Mom, sitting at her kitchen table with Estelle, my youngest sister,tsked and defended me, surprisingly. “It’s called having young kids, Ben.” Even though she smiled, a crease remained between her brows. She looked worried.
My eyes flicked across everyone’s camera. Dad sat in the front seat of his semi. Peter had his wife, Sarah, tucked beneath his arm on the couch. Jackie sat by the pool with dark glasses over her eyes. I wasn’t sure where Bea was, but Tag was with her. She had her head against his shoulder, even though his face wasn’t in the shot.
A slight frown tugged at my face. Bea didnotlook good. She had deep circles under her eyes and pale skin. Her smile stretched thin, hollow. Her normal bubbly self had yet to utter a word.
Everyone chatted for a few minutes, giving each other basic updates. When it was my turn, I just talked about the girls, which was what I always did. All the while, I wondered who had called the meeting. We did Zoom calls every few months to keep the family connected, but usually the girls were present for the few meetings weattended. But this call, according to Mom’s text in the group chat was anemergency, but so far, no one had said anything warranting that claim.
Then it was Bea’s turn to speak.
“Well,” she held the phone a little further away so we could get a good view of both their faces. The two times I’d met Tag, we only exchanged a few words. He seemedveryreserved, but he was attentive to Bea and incredibly handsome. Bea smiled up at him before saying, “We have some news.”
All of us drew a collective breath.
Those words coming from a newlywed couple usually meant one thing.
“Mom and Dad already know and I wanted to tell you guys face to face, but since I can’t travel right now, Zoom will have to do.”
Jackie ripped her glasses off her face, her eyes wide. Sarah’s hand already rested over her mouth. Estelle’s palms cupped her cheeks. We all knew what was coming.
Bea hesitated, a beat of uncertainty in her expression. “I’m pregnant.”
Her next words were drowned out by a series of exclamations ranging from maniacal laughter to wild shrieking. Jackie jerked forward, her phone clattering to the ground. Estelle started crying. Peter shook his head. As for me, I sat in stunned silence with my jaw hanging open. They got married nine weeks ago.
Nineweeks.
A nervous smile spread across her face as Tag tucked his arm around her.
“Atta boy, Tag.” Ben gave a slow clap of approval. “That’s a man on a mission right there.”
Tag’s gaze cut away from the camera, an instant blush rising to his cheeks.
Bea scolded him with a weak laugh. “Ben, shut up!”
“No freaking way.” Jackie picked up the phone, bringing it close to her face. “How dare you tell us like this! I can’t hug you!”
“Congratulations, but, uh, that was a little fast.” Peter scratchedthe back of his head, the disbelief evident on his face. “How did that happen?”
I stifled a grimace at Peter’s response, feeling it came off insensitive.
Sarah elbowed him.
Ben sat forward and laced his fingers together, unable to let the opportunity pass. “Well, Peter, when a man loves a woman?—”
“Benjamin.” My father gave Ben a gentle chide. “Cut it out.”
Laughing, Ben sat back from his camera with a smirk.
Estelle sniffed. “This is the happiest day of my life. I can’t believe I’m going to be an aunt again.”
“Congratulations you two,” I said. “Are you excited?”
“Very, but also…kind of scared?” Her smile wavered.
There was something she wasn’t saying. I could feel it.
Being the only one of my siblings with children, I continued, “I get that. It’s an intimidating change. How far along are you?”
“With the way they calculate it, they’re saying eleven weeks. But, this one is a honeymoon baby for sure.”
