Page 75 of 7+Us Makes Nine

“Hannah. That’s… that’s great. I’m really happy for you.”

“Are you really pregnant?”

“I really am,” I said.

“Do you, um…”

“Put me on speakerphone,” I said.

I heard the telltale click before I jumped in with all the answers I knew they wanted.

“I’m just shy of six months along. Jace and I are having three girls and a boy. We already have the nurseries set up, and now it’s only a matter of getting diapers and wipes and clothes and things like that.”

“Oh, don’t you worry about that. I want to get some things for my grandbabies,” my mother said.

“And I’ll have some diapers sent your way. Jace, I’ll need your address,” my father said.

“I’ll get it over to you,” Jace said.

“Catherine?” Hannah asked.

“Yeah?”

“I know it’s probably premature to ask, but if I can stay on this train of sobriety and all… could I see the kids when they’re born?”

I covered my mouth and closed my eyes as a small whimper escaped my lips.

“I’d really like that,” I said breathlessly. “I really would, Hannah.”

“I love you so much. I’m so sorry. Please forgive me.”

“It’s okay. Hannah, it’s okay.”

“I didn’t know what Anya was going to do. I didn’t understand the gravity of what she was pursuing. I blocked her number the second I figured it out. Please forgive me. I’m sorry, Catherine. I’m sorry Jace.”

“It’s okay,” Jace said. “Anya’s persuasive and selfish. A lot of people get trapped in her web.”

“Jace?” my father asked.

“Yes sir?”

“Whatever support you need from us on our end, you have it.”

“I appreciate that, sir. Thank you.”

“Can I come see you soon?” Hannah asked.

“Can we all come see you soon?” my mother asked.

“You guys are welcome here anytime you want to be here,” I said.

Jace kissed the nape of my neck and it brought a smile to my face. For the first time in my life, I was truly ready to move on. Hannah sounded happier than I’d heard her in years, and my parents sounded as if they’d put their malicious intents somewhere else other than between all of us. And me? I was ready to forgive them. All of them. Because they were my family, and I missed them dearly. I wanted my mother there for the birth of my children. I wanted my father to be surrounded by his grandchildren. I wanted my sister to have a relationship with her nephew and nieces. I wanted my family to be whole again.

I was ready for that.

We were all ready for that.

“I’m sorry,” I said.

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