Page 81 of Mismatched

“Is your business still on hold, Celia?” Marion asks. “Any firm dates on returning to the office?”

Adam and Celia share a frosty glance.

“We’ve been discussing an au pair,” he says.

“One of us has,” Celia volleys back. “I’m not in a rush.”

Marion makes a face that reminds me of a cat’s butt. “It will be good for you to get back to work, sweetie. Honestly, I can’t imagine what I would have done if I’d been stuck at home with you girls. Of course I loved you, but going to work every day saved me.” Her lip curls. “One can only take so much hide-and-seek and Sesame Street.”

Next to me, Lydia has stopped eating. She stares at their mother with wide eyes.

“I don’t see it that way.” Celia shakes her head. “Maybe I’ll feel differently when he’s older, but since I have the privilege and we have plenty of money, I can’t imagine not spending every day with Gabe while he’s little.”

“Until you’ve been out so long you’re obsolete to the workforce,” Adam says.

“Because obviously child-rearing women hold zero value,” Celia hisses.

Marion turns to Lydia, studying her with narrowed eyes before breaking into a simpering smile. “What’s your opinion, Lydia? Will you be staying home with Gabey’s little cousin?”

Lydia had been pushing mashed potatoes around on her plate, but she freezes, fork in hand. I glare at her mother.

“Wait. What?” Celia says, looking at her sister.

Marion’s eyes light up with satisfaction. “I don’t know why you’re being coy. Did you think your own mother wouldn’t notice? You can’t stand food smells, you’re not drinking. And sweetheart, that sweatshirt of your husband’s isn’t hiding anything. You’re looking pretty round.”

Celia brings her hand to her mouth, staring at her sister. “You’re pregnant?”

Adam’s phone starts ringing at that moment and he wastes no time stepping out of the room.

“I...” Lydia looks at me like she’s about to cry. I try squeezing her hand, but she pulls out of my grip and hugs herself like she’s trying to disappear.

“Yes.” I gather myself up, putting a protective arm around my wife, refusing to let her mother ruin our moment. “We were about to make the announcement ourselves. Lydia and I are expecting in the spring.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

I am going to throw up. Anton’s arm rests like a weight on my shoulder. He produces the sonogram, which gets passed around the table, and I hear the rumble of his voice, but can’t make out what he’s saying above the roar in my ears. All I see is my mother sitting across from me, leaning back in her chair with a satisfied smirk.

“ . . . know what you’re having?”

“How far along . . . ?”

“ . . . are you feeling?”

It’s like a choppy ocean of words, tossing me around. But I can’t break the surface.

Until I realize everyone’s waiting for me to speak. Celia’s eyes are a blend of sympathy and excitement. I look up at Anton, searching for his comfort, his concern. But when he looks down into my face, he’s beaming. The way I’ve always imagined a proud father might. It’s similar to the look that used to shine in his mother’s eyes. Something in my chest squeezes—this, this is what I’ve wanted for him.

But then I meet my own mother’s gaze across the table. See the way her mouth curls up on one side, her eyes gleaming—not with warmth or maternal anticipation, but mirth. And I realize she knows. She sees me.

“We—we’re excited,” I manage to say. But the words come out sounding only half true.

“Oh Lydia, you’ll be a great mommy,” our mom says, giving my sister a sideways glance. “I mean, how could you not? You’re so much like me.”

I need air. I need to leave. But the room tilts when I try to get my feet under me, and I grip the table, afraid I might fall out of my chair.

My mother claps her hands at the baby in the high chair. “Both my girls are going to be mommies! Baby Gabey’s going to have a baby cousin!” she shrieks.

At this, Gabe’s little brow furrows with uncertainty. He looks at Celia, who tries to distract him with a small piece of bread. He throws it on the floor, looks back at his grandmother, and starts to wail. Honestly, I wish I could too.

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