Page 52 of Afterglow

I focus on my feet as I make my way up the steps, not bothering to note which cars are parked around Mom and Dad’s. I assume everyone is already waiting for me inside.

Blowing out a heavy breath, I scrub my boots on the outdoor mat and let myself into the house. Voices carry down the hall, but they instantly quiet as I close the door behind me.

“Annie!” Mom walks around the wall that blocks my view of the kitchen, and her beaming smile takes me by surprise. The awkwardness I was expecting after our last interaction isn’t there. This is just my mom. She pulls me into a hug, squeezing me tight. “Let me take your coat. I hope you’re hungry.”

“Yeah, I’m starving,” I say, a hint of uncertainty under the words as she takes my arm and leads me toward the kitchen without even a glance toward my stomach or acknowledgement of the elephant in the room.

Comforting smells surround me, a mixture of pine fresh furniture polish, fresh flowers, and a fresh laundry–scented candle Mom loves. I’m cautious with my first inhale as we reach the kitchen, wondering if I should’ve been more specific about the menu.

“What’s for—” Before I can finish my sentence or allow the familiar aromas to fully register, my sisters part and I see… Bryce.

He’s standing in the kitchen, chatting with my sisters and Eric. Bryce is here, and everything I was anticipating about tonight goes out the window.

“Bryce?” I croak. He looks at me, wearing a smile I’ve never seen before; a slightly mischievous one that makes him look almost boyish. “What’re you doing here?”

“Surprise,” he says, excusing himself from the group and prowling toward me with that confident swagger of his.

My brain can’t compute this turn of events.

“Um, yeah, surprise. What are you doing here?” I repeat, pulling my hair over one shoulder and fiddling with the ends.

He leans in and lowers his voice so it’s just us. “Think you can play along for me?” His lips brush close to my ear and it makes my cheeks flush in a completely different way than the pregnancy hot flashes I’ve been dealing with this week.

I shake my head and my brow pulls tight as I try to make sense of this. “But…”

“Come on, blondie. I’ve got a plan. Help me out?” he asks devilishly with a tilt of his head toward my family. This side of him goes with the smile, and I’m surprised to find I like it, even if I have no idea what’s going on.

Pretending my stomach doesn’t flutter now every time he calls me that, I shoot him a scowl, but it only makes him smile wider. My whole family is watching us with curious looks, and I wonder what on earth they make of all this. How much do they know? What do they think is going on?

“Well, here goes,” he says and turns to the group, wrapping an arm around my shoulders. “Leanne and I have something to tell you.”

“We do?” I hiss under my breath, and he chuckles.

“Yes, we do. Would you like to do the honors? They’re waiting…” He arches a brow, darting his eyes toward my family—who are waiting… like they have no idea what’s going on either, but…

It dawns on me as I look into his face what he’s done. He smiles more broadly as he sees the understanding revealed in my features, and then he nods.

I can’t believe this.

I shift my focus to my family, to the anticipation written all over their faces. Last weekend I was here, alone, and I felt completely out of control. But I’m not alone tonight, and I’ve been given back a precious gift.

A genuine smile widens across my face. “I’m pregnant.”

The whole room erupts. Jenna and Evelyn jump up and down with excitement, holding hands before rushing over to give me a hug. Mom and Dad stand with their arms locked around each other, effusive with joy and with tears in their eyes.

Jenna exclaims, “I’m going to be an auntie!” while Evelyn squeezes me too tightly and says, “I can’t wait to spoil this little one all the time!” She’s the first person to reach for my stomach, the first person aside from me and Bryce to have a hand there—and even if there’s nothing to feel yet, this is a moment I’ll never forget.

They finally release me, and then Eric, Mom, and Dad all swoop in for their chance at us. And I do mean us, because once they’re done hugging me, they move to embrace Bryce just as fervently.

“We’re going to be grandparents,” Mom says to Dad.

He looks elated and proud, and his hug is the softest one yet. He’s not apologizing out loud, but it’s there in his tender embrace.

They’re all giving me exactly what I told Jenna I wanted so badly, and Bryce helped—or coordinated it or did whatever he did to be here and make this happen.

The emotions that live at the surface these days begin to bubble over. I bite my lip and attempt to blink away the wetness fogging my vision. It’s no use though. This is too much—but in the best way.

“No crying,” Mom says, clasping my face between her hands. “This is a day for celebrating.” She swipes the tears off my cheeks with her thumbs and gives me a nod. Her tiny acknowledgement and apology too—one that says there will be time for more of them later.