When no one says anything after an agonizing moment, and my sister’s eyes go glassy with tears, I spring into action and hug her tight, saying, “Congratulations!”
Rowan echoes me, standing and giving both Andreea and Max a hug. My thoughts are swirling and when I look over at my parents, they’re frozen in their chairs.
“Wait a minute,” my dad says sternly. We all take our seat again and look around the table, wondering what he’ll say. How he’ll react.
“Why next week? That’s too soon.”
I roll my eyes at my parents, the ever traditionalists. They’re probably mad that Max didn’t ask for their permission.
Max wrings his hands in his lap while Andreea crosses her arms and raises her chin defiantly. Oh, there’s more to the story.
“I’m pregnant,” she says, taking us all by surprise again. “It’s unexpected, of course, but we’re having a baby and we’d like to do so as a united couple.”
I stare at my sister, noticing that she looks paler than usual, dark circles standing out under her eyes. How long has sheknown? How long has she agonized over our strict parents’ reaction?
Reaching out, I squeeze her arm and give her my biggest smile. “I’m so happy for you both, I can’t wait to be an aunt.”
Andreea relaxes her posture and pulls me into another hug. “Thank you, I’m sorry I didn’t tell you before, it all happened so fast.”
“This is unexpected,” my mom finally says, taking another sip of her mimosa. We all stare at her, waiting for more. She studies Andreea’s face and nods. “This will be good for you, a nice change of pace. You work too much.”
“I’m not going to quit my job just because I’m having a baby,” Andreea says, rolling her eyes at mom.
“Why? I’m sure Max can support the both of you,” she says, looking over at him. The poor guy looks like he’s on the verge of bolting. Not that he would leave my sister behind, he loves her too much for that, but he looks genuinely scared of my family.
“It’s not about money, mom, it’s about principle. I love my job and I’ll take a small break, of course, but I’ll return to it.”
Our mom sighs like this is the most disappointing thing she’s heard and my dad runs a hand over his weathered face. Ever since their mess of a divorce back when I was in high school, having to endure through screaming matches and temper tantrums, well—let’s just say family functions have always been…precarious.
“Next week, you say?” Dad asks wearily.
“Yes,” Andreea replies, her chin held high.
“Alright then.”
The restof brunch is spent talking about logistics on how to get all of us to the Bahamas for the small wedding with friends and family.
Just when I think the topic of tennis won’t come up, my dad says, “So, Rowan, I heard you’re interested in playing doubles…” He lets the sentence hang and looks between the both of us.
My head whips towards Rowan. This is the first time I’m hearing about it.
He coughs after choking on his water and I raise an eyebrow at him. “Doubles?” I ask, incredulous.
Rowan’s cheeks are pink with embarrassment and he fidgets with the napkin on the table. “I was just curious, you know. For the future,” he says vaguely and I narrow my eyes.
“What’re you talking about?” I ask.
“Well, honey, he is in his thirties, none of you are getting any younger. I think it’s smart to look for alternatives,” my mom pipes in, most unhelpful.
“Mom,” Andreea and I chide her at the same time, but Rowan just laughs.
“Something like that. I mean, depending on how the rest of the Grand Slams go this year, I may consider taking up doubles. It might improve my game.”
“I didn’t know you wanted that,” I say quietly, wondering if this is what’s been on his mind lately. If this is the reason why he’s been a little distant. Did he think I would be mad if he got a doubles partner? Would I be replaced altogether?
“It’s been…recent,” he says, giving me a small smile.
I smile back and ignore my dad’s comment about how there’s not much money in doubles.
