Forever Right Now

They filtered in, in pairs: Henrietta and Jackson, Elena and her husband, Alice and Gerald, my sister Carla and her husband, and my mom and dad. A tingle of nerves shot through me when my family arrived that was more potent than the nervousness I’d felt on opening night.

“Darlene, my God, girl! You look like a million bucks.” My sister enveloped me in a perfume and hairspray cloud as she hugged me. “Look at you, I can’t get over it. And you must be Sawyer,” she said, staring. “Wow. Dar. Just wow. And this peach…this must be Olivia.”

Carla introduced her husband, Stan, and then Mom and Dad were there, hugging me.

“She’s right,” my dad said. “You look like a million bucks, kiddo.”

“Thanks, Daddy.” I heaved a breath. “Mom and Dad, this is Sawyer and Olivia.”

The men shook hands and I thought I saw a glimpse of nervousness dance over Sawyer’s brown eyes. Then my mother smacked a kiss on his cheek, and the entire front area dissolved into laughter and loud talk.

The hostess came back and offered to take us to our table. I lingered behind, looking to the front entrance that was crowded with brunch customers. And then I saw him—tall and with the summer sun glinting off the gel in his hair.

I pushed my way through the crowd, and threw my arms around my friend.

“Max,” I said against his leather jacket.

“Hey, Dar,” he said, holding me tight. “Sorry I’m late.”

“You’re not late, you’re right on time. And I don’t even care; you’re here, and that’s all that matters.”

He glanced down at me. “Look at you. A Merry Murderess. Holy shit. Did you know Chicago is one of my all-time favorite musicals?”

I made a gun with my index and thumb, and sneered, “If you pop that gum one more time…”

“Jesus, Dar, you gave me the chills.” He held out his shaking hands. “Look at this shit? Christ, I can’t wait to see you in this.”

My murderous expression vanished. “Thank you, Max. Now come on, I need to share the awesomeness that is you with the rest of my people.”

I brought Max to our table that was already seated and embarrassed him by making a show of introducing him to everyone. I sat him down with Beckett and Zelda at one end of the table. Sawyer sat across from me. I was beside Olivia, who was scribbling with crayon on a sheet of coloring paper. On the other side of her highchair was my sister, Carla and her husband who was on his phone watching baseball, until she smacked his wrist and told him to put it away.

The waiter came to take our drink order, offering mimosas. Most of our party took her up on that but I abstained, as did Max.

“None for me,” Sawyer said, giving me a smile.

“None for me either,” Zelda said.

“And I’ll abstain too, out of solidarity,” Beckett said, and they shared another look over the table.

“Solidarity for what?” I asked.

They exchanged another glance. “Nothing,” Zelda said quickly, and they both looked like they were biting back smiles.

My eyes widened and my heart felt like it would burst. “Oh my God…Zelda? Are you…?”

Zelda flapped a hand. “No, hush, this is your day.”

I ignored her and turned to Beckett. “Well?”

His proud grin told me everything. “Yes. She is. We’re going to have a baby.”

“Holy shit!” I screamed and nearly toppled my chair to get to her as the table raised their glasses in cheers. I hugged her and tears were shed all around.

“How far along?” I asked.

“Ten weeks,” Zelda said. “We weren’t going to say anything until after your show, but this one—” she tossed her napkin at Beckett—“can’t keep a secret to save his life.”

Beckett held out his hands. “What can I say? I’m too damn happy to keep it quiet.”