Married Before Midnight by Sienna Quinn - Chapter 13

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Married Before Midnight


Chapter 13: Sweet Beginnings


The Carter house hummed with warmth and laughter long after the bake-off victory. The scent of pumpkin and cinnamon still lingered in the air, mixing with the sisters’ excited chatter as they sprawled across the living room, their faces flushed with triumph. Eleanor sat beside Henry’s bed that night, her fingers gently smoothing the blanket over his still form. The lamplight cast soft shadows across his face, and though he couldn’t speak, she knew he was listening. "We did it, my love," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "The girls—they were incredible. Olivia kept her head when Brenda tried to ruin everything. Hannah came up with the idea for the trifles on the spot. Even the little ones didn’t panic. They’re so much stronger than I ever realized." She paused, swallowing the lump in her throat. "We’re going to open the bakery. Sweet Beginnings. It’s happening because of them—because of you. I wish you could see how brave they’ve become." A quiet sigh escaped her as she leaned forward, pressing a kiss to his forehead. "We’ll make you proud."


Morning light spilled through the kitchen windows as the sisters gathered around the table, their energy boundless. Hannah, ever the strategist, had already sketched out a rough business plan on a sheet of notebook paper. "We need to stand out," she declared, tapping the page. "Professional packaging, samples to lure customers in, and flyers with a bold design. If we make people curious, they’ll come to us." Olivia nodded, practicality tempering her sister’s enthusiasm. "We should start small—focus on a few signature items first. Mom’s pumpkin trifles, the almond cookies, maybe those lemon bars Charlotte loves." "I can draw the flyers!" Emily piped up, bouncing in her seat. "I’ll make them colorful so no one can ignore them!" Lillian grinned. "And I’ll handle the samples. People won’t be able to resist free treats." Charlotte, ever the dreamer, sighed dramatically. "Imagine—our little bakery becoming the talk of Maplewood. We’ll have lines out the door!" Hannah smirked. "Only if we actually get the work done. Which means someone needs to stop daydreaming and start folding boxes." Charlotte stuck out her tongue but grabbed a stack of cardboard without complaint.


Eleanor and Olivia returned from their supply run, arms laden with mixing bowls, parchment paper, and fresh ingredients. The younger girls immediately swarmed them, chattering about Hannah’s marketing plans. "We’re going to pass out flyers near the park tomorrow!" Emily announced. "And I’ll wear my prettiest apron when we hand out samples," Lillian added. Olivia laughed, ruffling her sister’s hair. "Priorities, Lily." Eleanor watched them, her heart full. "We’ll need to work hard," she reminded them gently. "This won’t be easy." "Nothing worth having ever is," Hannah said firmly. The words settled over them like a promise. --- By evening, the kitchen had transformed into a makeshift bakery station. Flour dusted the counters, bowls clattered, and the scent of sugar and butter filled the air. The sisters moved in sync—Olivia measuring ingredients, Charlotte carefully stirring batter, Lillian and Emily packing finished cookies into neat little bags tied with ribbon. Hannah stood back, arms crossed, surveying their progress with a satisfied smile. "This is going to work." Eleanor placed a hand on her shoulder, squeezing gently. "Because we’re doing it together."


One by one, the sisters paused, looking at each other—Olivia’s quiet strength, Hannah’s sharp determination, Charlotte’s infectious optimism, Lillian’s gentle warmth, Emily’s boundless energy. They were different, but they fit. Without a word, they huddled into a tight embrace, laughter bubbling between them. Eleanor’s eyes stung as she watched them. The road ahead wouldn’t be smooth—there would be setbacks, doubts, maybe even failures. But in this moment, with her daughters’ arms wrapped around each other and their dreams taking shape, she knew one thing for certain: They were ready.