“Tu es l’amour de ma vie, Juliette.”
You are the love of my life.
We’re escorted to our seats front and center. The uncles and their significant others, along with Mom, Becks, Rosa, and Javier, are already here.
Leo chuckles when he sees my tear-streaked face. “Cut it out. All your pictures are going to be terrible.”
I elbow him as I sit. “Shut up.”
“Can I sit with Uncle Sebby?” Colette whispers in my ear.
I look down the row at Seb and point to Colette. He nods, and I tell her it’s okay.
“I have butterflies in my stomach,” I whisper to Leo.
He sucks in a deep breath and takes my hand in his, squeezing it lightly. “Me too,” he mutters, and then I turn toward Harrison.
He must have heard me by the way he’s staring at me. “They haven’t stopped fluttering since we got in the car.”
My other hand takes his and I close my eyes and take a deep breath.
Camila’s here to watch her baby.
When I feel like I might lose it again, I lean over Harrison to talk to Harry and distract myself. “Did you know the first-ever performance occurred here in 1875? Pretty cool, huh?”
“So, Dad’s age?” he deadpans.
God, he’s so naughty, though that was a good one.
“Harry, you’re lucky we’re in public. Otherwise, I most likely would strangle you,” Harrison mutters dryly through his clenched jaw while Leo tries his hardest not to laugh out loud.
The curtains begin to open.
This is it.
Merde, sugar plum, I wish her luck.You got this, I think, sending her good vibes.
Harrison
She did it.
My precious angel is a professional ballerina, just as she swore she would be when she was a little girl.
Claudina is flawless up there.
Over the years, Jules has taught me so much that I know Claud is perfecting every move effortlessly.
Even Harry is sitting here in awe of his sister. He can’t take his eyes off the stage.
He’s my son. I love him with all of my being, but he’s a tough one, constantly grinding my gears, and I’m trying to be better with him.
I don’t want him to hate me when he grows up. I want a relationship with him like I have with Rosa and Javier, but I don’t know how to get through to him.
I rest my forearm on the armrest between us and place my palm facing up. I don’t look at him, but I can feel him contemplating.
Come on, Harry.
He puts his hand in mine, and quickly, I close mine before he changes his mind.
