“Usual way, Mum.”
“And you’re both okay with this?” asked their father.
“How long have you known?” said their mother at the same time.
“I’m over the moon. We both are. And we’ve known for about three weeks.”
“Why didn’t you say anything before?” asked their mother.
“Because I wanted to have the whole family together,” said Garrett, grinning at Spencer. “Seeing as you’re all going to be on child-minding duties.”
“Yes,” said Spencer, “I don’t think that’s going to happen.”
“Not you, of course. I wouldn’t trust you to look after my pet tarantula,” said Garrett, before supplementing the comment because of the horrified look his father gave him, “if I ever had a pet tarantula.”
“What do your parents think, Peony?” asked Spencer’s mother.
“Peony’s mother passed away four years ago,” said Garrett. “And she never met her father.”
“Oh, heavens. I’m so sorry.”
“It’s fine,” said Peony. “Well, it’s not fine, of course. I wish Mum was still around. But there’s no point wishing for the impossible, is there? At least the child will have you both as grandparents. And Spencer as an uncle, of course.”
“I think it’s brilliant. I’m going to be cool, gay Uncle Spencer. And I am going to spoil your kid rotten, bro.”
Peony giggled again and snuggled into Garrett.
“I’m going to pick out dresses and accessories and makeup,” added Spencer.
“We don’t know the sex yet,” said Garrett.
“And your point being?” said Spencer, enjoying watching the smile drain from his brother’s face while Peony tipped back her head and laughed aloud. “Does this mean you’ll finally be getting your own place?”
“It’s early days,” said Garrett, giving Spencer the stink eye before talking to his parents. “The baby’s not due until April or May. And we haven’t really discussed—”
“Of course you’re not, Garrett. Not yet, anyway,” said his mother. “Peony will need someone around to help with the baby. You’ll stay with us, of course you will. We’ll be happy to have you, won’t we, Colin?”
For the first time that weekend, Spencer’s father stepped out of his mental man cave and really joined the party. After studying Garrett then Peony, making a careful assessment, he turned to Spencer’s mother.
“We’d be delighted,” he said, before kissing her on the cheek. “Grandma.”
This single word instantly got Spencer’s mother’s attention.
“Okay. House rules. This child willnotbe calling me either Granny or Grandma.”
Everyone but Spencer’s mother laughed. She had made the fact clear on other occasions when they talked about the possibility of her sons having children—either or both of them.
“How about Nanna?” asked Spencer.
“I guess that might work.”
“Shame, I had my heart set on Glamma.”
“Don’t push your luck, Garrett,” said their mother.
“Thank you both,” said Peony, directly to Spencer’s mother and father. She appeared almost relieved, but then she had only just met the big-hearted Wyrrell family.
“This calls for a celebration,” said Spencer’s father, beckoning the waiter. “Hello there. Can we get everyone a glass of bubbly so we can make a toast? Oh, except for the mother-to-be over there. She’ll have a glass of sparkling lemonade.”
