Seth (Casella Cousins #2) - Kathryn Shay Page 0,39
kids being angels at school, then coming home, dumping their backpacks and coats on the floor and snapping at their parents.”
“They can let down at home. Be their weak selves, so to speak.” She watched him. “I guess you didn’t have to be your best with me.”
“Yeah, that’s the conclusion I came to.”
“So, what are you going to do?”
“I made another appointment, of course. She thinks I need to figure out ways to not have to be so perfect, to show my real feelings more, not to have to save everybody. Maybe then I won’t need you to be my…release valve, I guess. God that sounds awful.”
Her smile came easily. “I think that’ll help.” They stopped at a playground and sat down on the bench. She fished in her shirt and got out the necklace she wore. After slipping it off, she handed the ring to him.
His face paled. “You’re breaking up with me? Because of what I learned about myself?”
“No, silly. You can put this on my hand, now.”
“I’m not all better, Jules.”
“No, but you have a plan. You’ll learn to cope with this flaw.”
“I will, honey, I promise.” With that, he took the ring and slid it on her finger.
Epilogue
* * *
The following Sunday, Seth led Julianne by the hand in through the garage for a family dinner. They’d told Ali, Rafe and Mama that the two of them were together. Gideon already knew. “Looking forward to this?”
“I used to love these dinners.” She held up the cloth bag with pies she’d made. “I’m happy she let me bring dessert.”
“I heard you badger her on the phone.”
She socked him in the arm. He was delighted that they could tease each other some. That they’d become more comfortable together now that everything was out in the open. “They don’t know about the engagement. Can we tell them today?”
“Yep. It’ll go well.”
“How do you know that?”
Her eyes got mischievous. “I just know.”
They went in through the kitchen. “Are we late?” he asked when he saw that his siblings were here as well as Finn, Hayley and Paul gathered around.
“No,” Ali put in. “We got here early.”
After the group embraced or gave fist bumps, Gideon went into the kitchen. “Anybody want a bloody Mary?”
Seth crossed to him. “Sure.”
Jules passed.
“How come?” he asked.
“I don’t feel like anything yet.” She reached to the table. “Hmm, I love crispats.” The tasty fried Italian dough that melted with sweetness in her mouth when she bit into it.
Kate grinned. “Me, too. I’m on my third.”
Julianne reached over and patted her belly. She looked adorable in a denim jumpsuit that accented her baby bump. “Seven months, now, huh?”
“Yep, and she’s still growing. No fragile princess here.”
Rafe said, “She can still be a princess.”
“Or a firefighter,” Seth added.
“No!” The two firefighters spoke in unison.
Carmella approached the breakfast table. From where she stood at the entrance to the living room, Julianne said to Seth, “Let’s get this over with.” She held up her hand.
A stunned silence.
Seth frowned. “What the hell?”
“It’s so soon,” Rafe said.
Gideon added, “You in a hurry little brother?”
“To get married? Yeah. I’ve been waiting fifteen years.” He scanned his family. “Never mind. I don’t want to hear anybody’s opinion.”
Hayley stepped forward. “Our turn. We’re tying the knot next month.”
Congratulations all around.
“Now that pisses me off.” Seth again. “How come we didn’t get the same enthusiasm?”
Ali stood. “You’re right. Congrats, Jules and Seth.” She held up a glass.
Hayley put up her hand. “Wait a sec. I’m not done with announcements. We—”
“Oh! Don’t say anymore.” Julianne grabbed Hayley’s arm. “Come into the hallway with me.”
Confused, Hayley let Julianne drag her into the mud room.
“What’s that all about?” Rafe asked.
“Hell if I know.” Seth turned to her fiancé. “Paul?”
“No idea.”
The two women came back, holding hands. Hayley grinned broadly. “So, we’re both getting married.”
“Yeah, that’s what you said.” Rafe sounded impatient.
Hayley smiled. “And I’m pregnant.”
Julianne’s eyes locked with Seth’s. “I am, too.”
“What?” Seth dropped his bloody Mary. Luckily it was in a red plastic cup. He walked over to her. “You are?”
“Yep.” She put her hand on her belly. “I can’t be more than a few weeks.”
He ran his fingers through his hair and sputtered. His family laughed.
Paul asked, “Did you know about us?”
“Nope, but I got an intuition when Hayley said she had something else to share.” Julianne turned to Seth’s cousin. “When are you due?”
“I’m a month along.”
With Seth’s mouth still gaping, Julianne scanned the family. Her family. “Looks like we’re in store for three little Casella