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Addy jumps off the bed to walk toward the window. She pulls the drape aside to get a better glance of outside. “They’re here.”
Nausea consumes me, forcing my hands to clutch my stomach. Addy is right. I need to remind myself that I can’t change how they will react no matter what I say. Each one of my family members is stubborn at the best of times.
Addy moves toward the door but waits for me.
“Are you ready?”
I purse my lips, then inhale deeply with a nod.
We both head downstairs to the foyer, where Will, Millie, and Ashton are lingering. Mom has already found them, scooping Ashton into her arms while smothering him with kisses. He has grown so much since I saw him at Christmas, but nevertheless—still cute with his bronze hair and big blue eyes.
Millie catches a glimpse of me walking down the stairs. I pull my buttoned shirt out, conscious of my stomach. Her face lights up, and I’m quick to dig her cute denim jacket and sundress beneath it.
When I reach the bottom step, Millie reaches out her arms as I fall into her embrace, careful not to press my body against hers.
“I missed you, Ava,” she says, holding onto me. “We need a catch-up, just you and me.”
Forcing a smile, I pull away. “Sure, whenever you’re free. I’m here for a few days.”
“How about lunch at our favorite restaurant in Malibu tomorrow?”
“Sounds like a perfect plan.”
Millie tilts her head, watching me furtively but doesn’t say another word.
Ashton runs over to hug me, with Will following him. His small arms wrap around me, prompting me to lean down and hug him. I’m not great with kids, not like Millie.
“You look different,” Will points out, followed by an obligatory hug.
I pull back in paranoia. “I do?”
“Yeah, you do.”
Mom requests everyone to head to the dining room. Moments later, Dad walks through the doorway. Out of everyone in my family, I spend the most time with him. He flies to the East Coast often, which means his visits are regular.
Dad turns his head in my direction with a warm smile the second he lays his eyes on me. I stop in my tracks to take a moment to say hello.
“Ava,” he calls softly. “Always good to have you home.”
I throw my arms around him as he kisses the top of my head. The thing which terrifies me the most is losing him. I may be an adult and one who runs a successful business, but what if he doesn’t talk to me? Or worse yet, he disowns me. I watched what happened with Millie. Their relationship was strained for a while after her affair with Will was revealed.
Inside his embrace, I linger a bit longer and bask in his aftershave—its scent bringing back so many memories of my childhood. He senses my reluctance to let go, holding onto me tight. When I pull away, his smile is fixed, but worry comes over him.
“Is everything okay, Ava?”
“I’m hoping so,” I tell him firmly, trying not to break down. “But let’s eat dinner, please.”
He doesn’t press further as we make our way to the dining room.
As always, Mom has cooked up a storm. I choose to sit next to her, knowing I will need her to support me the moment it comes out. Addy sits on the other side of me, and after a few minutes, Alexa joins us with her head buried in her phone which Dad tells her to put away.
Millie sits across from me with Will by her side. Ashton demands to sit next to Dad.
Mom calls for a moment to say grace, then encourages us to all begin eating.
I choose to tell everyone after dinner, not wanting to ruin Mom’s delicious food. Thankfully, Ashton takes center stage most of the time. He is incredibly attached to Dad, and the feeling is mutual. I can’t help but watch how Dad softens when talking to Ashton. I wonder how he will feel when I have the baby. Living across the other side of the country will make it difficult, but I’m torn between staying in the city and moving back home.
Addy nudges my arm with her elbow, then subtly lowers her head while mumbling, “Do it now.”
