Page 63 of Our Unexpected Beginning
“Come to think of it, I probably have one in the front closet.”
“You have everyth–”
The sound of a car door pulled their attention and Aunt Elaine swore. “She is a stubborn one.”
Julia’s belly cramped and she closed her eyes, breathing through the wave of anxiety. “Maybe this will go okay. It’ll be fine.” They hadn’t always been at constant odds. Even though they’d be few and far between.
“Laine, where are you? You know Steven warned you this–Oh. Hello.”
Aunt Elaine struggled to stand, and Graham hurried to help as the two women stood in uncomfortable silence.
“Cass, why’d you come over? I told you I was fine. Charlie around the corner is coming to check on me. He’s bringing his wife’s chili.”
“Because you’re my sister and I was worried about you.” Cassandra looked at Julia and Graham, her eyes narrowed. “I didn’t know you had company.”
“It wasn’t planned, Mom. Sorry or I would have called and maybe tried that dinner again.” Julia smiled awkwardly, scrunching her toes in her shoes anxiously.
“It would be nice to talk to my daughter once in a while. I haven’t seen you in months.”
“I know. I’m sorry, that’s my fault.” Graham offered politely, putting himself into the line of fire. “We’ve been meaning to, Ms. Sinclair.”
Graham walked over to the couch and Julia grabbed his hand. He helped her off the couch and stood next to her, his hand on the small of her back.
“Mom, I’m,” Julia cleared her throat nervously. “Graham and I are having a baby.” It was the first time she’d said it that way.
“I didn’t know.” Cassandra looked at her sister. “Did you? Sorry. Of course you did.”
“That’s not fair. This is the first time I’m here, but you’re right. I did tell her first.” Julia shifted from foot to foot. “I’m sorry, everything with us is a sore subject.”
“I don’t know why you’re like that.”
Julia stared at her evenly. “What do you want me to say to that?
“You twist everything I say.”
Graham put his arm over Julia’s shoulders. “We haven’t told my family and few friends.” Oh he was good to try to defuse with a white lie.
“I never understood you. It’s been so hard since your brother’s accident.” Her choice of words stung.
“Accident.” Julia repeated, arching her brow at her mother. “Let’s not.”
“I agree. Come on Cass, you can’t tell me you don’t remember what it was like with yours?” Aunt Elaine used her cane and walked over to Cassandra.
“I remember one night you showed up at the door because someone,” Aunt Elaine gestured good-naturedly to Julia, “didn’t want to come out on her due date.”
“Really?”
“I always told her that you were too stubborn to be an August Virgo.”
For the first time, Cassandra softened and laughed with her sister over their shared memory. “She danced on my bladder and spine for more than seven months. Your brother gave me heartburn for an entire year.”
“The bladder part is definitely on schedule with this one.” She touched the top of her stomach. “My friend calls it belly burn, I get a lot of kicks high up.”
“I didn’t realize you were that far along.”
“Yeah, the weeks have been flying by.”
“You can’t tell much with your body shape. I wouldn’t waste money on maternity photos.”
