14. Sutton
SUTTON
On the scale of things you wouldn’t want your daughter to do, I’d rate this a two. Yet here I am, in the hallway of Jupiter, a restaurant in a refurbished warehouse, calling my parents from outside the bathroom at the end of the hall.
I haven’t forgotten them. I just haven’t worried about their reaction. They know I’m an adult and will be relieved I’m not doing this alone. They can’t judge me anyway.
Holding my phone out in front of me, my parents pick up the video call after three rings, and their smiling faces greet me immediately.
“There you are!” My mother is beaming, wearing a sunhat. They seem to be sitting outside on a warm, sunny day, with a line of tall green trees along a river behind them.
“Haven’t heard from you in a while,” my dad adds.
Nervously, I chuckle. “Yeah, about that,” I begin. “I kind of needed some space. You see, no point in making a huge deal about this, but I’m pregnant, and I’m marrying the father, and no, this wasn’t planned. I’m following your example. You’re welcome.”
They both go quiet, look to one another, then back at their phone. They’re… indifferent.
“You can’t be hypocritical right now,” I taunt.
Dad shrugs. “You’ve always done things your way. If this is it, then so be it—you know what you’re doing.”
Tipping my head to the side, I’m trying to dissect his tone. “Really? That’s it?”
Mom shoots me a knowing look. “You’re a grown-up. This is your choice. But I still want to know—who’s the father?”
Fair enough. My mind is made up, and their opinions wouldn’t sway me anyway.
“His name is Foster. He works at my company, a friend of Savannah’s fiance, too.”
“He’s a good man?” my father checks.
A natural smile comes to me. “A very good man.”
My mom smiles wryly. “Then you will find your way as we did.”
Deep down, I know she’s right.
Closing my menu, I feel nervous, unsure whether it's excitement or the anticipation of surprising my friends with news that will blindside them.
Jupiter is packed for weekend brunch. Still, Savannah, Elodie, and I manage to slide into our reserved corner booth, settling in amid the bustling crowd.
“Definitely eggs Benedict, and what the hell, I’ll do a mimosa,” Elodie declares and hands her menu to the waitress.
“I might do the same,” Savannah adds.
There is nothing I can eat on that menu. “I’ll have oat pancakes with fruit. Just water for me.”
The waitress repeats our order, slides the menus off the table, and leaves us be.
My pulse hammers as I wonder how they’ll take it.
“The bridesmaid dresses should be ready in two weeks,” Savannah mentions.
And that’s my opening.
“About that. Uhm, it’s… not going to fit.”
She looks at me peculiarly, almost as though I said the craziest thing. “You’ll be fine. If you’re more comfortable, then they can always tailor it.”
Shaking my head, I now want to smile. “It won’t be fixable, trust me.”
In the corner of my eye, I see Elodie’s eyes pop. I think she caught on.
“I’m pregnant.”
Savannah opens her mouth, only to smack it shut in shock.
In fact, the table goes eerily quiet. Elodie covers her mouth with her fingers as she takes in the news, but her smile is visible.
“You?” Savannah points at me. “You’re pregnant,” she double-checks.
I nod my head. “Yep. Due the end of October.”
“How?” she continues.
Rolling my eyes, I’m relieved that this is turning a little comical. “Really?”
“Like who?” she clarifies.
My vision swims between my two friends. “Foster.”
Immediately, Elodie fist pumps into the air.
“Yes! I knew it.” She appears to have had her own personal bet.
My eyes bug out at her, and she lifts a shoulder as she calms from her glory.
“What? I see him on a daily basis. I’ve seen the way you both walk in the hallway.
Hell, she was going to pair you two together at the wedding party. ” Elodie hikes her thumb at Savannah.
“Please tell me we’re not obvious at the office?” I dread the answer.
She shakes her head and waves her hands in the air to calm me. “No. Not at all. I mean, to the rest of the office. I noticed because I know you both on a personal level.”
Blowing out a breath, I finally feel relief drain through me. That’s good.
The waitress returns and sets our drinks on the table before scurrying away to a table that was trying to grab her attention.
“Okay, let me backtrack.” Savannah twirls her finger. “Foster?”
“We were casual.”
Her eyebrows shoot up, lips pressed together like I’ve flipped the whole conversation upside down.
I feel Elodie gently touch my elbow. “Uh… as someone who has been there, it wasn’t planned, was it?”
Right. Serious friend conversation.
“No, not at all. It took time to process. That’s why you’re only hearing now.”
“But you’re happy?” Savannah checks.
My long breath feels good. It’s because, after weeks, everything finally feels like it is falling into place. “It’s been hard mentally at the start, but now I’m excited and curious is the best way to describe it.”
“How’s Foster?” Elodie wonders.
“Over the moon, if I’m honest. Supportive. And also…”
They look to one another for a clue.
No need to hide now. I dig into my purse, pull out the ring Foster gave me, and show them.
“We’re getting married. Soon.”
Neither of them says a word. They stare at the ring, speechless.
But then Savannah begins to chuckle. “I always had him down as traditional.”
“Maybe. But I also feel the same, apparently.”
“You’re beating us to the altar,” she points out.
“Courthouse is more our style,” I say.
Elodie presses her fingers to her temple, grinning wide. “This is wild.”
“Tell me about it.”
Savannah slides out of the booth. “I’ll be right back. I’ll see if they have non-alcoholic champagne.”
Her absence leaves Elodie alone with me. Even with her smile still pasted on, the shade of her face turns concerned. She remains quiet, observing me. “You’re really doing okay?”
She’s been in my shoes. “Yeah. Tired. It’s getting better, though.”
“Good. But I meant you and Foster and baby and marriage… did I miss anything?”
I purse my lips, trying to gather my thoughts. “I’m okay. At first, I was in denial, then I struggled. But Foster’s been nothing but patient and supportive.”
“That’s good. As much as women are strong and can do it alone, I’m not going to lie. When Hayes entered Lola’s and my life last year, it became easier.”
“I get it.”
“And I also understand the whole quickie wedding, if that’s what you both feel is right.”
I stifle a laugh. “You probably think I’m crazy—and the last person in our group to even consider this.”
“Yes and no. But when is the big day?”
“Sooner than later. I’ll be halfway soon. And I want it to be very simple nuptials. Pen on paper and some legal jargon. Probably nobody else there.”
“Very on brand for a lawyer. You and Foster, as well. You’re both private people.”
We share a look, both taking in my new reality. Her warm smile reassures me. I was the last one any of us expected to be here, but now that I am, it feels strangely right. Like this was always my path.
"I’ll help you with anything—preparing for the baby, labor, or baking a cake for your marriage certificate," she lists.
“Thanks. I might take you up on it. I’m ridiculously clueless about anything baby-related.”
Savannah returns with a member of staff from the bar trailing behind her, carrying a bottle of champagne.
“We have Sutton-safe champagne,” she announces with a gleeful smile and slides back into the booth.
A man our age sets down glasses and an ice bucket with a bottle in it.
“We’re celebrating?” I ask, part of me surprised, part amused, not sure whether to laugh or cry at how fast my life is changing.
“Yes. It’s not every day you announce life-changing news, and since you are not telling us while crying on a bedroom floor, then I’m going to assume this is a happy occasion.”
“Here I was thinking we might talk shopping,” I deadpan.
The cork pops, and as the bartender pours our drinks, my mind races through all the life changes swirling around me—and my friends—at once.
It’s not a competition between us.
But I don’t have the luxury of time.
Life is speeding up, and the baby is the ticking clock I can’t ignore.
And I’m at peace with that.