Page 101 of Leave Before I Love You
“You planned a party for us?” Henry asks, his voice laced with surprise.
“Beau and June might’ve given us a heads-up before the tabloids did,” my mom says with a soft smile on her lips. “And there was no way we weren’t going to celebrate.”
“Oh my God!” I exclaim, practically bouncing on my toes. “You guys love me so much!”
Henry laughs, pulling me into his arms. “Ready to celebrate with me, Mrs. Callahan?”
I smile up at him, my heart so full it could burst. “Let’s do it, Mr. Callahan.”
As the terrace doors open and everyone yells “Congratulations!” I can’t help but think about how lucky I am. Not because of the party, not because of the lights or the flowers, but because of the man standing beside me.
My Henry. My husband. My forever.
Part One
14 weeks later…
Henry
Avery’s face lights up as soon as I uncover her eyes, the bright luxury of Hermès Paris bathing us in gentle light.
The streets are fairly quiet this evening, and the glass storefront beckons almost as if it’s here only for us.
Avery turns and hits me in the stomach, her excitement at my surprise obvious. “Oh my God, Hen! Hermès!” She rolls up on her toes and pushes her lips to my mouth before pulling back, beaming. “Okay, okay, forget everything I said in the hotel earlier. You’re allowed to plan surprises. Definitely. A lot of them. As many as you want.”
I chuckle. “Yeah, yeah. I had a feeling you’d change your tune.”
“What are we doing here? Do you have an appointment? Wait…do you even know that you need an appointment to come to Hermès? Oh God, Henry.”
I laugh again, this time a little harder. “Yes. I know you need an appointment. I made one and have even chatted with the sales team about what I was wanting to do, and they’re all on board. Dr. Moretti’s office sent over the results, and they’re all ready. Just waiting for us.”
“Dr. Moretti? Sent the results? What are you talking about?” She puts a hand to my forehead. “Are you feeling okay? You know this is a store, right?”
My smile is so big my face feels tight. My God, surprising her with this makes me feel like a superhero.
“Yes. I’m very aware that this is a store—and even more aware of the usual price tag. But this is a special occasion, and I wanted the venue to be appropriately Avery-themed.”
“Hermès is a good choice,” she admits, humming, and I laugh.
“Good.”
“So, what’s happening?” she begs again, shaking me. “What’s happening?”
“Let’s go inside and find out,” I suggest, putting a hand to the small of her back and pushing her gently toward the door. She goes willingly, if inquisitively, and when we step inside to a ready and waiting staff, her eyes light up all over again.
“Henry Callahan, you are so close to getting so damn lucky tonight.”
The salesman in front of us looks down to avert his eyes, a small grin lifting his lips, and I outright laugh. “Good. I have a feeling it’s going to get even closer very soon.”
“Mrs. Callahan?” the salesman says, clearing his throat when I turn to face him. “Would you like to know the gender of your baby?”
“Oh my God,” Avery whispers harshly, her hands flying to her mouth and her gaze locking with mine.
“You didn’t.”
“I did. In the box in front of him is a mini Kelly. Depending on the gender of our baby, enclosed in the results sent over by Dr. Moretti, is a blue or pink bag, waiting to be loved by you.”
“I love you,” she says, her eyes locked on mine despite how desperate I know she is to see the damn bag.
