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Jett laughs. “Packed might be a stretch. But I’m definitely pleased. It’s hard to keep a new place going. A lot of new restaurants fail, and I’m just thankful that we’re still regularly in the green.”
“It’s because you’re such a good cook, babe! And the Blue Star looks incredible. Everyone is dying to eat there."
"Ha! Not everyone, but thank you.”
Jett turns the familiar pink he wears whenever I compliment him, and I smile, kissing his cheek and diving into the food.
“That’s great. I’m so happy for you both.” Mom’s voice is pinched ever so slightly, and I know she’s already getting herself choked up.How did I get so lucky?
I look to my left.
Jett’s how I got so lucky, and I reach for his hand with mine, loving how my wedding band glistens in the light like a little beacon letting everyone know I’m his. Jett looks over, squeezing my hand back, and a soft smile dresses his handsome face.
My “buddy from college” has been with me ever since that infamous week, the one my parents are blissfully ignorant about. I debated telling them the gory details, but it seems so much better to let both Jett and I start our new chapter together without the past tainting it.
But I’ll never forget the kindness that Jett showed me and how it brought us together. His help is the reason my mom was able to attend our wedding, why my dad will always have someone to help him with his crossword puzzles, and why Jett now has a maternal figure in his life who can help to fill a hole that sat burning in his chest for decades.
The emotions swell through me, and I can feel the tears form. Jett gives my hand another squeeze, and I shake my head, gazing at him.
“Should we tell them?” he teases. “I don’t think I can explain why the chicken is making you cry. Although it is really good.”
I laugh, blinking away the tears threatening to break free, even if only for a moment. “It is, right? And yeah. I’m ready.”
Jett clears his throat, and my parents look up from their plates, eyeing us both. “So, Macy and I have something to tell you both.” He looks to me, leaving the floor open for me to deliver the news.
The stupid tears come right back, and I chuckle at myself. “Do you guys remember that old Christmas movie,It’s a Wonderful Life?”
“Yes.” My mom’s voice is a mix of hope and apprehension.
“Well, Jett Saladino has lassoed a stork.”
My parents are frozen for a moment as the wheels spin in their brains.
“You’re-you’re pregnant?” Mom’s hands go to her face.
I nod. “Yes.”
“Oh my God, Macy!” Both my folks are up and out of their chairs like lightning as they hoot and yell excitedly.
Jett and I stand, embraced in the tightest, warmest hug from them. Mom’s hand finds my stomach, and she looks down, crying just like I am.
“Hello in there. We can’t wait to meet you!”
Toasts and stories and due dates are delivered in a flurry of joy that fills my heart so much it must stretch three times its size to fit it all in. We talk about plans, how I’ll have to take leave from my college course on nursing for a while, and ideas for names. Whether we’ll have a boy or a girl.
“You’re keeping it a secret!” My mom chastises.
“Mom, it’s not a secret. We don’t know the gender either.”
Jett’s hand goes to the small of my back. “We wanted to keep it a surprise. You don’t get a lot of good surprises, after all.”
“How am I supposed to shop?” She glares playfully at me.
“Get gender-neutral things.” I pull her to my side for an embrace. “Orange. Green. Yellow.”
“Ugh. When that baby comes out—”
“Maybe we still won’t tell you what they are,” I interject.
