“The elusive Uncle E,” I add.
Oran nods and looks down. “Well, he had a lot of bad blood with my dad and therefore hates the island more than Berke did. He once promised me that if I needed him to take temporary control over the family he’d help.” Oran scratches his head. “Between controlling the family empire and helping run a country I’m tapped out and hardly see my family. Now we’re having another.”
“I get it, you’ve already done the work-a-holic thing and now you want to be a family man but you two feel bad about asking Uncle E to return to a place he despises. Kind of like trading your happiness for his?” Imala summarizes because she’s always reading.
“Pretty much,” Karessa admits.
“He didn’t even come to the weddings although he loves Wyn and me. He sent us gifts and called after. When he was here for the funeral but hung back so much that even Mireya didn’t know how he was. Now, he has to step into the spotlight because I’m exhausted.”
“I’m sure he understands that and is okay with it otherwise he wouldn’t have made the offer or followed through. I want you two to relax and be happy about the next baby Hale,” I tell them like I run stuff.
Marín catches my eyes from the living room and mouths 'congratulations’ of course he already knows, he’s her doctor.
Imala and Wyn are still on pause until she’s ready to try again but Puff is the cutest dog ever so it’s okay for now. Marín, on the other hand, tries to get me pregnant every time he looks at me. I would tell him to hold off because I don’t want my baby sister to feel bad but I’m also aware that since he’s older than Wyn he’s much more impatient about it. Either way, it looks like our kids will be close in age.
***
“Keep your eyes closed, Chispa,” my husband whispers near my ear.
I’ve heard of people embarrassing themselves with surprises but assuming that it’s sexual when it’s a family party so I don’t make any assumptions and just do what I’m told. I feel the grass under my toes and I’m not sure what surprise is waiting for us in our backyard. He moves his hand to show the gaggle of our families including Mireya. I try not to roll my eyes out of habit because she did apologize and such but it’s a process.
“Happy birthday,” they say almost in unison.
The dessert and food tables have all of my favorite things in dessert sizes. I look at the big glass drink dispenser.
“Is that lavender lemonade?”
Marín laughs and I turn to him with a hug. I didn’t expect an event since my birthday falls on next Saturday but I’m not complaining.
“That time is for us,” he whispers as if reading my thoughts. “Belated honeymoon?”
My mega smile makes him chuckle and kiss me on the lips. “I love you,” I whisper.
“I loved you first,” his competitive ass responds. “We haven’t gotten to the actual surprise.”
“Oh.” I giggle. “This is already great but bring it on.”
I turn to see Santí standing on the stage I thought was for karaoke. “The gift only I, your husband can give, a private Nico Santigo concert.”
Everyone laughs when I squeal and run over to my Father-in-law like the obsessed fan I still am on the inside. He scoops me into a big hug.
“Happy early birthday, Esme,” He tells me with an extra squeeze.
“You have no idea how excited I am,” I confess. “Thank you.”
His eyes crinkle in the corners when he chuckles and pushes his palms together with a slight bow.
“Anything for family.”
I believe him. I know he’d even help Mireya if need be although I feel like he’s still not talking to her. It’s much easier for a child to make up with his mother than ex-lovers. What they had is forever broken but they can hopefully be friends. I’m sure he would be okay with that since Santí is just like his name. A saint.
Everyone picks a seat on either side but I stay in the middle like any fan ready for one of their favs to kill it. My husband comes up behind me and wraps his arms around my waist.
“That IUD is coming out, Chispa. I want my babies.”
I’ve been waiting to give him babies more with each day that passes. “I’m not an incubator,” I whisper back.
“No, you’re the mother of my children. Don’t make me spank you in mixed company.”
I laugh, “Grab me a lemonade and I’ll consider it.”
“I’ll get you a lemonade but there is nothing to consider. I’m an OBGYN, I know multiple ways to get you pregnant.”
He kisses my temple and moves away to get my lemonade. He returns just as his dad starts the first song.
I may not be able to get pregnant tonight but he’s definitely getting some.
