“Mom, can you help me with the drinks?” Ash calls from the kitchen door, struggling with a tray loaded with glasses and a pitcher of lemonade. At ten, he’s all gangly limbs and growing confidence, but sometimes his ambition still outpaces his coordination.
“Of course, sweetheart.” I set down the hot-dog buns and take the pitcher from him, steadying his tray. “Thanks for being such a good helper today.”
“You’re welcome. Did you see Jordan’s dad climbing on the pirate ship with me?” Ash laughs. “And his mom keeps taking pictures of Henry and me with a huge smile on her face.”
My heart swells watching him talk about Jordan’s family with such easy affection. It took time for Ash to trust that Jordan wasn’t going anywhere, that this wasn’t temporary like so many other things in his life had been. But Jordan showed up, day after day, for soccer games and homework help and bedtime stories.
I ended up not selling my grandmother’s house after all. Instead, Jordan moved in with Ash and me, while Amy and Henry moved next door into Jordan’s old house. Living next to each other has made everything so much easier. We share dinners andchildcare, and it feels like the most natural thing in the world. The boys run back and forth between the houses like they own both, and Amy and I have become the best of friends.
“Your potato salad is amazing.” Amy appears at my elbow, wiping her hands on a dish towel. She looks radiant, completely recovered from the accident that could have changed everything.
“It was my grandma’s recipe,” I answer.
“Well, it’s insanely good.” She bumps my shoulder playfully. “You look extra happy today. What’s going on?”
“Iamhappy,” I tell her, and it’s the absolute truth. “Life is good.”
Even that feels like an understatement. The afternoon unfolds in the easy rhythm of family gatherings. Everyone mingles and bonds over stories of Jordan’s transformation from workaholic bachelor to devoted family man. Jordan holds court near the grill, flipping burgers while Henry “helps” by banging a wooden spoon against a pot. I catch Esme and Daniel laughing together near the flower beds, and I’m happy to see her so content.
“You’re being awfully quiet,” Jordan says, settling beside me with two plates of food. “Everything okay?”
“Everything’s so perfect.” I accept the plate, noting how he automatically remembered I don’t like pickles. “Just taking it all in.”
“Hard to believe it’s been a year since Amy woke up.” Jordan’s voice carries wonder. “Sometimes I look around and can’t believe this is really our life.”
“I know,” I murmur. “Talk about surprising.”
“The best kind of surprising.” He leans over to kiss my temple. “And speaking of family… what do you think?”
I bite into my smile and nod. “Let’s do it now.”
He stands up abruptly, tapping his knife against his beer bottle to get everyone’s attention. The chatter dies down as our guests turn toward us, curious expressions on their faces.
“Sorry to interrupt the festivities,” Jordan begins, reaching for my hand and pulling me to my feet beside him. “But Alexa and I have some news we wanted to share with the people who matter most to us.”
My heart starts racing, even though we planned this moment together. Looking around at the faces of the people we love, I feel overwhelmed by how much our family has grown.
“Well, don’t keep us in suspense,” Esme calls out, grinning.
Jordan looks at me, raising an eyebrow in question. When I nod, he turns back to our guests with the biggest smile I’ve ever seen.
“We’re having a baby,” he announces, his voice full of joy and wonder.
The reaction is immediate and overwhelming. Amy shrieks and covers her mouth with her hands. Esme jumps up from her chair and nearly knocks over her wine glass. Dr. Ferrera starts clapping, and Jordan’s parents look like they might die of happiness.
But it’s Ash’s reaction that stops my heart. His face lights up with pure, uncomplicated happiness as he processes what this means.
“I’m going to be a big brother?” he asks, and when I nod, he lets out a whoop that probably alerts the entire neighborhood. “This is the best day of my entire life!”
Henry, picking up on the excitement, even if he doesn’t understand entirely what this means, claps his hands. “Yay!” he yells. “Yay! Baby?”
“Yes, baby,” Jordan tells him. “You’re going to be a cousin, buddy!”
“When?” Amy asks, moving to hug us both.
“Early April,” I tell her, accepting congratulations from everyone as they surround us with love and excitement.
“A spring baby,” Esme says, wiping tears from her eyes.
