Savannah’s hand darted out again, and she gave her knee a firm squeeze.
Deep breaths. You’re going to be fine. You can do this.
“Addison is like a sister to me, so I wasn’t surprised that I wanted to help her, but when I realized it went beyond helping her look and being there for the surrogate, I realized what I actually wanted to do.”
Charlotte stopped, and her eyes darted around the dining room. She glanced at the table pushed next to it, which spilled out into the backyard, where more and more of the Wilson clan sat. A few of them were leaning against the pillow cushions and looking directly at her. Others were exchanging confused looks.
She hated being in the spotlight and didn’t like being the center of attention.
But she also knew if she didn’t tell them now, she was going to lose her nerve.
And they deserved better.
With trembling hands, Charlotte took a quick sip of her lemon iced tea, the cool liquid trickling down her throat. “I don’t know why it’s suddenly so hard for me to tell you.”
Savannah pushed her chair back with a screech. “My sister is an amazing person, and she wants you all to know that she has thought about this. She’s given it a lot of thought, and I think it’s a brave and wonderful thing to do.”
Charlotte leaned into Savanna’s side and inhaled. “Thank you.”
Savannah patted her shoulders and sat back down. “You’ve got this, sis.”
Charlotte took another sip of her drink, but her throat was still dry. She sucked in a harsh breath, counted backward from five, and released it. “A few weeks ago, I decided to approach Addison and Mason about being their surrogate.”
Everyone was so quiet that Charlotte thought they’d all stopped breathing.
Her great-grandparents exchanged a quick, startled look and glanced back at her.
“I went to the fertility clinic, and I got all the tests done, and when I was given the all clear, I sat down to talk to both of them and see what they thought,” Charlotte continued, her voice growing quieter and quieter. “They were shocked when Itold them too, and they couldn’t believe it, but eventually, we all realized we wanted the same thing.”
She cast another quick glance around the room, but she couldn’t meet anyone’s gaze.
Come on, the hard part is over. You can do this. You’re more than halfway there already. Just say it.
Charlotte set down her drink, and her hand drifted to her stomach. “I’m carrying Addison and Mason’s baby. I think they’re going to make amazing parents, and I’m happy and proud to be a part of that journey with them.”
For a long time, nothing happened.
Emily hastily rose to her feet and raised her glass. “I, for one, am proud of my daughter. It isn’t easy to make a decision like this.”
Savannah jumped to her feet and picked up her glass too. “I’m proud of my sister too. She’s helping a good couple start their own family. It’s a great way to help.”
No one said anything for a while longer.
Charlotte’s shoulders slumped, and she sank into her seat. Savannah draped an arm over her shoulders and tucked her into her side. Then, Charlotte squeezed her eyes shut and began to wonder when she could leave. Given the deafening silence, she began to panic that they wanted her to leave right away so they wouldn’t have to look at her anymore.
Slowly, someone began to clap. Charlotte’s eyes flew open, and she saw her great-grandma Jen rising to her feet, weathered hands moving steadily, and a smile etched onto her face. A heartbeat later, Great-Grandpa Frank joined her, his entire face looking younger than she’d ever seen it.
The applause turned louder and louder until everyone was on their feet, cheering for her. Charlotte leaned away from Savannah, tears streaming steadily down her face. She couldbarely make out anything through her tears, but she was aware of her name being called and being passed around for hugs.
Her head was spinning until she was deposited onto the living room couch, wedged between her mother and sister. When she inhaled a deep breath and took it all in, Charlotte’s chest grew with emotion. She couldn’t believe how excited everyone was or how happy they were for her and the soon-to-be parents. A short while later, Addison and Mason were on the doorstep, and she barely had a chance to wave to them before they were swallowed whole by the crowd.
Once they emerged again, they were beaming and glancing at each other lovingly. Addison and Mason sat down next to her on the couch, and Charlotte’s happiness felt complete.
With her friends and family by her side, nothing was going to get in her way.
Chapter Twenty-Three
“Addy?”
