I smooth a hand over my bump. Our son is due in three weeks, and that’s the only reason we didn’t head home to France after the school term ended last week. Beck was too nervous flying long distance when I’m heavily pregnant, so we agreed to stay in Seattle this summer. It will be the first time in years we’ve been back in Ravenna for the entire summer.
Olivia is looking forward to spending time with her nana and our extended family. Mom married Sean the year after Beck and I got married, and two years later, the rest of Sean’s family relocated to Seattle.
“This is so kind. Thank you very much.” Kylie eyes the contents with a little chuckle. “We certainly won’t run out of alcohol. My brother-in-law owns a winery, and he supplied all the wines today.” She looks over my shoulder. “Oh, there he is.” She looks sheepishly at me as Beck slowly turns us around and stiffens.
Now her reaction makes sense.
We come face-to-face with our past as Helena and Garrick Allen make their way toward us. Garrick is wheeling his chair one-handed while cradling a tiny baby in his arms.
“I’ll leave you to catch up in private,” Kylie says, confirming she knows who we are for very different reasons than my husband’s celebrity status.
“This feels like an ambush,” Beck says, tightening his arm around my shoulders. “We should leave.”
“Let’s hear what they have to say,” I murmur as I plaster a smile on my face.
Garrick wheels to a stop in front of us, and Helena comes up beside him, placing her hand on his shoulder. The four of us stare at one another for a few awkward moments. Garrick’s eyes gravitate to my round stomach as I gaze at the adorable little boy with a mop of jet-black hair snuggling his father.
The baby lets out a little cry, which breaks up the tension.
Garrick lifts him to his shoulder and pats his back, instantly soothing him.
“You’re a natural,” I say, smiling.
“Rick is amazing with him,” Helena confirms, beaming at her husband.
I saw the announcement of their wedding online a year or two after Beck and I tied the knot, but other than that, I have not kept up with things going on in his life.
“How old is he?” Beck asks.
“Six weeks,” Garrick confirms, nestling the boy in the crook of his arm now he’s settled again.
“Congratulations,” I say.
“Thank you.” Helena presses a kiss to the top of the baby’s head. “He’s our little treasure.”
“When are you due?” Garrick asks, staring at my stomach for a second.
“Three weeks.” I rub a hand over my belly as the baby kicks.
“Olivia must be very excited,” Helena says.
“She is. She’s been begging us for a sibling the past couple of years,” Beck admits. He’s being polite, but I hear the concern in his tone.
“Our little guy will have to get used to being an only child,” Helena says, rubbing Garrick’s arm.
“We had a difficult time getting to this point,” Garrick explains.
“Well, then he is a little treasure,” I say.
“Not to be rude,” Beck says. “But it’s clear you knew we would be here today, and I’m guessing there’s a reason for it?”
“I hope you’re not upset,” Helena says. “My sister mentioned Olivia was in Reyna’s class this year, and Rick was hoping he might have an opportunity to speak with you, Stevie.”
“Why?” Beck asks.
“I owe Stevie a massive apology, and it needs to be said face-to-face,” Garrick says, eyeballing Beck. “I assure you I mean your wife no harm.” Garrick’s hazel eyes latch on to my face. “I have wanted to reach out for years to apologize, but I didn’t want to just contact you out of the blue.”
Helena tucks errant strands of her long brown hair behind one ear and wets her lips. “We thought it might be better for it to happen naturally. When we heard you were coming today, it seemed like a good idea. But I can tell you feel ambushed, and we really should have considered that.”
