Akemi’s expression went flat, like she was steeling herself against the assault of questions that she’d known were coming.
Pete felt the temperature shift and nudged Hayden.
“Do you want to see the legos I brought?”
“Uh, sure.” She glanced around the room, then pulled at her sister’s hand.
The younger three cousins tip-toed upstairs. Claire pulled a pillow into her lap, rooting down into a spot with the grownups. Anne let her be.
“Where are you going to live?” Oakley pressed.
“I’ll come home for a while, close to my due date.”
“And then what?”
“Stop giving her the third degree,” Halia said.
“Who’s the dad?” Claire cut in. Anne shot her a look and she crossed her arms, folding into a pout.
“Lorenzo,” Akemi answered, glancing at Dawn.
She looked up in surprise, and even that small show of life was gratifying.
“The Italian who rented a room here?” she asked.
“That’s the one,” Akemi confirmed.
“He’s so handsome!”
Akemi’s expression softened into a slight grin.
“You’re not moving to Italy?” Oakley said.
“I’m not moving anywhere,” Akemi answered.
“So you’re staying here?”
“That’s not what I meant.” She put two hands up, closed her eyes, and took a breath. The room quieted. After a few seconds, she opened her eyes again and said, “I’m not going to abandon my career just because I have a kid.”
Oakley’s eyes narrowed, but she pressed her lips together and held her tongue.
“Is Lorenzo moving here?” Dawn asked hopefully.
“His whole family is there–” Akemi started, but their mother cut her off.
“Hisdaughteris here. The King girl. And now his second baby.”
“Okay, so most of his family is there. His dad isn’t well, and his work is there.”
“What are you going to do?”
“We’re going to figure it out.” She held up her hands again. “I’ll go there, he’ll come here. I only told him a few days ago. He wants to be involved, but we’re still just… figuring this out as we go.”
“And you’re just going to… keep traveling?” Oakley’s voice was incredulous.
“Plenty of people travel with babies!” Akemi flared.
“Sure, but… all the time? Alone?”
