Just Breathe Trilogy Box Set (120 page)

The past few days, have been hectic with Joe’s family, especially the women who talk my ear off about their personal stories of being pregnant and how they handle things now. They even talk about coming to visit this whole summer to assist while I’m pregnant, mentioning that I’ll want to stay home after I get big enough and won’t be able to move.

“This is so exciting,” Charlotte says for practically the twentieth time. “We’ll have tons of playdates between the four of us and your friend Maggie. How wonderful!”

“It’s a great reason for all of us to visit the West Coast more,” Emily announces.

“Definitely,” agrees Isabella. “They’ll be cousins, but more like brothers and sisters since they’re so close in age.”

“Where are you two going to live?” Charlotte asks. “Will you move in with Joe or will you two find a new place before the baby comes. “From what I heard, your apartment will be too small for the three of you, plus Sadie, plus Anna and all of us when we come to visit.”

“Umm . . .” I say, swallowing hard. “We . . . we haven’t discussed that just yet.”

“There’s no time like the present,” Isabella comments. “Better sooner than later. Time will fly, then you’re suddenly ready to pop him or her out and you’ll want all of that taken care of before your feet hurt from just standing and walking for a few minutes.”

“Stop scaring her, Isabella,” Emily interjects. “They’ve got time and I’m sure Emma and Joe will work it out just fine without our intervention. They’ve been able to manage several businesses between the two of them, I’m sure that they’ll be able to handle anything with the baby.”

“I’m not scaring her,” Isabella defends.

“Yes you are,” Charlotte muses. “Look at her.”

“It’s . . . okay . . . I’m . . . okay,” I mutter between breaths.

The three of them giggle.

“You’re more than okay, Emma,” Emily encourages with a wink.

“Thanks,” I accept timidly.

“If you have any questions as to the best places to shop for baby clothes, let us know,” Charlotte proclaims. “There are so many cute places. We all should go shopping tomorrow . . . .”

“Easy there, girl,” Emily teases. “Emma doesn’t know if it’s a boy or a girl yet.”

“Nathan is already designing a children’s line,” I announce, wanting to steer the conversation in a different direction.

“How cute,” Isabella replies. “I can’t wait to see what he comes up with. We’ll all definitely buy from him . . . we love everything he’s done.”

“Or . . . twins,” Charlotte mentions happily. “Emma and Joe could be having twins.”

I choke on my sip of tea, enough for it to run down my chin and onto my chest.

“Stop it,” Emily laughs. “You’re going to freak out the woman.”

“Well, twins are common in the Covelli family,” Charlotte explains. “I’m actually surprised that none of us had twins.”

“How common?” I check, not sure if I really want to know the answer.

“Common,” Isabella confirms.

“Aside from Daniel and David,” Emily begins, “Their Aunt Olivia had two sets of twins and two of her children had twins as well with their spouses.”

So . . . there are five sets of twins in the immediate family?” I search.

“Yes,” Emily confirms. “That doesn’t count some of the extended family.”

“You okay, Emma?” Isabella inquires.

I don’t reply.

“I think we need to give her a moment,” Emily insists.

Anna comes over and fills my tea.

“Thank you, Anna,” I say.

Anna nods and smiles sweetly.

Later in the week, I’m stuck going with Joe to some kind of a business event. Normally I wouldn’t mind, but I know that the
she-devil
, Abigail, will be there and I’m just not in the mood. I don’t doubt she’s found out about Joe and me dating and I’m pretty sure she’s not going to be happy with seeing us together. She wasn’t fond of Joe and I sitting next to each other at Nathan’s fashion show — she clearly understands that I wasn’t intimidated by her threat from New Year’s.

Joe and I stay glued to each other as soon as we exit the limo and enter the hall where tonight’s event is being held. Apparently, it’s not so much business as supposedly a charity type of event hosted by Abigail herself. The woman doesn’t work, according to Emily, Charlotte and Isabella. Abigail lives off of her father’s money and puts on a charity event every few months to give herself attention in the local news, as well as to make it look like her entire family is very philanthropic.

“Joseph,” Abigail greets with a clenched jaw, fake smile and evil eyes directed at me. “I thought you were coming alone.”

“You remember Emma, right?” Joe states, ignoring her rudeness. “My girlfriend.”

The look on Abigail’s face, hearing the news directly from Joe is priceless — words can’t even begin to describe the comedy of it all.

