Chapter 20
After the World Cup press announcement, Gareth’s team played against Camden’s in London and lost. Talk about a whirlwind of emotions for the family. But they apparently don’t hold a grudge because Gareth is heading to Sunday dinner at their dad’s house like he does nearly every Sunday.
The difference this time is that I’m joining him.
It was just going to be me because this is Callum’s week with Sophia, but Margaret called to say she isn’t feeling well and asked if I can keep Sophia. I have a feeling she is in bad shape because when I asked if she wanted me to bring Sophia out for a quick visit, she ardently said no.
Margaret is never one to show weakness.
Now, Sophia and I are on a train heading to London to attend our first infamous Harris Sunday dinner.
Sophia sits across the train car table, her feet dangling off the ground as she stares out the window to watch the English countryside whiz by us. “So, Mummy, do I call the little girl Rocky or Adrienne?”
“You can call her whatever you’d like,” I reply, taking a sip of the coffee I just bought off the snack cart.
Sophia nods, her bushy brows furrowing as she gives it some seriously deep thought. “Maybe I’ll come up with my own nickname for her.”
I smile behind my cup. “That would be just fine.”
Sophia’s thoughts are clearly rolling on top of one another when she asks, “So all these men play football?”
I nod. “Yes, they do.”
“And you said two of the ladies are doctors?”
My smile is growing. “That’s right.”
“And there’s a teacher?” Sophia’s eyes are wide as she smiles brightly. “This family sounds so cool. I’m glad you are in love with Gareth.”
I nearly choke on my coffee. “Who said I am in love with Gareth?”
“Oh, please, Mummy. It’s so obvious.” She rolls her eyes in that “seven going on seventeen” way.
I hold back a laugh. “How is it obvious?”
She pins me with a look before staring up at the ceiling and listing all the ways. “Like, how you check yourself in the mirror before he comes over. And you make sure the house is always clean. And you never walk around naked anymore.”
The naked comment has my eyes narrowing. “Well, those could just be normal things. They don’t necessarily mean I’m in love with him.”
Sophia is completely undeterred. “Well, you smile now, too.”
My brow furrows. “I smiled before.”
“Yes, but it was a sad smile,” Sophia replies, widening her big brown eyes on me. “It was a smile that looked like you were pretending.”
My heart skips a beat inside my chest. “Sophia, I’m sorry if I ever made you feel that way. I was never pretending with you.”
“Maybe a little bit you were,” she corrects and crosses her arms on the table to rest her chin in her hands. “It’s okay, Mummy. I know why.”
“Why?” I ask, genuinely curious to hear what her answer will be.
“Because you didn’t love Daddy the way you love Gareth.” She shrugs and turns her gaze out the window again, leaving that little truth bomb behind like it’s no big deal.
This girl—this incredibly smart, impressive little girl—has been through so much, yet she still sees everything going on around her.
“When did you get so perceptive, Sopapilla?”
She frowns and looks back at me. “What’s perceptive?”
I smile. “It’s when you notice things that some people don’t.”
She nods and replies, “Probably when I turned seven.”
Her answer is so matter-of-fact, I can’t help but giggle and move over to sit beside her so I can hold her the rest of the train ride. She is seven, but she is still my baby, and the smile on my face right now is completely real.
Gareth sends a car to pick me and Sophia up at the train station.
A short drive later, we’re outside the gate of the Harris family house.
Well, mansion is more like it, though it’s not old and dilapidated like the Coleridge Estate.
It’s slightly more modern with giant pillars in the front.
My mind reels at the memories Gareth has in this home growing up without a mother, or a father for that matter.
Although, it seems like things with his dad have been very good since the wake in Cape Verde, so I’m hopeful their reconciliation is long-term.
Sophia and I walk up the gravel driveway. Just as we reach the front step, the doors burst open. Out comes Booker with his arms wrapped around Poppy, who’s holding on to her pregnant belly for dear life. Her cheeks puff out as she exhales and inhales quickly.
“Booker, I forgot my handbag!” she exclaims and moves to turn around.
“Vi, grab Poppy’s bag!” Booker yells over his shoulder, then returns Poppy to forward motion. “It’s going to be okay, Sunshine. We got you.”
“Someone needs to call my parents,” Poppy cries as Tanner, Belle, Camden, and Indie hustle out the doors next.
Camden and Tanner seem to be in the middle of some sort of argument, so Belle frantically shouts at Tanner to call Poppy’s parents.
“I don’t have Poppy’s parents’ number.”
“Then just run over there. Fast!” Belle exclaims. “They only live around the corner for God’s sake.”
“Wife, we’re having a baby. I don’t have time to go for a jog right now!”
“Dad! Call Poppy’s parents!” Camden shouts back into the house and looks over to Belle. “Dad has the number.”
This brings a collective sigh to the two shouting couples as they attempt to make their way toward a vehicle.
Poppy is the first to notice me and Sophia standing here with our jaws dropped. Her eyes fly wide as she plasters on a pained-looking smile. “Sloan, is this your daughter?” she cries out much too loudly as she continues panting against what I can only assume are contractions.
“Yes, this is Sophia,” I reluctantly reply, wrapping my arm around her.
“Oh my God, I’ve been dying to meet her!” she squeals and makes a move toward us instead of the truck that Booker is trying to lift her into.
“I’m sorry but, Poppy, are you in labour?” I ask because surely she can meet Sophia another time.
“Yes, I am!” she bellows out with a crazed sort of laugh. “We can talk after, right?”
“After you have a baby?” I ask, my brow puzzled. Then I realise that rationalising with a woman in labour is not wise. “Yes, Poppy. After is good.”
