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Autumn goes red, pushing her glasses up her nose shyly. “Oh, stop. I’m not your sister-in-law.”
“Yet.” Andrea nudges her.
“It’s so great to finally meet you. Ezra told me all about you, I love what you did with his house. Great work.”
“I’m so glad you did,” Autumn returns.
Andrea’s part-time bartender, Keith, brings us drinks: orange juice for Charlie and me and mimosas for Andrea and Autumn. We sit down to chat. The common theme of the night seems to be making fun at my expense, but I love it. I’d willingly get roasted every day if it meant seeing Charlie throw her head back and laugh the way she is right now.
Nothing makes me happier than seeing her happy.
CHAPTER 24
CHARLIE
Ihave to admit that I’m glad I came to Brattleboro with Ezra. It’s been amazing just driving around town, being a tourist and having fun. But right now…I want to be anywhere else but here.
“Nervous?” Ezra asks, tossing a glance at me as he drives.
“I think my heart might be permanently lodged in my throat. I can’t breathe.” I fan my hand in front of my face. Is this how he felt when he had to meet Mom?
Ezra chuckles, “You’ll be fine. You’ve already met Autumn and Andrea, and my parents love you.”
I swallow hard, “Easy for you to say.” John and Martha might have liked me years ago–when I was an adorable eighteen year old–but there’s no guaranteeing how they feel now. I’m the woman who let their son impregnate me. Sure it wasn’t on purpose, but who knows what they think.
“Because I know you’ll be fine. Seriously, stop sweating it.” He drops one hand from the wheel to hold mine. Surprisingly, that makes me feel a little better, and I inhale deeply.
All too soon, we’re arriving at their house and Ezra is opening the door for me. I take a fortifying breath as I step out of the car.Thankfully, Ezra takes my hand again, and I grip him tightly as we walk into the intimidating mansion.
Last night Ezra was filling me in on all things Beaufort, from their lineage–explaining the random sprinkling of French that Ezra busts out at the most unexpected times, making me swoon inwardly–to the meaning of the name. Apparently, Beaufort literally means “beautiful fort”. As I walk up to their family home, I realize they took it quite literally.
The estate is impressive on its own, with sprawling green hills and towering, mature oak trees, but the house. My god,the houseis remarkable. Large marble steps are adorned with stone lions perched on either side that lead up to a massive mahogany front door. It is opened by the butler before we even get a chance to utilize the antique brass knocker. Two Cane Corsos rush past us as the doors swing open. We enter the foyer, which is decorated extravagantly, crystal chandelier and all.
I don’t know what I was expecting, but it wasn’t Ezra’s mom rushing down the central staircase to meet us.
“Charlotte! You look positively radiant.” Martha beams at me as she draws me into a warm hug. “You’ve grown to be such a beautiful woman.”
“Thank you, Martha. It’s lovely to see you again.” I murmur as I hug her back. When we pull out of the hug, she runs her hand gently down my face, then her gaze drops to my stomach.
“Would it be rude to ask if I can touch your belly? I’m sorry if that’s inappropriate, but I’m so excited!”
“Mom.”
“No, it’s okay.” I smile at Ezra to let him know that I'm really fine with it. “I don’t have much of a bump yet, though,” I say as I grab her arm and slowly place her hand on my stomach. The babies move as soon as our hands are over my stomach, and we both gasp in unison.
She glances at me, her eyes teary with emotion. “Thank you, Charlotte.Thank you.” The moment passes when the door opens behind us and Alex and Autumn walk in. Martha takes a step back from me to greet her oldest son and his girlfriend.
“Charlie.” Alex stretches his hand out to shake mine. “I trust you and my niblings are well?”
“You too? Is that even a word?” Ezra asks, as he wraps his arms around my shoulder to drag me into his chest.
“Of course it is, shit head.” Alex rolls his eyes, but I don’t miss the speculation in his gaze as takes us in.
I try to ignore how right it feels being in Ezra’s arms as we walk into the dining room where John and Andrea are already waiting, but it’s hard. Dinner is amazing. I forgot just how warm the Beauforts are. By the time we started eating, I’d forgotten all about my nerves. Maybe it’s because of my pregnancy but they treat me like a long lost member of the family.
It doesn’t help that Ezra can’t seem to keep his eyes and hands off me. He heaps food onto my plate and constantly checks in. He holds my hand under the table and brushes my hair off my face. He drinks sparkling apple juice with his meal because that’s what I’m drinking. Sometimes he whispers silly jokes in my ear when he notices I’m not participating in conversation. I tell myself that it doesn't mean anything, but my head is clouded with so much emotion.
After dinner, Martha says she has something to show me. She leads me to a room on the main floor that has been completely redesigned into a playroom. It’s already completely baby-proofed and overflowing with toys, diapers, and baby gadgets. Off to the side is a private, dimly-lit room with two cribs and a rocking chair for me to nurse the babies. I can put them down for naps when we visit. I’m in awe of it all; they literallyjustfound out about my pregnancy, so when did she have time to do all this?
