Page 17 of A New Era

Many, many photos are taken with the kids and laughter fills the bottom of the house and reaches right up to the attic. Memories are being made and I’ll have the photos to look back on and enjoy as I am enjoying this moment.

“Sebastian has asked for a brother four times this afternoon. I don’t think Zach would be too opposed to the idea.”

I smile. It sounds like Leo and Zach are on the same wavelength.

“What about you? Do you want another baby?” I ask her.

“They say you forget the pain of childbirth, hence why women go on to have more children. But I remember the pain of pushing Sebastian out and let me tell you, I’m not ready to go through that again.”

“Sebastian is worth it though, no?”

“Of course he is but I know what to expect a second time around. I don’t know, maybe, when it’s the right time, I’ll feel it. What about you and Leo? It must be something you’ve spoken about?”

I pull out the punnet of strawberries from the fridge and choose whether to share mine and Leo’s plans. On one hand, it’s something we share that’s just ours but on the other, I want to talk about these life-changing hopes with my friends. Leo wouldn’t mind if I spoke with her.

So I say, “It’s something we’ve spoken about recently. He wants to start trying as soon as we’re married.”

“And you want the same?”

Smiling, I nod. “I do. I can’t wait to be pregnant with Leo’s baby.”

I slice the strawberries while Nina grabs the cream from the fridge. Harper walks into the kitchen holding a large box.

“This was just delivered, what is it?” she asks.

Putting the knife down, I cross the kitchen as she places the box on the island, and I pull the ribbon free. I know exactly what it is, and I can’t believe I forgot it was being delivered today.

“It’s your dress!” Harper exclaims as I lift it out and hold it against myself.

I’ll never forget the moment I first tried it on in the shop and perfection enveloped me. I knew it was the one for me as the store assistant buttoned up the back for me. The lace-capped shoulders and ivory silk that clings to my body and pools around my feet is the prettiest dress I’ve ever worn.

“Put it on, we need to see you in it,” she shrieks as Victoria walks in with River in her arms.

“Your dress is beautiful, and you heard her, go put it on,” Nina pipes in.

An eagerness to wear it again takes over and I don’t need to be asked again. Up in my room, I undress and smile as the silk brushes along my skin and the lace tickles my shoulders. Pinching it at the sides to lift it from the floor, I carefully head down the stairs.

“Wow, you’re beautiful, Holly,” Victoria coos but it’s Harper who steps in front of me and says, “You’re glowing, Hols. It’s only a dress but it signals your future and from the smile on your face, your future is nothing but happiness.”

Holding onto her hands, the happiness is short-lived when the front door opens and Leo hollers wanting to know where we are.

“In the kitchen, but don’t come in,” Harper yells as she and Victoria move to block me from his view.

But it’s too late. Leo steps into the kitchen and through the gap between his sister and his sister-in-law, his eyes find me, and I watch as his throat bobs as he takes in the sight of me.

“Leo, it’s bad luck to see her in her dress before the big day!” Harper shrieks as Victoria giggles.

Leo doesn’t laugh, or smile… fire burns in his stare.

“Both of you leave and take our Rayna with you.” Keeping his eyes on me, he adds, just for me, “You. Don’t move.”

I don’t think I could even if I tried. The women I think of as sisters don’t need telling twice and they disappear from the kitchen, collecting the kids as they go. Their laughter lingers behind them as they leave the house.

Leo doesn’t move nor do I. His silence stretches and I frown.

“Don’t you like it?” I ask, my gloved hands running down the silk over my stomach.

“Every time I think you can’t get any more beautiful, you prove me wrong.” He takes a single step and then asks, “Why are you wearing it?”

---