We got back to our beach walks at night and seemed to both let go of the idea of an apartment. We loved it here too much. By the end of the week, we’d hired a guy a few years younger than me that was willing to work hard. He was starting the following week.
We were all in a good mood when Brin arrived for dinner with Ryan. Mom was making shrimp and steak with a few sides and Celia was helping, glowing with some hidden joy. I helped set the table, choosing to do it inside with the windows open. “Hello, Rem,” Brin greeted me as I hugged her and kissed her cheek. “How’s work?”
“Back to normal,” I replied with a grin, nodding at Ryan. I wasn’t sure about him at first since he was an actor, but he adored my sister. That much was obvious. He got a beer, and we sat on the deck, chatting about work and life. I noticed that he kept smiling at Brin and holding her hand tightly, and I checked her finger for a ring. They looked like they were ready to burst.
We went in to eat as Celia and Brin helped Mom plate everything. It was a lot of food. We settled around the table and piled our plates with food. I loved my family and my life. I still took a look at real estate on my own now and then but kept it to myself. We’d have that in time.
Halfway through dinner, Brin settled back and grinned at Ryan. “We have some news for you guys.” I stared at her, knowing that something was up. She wasn’t wearing a ring, and I looked at Celia before looking at Ryan.
Holy shit.
“It wasn’t in the plans but I’m pregnant.” She said as Mom gasped and started crying. Dad ran a hand through his hair and stood to hug them both.
I walked over and hugged her tight for a long moment, telling her that I was going to be there for her every step of the way. I shook Ryan’s hand and told him to take good care of her as he laughed, assuring me that he would. We sat back down, and I gave Celia a raised brow as she blushed. She knew the last time the girls were acting weird, and I was going to quiz her later. Mom asked them all kinds of questions and I saw her wheels turning as she started making plans.
“Mom, I am early in so we’re not going to tell the world. I want to get to twelve weeks and we’ll still have plenty of time to plan.” Brin told her with a serious look on her face. “I don’t know how my body is going to take this and I just want to be secure with the news. Is that okay?” I was impressed with her thought into this and sat back to watch.
“I completely understand. I felt the same way.” Mom assured her as she stood to get dessert. The food was gone, and I teased Brin that she was going to be eating everything in sight, making her look like she was going to cry.
“No. I am going to be careful. We’ve been trying to eat better, anyway.” She smiled and then Mom walked out with a chocolate cake. “Oh my God. That looks so good.”
“What was that about watching what you eat?” I teased as she giggled.
“I meant moderation.” Mom sliced the cake as Celia went in to get plates. We ate it and sat on the deck, talking about the baby spending time on the beach as he or she grew up. I smiled as I imagined Celia spending time down there with our baby along with Brin’s future child.
Not there yet.
The pair stayed late and decided to spend the night since her bed was still in there. I took Celia upstairs as she giggled, carrying her to bed. “How did you keep that from me?” I asked as I tossed her to the mattress, closing her in.
“I had to. She wanted to surprise you guys.” Celia told me, trying to move away from my fingers that were trying to tickle her. “She also wanted to tell Ryan first. She found out here with me.”
“I think they’ll do great. Brin has settled down a lot since she met him.” I told her as she smiled.
“She’s happy. He’s great. I think it’s going to be so fun.” Celia pulled me down for a kiss and I let it deepen slowly. “I am almost a little jealous.”
“Are you?” I asked as I dropped between her legs. “I think we can arrange it for us.’”
“Let’s wait a bit for that. I think there’s other stuff that needs to happen, though I wouldn’t be surprised if Brin moved back in. Your mom is going to be amazing.” Celia looked like she was thinking about something and I pressed my forehead to hers.