Booker finally wrangles Poppy into the truck and closes the door. He glances over at me apologetically. “I’m so sorry, Sloan. We were all really looking forward to meeting your Little Minnow. Gareth won’t stop talking about her.”
My attention is diverted from Booker when Tanner and Camden collide into me and Sophia with big, squeezing hugs.
“Is this Little Minnow?” Camden asks, squatting down and giving Sophia’s shoulder a playful punch.
“This is Sophia,” I reply, my eyes swerving everywhere as everyone rushes all around us. “Are you all going to the hospital?”
“You bet we are!” Camden retorts. “Nice to meet you, kid.”
Tanner suddenly drops down and clutches Sophia’s arms. He shakes her excitedly while shouting, “Little Minnow, we’re having a baby!”
Sophia giggles at the insane look on Tanner’s bearded face.
“Tanner!” I glance up to see Vi hustling over to us, but she’s gazing down at Sophia. “Sweetie, don’t laugh at him. It only encourages him. Just think of him as a naughty puppy that won’t stop licking himself.”
Sophia giggles again and replies, “Okay.”
“Also,” Vi says, kneeling down with Rocky in her arms, who has food mushed all over her adorable face. “Little Minnow, I’d like you to meet Rocky. She’s very excited to play with you when we’re not hurrying off to the hospital, okay?”
Vi looks up at me with a big smile as Hayden comes over and shoots Sophia a wink. The three of them load up into their minivan as Sophia jerks my arm and asks, “Why do they keep calling me Little Minnow, Mum?”
Before I can answer, Belle appears in front of us next.
“Because Gareth says you have great footy skills and you’re a stellar little minnow out on the pitch.
Hiya, Minnow. I’m Belle and that redhead in the glasses is Indie.
We’re married to those crazy brothers who bothered you a moment ago, but don’t be scared.
We’ll keep a tight lead on them from now on.
We have to run to the hospital now, so we’ll talk more later, okay? ”
Sophia smiles shyly and tucks behind me a bit as Belle jogs up to the car where Indie is sitting in the backseat.
“I want to go with them, Mum,” Sophia states, pointing to the cars as they pull away.
Finally, Gareth comes out of the house with his phone attached to his ear. His eyes find mine and a look of genuine surprise flits across his face. “I was just trying to call you.”
“We’re here,” I reply helplessly as the madness begins to settle. Our timing does not seem ideal.
“We’re on our way to the hospital,” Gareth states, then moves in to ruffle Sophia’s hair. “Hiya, Minnow.”
“Hiya,” Sophia chirps with a pleased smile on her face. I think it’s safe to say she likes her new nickname.
I gesture back toward the gate and say, “Should I have that car you sent take us back to the train station, or do you need it?”
Gareth’s face furrows in confusion. “Why would you go back to the train station? Did you forget something?”
“No. This just seems like a family thing,” I reply, eyeing Vaughn as he walks out of the house and turns to lock the door.
“Sloan”—he moves in close to drop a kiss on my cheek—“you and Minnow are my family. Come on, let’s go see my baby brother have a baby.”
The butterflies in my belly are unrelenting as Gareth picks Sophia up to carry her back to the car. She squeals with delight and wraps her hands around his neck.
“Minnow!” Vaughn’s voice shouts from behind us, and Sophia looks over Gareth’s shoulder in response. With a smile, Vaughn says, “Welcome to Harris Sunday dinners!”
She smiles back. Then, like a crazy natural disaster, we follow the loads of people on their way to welcoming another Harris into the world.
“It’s bloody twins!” Booker croaks as he bursts through the double doors of the waiting room.
“What?” everyone replies in unison, jumping out of their seats.
Booker runs a hand through his hair, his eyes wide and disbelieving. “I don’t know what happened, but somehow the second baby didn’t show up on the scans. Now I have two sons!”
“Oh my God!” Vi exclaims, grabbing onto Hayden’s arm with an excited death grip. “How is that even possible?”
Everyone’s eyes swerve to Belle and Indie—the two doctors in the group—for an answer, but Booker replies, “The doctor said it’s more common than people think.
It’s quite fitting because we were rowing over names and now we get to use both.
Oliver and Teddy are amazing. I can’t wait for you guys to meet them.
Poppy needs a few minutes because she is beside herself. ”
“I’m sure she is,” Vaughn replies with a shake of his head, then pulls Booker into a big hug.
“Oh, and we’re engaged,” Booker adds as he pulls away with an adorably sheepish expression on his face.
Vi looks like she’s going to faint.
“Are you bloody joking?” Camden exclaims, grabbing his brother around the shoulder and mock punching him in the gut.
Booker’s face turns red as he replies, “No. I asked her to marry me when she was holding our babies. I had the ring and planned to do it tonight at home, outside our playhouse in the woods, but we never made it there. So I figured, what the hell. A hospital is as good of a place as any.”
“Yes, it is!” Vi squeals and jumps into Booker’s arms for a hug. “Congratulations! Oliver and Teddy have the best parents!”
“Thanks, Vi,” Booker replies, then looks over at Gareth for his usual nod of approval.
Gareth silently obliges, his prideful smile saying so much more than words ever could.
Out of the corner of my eye, I see Sophia chasing Rocky down the empty hallway, their giggles echoing in my ears. As everyone moves in to hug Booker, Gareth’s hand suddenly squeezes mine tightly.
I look over at his affectionate expression with tears in my eyes and an enormous smile on my face. I suppose this is what a real family feels like.
I could get used to this.