Monica smiles before her gaze drifts to Darby. “When is your mom flying in again, love?”
“Not until Thursday.”
Monica nods. “You’ll have to help me come up with a dinner idea for next week so I can make something she likes.”
Darby’s brows knit together, eyes withdrawn as she contemplates before answering, “You know, I’m not actually sure what she likes. I’m not even sure she knows what she likes. I can ask her.” She chews on her cheek. “Or maybe I can tell her some of the things you make best, and she can choose one. Try something new.”
“That would be beautiful.” Monica beams before dipping her head back into the kitchen.
From what Darby has told me, her relationship with her mother was strained growing up due to the neglect and emotional abuse her father inflicted on their family. When he was finally taken down last year for a slew of white-collar crimes involving his business back in Kansas, Darby and Dahlia’s mom got out of the marriage, but it’s been a slow build toward a relationship with her daughters.
Dahlia is more hesitant to connect with their mother, according to Darby. Darby has grown closer to her over the last couple of years and ended up inviting her out to meet Willow not long after she was born. Dahlia and Leo are less enthused about the decision, but after the hard time Darby had getting pregnant, including a miscarriage last summer that devastated her, I think she wants to share the joy of her daughter with everyone she loves, including her mother.
A short while later, Everett, Dahlia, and Lou finally arrive. Leo puts Willow down for a nap in their bedroom while the rest of us prepare dinner and set the table, and we’re mere seconds into our meal before Monica pipes up from the end of the table. “So, does anyone have anything they want to share?” Her eyes dart to Everett and Dahlia, who sit beside her.
“Mamá, tienes que relajarte. Estás siendo muy entrometida.” Everett drops his fork onto his plate before massaging his temples.
Dahlia pats his shoulder reassuringly. “We didn’t keep it a secret for any nefarious reasons. We just wanted to confirm a few things before we made any big announcement. Plus, we didn’t want to take any of the heat off Darby and Leo’s moment.”
“Yeah, I didn’t want you to feel inferior, brother.” Everett smirks at Leo.
Leo scoffs from the head of the table opposite Monica, leaning back in his chair. “Take one look at my baby and tell me what could possibly make me feel inferior. I made the most perfect child on the planet.”
Darby grumbles, shoving his shoulder.
“Sorry. We made the most perfect child on the planet.” He waves a finger between himself and his wife.
Dahlia sighs, glancing at Everett, who’s flashing a shit-eating grin at his brother.
“Oh, my God, just spit it out,” Elena mutters. “Does the kid have superpowers or something? Four legs? Human-vampire hybrid likeTwilight?”
“It’s twins!” Lou exclaims from her seat beside her mom.
“Twins!” Monica squeals, nearly falling out of her chair.
The rest of us follow with similar sentiments, getting up from our seats or reaching across the table to offer hugs and congratulations.
“Boys.” Everett grins.
“Boys!” his mom exclaims. “Oh, my God. This is the best news.”
Dahlia looks radiant, glancing at Everett, whose hand slips beneath the table, no doubt placing it over her stomach. He leans into her, whispering something against her ear that makes her blush, smiling wider.
“When are you due?” Darby asks, sounding less surprised than the rest of us, though it’s not unlikely she’s already up to date.
“November twenty-third.”
“So you’re about three months along, then?”
Dahlia nods. “Fourteen weeks.”
I catch Everett’s eyes across the table. “I’m really happy for you all.”
And for the first time in fucking weeks, the smile he offers me is genuine. “Thanks, Auggie.”
Elena grasps my thigh beneath the table, and when I glance at her, she’s watching all of our interactions with misty eyes and a soft smile.
I know there is nothing that means more to her than watching her brothers live out their hard-earned happily-ever-afters, and fuck if it doesn’t make me more determined to ensure she gets hers too.
