“I’m sorry,” I say quietly.
“Don’t be.” Charlie turns a little to look at me. Her eyes are red, but she forces a smile. “I realized pretty quick that I can’t be upset about something so good. And I’m really, really excited for you. That’s the truth. I can’t wait.”
“You’re going to be the best aunt,” I tell her. “Livvie too. This is one lucky little bean.”
“You’re damn right,” Charlie agrees, swiping at her eyes.
Gently, I ask, “Have you and Clayton talked any more about…those fertility treatments? I know the success rates are going up all the time.”
She’d mentioned it to me at one point last year—and had been resolute about finding the best specialists and narrowing down the most effective treatments—but then she’d stopped talking about it. I hadn’t wanted to press, but now my curiosity is getting the better of me.
My sister smiles sadly. “Speaking of mamas, we should Facetime Livvie and make sure she’s not going crazy being cooped up with Miriam.”
“Good idea,” I say. I don’t mention the change of subject as I pull out my phone and dial our little sister. “You think you’ll keep calling her ‘Miriam’ forever?”
Charlie shrugs. “After all this time, ‘Mom’ feels weird to me. We’ll see how it goes.”
“Hi!’ Livvie waves excitedly when she picks up the call and holds up a large bubble glass with a fancy stem. “Look, we’re having margaritas!”
“Virginmargaritas.” Mom’s head pops into the corner of the screen. “I can’t let her have too much fun, can I?”
They’re sitting outside on a patio. The Louisiana sun is bright and appears to already have cast highlights in Livvie’s hair.
“We’re having a blast,” Livvie says. “I wish you two were here!” She takes a long drink from a bright pink straw. “Last night, we hadalligator.”
Charlie and I look at each other. “That sounds like an adventure,” Charlie says.
“It tastes like chicken!” Livvie spouts.
Mom adds, “I told her it was chicken so she’d try it.”
“She did. She told me it was chicken.” Livvie laughs. “It’s a little chewier though.”
“Ew,” Charlie and I say in unison.
Mom and Livvie clink their glasses together—I’m floored that they’re getting along so famously, but I love it. We chat for a few more minutes and I let Livvie say hello to the horses and coo at them before we hang up.
On the ride back, Charlie gives me all the details about the New Year’s bash she’s organizing for the winery. It’s going to be a challenge to top Livvie’s headless horsewoman ride at Halloween, but I know we’ll come up with something.
At the stables, brushing down our horses after the ride, Charlie suddenly says, “You know what we should do? Go on a babymoon! Some time away, just the two of us. I’ve always wanted to paint a sunset in Montana—maybe we can spend a weekend at one of the hot springs hotels that has a spa. It’ll be a nice little pampering.”
“Sounds like heaven. I’m in.”
I don’t remind her that we’re both under watch 24/7 and it’s highly unlikely that our spouses will let us go anywhere. But then again, maybe this will all get settled soon and Charlie and I can have our mini vacay after all.
We part ways after handing the horses over to the stable hand and I head into the house to take a shower before lunch. My inner thighs are sore from riding and my shoulders feel tense, although these minor aches are nothing like the one that’s been plaguing my lower back for the past few days. Remarkably, the ride seemed to have eased that.
I’m just about to go upstairs when Dante comes down the hallway toward me, presumably on his way out, but he pulls up short when he sees me.
“You went horseback riding?” he asks incredulously, gesturing at my clothes.
I look down at myself, then at him. “Yes?”
“What the hell were you thinking? It’s dangerous.” His tone sharpens, as if he’s two seconds away from giving me a serious ass chewing.
“Seriously? Women have been riding horses while pregnant for centuries. Eons, probably. And I’m still in my first trimester, Dante. It’s fine.”
I grab the banister, but he steps closer.
