Clearly, time is running out. But you were kind to invite us to Stella’s birthday party in a couple of weeks. We’ll be there. I, for one, wouldn’t miss it for the world.
Chapter Thirty-six
Molly
August 2022
On Stella’s birthday, she jumps into bed with Molly and Hunter at the crack of dawn.
“Mom.” She jostles Molly’s shoulder. “I’m six.”
Molly blinks her eyes open to the sight of Stella’s precious face, her blond curls tousled, her eyes still swollen from sleep. Her beautiful baby girl is six. How? She opens her arms to her daughter, who nestles in close.
“Happy birthday, Stell.” Molly kisses her temple. “I love you.”
They lie like that for a while, Hunter still passed out beside them, and Molly is delirious with joy. She can feel Stella’s little heart beating through her chest, she feels the new life inside of her, and it’s the most complete Molly has ever felt in her life.
An hour later, downstairs, Hunter brews coffee and makes chocolate-chip pancakes on the griddle. He places his hand over Molly’s stomach, his eyes brightening.
“How are you two feeling this morning?” he whispers, handing her a cup of decaf. Dr. Ricci says a little caffeine won’t hurt, but it’s still early, and she doesn’t want to chance it. Not after everything she’s been through.
“We’re great.” Molly leans in to kiss her husband, letting her lips linger on his for several moments. She inhales his smell—coffee grounds and warm skin and aftershave. She knows she needs to tell Hunter about Jake, but he’s just been so happy since finding out about the pregnancy. It’s still early—only five and a half weeks—but Molly’s HCG levels have been rising steadily, and yesterday, Dr. Ricci was able to find the fetal pole during an ultrasound. Finally, they are pregnant. Stella is going to have a sibling. The last thing Molly wants to do is to ruin it all with the news of her fuckup.
When they break apart, Stella is watching. She sits on one of the island stools, twirling a piece of pancake into a puddle of maple syrup.
“Mommy and Daddy,” she announces, a knowing smile playing over her mouth. “We are a very happy family.”
It’s a perfect day, sunny but less sweltering than earlier in the month. Becky is hosting Stella’s party in her spacious backyard, up by the pool.
While they’re setting up, Becky comes over to Molly and squeezes her shoulder. “Hunt told me the news,” she says, a smile bursting from the corners of her lips. Her eyes glitter with excitement, but there is something else in them, too. Relief. “I hope you don’t mind. Oh, Moll. I’m so happy for you guys. For all of us.” Tears prick Molly’s eyes as her mother-in-law pulls her in for a hug.
The guests begin to arrive at noon. Molly’s mom is one of the first, accompanied by Andrew and his girlfriend, Sydney. Molly told her mother the news the day she found out, and her elated expression mirrors Becky’s.
There is Hunter’s brother, Clark, with his wife, Tara, and their two boys, who live an hour up the coast in Old Lyme. There’s a flock of Stella’s classmates and friends from sailing, along with their parents, several with whom Molly has become friendly over the years. Unfortunately, Meredith is among them, and she bypasses Molly without a greeting. Meredith may have felt insulted after Hunter’s sharp rebuke on the Fourth of July, but she wouldn’t dare miss a social gathering in Flynn Cove. Even one hosted by plebian non–club members like the O’Neils.
Finally, Molly spots the two people she’s most eager to see. Nina and Everly cross the lawn, waving in her direction, Michael and Sage a few steps behind them. Michael carries the coveted Frozen pi?ata, a sight that fills Molly with relief. She never doubted Nina, but still. Stella has been talking about this pi?ata nonstop for months.
A steep rise of stone steps leads up to the pool area, and Molly waits eagerly while her friends climb to meet her. When they reach the top, she sees that there is someone else behind Michael and Sage, a fifth in their group. The woman has sleek, dark hair, chopped halfway down her neck, and a small, distinct face that Molly would recognize anywhere. It’s Liz.
“Don’t be mad.” It’s Nina’s voice in Molly’s ear. She’s rushed ahead of the others. “We were with her last night, we drank all this wine at dinner, and she was saying how much she misses you, so we … invited her. We hadn’t seen her in ages, but she … she really seems like she’s in a better place now. She ditched the divorced guy. I’m sorry, I … I should’ve told you.” Nina sighs. “Life is short, Moll. I think you guys should talk.”