My Aunt Minerva, who’d moved into the castle after she found out Olivia was pregnant, had even volunteered to also watch O2 during the day. Then O2 and I could move back to NYC and live in Phantom’s Upper West Side penthouse until we found a new place of our own. Three months, six months tops, we’d figured-just enough time to help Olivia get the clinic in Louisville fully staffed and running. She’d bring O2 and me back with her to Kentucky so that I could help her continue setting up the clinic while she was technically on maternity leave.
When I told Olivia about my landlord finding out that I wasn’t the great aunt on the rent-controlled lease and only giving me seven days to find a new place, she’d come up with a novel solution. Two Januarys ago, Olivia and Phantom had returned to New York to introduce their baby daughter, Fei, to the grandmother they named her after and check in on the clinic. None of us expected to be apart for this long. This time I pulled Eric in for the hug while Olivia patted his back. And Bernice, you’re still you, but O2 is so big-I just missed you so, so much!” I’m so happy to see you all again, but Olivia, you’re so pregnant. “After the year I’ve had-that we’re still having, I just don’t know how else to respond to all this beauty. He pulled away from Olivia and mopped at his tears with the back of his hands. “Why are you crying, Uncle Eric?” O2 asked as if sensing the same thing we did. This was about more than really liking the aesthetic we’d chosen for his wedding.
Olivia and I exchanged a sympathetic look over his shoulder. I figured Eric would be happy when Olivia, O2, and I showed him the flower-covered lattice archway and the rows of white chairs we’d set up for his wedding on Glendaver Castle’s back lawn.īut I didn’t think he’d burst into tears, turning the light yellow sleeve of Olivia’s dress dark with his guttural sobs.
Meanwhile, I rubbed his back, trusting the vaccines we got toward the beginning of the year to keep us safe. But Olivia immediately pulled Eric into her arms-as best she could with her six-month pregnant belly.
Lord knew we’d learned our lesson about giving anyone unnecessary hugs over the last few years.
0 kommentar(er)
