"Daddy, why were you inspecting Liam's undercarriage?" Gisselle asked.
Everyone at the table laughed, though something felt off about Gisselle, a nervous energy I couldn't place. She should've felt better now that the community center renovation was complete.
The waiter appeared with wine and took our orders. The conversation shifted to praise of the community center's opening. Gisselle's face lit up as her mother described her favorite feature of the design.
It was a long time before the waiters arrived with the salads and bread, momentarily pausing conversation as plates were passed around the table.
"Gisselle tells us you two have talked about renovations on your house, Liam," Justine commented during dinner.
I nodded, grateful for the shift in conversation. "Nothing major yet. We're in the planning stages. The kitchen needs to be updated, and I've been thinking about converting the spare room into a better home office for Gisselle."
"Planning stages, but what he means is, I've been sketching designs, and he's been nodding along," Gisselle interjected, returning to her usual sass.
"I contributed ideas," I mildly protested.
"Saying 'bigger counters' is not contributing very much to the design concept, babe," Gisselle clarified.
Soon, the waiters passed out pasta dishes and collected the salad plates.
"It is a valid request. Not all of us have your vision for how the space should look," I countered, enjoying our banter.
"That's true, but I love that you trust me," she conceded.
"Gisselle designed her first treehouse when she was nine. She drew up an actual blueprint and everything. Had her daddy out there for weeks, building it to her exact specifications," Justine told my mother.
"Oh, it was structurally sound and could've withstood a hurricane," Leonard confirmed with a chuckle.
"Speaking of withstanding things. I'd like to propose a toast to Gisselle and Liam," Kiara jumped in, raising her wineglass.
"Everyone raised their glasses, except Gisselle's hand, which went to her purse, this time resting on it. She exchanged another glance with her mother, who gave her a subtle nod.
"Are you alright? You seem, I don't know, nervous?" I quietly asked as the others clinked their glasses.
"I'm excited. It's been a big day," Gisselle replied.
This time, the waiter arrived with dessert.Was Gisselle prepared to share something, maybe another project? Wouldshe leave Goodwin Grove? Leave her home?We hadn't talked about her career beyond the community center, but I knew she was talented enough to work anywhere she wanted. I was excited about the idea of her moving on to bigger opportunities. Still, both filled me with pride and dread. I was so lost in thought that I almost missed her mother's cough from across the table. When I looked up, Justine gave Gisselle a look, her eyebrows raised in silent communication.
"Stop rushing me," Gisselle murmured so softly I barely caught it.
"No one's rushing anyone," her mother replied innocently.
Whatever was happening, it seemed our families were in on it, or at least the mothers were.
I felt some kind of way when Gisselle didn't touch her dessert. I was halfway through my cake when Gisselle suddenly blew out air. This time, she reached for her purse and pulled out a small, wrapped package about the size of my palm. She placed the red box in my hands.
"What's this?" I asked, aware that the table had gone quiet. I glanced around to find everyone watching us.
"Just open it," Gisselle instructed. The nervousness I sensed from her all evening suddenly made sense. She'd waited all day for this moment.
I carefully pulled at the tape, knowing that whatever was inside wasn't something to be rushed. I removed the paper, revealing a small box. I lifted the lid and found myself staring at a pacifier.
I blinked. My brain worked overtime to process what I was seeing. It was a clear pacifier with a little string attached to a clip. Cute, but why would Gisselle be giving me a baby…
Ooh.
My head snapped up, my eyes wide as I looked at Gisselle. She watched me intently, tears already gathered in the corners of her eyes. I opened my mouth, but no words came out.
Before I found my voice, both mothers seemed to realize I'd finally caught up.
