29. Tess
Tess
C harlie and I are tucked into a corner booth at Portage Bay Café, my favorite breakfast spot. I've been craving blueberry pancakes and just finished off a stack of them while Charlie nurses his third cup of coffee.
“Want a little sip? It’s really good coffee,” he asks, a playful look on his face.
“I still don’t like coffee and you know that. And God knows I’ve tried enough times.” He gives me a stern look and I roll my eyes at him.
The last few days have been so charged with meaning after our parking lot confessions. I'm not sure what happens next—how do you navigate falling in love with someone when you're already having twins together? We're doing everything in reverse.
"I actually need to talk to you about something," Charlie says, setting down his coffee cup. His serious tone makes my stomach tighten for a moment before he continues. "It's nothing bad. Just...there's one more wedding we need to attend this season."
"Oh?" I reach for my water glass, relieved it's just another wedding. "Whose?"
"My cousin Anna. She just sent out invitations yesterday. It's next weekend."
"Next weekend? That's pretty short notice." I frown, mentally checking my calendar. "Wait, is this the cousin who's been dating that tech guy for like, what, nine months?"
Charlie nods, a knowing smile playing at his lips. "Eight months, according to my mother. And yes, very short notice for a full-scale wedding at The Edgewater."
"Huh." I tilt my head, watching his expression. "Someone pulled some serious strings for that."
He agrees, and then lowers his voice conspiratorially. "My mother is beside herself trying to figure out why the rush. But she won't say what we're all thinking."
"Which is...?"
Charlie raises his eyebrows meaningfully. "That dear cousin Anna might be in a similar situation to us. Minus one baby. Unless of course, they’re having twins too."
The irony hits me and I start laughing, covering my mouth to keep from disturbing the other diners. "Oh my God. Your mother must know that’s what's going on."
"I’m sure she knows. She just doesn’t want to say it." He reaches across the table to take my hand. "What do you think? Feel up to one more wedding? At least this one’s local."
"I think I can manage that." I squeeze his fingers. "Should we start telling people about the babies yet? I'm fourteen weeks..."
"You're really only barely showing though," Charlie says, his eyes dropping to my middle. "Maybe just a little, but nothing someone would notice if they didn't know."
I run my hand over my stomach. There's definitely a curve there now. Some of my looser clothes still fit, but my jeans require some creative buttoning techniques these days.
"I was thinking we could wait until after Anna's wedding," Charlie continues. "Seems rude to steal her thunder, especially if she is pregnant.”
"Agreed." I sip my water, thinking. "I’m also wondering when I should tell Maestro Cortez. I don't want to wait too late and make him think I was hiding it from everyone at work, especially since I'm still just temporary at the symphony."
Charlie's brow furrows slightly. "Are you worried about how he'll react?"
"A little," I admit. "Pregnancy discrimination is illegal, but it happens. They might start looking at me differently, wondering if I'll be able to finish covering Gloria's maternity leave." I pick at the edge of my napkin.
"You’re doing an amazing job with them," Charlie says with that absolute certainty I've come to rely on. "You're the best cellist they have."
"And you're extremely biased," I point out, but I smile despite myself.
"Factually accurate," he counters. "Just like it's factually accurate that you look incredible today, and that our babies are going to be devastatingly intelligent and talented. Probably pretty damn good-looking too.
I roll my eyes, but warmth spreads through my chest. "Such flattery, Mr. Astor. One might think you're trying to get me into bed."
"Always," he says with a wink that sends heat curling low in my belly. "But I'll settle for getting you to come to one more wedding with me. For real this time. As my actual girlfriend who I'm actually in love with, who is actually carrying my children."
"When you put it that way, how can I refuse?"
He grins, triumphant, then glances at his watch. "I should probably head back to the office. Sanjay's holding down the fort, but I've got a big meeting at three."
I nod, finally putting my fork down for good. "I’ve got practice in an hour."
Charlie pays the check despite my half-hearted attempt to steal it from him, and we walk to the parking lot hand in hand. Before I climb into my truck, he pulls me close, his hands resting lightly on my hips.
"So it's a date? Anna's wedding, next Saturday at The Edgewater?"
"It's a date, handsome," I confirm.
His eyes soften as he looks at me, and then he kisses me goodbye, and I feel it all the way to my toes—the kind of kiss that makes me forget we're standing in a public parking lot in the middle of the day. When we break apart, I'm slightly breathless.
