Page 113 of Until I Find You

I holdCamilla’s hand as the elevator hefts upward. She taps her foot on the ground.

“Don’t be nervous.”

“That’s like telling the sky not to be blue.”

I chuckle and squeeze her hand. “They’re going to love you.”

“I don’t know how many dads like meeting a new girlfriend when she’s already three months pregnant,” Camilla grumbles.

The timing wasn’t great with all of this, that much is true.

If I hadn’t been so prideful, Camilla would have met Dad and Sonia and the twins before we knew she was pregnant. But this is our reality.

“Listen, my family is weird. Everyone has their ownweirdness. There’s no room to judge.”

“Yeah…”

“Plus, it’s not like I’ve met your parents yet. By the time I meet them, you’re going to be a flight risk.”

She ducks her head. “Don’t remind me.”

I’m trying not to let my uneasiness come through, but it’s difficult. I haven’t been to a family dinner in months thanks to my argument with Dad. I know I’m welcome. He’d never revoke my access. In fact, Abigail has told me that he’s disappointed I haven’t been by.

Part of my avoidance is not wanting to be cajoled into a private conversation. But the other part is that my mind is elsewhere. I don’t mean the business. I mean my own family. Camilla and our baby. A burgeoning family that needs attention and sanctuary.

But time is ticking. Camilla has just tipped into the second trimester and is so close to popping it’s going to be impossible to keep the secret.

Plus, our family won’t be in a vacuum forever. Soon, people will be hurt by our secrecy.

The elevator doors open.

Camilla and I exchange a final look.

“It’s going to be great” I’m saying that for both of us. “Trust me?”

Camilla pulls our locked hands into her side. I can feel the subtle swell of her stomach. It’s obvious now, to both of us at least. “Always, Daddy.”

Abigail greets us at the door. She hugs Camilla first, then me. “If you chicken out tonight, I’m going to tell everyone, I can’t hold the secret anymore.”

“Is that a threat?” I ask my baby sister.

“Always,” she says, then cries out, “Camilla is here!”

I shove the bag of bottles of champagne we brought into Abigail’s hand. “In the fridge. Don’t be obvious.”

Her eyes sparkle as she scurries off.

Before I can get my bearings, Sonia appears from the hallway, this time not swollen or pregnant, but instead carrying one of the twins. Liam, if the blue is any indication. Still glowing, though, even if her eyebags aren’t well hidden by her makeup.

Her smile is welcoming and bold.

I’m glad she’s greeting us before Dad.

“Camilla, it’s so nice to meet you,” she says as she approaches us. “I’d shake your hand but I kind of have my hands full.”

“That’s all right,” Camilla says.

Liam, much bigger than the peanut he was at the hospital, now bears markings of my father and Sonia. Dark eyes, beginnings of dark hair.

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