Demetria chuckles, assuming I’m joking. Then her eyes widen comically as realization dawns. “Wait. Seriously? Why didn’t you tell me? I would have made more of an effort!” She gestures down at her outfit—yoga pants and a loose t-shirt with visible baby food stains on the shoulder.
“Don’t worry,” I assure her. “I told her it was super casual so please don’t make a big deal out of it.”
“Zara Nova is coming to dinner?” Sarah frowns as she looks up from baby Hunter.
“Who is Zara Nova?” my mother asks, joining the conversation.
As if on cue, the gate buzzes again and moments later Zara steps into the backyard, radiant in a simple pink jumpsuit, her dark curls piled on top of her head. She’s carrying a bottle of champagne and wearing oversize shades.
“Sorry I’m late,” she calls, her smile brightening as she takes in our gathering. “Traffic on the Strip was a nightmare.” She leans into me, then adds in a lower voice, “My date couldn’t make it.”
“Let me guess,” I murmur. “Stuck in Washington?”
“You know it,” Zara sighs dramatically. “She sends her love, of course.” She moves through our gathering, charming Ruby’s parents, accepting a glass of wine from Julian, bending to coo at Hunter. It’s been a privilege watching her find her footing over these past months, both professionally and personally.
My mother introduces herself to Zara, then claps her hands together as she addresses the group. “Please, sit, everyone!” she announces, claiming the head of the table with the authority that comes naturally to her. “Sit, sit! The food is getting cold!”
Platters of grilled meats and vegetables sit at the center of the table, surrounded by bowls of colorful salads, rice, dips, and baskets of bread.
There’s a flurry of movement as everyone finds a place. I end up between Ruby and Sarah, with Hunter’s high chair positioned nearby. Wine is poured, water glasses filled, plates passed.
Ruby’s hand finds mine under the table, warm and familiar against my palm. I glance at her, taking in the subtle lines around her eyes, the way her whole face illuminates when she smiles. Love still catches me by surprise sometimes—how completely it has transformed my life, how vastly different my world looks now.
My gaze travels around the table. My mother is in deep conversation with David Walsh about Greek versus American medical practices. Demetria helps Julian feed Hunter while Martha plates for them. Sarah and Erik listen raptly as Zara tells them about her planned world tour, and Ruby beside me, simply sits contently, like me, enjoying the moment.
This tableau before me represents everything I once feared and now cherish. I’m a partner, daughter, sister, aunt,friend. The path that brought us here was neither straight nor smooth, but standing at this destination, I wouldn’t change a single step.
