“How is Ellington?” I decide to ask. Might as well make small talk while I’m here with him.
“Perfect,” he answers, smiling.
“And the babies?”
“Also perfect.”
A silence follows. This is the time that a father would show pictures of his children. Something tells me he doesn’t want to because he knows I can’t have kids. Or maybe that’s just my insecurities talking. “Do you have any photos?”
“Of course.” He doesn’t hesitate to pull out his phone and open up his camera roll. He’s beaming. “This is our son, Brexton.” It’s a picture of a baby dressed in a blue onesie. He’s got a green pacifier in his mouth while Elli is holding him, looking up at the phone. Her hair is in a messy bun with a huge smile on her face.
“He’s handsome,” I tell him and add, “Elli looks great.”
He swipes left and shows me the next photo of Elli sitting up in their bed, back against the headboard, holding a baby girl dressed in a pink onesie. It has little teddy bears all over it. “This is our daughter, Annaleigh.” He smiles down at it.
“She’s beautiful.”
“Just like her momma,” he agrees.
The next one has the babies lying side by side in gliders in the living room. They both have mittens on their little hands.
“Congratulations,” I say. “I’m glad everyone is doing great.”
“Thanks.” He places his cell in his pocket and looks at me. “How about a drink?” he offers, walking over to a bar back in the corner.
“Absolutely.” I run my sweaty hands down my dress. I feel a little nauseous. Unsteady.
As I make my way to him, he pours me a glass of champagne. I consider just grabbing the bottle but decide against that.
He then pours his own, and we clink our flutes together. “Here’s to the rest of your life.” He throws his back, and I stare at mine.
The rest of my life. But it’s not just my life. It’s Kashton’s too. He’s stuck with me.
“Eve?” Sin gets my attention.
“Hmm?” I meet his stare.
“I have something for you.” He walks over to the bed, and I see a box lying on the black silk. He returns, holding it out to me. “Bill wanted me to give it to you.”
I frown but take it with shaking hands. Opening it up, I swallow nervously, looking over the beautiful necklace. It’s white gold, diamonds, and blue sapphires. “Bill wanted me to have this?” I ask, looking up at him.
Sin nods. “Bill told me it was your mother’s, and he wanted you to have it for your wedding. He said it covers your something old, something borrowed, and something blue.”
A knot lodges in my throat and I can’t breathe.
“And he said you needed these for your something new to go with the necklace.” Pulling a box from his dress slacks, he holds it out and opens it for me. Bvlgari Divas’ Dream diamond and sapphire drop earrings.
My skin gets hot.
“Eve? Are you okay?” Sin asks, sounding worried.
I nod, trying to speak. “Y-yes.” I refuse to blink and let the tears fall.
He sets the box with the stunning earrings down. “May I?” He reaches out his hand, and I let him remove the necklace that I still hold. Then I turn, giving him my back, and my eyes stare out the windows looking at the ocean.
I don’t deserve this. Any of it.
“Done,” Sin announces, and I turn back to face him. His eyes drop to it and he gives me a big smile. “It’s beautiful.”
