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Just like an old movie, memories play on a reel. The time I fell down the grand staircase because Amelia dared me to use the laundry basket as a sled. It was all smooth sailing until three steps from the bottom, gravity intervened, and my body flew in the air. To this day, I still have the scar on my knee from when I hit the floor.
And then there was Millie’s prom moment when she stood at the top of the stairs in the most beautiful gown to ever exist. I still remember exactly what it looked like. It was a burgundy silk s
trapless gown with a mermaid hem and high split in the middle of the dress. Her hair was styled with soft curls, parted to the side, showcasing the diamond choker around her neck which belonged to Mom.
I stared in awe, thinking I will never be as beautiful as her.
Then, at the bottom of the stairs with a proud smile on his face, was her prince charming.
Austin Carter.
My gaze falls upon the floor, willing the unwanted feeling of jealousy to dissipate. The dark oak floors are cleaned to perfection since Mom is crazy obsessed with them. As I breathe in the intoxicating smell of something cooking in the kitchen, Mom walks out of the kitchen and down the hallway to greet me.
My suitcase stands beside me at the door when my eyes steadily shift toward her. I swear, this woman never ages, always looking eternally young with flawless and wrinkle-free skin. It doesn’t surprise me why Dad is still irrevocably in love with her even after all these years.
A genuine smile sweeps across Mom’s face. She extends her arms until I fall into her embrace yet keep my distance so she doesn’t notice the swell in my stomach. Inside her warm hug, everything feels right in the world again, if only for this moment.
“Look at you, just as beautiful as your pictures online,” Mom teases while pulling away.
“Mom, you saw me at Christmas. Nothing has changed.” The moment it slips, I mentally scold myself. Everything has changed, you idiot. “Aside from my hair growing longer.”
Mom holds her gaze long enough to make me feel like she can see right through me. I smile, willing she be distracted, and when I choose to keep my mouth shut, she wipes her hands together and asks me to join her in the kitchen.
Leaving my suitcase in the foyer, I follow her through to the kitchen.
“Where is everyone?”
“Your father is at the office but promised he’ll be home for dinner. Addy has a class today and will be home soon. As for Alexa, school, I hope.”
“And Millie?”
“Ashton stays home on Fridays, but she has an activity group with some other mothers down at Venice Beach.”
I can’t think of anything worse than a mothers’ group. No one wants to talk about babies all day long. Was this even compulsory? I make a mental note to google it as soon as I am free.
“She’s really fit into the mom life,” I say with a hard swallow.
Mom smiles proudly. “She has, but you know, she’s always been very nurturing, much like yourself.”
“Me?” I raise my hand to my chest, curious as to how she has come to that conclusion. “You think I’m nurturing?”
“You’re always taking care of others, Ava. It’s how we raised all four of you,” she affirms while placing a plate of sandwiches in front of me. “I didn’t come from a large family. In fact, my family was quite dysfunctional. Your father, though, I envied what he had. It’s why I spent so much time over there with Adriana. I used to imagine what it would be like to live in a house where parents loved each other and didn’t fight. I wondered what it would be like to have a sibling who was around, not one who took off on some backpacking adventure the moment things got tough. I craved stability.”
“You have it, now, though,” I remind her.
As Mom pours a glass of homemade lemonade for me, her eyes turn soft, filled with an inner glow.
“I couldn’t have asked for a more perfect family,” she admits with a beaming smile. “So, tell me, what’s been happening with you aside from the Olivier situation?”
I clear my throat and my mind, trying to come up with anything which isn’t about the pregnancy. As tempting as it is to tell Mom now, I don’t want to put her in a position where she feels compelled to hide it from Dad.
“Eric is doing amazing things as my new publicist. I wish I hired him sooner than wasting my time on Elle Harrison. I should’ve gone with my gut, just like Dad taught me.”
“Eric definitely found his calling. I’m glad he’s doing great things for you. He knows branding and how to leverage from that, plus his legal knowledge is a bonus.”
My hands reach for the sandwiches in front of me. They look so delicious, so I can’t help but grab two even though Mom is watching me.
“The summer launch went well. I’m really excited about the pieces for that. I’ve tried to stay away from skimpy and catered to all women, no matter the sizing. There’s something for everyone this summer.”
