Chapter Thirty-One
Brooklyn
“Why do you look so gloomy? It’s Thanksgiving. You love Thanksgiving.” Declan puts his arm around my shoulder and squeezes. He, Eli, and Keene are wearing ridiculous turkey hats. It’s hard to stay grouchy when they look like such complete idiots.
“Oh god, she’s upset because we didn’t get her a hat,” Keene says.
Eli holds up another hat and smiles. “But we did!”
He puts it on my head. I’m trying not to smile, but I just can’t help it.
“It looks amazing.” Keene claps his hands together.
“Truly,” Declan says. “You belong in a museum.”
“Me? My whole person?”
“Well, like a sculpture or painting of you. It would get pretty boring if you had to stay in a museum for the rest of your life.”
“That’s true,” Keene adds.
“Seriously though, you look rough,” Declan whispers. “What’s up with you?’
I haven’t felt well in ages. I’m depressed. I’m not sleeping. The sleep I’m getting is restless and full of nightmares.
“I’m not sleeping well.” I run my hands over my face.
“What can we do?” Eli asks.
I give him a sad smile. I love them so much, but sometimes there’s nothing anyone can do. Some things can’t be fixed.
“Maybe you need to see a therapist?” Eli suggests. “You went through a lot with your stepdad.”
Declan agrees, “That’s some really traumatic stuff.”
I close my eyes for a moment and see a bullet ripping through Daryl’s neck, blood spraying everywhere. I see it every time I close my eyes.
“Yeah. I should. I’ll make an appointment with someone.”
Declan squeezes me tighter. “That’s a good plan.”
We walk toward the dining room together. MarryMe bounds up with Juno and Vivi trailing behind her.
“Aunt Brookie, look what I did with Juno.” Vivi holds up a turkey painting.
“It’s beautiful. I love it. Are you going to frame it?”
“Maybe.” She fistbumps Declan, Eli, and Keene right in a row.
She laughs hysterically and does it again. They are way more interesting than me now. Juno gives me a hug. “How are you?”
“I’m okay? How’s school?”
“Busy.”
Declan is at my side again. “I’m so hungry. I haven’t eaten anything since lunch yesterday, so I could eat a huge meal.”
“You are so weird.”
He grins. “Never claimed not to be.”
We sit down. James brings out the turkey, and my stomach rolls. Declan gives me a sideways look.
“I can’t eat meat anymore. I don’t know what’s going on with me. I guess I’m a vegetarian now.”
I’ve lost weight this past month - at least ten pounds I didn’t need to lose. I just don’t want to eat. I really do need to see a therapist. This isn’t healthy.
“I can’t believe you are here. When was your due date?’ Elizabeth says to Olivia.
Liv just groans, and Will says, “A week ago.”
“Are they going to induce you?”
“Monday if she doesn’t make an appearance on her own this weekend.”
“I’m sure you’re dying. I have less than two weeks to go, and I am counting down by the hour at this point. I’m going to cry if it’s three weeks.”
“What’s the worst part about being pregnant?” Juno asks.
“At which stage?” Liv laughs.
“Right now - the indigestion. This food looks and smells amazing, and I’m starving, but if I eat a normal size meal I’ll be up all night with indigestion.”
“I’d like my ribs and lungs returned to me. This little one has parked her butt up so high in my ribs. My body wasn’t meant to stretch that way. I keep trying to push her down, but she’s not budging.”
“I wish I could sleep.”
“Me too.”
Me three. I think. Only I can’t sleep for different reasons.
James stands up. He clinks a glass. “I’m so glad we are all gathered here today. We have so much to be thankful for. New family members. Babies arriving soon. We are all safe and healthy. It hasn’t always been an easy year, but we’re together, and that’s what matters most.”
Declan squeezes my hand briefly, and Juno takes my other hand. I feel like crying. It seems to be the only emotion I have these days.
“To family!” he raises his glass. We all join in a toast.
“To family!”
“Enough talking. Let’s eat.”
We all break out in individual conversations while passing food around. I nearly gag when Declan hands me the gravy, so I pass it immediately to Juno.
“You’re being weird,” he whispers.
I just shrug. “You’re always weird.”
I spoon some mashed potatoes and green beans on my plate and then add a roll. I’m nibbling on the roll while listening to Eli and Declan talk about their latest vacation.
“Had you ever snowboarded before?” Keene asks.
“No, never,” Eli answers.
“Sounds awesome, I want to go next time.”
“Absolutely. Any of you can come. It would be fun to have everyone go. What do you think, Brooklyn?”
“Huh?” I say. I’m looking at Olivia. She’s placed her fork down. There’s a flash of discomfort across her face.
“Snowboarding. Would you want to try it?”
“Maybe? Hot chocolate by a fireplace sounds better.” I’m still watching Olivia. After a minute, she picks up her fork and continues in the conversation.
