Even more surprising was her decision to split her time between Manhattan and Wisteria Island.

She maintained a cottage just down the path from Danielle and Bennett’s home.

“So did you tell anybody why we’re hosting this dinner?” Bennett asked.

“Just that we want to celebrate our six-month anniversary? No one suspects a thing.”

Bennett turned her to face him. “I still can’t believe it. We’re going to be parents. You’re going to be a mom, and I’m going to be a dad, and all these people on the island will be grandparents.”

“Are you terrified?” she asked with a smile.

“Absolutely,” he said, “but happier than I’ve ever been.”

They could hear the sound of animated conversation on the front porch, including Morty’s distinctive boisterous laugh and Dorothy’s smoky voice as they made their way up the path.

“Showtime,” Bennett said, quickly kissing her before opening the front door.

Morty walked in in his typical fashion, a bottle of champagne in one hand and a brightly wrapped package in the other. He wore a vibrant purple and green sweater that somehow complemented his orange bow tie without causing visual distress.

“Happy semi-anniversary to the most beautiful couple on Wisteria Island,” he said, thrusting the bottle in Bennett’s direction. “Six months of wedded bliss deserves proper celebration.”

Dorothy walked in, elegant as always, wearing a silk tunic and wide-legged pants.

“Oh my goodness, he’s been planning this celebration for weeks,” she said to Danielle, rolling her eyes. “Apparently, half-year anniversaries are now mandatory occasions.”

“Well, any reason for a party,” Danielle said, hugging them both.

Clara arrived next and brought a platter of delicate pastries.

“I brought these from Esther,” she said. “She sent her regrets, but couldn’t leave because of the dinner rush.”

“And here comes the distinguished Dr. Wright,” Bennett said as Cecilia walked up the cottage stairs, looking stylish in her pink cashmere sweater and tailored slacks.

Danielle was getting used to seeing her mother in more casual attire. The health scare before the wedding had changed more than just Cecilia’s work schedule. It had softened some of her sharp edges.

“Am I late?” she asked, kissing Danielle’s cheek.

“Right on time,” Bennett said. “We’re just about to open some wine.”

“Oh, none for me, thank you,” Danielle said. “I’m still recovering from a little stomach bug.”

Her mother’s eyes narrowed slightly, but she didn’t say anything and took her own glass.

Dinner was a lively affair with Morty telling them tales of the island’s latest talent show and talking about how they might want to close down that little section of nude beach. Some people had been traumatized by seeing old Mr. Wisely without his clothes on.

Clara shared news of the spring concert series she was planning for the Whitman Gazebo. And of course, Dorothy gave colorful commentary about recent film club selections that she’d organized for the residents.

“You know, I still think that introducing octogenarians to Fellini was an educational choice,” she said when Morty accused her of traumatizing the film club.

“Gladys had nightmares for a week,” he said. “Next time, maybe we stick with Audrey Hepburn.”

“Coward,” Dorothy said, rolling her eyes.

Cecilia had been quietly observing Danielle throughout the meal.

“You’ve barely touched your food, darling. Is that stomach bug still bothering you?” She put emphasis on the words stomach bug .

All eyes turned to Danielle, who exchanged a quick glance with Bennett. They had hoped to wait until dessert, but her mother had sharp medical instincts. Bennett reached for her hand under the table and gave it a supportive squeeze.

“Actually,” Danielle said, feeling flutters in her stomach that had nothing to do with a baby, “it’s not exactly a bug.” She smiled. “We’re pregnant. We’re going to have a baby.”

A momentary silence was broken by Morty’s squeal of delight. He leapt from his chair.

“A baby! The first Wisteria Island baby. I mean, nobody else on Wisteria Island could have a baby. All the eggs are too old. But anyway, this is magnificent news. Oh my goodness, we have so much to plan. A nursery, a baby shower. Do you know if it’s a boy or a girl yet?

We need to start thinking about color schemes. ”

Dorothy removed her reading glasses. “Congratulations, my dears. When are you due?”

“Late summer,” Danielle said. “August, we think.”

“Well, I’m sorry that Morty has already broken the child’s ears by screaming so loud. But again, congratulations.”

Clara reached across the table and squeezed Danielle’s hand. “What wonderful news! You’re going to be such great parents.”

Danielle turned to her mother, who had remained quiet. “Mom?”

Cecilia couldn’t hide the emotion in her eyes. “A grandchild? I’m going to be a grandmother.”

“The most glamorous grandmother on the Eastern Seaboard,” Bennett said, “and we were hoping you might want to spend even more time on the island after the baby arrives. He or she should get to know their grandmother.”

“Oh, I’d like that very much,” Cecilia said. She rose and hugged Danielle. “I’m so happy for you, dear. So very happy.”

The rest of the evening passed in a blur of excitement and plans, mostly from Morty’s side.

He immediately started sketching out nursery designs on napkins, and Dorothy offered a list of appropriate baby names drawn from the golden age of cinema.

Clara promised to compose a lullaby especially for the baby, of course.

And Cecilia, in a moment of unexpected sentimentality, said that she intended to teach her grandchild French, “as soon as they have sufficient cognitive development” .

Later, when everyone departed with hugs and more congratulations, Danielle and Bennett stood on the deck once more, watching stars emerge over the ocean.

“That went really well,” he said, wrapping his arms around her from behind, his hands resting protectively on her stomach.

“Better than I expected. Did you see my mother’s face? I don’t think I’ve ever seen her speechless before.”

“We’ve created a miracle.”

“Well, we’ve created a lot of them,” Danielle said.

“This baby, our marriage, this wonderful community we call home.” She turned in his arms and faced him.

“When I first came to this island, I was running away from embarrassment and heartbreak, convinced I could never trust a man again, or really anyone. And now look at what we’ve built. ”

“Look at us,” he echoed. “We built our family on this island, and we’re going to make it even bigger,” he said, touching her midsection.

She rested her head against his chest and listened to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.

In a few months, their baby would join this unique island family and grow up surrounded not by just the parents who loved them, but by an extended family of honorary grandparents who each had wisdom and love to share.

Morty would teach their child creativity and being unapologetic about who you are.

Dorothy would definitely impart some dramatic flair—over and above what Morty would provide.

Clara would bring music and show them how to find beauty after loss.

And her mother, Cecilia, would make sure her child had culture, education, and the confidence to stand their ground in any circumstance.

“Are you still happy?” Bennett murmured against her hair.

“Completely. Are you?”

“More than I ever dreamed was possible.”

As they stood together in starlight, Danielle felt such a sense of belonging.

Wisteria Island had given her everything she never even knew she wanted: a home, a purpose, a husband who understood her, and now a child.

The island’s gentle sounds surrounded them - night birds calling, waves against the shore, and distant laughter from the community center where the weekly game night was in full swing.

These were the sounds their child would grow up hearing.

Danielle placed her hand over Bennett’s, where it rested on her stomach. There was no bump yet, no visible mark to show the miracle growing inside of her, but they both felt it—their expansion of their love into something new and limitless.

She knew there were challenges ahead: sleepless nights, childhood illnesses, worries of parenthood. But they would face them together, supported by their remarkable community.

And to Danielle, that was the greatest gift of all.