Puppet story time is a huge hit, obviously. Gabe only misses one of his cues, but the kids all thought it was hilarious when he broke character. After we’re done, we head over to Louie’s for an early dinner, meeting Bex and Thea there.
“So, I heard good things about you and Cole’s little cabin getaway,” Thea tells me between bites of pickle.
“I want to know!” Bex chimes in. “Tell me about it!”
This bit of information from Thea is surprising considering Cole’s desire to keep everything so close to her chest. “Did you?” I ask, ignoring my sister. I’m trying to stay nonchalant and failing pretty hard.
I told Gabe, Jules, and Bex about my pact with Cole after announcing our engagement at family dinner. Gabe obviously already knew about the feelings and Jules did not seem surprised at all. Bex, per usual, became feral, wanting to know anything and everything about Cole.
“I remember her from high school, obviously. She’s always been gorgeous and it’s hard to miss that hair. But I want to know”—she had slammed her hands down on the table—“everything!”
Thea interrupts that memory with a shrug. “I mean, it’s Cole. I didn’t get a ton of information out of her but she did mention that you madeverygood use of the hot tub.”
Jules puts his arm around Thea, pulling her in close to him. “I did not need to know that, Rosie girl.”
She groans in response. “I miss being able to get in a hot tub. Take a scalding hot bubble bath. I need this baby out of me!”
“Oof, I feel that,” Bex says, sending a comforting smile Thea’s way.
Chloe pushes her stomach out and rubs it obnoxiously, mimicking her mom. “Get this baby out of me!” she mocks, to peels of laughter from Elodie, Bex and Anders’ two-year-old.
“Okay, you.” Thea laughs, poking her daughter’s stomach. “Let’s go get some ice cream at the shop next door and leave these boys to chat, yeah?”
“But I like chatting,” Chloe whines.
“You also like ice cream,” Thea reminds her.
“Fine.” She hops out of her seat, sliding her hand into Thea’s as they head toward the exit.
“I’ll go with you.” Bex stands, baby Molly strapped to her chest and Elodie by her side, following closely behind Thea and Chloe.
“So,” Gabe starts as soon as they’re out of earshot. “Thea heard good things about you and Cole’s trip to the cabin.” He bounces his eyebrows up and down a few times. “Do you think she’s any closer to accepting your proposal? For real this time?”
I cross my arms over my chest, leaning back against the booth. “We made a lot of progress at the cabin, but I don’t quite think she’s one hundred percent in yet.”
“What do you think she needs?” Jules asks.
“Time.” I shrug. “She’s asked for time to continue to process all of these major changes happening in her life right now. Theabsolute least I can do is respect that desire.” Jules gives me a nod of approval.
“When’s the next date?” Anders asks.
“I’m not sure yet. But I think I have an idea of what I want to do. Do you think you all would be able to help me?”
“As long as Thea stays pregnant, I’m happy to help,” Jules says.
“You know I love this kind of shit,” Gabe chimes in, rubbing his hands together. “Let’s fucking go!”
“I’m in, obviously. I’ve missed Bardot shenanigans,” Anders adds.
Gabe places his hand in the middle of the table, me, Anders, and Jules piling our hands on top like we are back in little league baseball.
“Team Bardot on three,” Gabe says. “One, two, three.”
I grin at my brothers, Anders included, excitement filling my stomach as our plan begins to come together.
“Why am I wearing this?” I look down at my black silk dress that reaches all the way down to the ground, hugging every curve along the way. My hair is down in loose waves and a pearl necklace—that better not be real—is lying just above my collar bone. My lips are painted a deep red, of course.
I look at Ben who is wearing a tux… almost. He neglected to put on a jacket and his bowtie is hanging loose, displaying the top buttons of his shirt that he didn’t bother to do.