"I'll see you tonight," he promises, closing my door for me.
The mirror in Charlie's bathroom is unforgiving, revealing every hint of the changes happening in my body.
My black cocktail dress pulls slightly across my stomach, the fabric stretching in ways it didn't just a month ago.
I smooth my hand over the small bump, turning sideways to examine my profile.
"You look gorgeous," Charlie says, appearing in the doorway. His blue eyes flick over me appreciatively. "That dress was made for you."
"It doesn't make me look too obviously pregnant?"
"Only to someone who already knows." He steps behind me, his hands settling on my hips, chin resting on my shoulder as we both stare at our reflection. "And thankfully, cousin Anna's very visible baby bump will distract from any speculation about yours."
I laugh, leaning back against his chest. "So you were right about her."
"Apparently she's five months along. Hence the rush." He shakes his head, amused. "My mother is still pretending to be scandalized, but she can’t say much since we’re in the same predicament."
I touch up my makeup and check my profile one more time. In my opinion, you can definitely tell that I’m pregnant but it’s too late now to change. All my other dresses are at my place.
"Ready to go? We can walk since it's so nice out." Charlie checks his watch. "We've got plenty of time."
Outside, Seattle gleams under a rare cloudless sky, the Olympics visible in sharp relief across the Sound.
Charlie takes my hand as we head down 1st Avenue toward The Edgewater.
The hotel sits right on the water, its distinctive white structure jutting out over Elliott Bay. I've always loved its retro charm.
We cross the street, navigating around tourists taking photos of the market.
Charlie steers me gently to the side as a group of kids on skateboards zooms past. His protectiveness has intensified since we found out about the twins, manifesting in a thousand small ways—a hand on my back, insisting on carrying anything heavier than a purse, constantly asking if I need to sit down.
"Your mother has been texting me baby name ideas," I tell him. "Ten times a day."
Charlie groans. "I warned you. What's she suggesting now?"
"This morning it was Amelia and August. Yesterday it was Charlotte and Charles Junior."
"God, not Charles Junior." He shudders dramatically. "Our son would never forgive us."
Our son. The words still feel surreal.
The Edgewater comes into view, its flagpole visible first, then the distinctive white siding. A sign welcomes guests to "The Wedding of Anna Astor and Thomas Hill," adorned with tasteful silver and blue ribbons.
"Ready for one more wedding?" Charlie asks, kissing my temple.
"This is technically our first as a real couple," I remind him.
His smile turns soft around the edges. "The first of many, I hope."
The words hang between us, loaded with implication. Before I can respond, we're swept inside to the ceremony.
Anna is radiant, her empire-waist dress cleverly disguising her pregnancy to the casual observer. As she and Thomas exchange vows, Charlie's fingers lace with mine, and I wonder if he's thinking what I am—that someday, this could be us.
The reception is held in the Olympic Ballroom, with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the water.
The sun is beginning its descent, casting golden light across the room, making the crystal glasses and silver cutlery gleam.
A band plays softly in one corner, and servers circulate with trays of champagne and hors d'oeuvres.
"Tess, darling!" Bev Astor's voice carries over the gentle hum of conversation. She emerges from a cluster of guests, Bill at her side. They make an impressive pair—Bev in a tailored navy dress, Bill commanding in his perfectly fitted gray suit.
"You look lovely," Bev says, kissing my cheek. Her eyes drop briefly to my midsection, a knowing smile playing at her lips. "How are you feeling?"
"Good, thanks. The little bit of morning sickness that I had seems to be gone."
"It’s amazing that she didn’t have more of that," Charlie interjects. "I hear that’s rare—especially with twins."
Bill claps Charlie on the shoulder, his usual stoicism softened into something that might be pride. "When are you telling everyone else? Your mother's about to burst keeping this secret."
"After Anna's spotlight has dimmed," Charlie says diplomatically. "Maybe next week."
"Smart," Bill nods. He turns to me, his expression unusually gentle. "And you're sure you're feeling well? Beverly was so fatigued with both Charlie and Jane."
The genuine concern in his voice catches me off guard. “I am definitely tired sometimes.”
"Twins will do that," Bev says knowingly. "You must rest whenever possible. I've been reading all about twin pregnancies."