Page 20 of Unexpectedly In Love

Zac stops to talk with the kids and he heads into the house. Hmm maybe Finn was right. Poor Poppy may feel a little insecure about the new baby.

“Hey, you,” Sage pokes my shoulder. Her hair is loose falling over shoulders. She’s glowing in her white maternity halter back romper. Four months pregnant and my sister looks like she only had a really big lunch. At four months I was swollen like Sally the Whale.

“Sup. How are you feeling?” I know at the beginning of her pregnancy she was always hurling, the only thing she was keeping down was a soda bread that Zac made.

“I feel tired but blessed. God you guys did an amazing job. Thank you.” Sage reaches across my shoulder and gives me a squeeze.

“No problem. I am happy that you like it.” I beam. There is something rewarding when a big sister is impressed or proud of you.

“Why is that car driving around?” Sage inquires as she tiptoes to see the car turn again.

“No idea,” my heart skips as I see the car slow down and all the windows are tinted.

The car stops in front of one of Zac and Sage’s neighbors as they were leaving the gender reveal and the window slides down.

My heart thumps in my chest. A blonde with a dazzling smile leans out. The old man points her to his yard. Offering her a space to park.

I released a puff of air out of my mouth, paranoia was getting the better of me.

“Are you okay? You seem a little jumpy?” Sage says as she lightly touches my curls.

“I'm a little tired but I’m good.” I smile at my sister. “I love seeing you this happy.” For some reason, tears begin to form in the corner of my eyes.

“Aww, Ani, are you being emotional? Aww, honey.” She pulls me in for a hug and I laugh as I push her away.

“Okay, okay, stop. God, you and the hugging.” I fixed my dress. Today I wore a sunny yellow linen maxi dress, with electric blue sandals and gold hoops in my ear.

“Mom left already?” Sage asks as her gaze sweeps around the small crowd.

“Yeah, she told Rosemary that she forgot her medication at home. She said she needed to lay down,” I reply.

Sage bites her lip. “You think the excitement got to her? She is getting older.”

I laugh aloud. “Excitement?”

“Have you seen the kids or Zac?” Sage’s gaze searches around her back yard.

“I think Zac went upstairs to find Poppy and most likely Nicky followed,” I reply.

“Okay. Let me go see what’s up. Be right back.” Sage waves as she walks away, going through the back sliding glass door.

A lot has changed, Sage and Zac are married. They extended Zac’s home. Sagey’s home is being rented by a cute older couple.

I watch Rosemary and Cassia, Rosemary is rocking Kai as he falls to sleep.

Sitting down on the white wooden chair I take a moment to enjoy the view, my sisters are cooing over my son. The neighbors are laughing together. The décor is fabulous. A waiter comes to me with a glass of a drink called the Purple Horizon. I don’t know what Zac and his staff put in this drink but it’s heaven. The little cup of Tequila is enough to keep you slightly buzzed and happy.

Finn and Chance run around trying to tag one another, and Chance crashes into a beautiful tall blonde curly hair lady. It’s the same girl from the car. She steadies Chance asking him if he was okay. Chance nods, apologizes and continues playing.

Ms. Gable instantly gets up and greets her. She is so happy to greet anyone new.

I can hear pieces of the conversation. “Hi, I am Paige. My fiancé is parking the car.”

Paige the name suits her. Even though the dress is casual, it still reeks of money. She did get the dress code memo. She is wearing a yellow thin strapped v neck maxi dress, a belt cinches her waist in. The gold bangles on her hand glitter in the evening sunlight. She reminds me of Blake Lively yet more beautiful.

As I’m about to stand, to walk over to greet her, my pulse quickens and the air around me sucks in. Kai instantly begins to cry and fuss. Taking a last sip of my drink I placed it on the table. Then it happens, the sun creates a small spotlight on the man walking to my sister’s yard with flowers in his hand.

Very slowly I step back further away from everyone. It can’t be him. No, no, no this isn’t happening. Eryx? Unlike a year ago his hair is not resting on his shoulder. No, it’s long to the front and short to the back. It’s jet black graded and beautiful. Nah, Eryx would never cut his hair like that. His body seems bigger, stronger.

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