“Yes, dear, I also have those egg-salad-with-pickle sandwiches. I thought maybe Connor would be with you both, so had the chef make peanut butter and jelly too.”
“Thoughtful. Connor is at camp this week. His father thought another week of camp would be a real treat for all of us.” Brielle is laying it on heavy, while subtly letting me know her dissatisfaction as of late.
Margo indicates for me to pour her some tea. “Little boys have a lot of energy. I’m sure it’s exactly what Connor needs.”
“Exactly,” I say as I fill her cup. “Brielle is about to sit the Bar,” I proudly announce.
Margo looks at her with pure elation. “I knew you would get there.”
“Well, I still need to pass it.”
“You will,” I promise her.
“What will you do after?” Margo wonders.
Brielle takes a sip of water. “The law practice where I had an internship and worked in paralegal part-time has a position opening up, so that’s a start.”
“But where will you two live then once you are married?”
Brielle and I both croak a sound. “It’s in discussion. We have school for Connor to think about,” Brielle answers. She isn’t a great liar, but she’s trying.
“There are excellent schools here,” I state. “Plus, the house is all ready for Brielle. Her bench swing, favorite-colored pillows, and a home office. Then there is the lake that she loves more than she cares to admit.”
Brielle’s eyes snap to me because she knows I’m not pretending. The dots connect in her head. She was in my thoughts when I designed the house.
“Is Connor excited that his parents are back together? He must be over the moon.” Margo takes a sip from her tea.
“I think he will be ecstatic at the wedding. A simple wedding, just the three of us.” I have no idea what I’m spewing or why this comes so easily. Or why I’m speaking in the future tense, other than I’m manifesting some serious plans.
“You must send me a gift idea. Spare no expense.”
Brielle laughs nervously. “Don’t be silly. We don’t need gifts.”
“Fine. When the next child comes, then let me buy a gift.”
I nearly choke on the coffee that I poured a minute ago.
“That will be a while. I’m still young and need to focus on my career. Have to mentally prepare for the three kids under our roof, probably all boys, and with Ford’s personality too, so pure mischief.” Brielle speaks without taking notice of me.
But now I’m wondering what her mind is spinning.
“Your parents?” Margo asks.
Brielle and I look at one another before I jump in and answer. “Best not to talk to them about this.”
“Hmm, I can only imagine. You know, they will come around. They did last time, when it came to raising Connor. You just need to be firm.”
“Were we not firm enough last time?” I’m slightly offended.
Margo looks between us all very seriously. “You were both young, in a delicate situation, and sometimes you need a little extra intervention. Your parents saw you both as their children, children they needed to guide, and they thought one way was the right way. I just stepped in to let them know there had to be a compromise on their path.”
Brielle’s eyes dip down to look at the patio floor.
I breathe out a breath and bring my arm around Brielle’s shoulders. “We are grateful for that. Do you think there was another path that none of us explored?”
Margo seems taken aback. “Adoption, although a gift to many, wasn’t what either of you wanted. Or do you mean marriage? Your ring could have been an option, but then I’m not sure either of you would be where you are today. Sometimes we get our true love later. Look at you two now, so many things to be proud of. A great son is one of them, and now you both get to have what you’ve been waiting for.”
I rub warmth into Brielle’s shoulder as we listen to Margo, and I’m grateful Brielle didn’t question the ring remark more.
