“Hell yeah,” I said, getting out of the car and ignoring the suitcase in the back.
We found Joana pacing the length of the living room. In her arms was the tiny bundle of joy that I just knew was going to steal the rest of my heart forever.
I kissed Joana on the cheek and then looked at my niece. Sofia was the most beautiful baby I'd ever seen. She had the same eyes Alex and I had and even a similar nose, but there was no denying she was a mini version of Joana.
“Hello, Princesa. I'm your Uncle Isaac,” I cooed, running my hand over her soft head.
Sofia looked up at me, her little arms moving as though she was trying to communicate with us.
“She's only three days old, but I swear she knew you were coming because she refused to sleep earlier. Let's hope this means a slightly longer night for us,” Joana said.
I couldn't take my eyes off Sofia.
“Would you mind holding her for a moment? The night light in her room went out already and I need to show Alex,” Joana said.
“Are you…are you sure?”
She laughed. “Sofia won't break. Plus, you can tell her all about New York.”
I held out my arms, hoping I wasn't shaking so much that it would upset my niece.
“Hi, baby girl. You want to know about New York?” Sofia's eyes were locked on my face, and she was making the most adorable baby sounds. “Well, New York was amazing. I learned lots of things that I will tell you all about when you're a little older. I met some friends and made a special new one.”
“Do you want to talk about it?”
I looked up from Sofia to see my brother standing by the door staring at me with concern.
“Let me take her to Joana. It's time for her milk,” Alex said.
I placed a kiss on Sofia's head and said, “Love you, Princesa,” before my brother took her away. My instinct was to leave so I could avoid the questions, but I already knew running would never keep my brother away.
He came back into the living room not long after. I was rooted to the spot where I'd been cradling my niece minutes ago, unable to move even though all I wanted to do was leave.
“Come, sit down,” he said. “Do you want to tell me about it?”
I shook my head. “I met someone…he's amazing, Alex. I know it sounds ridiculous, but I think I've fallen in love.” The tears that I'd been holding back since seeing my brother waiting for me at the airport were finally streaming down my face.
My brother put his arms around me, pulling me in to hold me tight. He didn't say anything.
“I'm sorry,” I said, wiping the tears with my hands.
“What are you sorry for? You can't help who you fall in love with.”
“This is a special time for you. I shouldn't be here crying my guts out because of a guy I met five minutes ago,” I said.
I took a deep breath and stretched my lips into a smile I didn't feel.
“Let me tell you all the stuff I learned from Liberty Center.”
Alex looked at me like he wanted to press the issue, but instead, he got up and asked me to tell him all about New York while we set the table for dinner.
By the time I got to David's, I was exhausted from talking, from keeping my emotions to myself, but mostly from missing Max.
I apologized to David for being such bad company, but I really needed to sleep.
Like many times in the past, just like Alex, David was there for me. No questions asked.
Little did I know I was about to miss Max in more ways than I thought possible.