“I agree,” Juno says.
The conversation around me continues. Some time passes, and I notice Olivia set her fork down again.
“Liv, are you okay?” I call across the table. Everyone stops talking and looks at her.
She takes a shaky breath. “Yeah. I’m fine. I think I’m having contractions.”
“What?” Will yells. He stands up so quickly his chair falls over.
“Calm down.” She’s shaking her head.
“How far apart are they?” Elizabeth asks.
“Um, I’m not sure.”
“Seven minutes,” I say. Every eyeball falls on me. I shrug. “I’ve been watching her.”
“Okay, we need to head to the hospital.” Will starts pacing.
“Will, honey, seriously, you’re stressing me out.” Olivia stands up. Will rushes over to her side.
“We’ll get you to the hospital, don’t worry.” James is on his feet now too.
Will rushes around. I’m not even sure what he’s doing. I’m pretty sure he has no idea what he’s doing either.
Elizabeth gives Olivia a quick hug. “You’re going to do great. Send us lots of updates. Call us whenever she arrives. It doesn’t matter what time it is. We’ll keep our phones on all night.”
As soon as Elizabeth steps back, Zadie gives a little yelp. We all look over at her. Her hand is over her mouth. There’s a puddle at her feet.
“My water just broke.”
Ethan’s eyes nearly pop out of his head. “Isn’t it too early?”
“He’s due in twelve days. I’m considered full term.”
Ethan looks like he’s swallowed his tongue. These big tough guys sure do go to mush quickly when it comes to baby stuff.
Zadie puts her hand on his shoulder. “It’s fine. Really.”
“Well, I guess you can hitch a ride with Will and Liv,” James says as he shakes his head.
Juno starts jumping up and down. “Oh my god, two babies in one night!”
There’s a big rush to get them out the door. We all stand outside the White House and wave as they drive away.
“Well, that’s going to go down in history as the weirdest Thanksgiving dinner ever,” Eli says.
“We still get to have pie though, right?” Keene asks.
“Of course,” Elizabeth says as she motions us to follow her inside.
Sterling Family Group Text
Juno: Any news? Any news? Any news? Any news?
Keene: Calm down. How much pie did you eat?
Juno: Too much. I’m stress eating.
Will: Everything’s going well. Liv’s eight centimeters dilated. She’s had the epidural. She just threw up a whole Thanksgiving dinner, but other than that she’s feeling good.
Liv: Remind me not to eat an entire Thanksgiving feast before having a baby next time.
Declan: Oof. I wouldn’t want to see that all come back up.
Keene: Gross. Thanks for that visual.
Juno: I’m still eating here. Don’t gross me out.
Brooklyn: Zadie, any news?
Ethan: Her water broke but her labor isn’t progressing as much as they’d like. They are going to start Pitocin.
Eli: I have no idea what that means, but I hope it goes well.
Brooklyn: I’ll explain it to you.
Eli: Thanks.
Keene: I don’t know what dilated means either.
Brooklyn: Oh good lord. I’ll explain that too.
Keene: Well, I’m traumatized now.
Zadie: Imagine it’s your vagina.
Keene: Now I’m really traumatized.
Elizabeth: Quit being weird. Babies are born every day. It’s what our bodies are made to do.
Liv: Well said. Thank you.
Brooklyn: You girls got this! I’m so proud of you both.
11:05
Will: She’s pushing now.
Juno: eeek! I can’t wait.
Elizabeth: Hang in there. You’re almost done!
Juno: Zadie, any news?
Ethan: She’s taking a nap.
Eli: Didn’t know that was possible when in labor.
Brooklyn: It’s not like the movies, you doofus. Really, did any of you take sex ed?
Keene: I wasn’t paying attention.
Brooklyn: I’m not surprised.
11:34
Will: She’s here! Ansley Isabella Sterling. 7lbs 7 oz. Born at 11:24.
Juno: yay yay yay
Elizabeth: How’s Liv?
Will: She’s great. Everyone is healthy!
James: Wonderful. Congratulations!
Declan: Can’t wait to meet her.
Brooklyn: Way to go Liv!
Keene: Who does she look like?
Will: She looks like a baby.
Eli: So excited for you. Is Zadie awake?
Ethan: Yes. This just went from 0 to 60. She’s pushing now.
Juno: Woo-hooo! Hurry up Zadie! I want them to have the same birthday.
Keene: I don’t think she can control that.
Elizabeth: Keep us posted. Will, send us pictures.
12:10
Ethan: We have a healthy baby boy. Micah Harrison Miller is here. He was born at 12:59. 7 lbs. 2 oz.
Juno: They have the same birthday!!!!!!!!
Brooklyn: How’s Zadie?
Ethan: Great. Exhausted.
James: Congratulations! Can’t wait to meet Micah and Ansley.
Elizabeth: This is the best Thanksgiving ever.
Brooklyn: It really is.