Page 99 of Rebel Heart
And as my whole day was made by watching the two of them, a voice I hadn’t heard in weeks filled the air around me. “I always had a picture in my mind of us.”
I turned to my left to see my sister with tears in her eyes. “A picture of us?”
She smiled and jerked her chin down slightly. “I never thought anything would happen to change that picture. The one that had me standing by your side as you devoted your life and love to someone.”
“Ivy, I never meant to hurt you or anyone else,” I rasped, my throat tight.
“I know. When Marco and I got together, we kept the news of our relationship a secret from everyone for a long while. You didn’t owe me any differently in return.”
“Yeah, but we knew Marco, and you didn’t run off and get married without your family there,” I reasoned. “You’re allowed to be upset.”
She nodded. “Maybe. But I don’t think it was grounds for cutting off my only sister. I just… I wish I could’ve been there for you.”
I reached for her hand and gave it a squeeze. “You can be here for me now.”
Her eyes dropped to the ground as she swiped at the tears rolling down her cheeks. “I’d really like that.”
Without giving it a second thought, I wrapped my arms around her and gave her a hug.
Ivy held on tight. “I’m really sorry, Jules.”
My hand moved up and down her back. “It’s okay. I’m sorry, too.”
We loosened our hold on one another, and she looked down at my bump. “You look adorable. How are you feeling?”
“Better than I was at the beginning. That exhaustion is no joke. But I’m doing better now and feeling those flutters for the first time was magical.”
She smiled. “Yeah, I remember that. Is everything okay with the baby?”
“Yes. He or she is perfect.”
“Any plans to find out the sex?”
I shook my head. “We haven’t decided yet.”
“Marco and I haven’t told anyone else yet, but we changed our minds and decided to find out. We’re having a girl.”
My eyes rounded. “Really? Oh my God. Congratulations.”
“Thanks. We’re so excited.”
Warmth spread through me. “Now, I can go shopping for her.”
Ivy rolled her eyes. “How did I know you were going to say that?”
As the day progressed, that conversation I had with Ivy left me feeling like the biggest weight had been lifted off my shoulders.
I didn’t think anything could top that. Butnow we were sitting beneath the covered patio, everyone had just sung to Rosie, and we’d all enjoyed cake.
With Jack sleeping in her arms, worn out from a busy afternoon of playing, Rhea stood and walked toward Beau and me. Wyatt had his attention focused squarely on us, but I couldn’t read the thoughts behind his stare. Rhea stopped in front of us, looked at Beau, and asked, “How much experience do you have with babies?”
He seemed stunned that she was talking to him. “None, unfortunately.”
She smiled at him and didn’t hesitate to situate my sleeping nephew in Beau’s arms. “You’ve got a few months to get in some practice, so you better start now.”
“Oh, wow. He’s so small.”
“Not as little as he used to be, so prepare yourself for that, too. Maybe you can hold Lily later and get an idea of what that’ll be like.”
