Think about what you want too.
For so long she’d been fixated on what other people wanted from her, a hypervigilance that she wasn’t properly filling whatever role they needed from her. Living like that was exhausting, and she wasn’t planning on continuing it any longer.
But living for herself was scary in its own way.
A knock sounded on the door, and Tani came in, followed by a quiet and subdued Maile. They were both in their robes. “I know you told us we should get dressed here with you, but I can do it in my room, if that’s better,” Tani said politely.
“Why would you do that?” Livvy asked, confused.
Tani glanced around the room, barely making eye contact with any of them. “Because I assumed you were all still mad at me.”
“We can be mad at you for keeping secrets and still love you and want to be around you,” Maile snapped. She took a deep breath and pasted a smile on her face. “Apologies. I am working through my anger.”
Livvy drifted over to her mother and grasped her hands. “What Aunt Maile said. I’m getting married, and I don’t want to hear any negative talk about past feuds and curses or anything. I want us all to be happy.”
Sadia came to stand next to her mother-in-law. She put her arm around her. “I understand trying to take care of ghosts as well as the living,” she said quietly. “It can be exhausting.”
Tani squeezed her hand. “Yes.”
“It’s okay, Mom,” Livvy said gently. “It’s good the secret came out. That’s how we can all move forward in a healthy manner.”
Tani tsked. “Therapist talk.”
Livvy’s eyes narrowed for a second. “You feel really bad, right?”
“Of course.”
“Then this is a good time to tell you Iampregnant.”
Eve and Maile gasped. Sadia didn’t look all that surprised, but she was closer to Livvy than anyone.
Eve clasped her hands together. “I’m going to be an aunt?”
Livvy beamed and accepted Maile’s hug. “Yes. I found out last week when I went to the doctor.”
“Did the flu—”
“Nope.” Livvy patted her still-flat belly. “Me and the muffin are fine.”
Tani drew herself up. “Iknewyou were rushing this wedding because—”
“No, no, no!” Livvy raised her hand. “You are not to sayanythingright now that can be construed as crowing or chiding.”
“You’re taking advantage of my guilt.”
“I am,” Livvy agreed.
Tani sniffed. Tentatively, she stroked Livvy’s arm. “Well. I suppose that’s okay this one time.”
“Good.” Livvy rested her hand on her belly. “I’m only telling you this now because I want the future to be tangible. Sadia, Eve, you can go ahead and start getting ready. Can you and Aunt Maile come with me, please?”
Gabe and Nicholas got dressed in about ten minutes, tops, and then Nicholas turned on the news.
“Why were eight hours set aside for putting our suits on?” Gabe asked.
Nicholas shrugged and flipped through the channels. “I think it takes the women a little longer. I don’t know.”
Gabe drummed his fingers on his knee. He felt restless and out of sorts, and only partly because half his attention was on wondering what Eve was doing and if she’d slept at all.
