A pretty blonde says, “I’m Hannah. That’s Isa and Greer.”
Each respective woman waves when her name is said. I think the most interesting thing is that each woman is curvy like me. I know I shouldn’t expect men like the President or even Brooks to be with a typical Hollywood starlet, but I do. I mean, you rarely see men like that with women like me. So, yeah, this is a pleasant surprise.
I give a little wave. “Nice to meet you all.”
Clara grabs my hand and says, “Nanny W isournanny.”
The way she says it as she eyes the infant in Greer’s arms makes me bite back a laugh. My girl has a possessive streak, it seems. Just like her father.
The other man in the room, Alessandro, says, “Nanny, eh? Funny, I thought she was a friend of your son, Dimitri.”
My cheeks are warm, and I pray to god that I’m not blushing.
Hannah says, “Well, everyone, the food is ready.” She turns to me. “The little ones can go to the living room. I have some playpens for the babies, as well as things for Clara and Diego.”
“Oh. Of course.” I turn to the twins. “Come on, kiddos.”
Guess maybe not everyone got the memo that I’m here as Dimitri’s date…
Greer snorts. “She doesn’t mean it how it sounded. You’re eating with us, Lili.”
Hannah’s eyes widen. “Oh my gosh! It did sound like that, didn’t it?” She shakes her head. “I’m so sorry. I haven’t been sleeping well because the twins have started teething.”
Brooks wraps his arm around Hannah’s shoulder. “It kills my Angel that we can’t help their pain.”
The way he looks at her with so much love melts my heart. I want that one day. I glance over to find Dimitri watching me with a small smile on his lips.
Hannah says, “What kills me more is breastfeeding teething infants.” She shakes her head. “This way.”
I never had a chance to breastfeed Raquel because I never could get her to latch. It was one thing I was looking forward to when I first found out I was pregnant. The thought has me pausing as I glance at Dimitri. I need to tell him. Tonight.
For now, I follow Hannah into the living room. Each playpen has the corresponding infant’s name on it. There are toys set out in different areas. It reminds me of a party a Kardashian would throw or something.
Greer, who is next to me, says, “Hannah can’t help but go all out. She’s an event planner.”
Well, that makes sense.
I put Isadora in the playpen, covering her with a soft pink blanket. Luckily Isadora settles in, closing her eyes. This kid loves her naptime. Clara and Diego find the toys that have been left for them and start playing. The other women put their infants down and we make our way to the dining room.
Dimitri pulls out my chair for me and then takes a seat next to Alessandro, with his wife at his side. Hannah sits across from me and next to her husband. President Carter and his wife are next to them.
The table is full of delicious looking food.
I say to Hannah, “I’m impressed that you were able to cook all this with twins who are teething.”
She snorts. “Girl, this is all ordered in. I barely took a shower today.”
Everyone laughs and settles into a comfortable conversation. At one point, Dimitri puts his hand on my leg and keeps it there, like it’s the most natural thing in the world.
When lunch is over, Brooks says, “Ladies, if you’ll excuse us, we have some business to discuss.”
The men disappear to another room, and we go to the living room with the kids.
I ask, “Is that some kind of Brotherhood thing?”
Greer’s eyes widen. “You know about the Brotherhood?”
My cheeks flush. “Am I not supposed to mention it?”