“How’s all this feel?”
“Are you a therapist now?” my brother says sarcastically. “Tell me about your feelings. How did you feel about that?” He polishes off his drink and shrugs. “How’s it supposed to feel?”
I let out a long breath. “I don’t know, man. This stuff is so out of my wheelhouse that I couldn’t begin to tell you how any of it is supposed to feel. I guess I just want to know you’re…okay with all of it.”
“Hey. Look at me.” His gaze flickers with understanding. “It feels good, Luka. I’m going to have a baby with the woman I love—it’s that simple. And yeah, those are two things I never imagined I’d have or want in my life. But it feelsright. Hell, look around. All these people came here today to support us. I’m not in this alone, you know? It’s going to be an adventure.”
I’m nodding along when someone calls his name from across the room and he excuses himself. Nursing my drink, I’m in no hurry to join the others.
Brooklyn walks over, champagne in her hand. “Why are you hiding in a corner? Come see the fountain. Tori’s friend Grace ordered it from this glassmaker in Italy. It spouts cycles of blue and pink champagne!”
I take her hand and let her lead me to it. We make our way around, mingling and laughing and drinking champagne from the ridiculous fountain. Through it all, I feel more and more settled about Stefan and Tori’s future. They’re in this together. Like Brooklyn and I are.
This is the first event we’ve attended as a real couple, I realize. Not just for show, but as part of a family that’s tight and trusting and looks forward to spending time with each other. It feels like the life I never knew I wanted. A new normal. A wife who has taken on my family’s drama as her own and still loves them anyway. Friends who make the time to celebrate. A new life, ready to come into this world.
As I look around the room, I find I’m genuinely happy for Stefan, and excited to be an uncle. Does this mean I’m an adult now?
Suddenly, my sister Emzee claps her hands to get everyone’s attention as two caterers walk around with trays of cupcakes. They hand them out as Tori appears from the kitchen, holding a bouquet of white helium balloons.
“We’re having dessert first!” Emzee exclaims. “On the count of three, Tori is going to pop the balloons while you all bite into your cupcakes, and the baby’s gender will be revealed!”
Stefan walks over with a gigantic, cartoonish diaper pin and stands beside his wife. They lock eyes and I can tell how over the moon he is in this moment, like it’s just the two of them against the world.
Brooklyn takes my hand and I wrap my fingers around hers.
Emzee steps back to shout, “One…two…three!”
Stefan and Tori use the diaper pin to pop the balloons, and a cascade of pink glitter confetti rains down everywhere. Brooklyn lets out a whoop and takes a big bite of her cupcake, nudging me to do the same. We get mouthfuls of pink filling as we watch the glitter scatter and shimmer in the air.
A baby girl.
My heart flips.
“Oh, Luka!” Brooklyn exclaims. “A girl! We’re going to have a niece!”
She pulls me toward her and kisses me. The feel of her lips soothes the tumult going on inside me. Excitement. Worry. Anxiety. Hope. Cupping her chin, I deepen the kiss, devouring her mouth as I try to tell her exactly how I feel without using words. She draws back and touches my face, then turns to congratulate them. Stefan looks at me. I smile.
My brother and his wife are going to have a daughter.
I hope like hell that we deserve her.
Brooklyn
Chapter 20
Iseriously can’t believe Steffany & Co. are paying me to do this.
It’s going to be my first time modeling for a luxury jewelry designer, but I hope to God it’s not my last. Not only is the company flying me and my manager (a.k.a. husband) first class to Canada, but they also arranged for a private car to take us directly from the airport to Banff’s ritziest lodge, a chateau that looks like a magic castle against the mountain backdrop. My suite has its own stone fireplace, and the balcony overlooks the turquoise glacial waters of Moraine Lake and the majestic Canadian Rockies. I feel like I’ve been offered a vacation, not a job.
When Luka initially informed me that the Steffany people were giving me a contract, I’d assumed the shoot would take place somewhere in Chicago, or at least in the continental US. But when he said it was going to be inBanff, I couldn’t stop myself from jumping up and down with excitement. It’s not just a pretty ski town tucked away in Canada’s oldest national park—though itisthat—it’s hands down one of the most beautiful destinations on the planet.
“Is it safe to assume that’s a yes?” he had teased me, and I’d thrown myself in his arms.
“This is incredible! I’ve dreamed of visiting there, but I never thought I’d be crossing it off my bucket list so soon!” I’d blurted. “Do you think the hot springs will be open?”
“They’re open year-round,” he told me.
“Yes!” But then my mood had quieted, as I realized that I’d be leaving town just when we were finally starting to get our marriage back on track. “How long will I be gone for?”