Page 136 of Cole

The walk to the main house felt like a march to judgment. The sky above was a perfect winter blue, the air crisp and clean—a beautiful day for a family reunion that Annie couldn’t bring herself to fully embrace.

Elizabeth met her at the door, her warm smile faltering slightly as she observed Annie’s expression.

“You look lovely,” she said, taking Annie’s coat. “But you also look like you haven’t slept.”

“Is it that obvious?” Annie asked.

Elizabeth squeezed her hand. “Only to someone who knows you well. Come have some tea before everyone arrives.”

In the kitchen, away from the formal rooms where they would later gather, Elizabeth prepared two mugs of tea. The familiar ritual soothed Annie’s nerves slightly.

“You know,” Elizabeth said, sliding a mug toward Annie, “it’s okay if you’re not feeling what everyone expects you to feel.”

Annie looked up, startled. “What do you mean?”

“I mean that everyone—your father, Julian, even Cole—they all have expectations about how this reunion should go. But none of them are you.” Elizabeth wrapped her hands around her own mug. “Your feelings are valid, Annie, whatever they may be.”

Annie felt tears prick at her eyes. “I want to be happy about this. I should be happy.”

“There’s no ‘should’ when it comes to emotions,” Elizabeth said gently. “Especially with something this complex.”

“I feel like I’ll let everyone down if I’m not ecstatic about this.”

“You won’t.” Elizabeth reached across the island to touch Annie’s hand. “Whatever happens today, just be honest—with yourself, if no one else.”

Annie nodded, grateful for Elizabeth’s understanding. They sat in companionable silence, sipping their tea until her dad’s voice called from the hallway.

“They’re about ten minutes out,” he announced, stepping into the kitchen. Though his voice remained steady, Annie could see the tension in the set of his shoulders. “Is everyone ready?”

Elizabeth offered him a reassuring smile. “We’re just finishing our tea.”

Her father’s gaze settled on Annie, his expression softening. “Are you alright, Annalisa?”

“I’m fine,” she said automatically, though the slight tremor in her voice betrayed her.

“Where’s Julian?” Elizabeth asked.

“Already out on the helipad,” her dad replied. “Probably pacing like a caged tiger.”

Despite her anxiety, Annie felt a small smile tug at her lips. At least she wasn’t the only one feeling the pressure of the moment.

“And Benji?”

“In his room. He thought it might be overwhelming for our guests to have everyone there at once.” Her dad checked his watch. “We should head out now.”

Annie rose, her legs feeling strangely weak beneath her. As they walked through the house toward the back doors, she felt as though she was moving through a dream—everything slightly off-kilter and unreal.

The cold air hit her face as they stepped outside, grounding her momentarily in reality. In the distance, she could make out the approaching helicopter, a dark speck against the winter sky, growing larger with each passing second.

Waiting nearby was an SUV with a driver who would take them to where the helicopter would land. It wasn’t far from the house, but Annie appreciated not having to walk there in the cold.

Julian stood at the edge of the helipad, hands thrust deep in his pockets, his breath forming clouds in the cold air. He turned as they approached, his face a mask of forced casualness.

“About time,” he called over the growing noise of the helicopter. “Thought you might chicken out, sis.”

Annie didn’t rise to the bait, recognizing his teasing for what it was—his own way of dealing with nerves.

The helicopter descended, wind whipping around them, forcing Annie to gather her hair into her hand. Her heart hammered against her ribs as the aircraft touched down, its rotors slowing gradually.

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