Joe directs me to face him with his hand on my chin and kisses me right in front of her. As I peel away for a breath, he steals another kiss, just as long and just as passionate. “Thanks for having us,” Joe comments, walking away from Abigail, towing me along since our arms are locked, not waiting for her response.

“You are in so much trouble,” I tease.

“Please . . . you and I both know that you enjoyed that as much as I did,” Joe stipulates.

“Oh, I did,” I confirm. “But, I wasn’t referring to being in trouble with me. She’s going to give you hell for that, if not give it to me.”

“Who?” Joe laughs.

“Very funny, Joseph,” I muse.

Joe ushers me around the room, introducing me to many of his and his father’s business associates — some I’m familiar with from meeting them in the past a few times. When Mrs. Silkworth and I start chatting, Joe excuses himself to grab us drinks.

“Has Nathan and Jared picked a day yet for the wedding?” Mrs. Silkworth inquires.

“Not yet. There are a few challenges with their schedules and they’re even considering scheduling around Maggie and . . .” I say, pausing for a moment to not include my pregnancy. “Henry having the baby. She’s due in August and they’re trying to figure out scheduling between Nathaniel’s and Naturally Me.”

“They want to marry that quickly?” Mrs. Silkworth questions.

“They’ve joked about Maggie getting pregnant again not long after she's due,” I present teasingly.

“Well, from what I heard, they’re considering it after you’re due,” Ms. Silkworth announces.

I stop breathing for a second or two.

“Oh, Emma, darling,” Ms. Silkworth calls, hugging me. “Do you really think that one of my best girlfriends wouldn’t brag about her youngest son who’s going to be a father, do you?”

“I . . . .” my voice fails me.

“They both are such lovely men, Nathan and Jared,” Mrs. Silkworth comments, redirecting the conversation. “Be sure to put in a good word for me to attend.”

“Of course,” I choke out.

“Here you go, ladies,” Joe says, handing us our drinks.

“Thank you, Joseph,” Mrs. Silkworth accepts, winking at him.

“Thank you,” I say.

“I’m not one for gossip, but I adore you two, so, I must know. How long have you two really been dating?” Mrs. Silkworth pries. “Elaine told me that it was before the fashion show, which I had guessed.”

“Just before the show,” Joe confirms.

“I know you’re lying, Joseph,” Mrs. Silkworth laughs. “I’ve known you since you were born.”

“He first snagged me back in July,” I share. “But, it took a few months for me to come around to it all.”

“That it did,” Joe says. “But, she was worth the wait.”

“You two are darling,” Mrs. Silkworth states. “You better invite me to the wedding. I am practically an aunt to you, Joseph.”

“Of course, Melanie,” Joe agrees. “But, I don’t think we’re quite ready to talk about that just yet, right, Emma?” Joe gives me a sly grin.

“Right,” I confirm. “Not yet.”

“Well, I guess planning for a baby who’s on the way does take a little priority over a wedding,” Mrs. Silkworth tactfully presents.

“What?” Joe says.

“Your mother told her,” I reveal.

“I guess I shouldn’t be surprised,” Joe comments.

“Your mother is proud of both of you,” Mrs. Silkworth states. “Besides, we’re like sisters. We tell each other everything.”

Joe and I smile and nod, not sure what to say.

“Do you know if it’s a boy or a girl?” Mrs. Silkworth asks.

“Not yet,” Joe confirms.

“Well, he, or she, will be a Covelli, and that’s all that matters,” Mrs. Silkworth adds. “I’m happy for both of you. You’ll make lovely parents.”

“Melanie, darling,” and older woman calls, walking towards us.

The two women exchange greetings, hugging and kissing each other on the cheeks.

“Vivian, you know Joseph,” Mrs. Silkworth presents. After Vivian and Joe exchange their greetings, Mrs. Silkworth introduces me.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Humphrey,” I say warmly.

“Oh, darling, call me Vivian,” she insists. “Any future daughter-in-law of Elaine’s is family according to Melanie and me. Isn’t that right, Melanie?”

“Of course,” Mrs. Silkworth agrees.

I smile and nod before taking a sip of my iced tea.

“We haven’t seen you as much, Joseph. Where have you been?” asks Mrs. Humphrey.

“He’s been busy in California,” Mrs. Silkworth teases. “Haven’t you, Joseph? Wooing Emma and all?”

Joe smiles bashfully.

“Congratulations, by the way,” Mrs. Humphrey states. “I was shocked to hear the news from Elaine.” Mrs. Humphrey reaches forward and turns my left hand that is holding my glass. “Why isn’t there a ring on her finger, Joseph?” She eyes Joe speculatively with a hint of playfulness.

