Page 2 of Tides and Tidings

I cleaned the kitchen while Blythe and Wren buzzed around the house, double and triple-checking that they had everything.

“Wren, do you have your backpack?” Blythe asked, running down the hallway.

“It’s by the front door!” the kid called back.

“Is your suitcase still in your room?”

“Yeah, Birdie!” Wren called back as she ran around the house with Marsh, our dog.

I helped Wren slip into her white ballet flats while Blythe carried the small suitcase down the stairs. I had a special weekend of dates planned for Blythe, and my mom offered to watch Wren so we could have some much-needed alone time.

It’s been a year and two months since Blythe and I launched our bookstore coffee shop combo, and it’s been incredible. Neither of us expected to be featured on travel blogs or have our businesses go wild. Under my supervision but with Blythe’s vision, the Coastal Cup has hired three employees—two baristas and one coffee roaster. Blythe’s pride and joy—Sea Reads—started shipping books and merch worldwide. With her international social media following, the demand for her bookstore blew us out of the water, and we had to hire two booksellers to keep up with the demand. Throw in a six-year-old at home and we desperately needed some time to ourselves. We were bracing ourselves for the Christmas rush, so this weekend, the first weekend of December, was our best option with the least interference.

Blythe looked around, “Okay, I think that’s everything. Ready to go?”

Wren slipped on her light jacket—a perk of living in the South during the winter; no heavy jackets were needed. “Let’s go!”

For someone who didn’t like kids and didn’t want any of her own, she sure took on the mother role for Wren. When my ex left me in the middle of the night with a newborn, she gave up any rights to being a mom. When we first started dating, I wasn’t sure how Wren would react to having someone else taking up my attention, but she’s loved having “her Birdie” with us all the time. My mom was a great role model for Wren, but I wanted her to be able to live her own life.

I grabbed the bags and locked up while Blythe got Wren buckled and situated in her car seat. We were off to school, and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t looking forward to this little pageant. This Little Bird of mine is the most outgoing child I’ve ever met, so seeing her in her element on stage today would be cool.

“Wrenny, are you excited to stay with Grammy and Pops this weekend?” Blythe asked, turning around towards the backseat.

“Marshy gets to come too, right?” She clarified.

“Of course. Grammy said she would have you help her decorate the house for Christmas.”

“Oh, good. Then yes, I am.”

Blythe and I looked at each other with smirks on our faces. This kid was too smart for her own good. As we pulled into the parking lot, I looked in the rear-view mirror to find Wren filled with trepidation.

“What’s wrong, Little Bird?”

She shook her head.

“Use your words.”

“I’m nervous.” She admitted.

Blythe held my arm, “You go inside, grab some seats, and find your mom. I’ll handle this.”

I raised an eyebrow, “You sure?”

“Absolutely. I’ve been there before. I’ll try to help.”

I got out and gave Wren a kiss for good luck. “Don’t be nervous, you’re going to be great!” That warranted a small smile. “Birdie is going to walk you into your classroom. I’m going to go find Grammy.”

“Okay, Daddy.”

Blythe crawled into the backseat, so I took that as my cue to head inside.

Blythe

I awkwardly climbed over the center console of the Jeep and plopped down next to Wren. “You were so excited when we left the house. What changed in the ten-minute drive, Little Bird?”

She sighed loudly as I unbuckled her. “What if I mess up, Birdie? Everyone will laugh at me.” Her small bottom lip quivered, tears threatening to fall.

“Oh, sweetheart,” I grabbed her out of the seat and pulled her close, “I promise no one will laugh at you if you make a mistake. What do your dad and I always say?”