Me: I’ll be in NY in December for the holidays. I can meet you then.
Sucks I’ll have to wait a few weeks to find out what she needs to tell me, but there’s nothing I can do about it.
Dash: Okay, that’ll work. Message me when you’re in town and we’ll meet up.
Me: What’s your last name?
Dash: Davis
I try to think of a way to continue the conversation, not wanting it to end, but before I can come up with something else to ask or say, she adds: I’m off to bed. Good night, effectively ending the conversation.
I shoot back a good night, but it goes unread since she’s already gotten off.
CHAPTER FOUR
SOPHIA
“I’m stumbling through the dark, lost…” Kendall belts the lyrics of Easton’s latest song, “Lost,” at the top of her lungs while we mix the batter for the cookies we’re making for her Christmas party she’s having with her friends from school tomorrow. Today was her last day of school, and tomorrow we’re meeting her friends and their moms at the ice-skating rink for a little Christmas party. All the girls are bringing something and will be spending the afternoon skating.
“… lost in the dark, with no chance of being found…”
I press pause on my phone, and she glares at me. “It was just getting to the good part.” She huffs.
“How about we listen to some Christmas music?” I suggest. Because if I hear that damn song one more time, I might toss my phone out of our second story window.
“Okay!” She grabs my phone and types something in then the music starts… and Easton’s voice fills the silence. Seriously? The guy has a freaking Christmas album?
I plaster on a fake smile, reminding myself that it’s not my daughter’s fault I’m freaking out over my upcoming meeting with Easton, and Kendall and I go back to mixing the cookie dough.
“Wow, isn’t it festive in here?” Naomi says, as she and Dante walk in.
“We’re making cookies!” Kendall squeals.
“I can see that.” Naomi walks over and kisses her on the top of her head, before glancing at me. “How are you feeling?”
“Okay.” I don’t say anything more, knowing little ears are always listening. Since I’m just about to hit the twelve-week mark, I’ve decided to wait to tell anyone until after my next appointment. I’ll be thirteen weeks and in my second trimester. I would hate to tell Kendall she’s going to have a little brother or sister and then lose the baby and have to explain that to her. My last pregnancy, I wouldn’t have thought like that, but this one has been different. Last week I was in the hospital for bleeding. I thought for sure I was losing the baby, and it was in that moment, I knew, no matter how hard it’ll be, no matter how much my life is going to change, again, I already love this baby and want him or her. The doctor told me to rest, so I took a few days off, but I go back to work tonight.
“We have something we need to tell you guys,” Naomi says, looking a little nervous.
“Well, tell us!” I prompt when she doesn’t continue.
“We’re…engaged!” She shrieks, holding up her ring.
“Oh my God!” I pull her into a hug. “Congratulations. When did this happen?” I grip her ring finger to admire the beautiful stone.
“Last night,” Dante says.
“You did well.” I give him a hug. “I’m so happy for you guys. Now you’ll get to plan your own wedding.” I waggle my brows, knowing how much Naomi has been waiting for this day to come. Every event she plans, she tells me how she would do it differently if it were hers. She has books of notes saved for the day she gets to plan her engagement party and wedding.
“Does this mean I get to be the flower girl?” Kendall asks, licking a spoon of cookie mix.
“Yes, you do.” Naomi lifts her and spins in a circle. “And you won’t have to wait long because we’re getting married this summer.”
I almost choke on my own saliva. “This summer? Like in six months?”
“More like seven. We’re planning for after the Fourth of July. There’s no way I’m getting married in the winter and I’m not waiting eighteen months…”
“Wow,” I say, shocked.
“And there’s more,” Dante adds, his voice taking on an excited tone.
Naomi shakes her head so quickly, if I weren’t looking at her, I wouldn’t have seen it. Dante flinches, and my stomach drops.
“What else?” I direct my question at Dante.
“It’s nothing,” Naomi begins.
“Then tell me.”
“Dante bought us a house. I had showed him a home I loved one day, not thinking he would actually buy it, but apparently it was for sale and the owners were anxious to sell. He closed on it yesterday. It was a surprise.”