“I . . .” Joe falters.

“That’s my fault,” I announce.

“How so?” presses Mrs. Humphrey.

“I’m not ready,” I share.

“But, you’re ready to be a mother?” Mrs. Humphrey raises an eye brow with her growing smile.

“It’s complicated,” Joe begins.

“What’s complicated, Joseph?” Mrs. Humphrey presses. “You love her, yes?”

“Yes,” Joe agrees immediately.

“You’re the father of the child, yes?”

“Yes,” Joe establishes.

“Then?”

“I’m complicated,” I blurt. “I . . . .”

“No need, Emma,” Mrs. Humphrey cuts in. “I’m just roasting Joseph here. I mean nothing by it. My apologies. Besides, Elaine has kept us,” she says gesturing between herself and Mrs. Silkworth, “up-to-date on all things Emma and Joe ever since she told us you two were dating.”

My mouth opens to comment, but nothing comes out.

“We mean nothing by it. We’re just happy to see Joseph so happy,” Mrs. Humphrey explains.

“Thank you,” Joe coughs out, clearly still nervous about us being on the spot.

My heart goes out to him, feeling bad about the awkwardness I’ve created since I turned down his proposal — but, he hasn’t asked again either to change that uneasiness.

Mrs. Silkworth directs our conversation back to a lighter topic, talking about non-important things around us at the charity event. From time to time, either Mrs. Humphrey or Mrs. Silkworth add side jabs or comments about Joe and myself and I openly appreciate them, knowing that they’re just an extension of his family and mean well by the whole thing. I’m able to tease even myself when I share with the ladies how Joe came to find out that I am pregnant. They goad him on his sudden declaration of love, asking me to marry him immediately, which they commend.

At some point, I’m able to ask Mrs. Humphrey if she has her own business. She quickly and happily shares that her family has been in the steel business for centuries along with other types of materials, even diamonds. Regardless that it’s part of the family business, she jokes about the whole facade concerning the true value of diamonds, which is nothing — they’re as common as seashells, all of them, that wash up on the shores.

“So, Joseph,” Mrs. Humphrey calls, as if to see if he’s been paying attention to our conversation that the three women have been dominating.

“Yes, Mrs. Humphrey,” Joe returns politely.

“I’ll never get you to call me by my first name, will I?” she presses with a smile.

“No ma’am,” Joe replies with a grin.

“Anyway, I was just wondering, what kind of gem would you get Emma for her engagement ring? That is, if you do plan on proposing properly?” Mrs. Humphrey questions.

My heart speeds up a little, nervous and excited to hear Joe’s answer.

“You’re trying to trick me, Mrs. Humphrey,” Joe challenges. “I’m not that easily misled, especially with Emma standing right here.” His hand tightens around my waist.

“What ever do you mean, Joseph?” Mrs. Humphrey asks with a grin.

Mrs. Silkworth steps closer, smirking and eager to see where the conversation goes.

“If I say nothing, you’ll make me look like a fool,” Joe states. “Making me seem like I don’t plan on asking Emma to marry me, whether asking her properly or not.”

“No?” Mrs. Humphrey baits.

“And, if I do, you’ll have me reveal information that I may not wish to have Emma overhear,” Joe adds. “I’m damned if I do and I’m damned if I don’t.”

“You are so much like your father.” Mrs. Humphrey declares. “Isn’t he Melanie?”

“Indeed,” Mrs. Silkworth confirms.

Would I be lying if I said that I enjoyed, but also was slightly disappointed by Joe’s answer, hoping to know if he would even ask me again?

An announcement that dinner will be served is made by one of Abigail’s minions, so Joe and I excuse ourselves from our conversation with Mrs. Silkworth and Mrs. Humphrey and proceed to our table where we’re sitting with Joe’s parents, Emily and John Jr., David and Charlotte, Daniel and Isabella, and Jimmy and Allen.

I almost choke on my glass of water when I overhear Jimmy and Allen discussing that each seat per table cost a thousand dollars — only ten thousand for a table of twelve people if paid for collectively. Leaning into Joe’s side, I inquire to make sure I understand these facts are correct. When he confirms it, we argue about me covering the money for my seat. Joe insists it’s not a big deal, that one of the Covelli companies covered the expense as a charitable donation. Our meal is exquisite, but still not worth a thousand dollars a plate — maybe a hundred or two, but definitely not a thousand.