Johan steps in first with his usual perfect, confident posture—the kind of handsome that makes people assume he’s a senator or CEO or both. Behind him, Peter. Older, sterner, still carrying a certain gravitas.
My stomach tenses. Things between us and Peter have been okay. The alliance has held, and so far, he’s stuck with the terms. He was even a guest at our wedding last year. But I still don’t quite trust him fully.
“There’s my gorgeous boss,” Angie says as she stands and throws her arms around Johan’s neck, going in for a deep kiss.
Peter shifts his weight from one foot to the other, clearly not quite sure what to do with himself. The twins watch him carefully. He’s not exactly the warm and fuzzy grandpa type.
“Good to see everyone,” he says.
Thankfully, Sasha steps up. “Likewise, Peter.” They shake hands, and Peter turns to me.
“It’s good to see you, especially, my daughter.”
“It’s good to see you, Peter.”
He purses his lips, like he always does. “Papawould never be unwelcome.” I open my mouth to speak, but he raises his palms. “But I will put no pressure on you, as always.”
His statement sits well with me. The tension is still there, but we’ve learned, as a weird little family, how to navigate it all. A look between Johan and me, a nudge from Sasha under the table—all standard when there’s a little reunion like this. It’s the delicate choreography of people determined not to burn down the peace so many have already died for.
We all slide into our seats. The kids are still staring.
“No hellos for yourdedushka?” Peter asks with as warm a smile as he’s capable of. The kids look at me, and I nod. Then they wave to Peter.
“So!” Angie says. “Nice and normal and not awkward.”
“More or less,” I say. I sweep my eyes across the table. “But if you ask me, I think we’re all handling it well.”
“So,” Sasha says, “I’m assuming there is a reason this gathering was requested?”
“There is,” Johan says. “First, because it doesn’t happen often enough. I know our family is still a little awkward, but the more we meet like this, the better.”
Peter nods. “I agree, for what it’s worth. Wearefamily. And we can work through anything together.”
“Well said,” Sasha comments, “Father-in-law.”
Peter chuckles, and so do I. It’s still hard to believe we’re all connected by the bonds of family.
Peter’s expression becomes a little sad, as if a longing hit him. I follow his eyes and see he’s looking at Lena.
“What’s wrong?” I ask.
“It’s just… she looks so much like Louisa, so much.”
His words hang heavy. Peter did what he did. But in moments like that, I can see the man he’s trying to be. And I respect it.
“So!” Angie says, trying to break the tension. “The reason we called this meeting.” She glances in my direction. “Do you remember years ago when all the insanity was still going on, that we promised never to keep secrets from one another?”
“I sure do. And I’ve stuck to it.”
“You did,” Johan says. “But we’ve been lying to you all.”
“Keeping averybig secret,” Angie adds. She places her hand on her belly.
Tears form in my eyes. “No,” I say. “No way.”
Angie grins. “Way.”
EPILOGUE II
