“I can’t tell you.” Jonathan kisses Emily’s nose and presses a hand to her lower stomach. “But I understand now why he said what he did.”
“Oh my God.” I jump up from my chair, my hands covering my face. “Oh my God! Are you pregnant?”
“What?” Mom shrieks.
Jonathan smiles and kisses his wife before taking a step back. Smart man, because all hell is about to break loose.
“Yes,” Emily says, tears filling her eyes.
I don’t know who gets their arms around her first, me or Mom, but a second later, we’re wrapped in a giant hug, blubbering like babies.
“This is the best news in the entire world. First Lizzie and Aiden, and now this. I can’t take it anymore. We’re moving out of the city.”
Emily lifts her head and wipes her face. “Dad will never let that happen.”
“Don’t worry about your dad, I’ll work on him. But no way am I living that far away from my grandbaby.” Mom disentangles herself from us and pulls Jonathan in for a hug. “Congratulations.”
“Thank you, Christine. Emily and I couldn’t be more excited.”
“I can’t believe you didn’t tell me sooner,” I say.
Emily and I tell each other everything. When we were growing up, Mom hated it because we always talked to each other rather than her. She often found things out about our lives months after it happened, something I regret now. It took a little maturing for me to realize how much great advice my mom has to offer.
“I tried to tell you. That’s why I stopped by the other day,” Emily says.
“But Aiden and I were fighting. Damn, Emily. I’m so sorry. You wanted to share the happy news, and I brushed you off. Please forgive me.”
“There’s nothing to forgive. I’m happy that you and Aiden are finally together.”
“Thank you.” I wipe my tears and pull my twin in for another hug. “I’m going to be an aunt.”
We squeal and laugh when Mom joins in. “I’m going to be a grandma.”
When Emily steps back, her hesitant eyes find Jonathan’s. “And we’re going to be parents. I’m not sure if I’m ready for this. It wasn’t exactly planned.”
“The best things in life aren’t,” Mom says softly.
Emily has always been about Emily. Some call her selfish, and half the time, she would agree, but she has one of the biggest hearts I’ve ever known, and I know she’ll be a selfless mom.
Jonathan pulls her close and kisses her head. “You’re going to be a wonderful mother.”
“You think?”
“I know.”
“Jonathan, why is my baby girl crying?” Dad says, walking in from out back.
Aiden follows him in and walks to my side. He wraps an arm around me, resting his hand on my lower back.
“That was quick,” I whisper.
“There wasn’t much to say.”
“What did he say?”
Aiden smiles down at me. “I can’t tell you.”
My jaw drops. That’s the same thing Jonathan said. “Why not?”