Grant sighed. “I didn’t give Douglas a chancewhen I first met him, but he’s good for Mom. She deservesthat.”
Chantelle squinted her eyes at him. “Are yougetting sentimental on me?”
He winked at her. “Don’t tell my wife.”
“When will I be an auntie?” She walked overand nudged his shoulder.
“Sooner than you think.” Grant wiggled hiseyebrows.
“Elise is pregnant?” Chantelle smiled despiteher ribs squeezing tight. She rubbed at her neck, attempting topush away her painful thoughts. She would be happy for her brotherand sister-in-law, and she would love their child as her own. She’dget another chance to be a mother. She still had hope for thefuture.
Grant continued. “We haven’t told Mom yet. Wethought if we announced it tonight, she’ll be so excited thatshe’ll agree with this cruise with Douglas.”
“Sneaky.” Chantelle pointed at him.
Her brother sighed. “I hope I’m ready forthis.”
She patted his arm. “You'll be great. I’llbabysit.”
“You can’t do that from Chicago.” He pointedout.
“I’ll visit as often as I can.”
He nudged her back. “You better.”
Chantelle’s chin dropped. Babysit? At leastshe had time to get used to the idea. How did ten years still feellike it happened yesterday? She rolled her shoulders back.
“You okay?” Her brother asked.
She bobbed her head.
A tsk sound escaped his mouth. Grantshook his head slightly. “I should have known.”
“What?” She faced him.
“That this... may be hard on you.”
She reassured him, placing a hand on his arm.“I’m okay, Grant. It did bring up... some tough memories, but I’mfine.”
“I guess I never told you.”
“Told me what?”
He paused slicing the garlic bread. “I wasmad about everything that happened. I hated that you lost the baby,but I blamed you and Lance for running off and gettingmarried.”
Chantelle leaned against the counter. Herchest heaved. “I blamed myself for letting things go too far.”
“He should have stayed.” Grant’s expressionlooked pinched.
“He thought it was best.” She twiddled herthumbs.
“I was there, Chantelle. After you left, hewasn’t the same. I’ve never seen a guy that broken up over agirl.”
Chantelle wouldn’t let herself dare hope thatLance still cared. She had to protect herself. She wouldn’t let herheart get broken again. “That was then.”
Grant gave her a side hug. “I know. I’m gladyou’re both doing better.”
She leaned into his embrace. “Me too.”
“I have the dessert.” Elise announced. Afrosted cake on a silver platter rested in her hands. She placed iton the kitchen table and lit the candles. Her sister-in-lawclapped. “We should have one of these for our anniversary. Maybe weshould go on a cruise. Or better yet, fly out to Hawaii.”
“You’re getting ideas, aren’t you?” Grantasked.
“You’re romantic and creative—when you wantto be. I’m only making suggestions.” Elise looked up at him. Hereyes glowed.
“I’m working on it.” He sliced the last pieceof garlic bread. Elise kissed his cheek.
“The DVDs were great,” her sister-in-lawsaid.
“DVDs?” Chantelle asked.
“She’s obsessed with the Marvel movies,especially Black Panther,” Grant said.
“I see.” Chantelle giggled.
Elise held a hand to her mouth. Then her handshifted to her stomach.
Grant touched her shoulder. “Are youokay?”
“I think it’s the garlic,” she replied. “I’llbe fine. Morning sickness lasts all day, I think.” Then her eyesbugged as she made eye contact with Chantelle.
Grant smiled. “She knows, Babe.”
Chantelle walked over and hugged hersister-in-law.
“I wanted to tell you sooner, but we decidedto wait,” Elise said.
Chantelle bounced on her toes. “I can’t waitto be an auntie!” She truly did.
Elise held a finger to her lips. “Not soloud. We haven’t told your mother yet.”
“Here she comes,” Douglas said. He thenpivoted to face Chantelle’s mother, whose eyes widened at the sightof dinner and candlelight in her kitchen.
“What’s all this?” Her mother asked, placinga hand to her chest.
Douglas gave her a kiss and then pulled out achair for her at the table. “I have a surprise for you and the kidshelped.”
Her mother squinted her eyes. “What are youall up to?”
Douglas handed her a brochure.“Surprise!”
Chantelle’s mother read over the glossy paperin her hand. “A cruise?”
“I thought we could have a getaway,” Douglassaid.
“Dinner’s ready.” Chantelle brought over thelasagna dish. Grant and Elise followed with the garlic bread andcake.
“And that’s not all,” Elise said.
Grant stood behind her and laced his fingerswith hers across his wife’s stomach. “We’re pregnant.”
“What?” Her mother exclaimed. Her chairscraped against the floor as she bolted to her feet. She embracedElise, and then Grant, with her eyes shimmering with tears.
Chantelle stood off to the side as shewatched the heartfelt exchange.
“Thank you for cooking,” Douglas said toher.
“You’re welcome, and congrats to youtoo.”
“Me?” He raised an eyebrow.
“You’re going to be a grandfather.” Chantelletook his hand and kissed his cheek.
Douglas bobbed his head, his eyes filled withaffection. “Thank you, Chantelle.”
“You’re welcome.” She smiled as her phonebuzzed in her back pocket. “Excuse me. I’ll be right back.” Shestepped into the living room, still hearing the cheerful commotionin her mother’s kitchen. Lance’s name flashed on her screen.Swallowing, Chantelle answered.
Lance asked. “You aren’t too busy areyou?”
“Is something wrong?” She sat on the couchand crossed her legs.
“I need you to meet me at our spot.”
“What’s wrong, Lance?” Their spot?
“Think of it as an exclusive for yourarticle,” he said.
“Okay. I’ll see you soon.”
He hung up, and she scurried to her room tocheck her appearance. What did that matter? She rolled her eyes andgrabbed her rental car keys.
“Chantelle?” Her mother stopped her at thedoor.
“Work, Mom. I’ll be back.”
“Is everything okay?” Her mother asked.
“I’ll find out tonight.” She kissed hermother’s cheek and dashed out the door.
***
Lance paced the country road. Satellitesblinked overhead and airplanes flew over, along with an occasionalstar shooting. Clouds formed but didn’t threaten to pour rain. Asthe breeze picked up, grass and leaves rustled in his ears,including the whir of crickets and grasshoppers. He stuffed handsin his pockets as he waited for Chantelle.
Waiting for Chantelle. The thought made hisfingers ache to touch her. Had he been waiting for her his entirelife? She’d been a dream. Everything he wanted and loved.
Then he heard the ground crunch underneaththe tires. He turned to find her pulling up her car next to him. Hesmiled, only to have his heart palpitate inside his chest. Sheexited the car, only to make eye contact with him as she closed thedoor. She wrapped her arms around
