Hollywood Triplets - Layla Valentine Page 0,1

take the first year of our marriage to enjoy just being together,” Janette explained. “But now we’re ready to start a family.”

“That’s so exciting!” Annalise said. “Thank you so much for telling me.”

She understood that her sister was including her at this early stage of the process—far earlier than most people included extended family members in their pregnancy plans—because of her knowledge that Annalise would never be able to do this herself. She was sharing her family planning with Annalise. And Raúl had clearly decided he was okay with that too.

I’m so lucky that they’re my family, she thought. I’d do anything for them; I really would.

She couldn’t help feeling a twinge of jealousy. Soon, Janette would be pregnant, and though it would be exciting and wonderful to watch her body grow, it would also be a direct window to something Annalise herself would never have. She and Janette were not identical, but they did look astoundingly alike, and over the years more than one person had assumed that they were identical. Watching Janette’s pregnancy would be just like watching the one Annalise wished she could have had.

“So when did you start trying?” Annalise asked. “Have you been at it long?” Then she laughed. “If any of this is too personal, you can tell me to shut up. I’m just so appreciative that you’re telling me at all!”

Janette and Raúl looked at one another again.

“What is it?” Annalise asked.

“Oh, it’s nothing serious,” Janette said. “It’s just that we’ve been trying… well, for a while now.”

“Well, that’s not necessarily anything to be concerned about, right?” Annalise asked. “It does take a while sometimes. How long have you been trying?”

“Six months,” Janette said.

“Oh,” Annalise said. She couldn’t deny feeling a little flutter of anxiety on her sister’s behalf, but she pushed it aside. “That’s no big deal. Don’t they say that it can take up to a year to conceive?”

“They do,” Janette agreed. “I know I’m probably worrying for nothing.”

“You and I know more about our fertility than most people do,” Annalise reminded her sister. “The doctor told you that your fertility wouldn’t be impacted. So you shouldn’t be worrying about that.”

“I know,” Janette said. “And Raúl has also been tested, and there are no problems on that end.”

Raúl sipped his wine placidly.

“It’s just that nobody is getting any younger,” Janette said.

“You’re not old, Janette,” Annalise said. “You’re only thirty-four.”

“That’s not young when it comes to having children,” Janette said. “I always thought, when I was younger, that once I was married, I would want to take five years before having a kid. Five years to just be a couple in love together.”

Annalise nodded. “I remember,” she said. “We talked about that plenty of times.”

“I changed my plan when Raúl and I got married, because we met so late in life,” Janette said. “I assumed I would get married when I was twenty-three, not thirty-three.”

“It’s good that you waited,” Annalise assured her sister. “Do you remember who you were dating when we were twenty-three? That Tristan guy?”

“Yeah, he was a nightmare,” Janette agreed. “I’m definitely glad I waited for the right man, don’t get me wrong! But now… it’s just tough, you know? It’s like I can feel my time running out, and every month I’m not pregnant feels like one of a finite number of opportunities slipping away. What if this doesn’t happen?”

“Oh, Janette,” Annalise said. “Of course it’ll happen. You still have plenty of time.”

“I hope so,” Janette said. “I hope you’re right.”

“I am right,” Annalise said. “Mom was well into her thirties when you and I were born, remember? And there’s all kinds of great technology these days to help couples have kids later and later. It may not look exactly the way you imagined it when we were kids, but you two are going to have a beautiful family.”

Janette’s eyes filled with tears. “Thanks, Annalise,” she said. “You always know what to say.”

Raúl got to his feet. “I’ll clean up,” he said. “Why don’t you ladies take the rest of the wine into the den and finish it off? That way you can have girl talk.”

“Thanks, Raúl,” Annalise said, getting to her feet and grabbing the bottle of wine by the neck. “Come on, Janette, let’s go talk.”

The sisters went into the den and seated themselves in two of the large, comfortable armchairs that faced the fireplace.

“I’ve always loved this room,” Annalise said, pouring out another measure of wine for herself and passing the bottle to her sister.