Zoe sits next to me and reaches out her hand to take mine in hers. “If anyone should be nervous, it’s me,” she says. “I just wanted to clear the air a bit. I know how you must be feeling with the whole…” She uses her hand to go in a circle, not sure what to say.
“The whole him being engaged to Helena and being their wedding planner,” I say the words for her and she puts her head back and groans, making me laugh.
“I thought I was going to be okay doing this,” she says softly, looking down at our hands. “I knew the minute he said he was getting married, it was the wrong thing for him to do.” My heart pounds in my chest. “I mean, he didn’t even propose to her, who does that?” She looks at me and I can see she is trying not to cry. “I love my son, I really do, but I had no words.”
“It’s okay,” I say softly, “I get it.”
“No, I don’t think that you do,” she replies softly. “I think it was always you, Sofia. I think after you guys went your separate ways because of another stupid thing he did.” She shakes her head. “He didn’t think he could love like that again, so he just chose what he did. What I’m trying to say is, I think he’s only ever loved you, and now that you’re back, I have a feeling it’s for good.” She smiles. “I know we can be a lot, trust me I know, but I just want to say how happy we are for you two.”
“Wow,” I say, blinking away my own tears. “I can’t tell you what that means to me. I was nervous, so nervous, today because, well, he was just engaged, and I didn’t know if you would be accepting of it.”
“I’m not going to say anything I shouldn’t, but let’s just say, it wasn’t a good fit all the way around.” She smirks, just like her son. “This,” she says, pointing at me, “is the perfect fit.”
I’m about to say something to her when the door opens, and Matthew sticks his head in. “What?” The smile on his face goes away when he sees me trying not to cry. “What in the world? Why are you making my girl cry?” He walks in, or maybe he’s pushed in by Viktor, who comes in.
“What are you doing in here?” he asks, not reading the room. The smile on his face also leaves as soon as he sees the two of us crying. “What is going on? Why is she crying?”
“I am not crying,” I sniffle.
“Nothing,” Zoe says. “I was just trying to tell her, you know, that we’re happy she’s back.”
“And I was thanking her for being open-minded with me, especially since it’s very soon after Helena.” I look at Viktor, who looks over at his son.
“Look, I’d love to sit here and talk about this longer,” Viktor says, “but Matthew senior and Casey are literally having a pissing contest, and I’m just hoping no one whips out a private part.”
“Of course he is.” I lift my arms. “I’m sorry if he makes you feel uncomfortable. I’m the first grandchild.”
“Oh, please,” Viktor says, “we have no excuse for Matthew senior, he just is.”
“Can you give us a minute?” Matthew says to his parents, who nod and walk out of the room.
“You have one minute,” I tell him, “and then I have to go and take care of my grandfather.”
“Are you really okay?” he asks, putting his arms around my waist and bringing me closer to him.
“Yes,” I say, smiling up at him. “I really am okay. What I’m not okay with is the way my grandfather and father treated you. That is not okay.”
“I don’t care as long as you are with me at the end of the day. They can do what they want to me.”
“No.” I shake my head. “This is not okay,” I tell him, and I’m about to tell him more when the door swings open. “Showtime,” I mumble.
matthew
“What is going on in here?” Casey walks into the office. “Why is she crying?” He takes one look at Sofia, then looks at me, glaring.
“Do you want to know why I’m crying?” Sofia asks, her voice tight. “I’ll tell you why.” Her voice goes higher. “Actually, this should be done in front of everyone,” she says, storming out of the room.
“Sofia,” I call, following her out as she makes her way to the kitchen where everyone is either standing or sitting.
“I have an announcement to make,” she states loudly.
“Oh my God, she’s pregnant,” Uncle Matthew says and I just shake my head.