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ANNIE
The auction has concluded by the time Carm and Bella return to the table. I know before he even opens his mouth that Bella must’ve told him about the pregnancy. He’s practically glowing and looks as if he might burst from joy.
“I have an announcement,” Carm says as soon as he’s standing behind his empty seat. We all give him our attention. “Bella and I are having another baby.”
All four of us cheer and stand to give them hugs and our congratulations, even if Val and I already knew. A baby is always a blessing, and I can see how much this means to them. Looking at the joy on their faces is causing a yearning inside me. It didn’t start with finding out Bella was pregnant earlier today, but her news certainly amplified the feeling.
“I’m so excited for you guys.” I give Carm a kiss on the cheek and he hugs me.
“I think this calls for a celebratory toast,” he says when I pull back. He fills our glasses with more champagne, then tops up Bella’s water.
We all hold our glasses aloft as the band plays.
“To family, who are the ones who make it all worth it. Thanks to all of you for being mine. I can’t wait to expand it even further,” Carm says.
We all clink glasses and take a sip.
Pure contentment washes over me as I look at my found family. I don’t know what I’d do without them, and I’m so blessed to have them in my life.
Enzo takes my champagne glass and sets it on the table, along with his own. “Care to dance with your husband?”
I set my hand on his cheek. “I’d love to.”
He leads me out onto the dance floor, and we weave through some couples until we find a place where there’s more room. The band is playing a slow song, so he takes me in his arms. I wrap one arm around his neck and place my other hand in his.
I never feel as safe as I do when I’m in Enzo’s arms. When I’m here, it’s as though I know everything will turn out okay. I treasure the peace this man brings to my life.
But I’m worried about him. He’s seemed a little off all day, an undercurrent of melancholy beyond his smile. We dance in silence for a beat, just enjoying the feel of our bodies moving in rhythm, before I decide to dive in.
“Can I ask you something?” I pull back enough that I can see his face.
He appears concerned. “Anything.”
“What’s going on with you today? You’re putting up a good front, but you seem like something’s bothering you.”
His lips tip down for a moment before he tucks a piece of hair that’s not pulled back behind my ear. “That obvious?”
“To me.”
He inhales a deep breath and sighs, as though he’s trying to decide whether he’s going to tell me or not. “I don’t know exactly why, but something about today just brought me back to those feelings I had when you first received your diagnosis.”
Now I frown. “Honey, that’s all behind us now.”
“I know.” He stops dancing and pushes a hand through his hair. “It just… I don’t know. I’ve never told you this, but I always worry about it coming back. I’m afraid of that being a possibility. And most days I can deal, but today for some reason I can’t.”
I place my hands on his chest. “Why didn’t you ever tell me you felt this way?”
While I certainly sensed there was something going on today, I didn’t realize he carried this weight around with him. It’s not like I never worry about the possibility—although my doctor has told me there’s no reason to be concerned—but when I have those thoughts, I push them to the side and remind myself to be thankful for the health I have right now.
“You can’t live like that, Enzo. You can’t always be worrying about what might come our way. Just enjoy the present. We have a good life, and if you don’t let yourself enjoy it because you’re always worried, then what’s the point?”
He cups my face. “I know you’re right. I do. It’s just that I love you so much, Annie. I can’t imagine my life without you. And when I was sitting through that speech, looking at a woman who was going through what you did—”
“Her diagnosis was much different than mine. I had it easier than most.”
His forehead wrinkles and he looks at me with blazing eyes. “You still had surgery—even if it wasn’t a mastectomy—and radiation. It wasn’t nothing.”
I nod, but I don’t like to see him in pain and I can see the fear that lingers in his eyes. “I know. But I got through it and now I’m healthy. Please stop worrying.”
