Sofia beamed with pride. "Eight months and already trying to climb out of everything. Not too sure who he gets that from. I'm blaming his father.."
Grayson rolled his eyes but couldn't hide his smile. "Says the woman who scaled the side of her house to sneak out at sixteen. I heard the stories."
"That was different," Sofia protested, adjusting Marcello's bib. "That was for freedom, not mischief."
Before I knew it, we were chatting about nothing and everything, silly anecdotes, work stories, the weather, and laughing. Real, warm laughter that made my chest ache with how unfamiliar yet right it felt. Meredith leaned into Leo's side, looking up at him with that secret language of long-term couples, and he nodded almost imperceptibly.
"We have something to share, actually," she started once we'd all settled down from greeting one another and catching up. Her fingers twisted nervously in her napkin, but her smile was radiant.
I looked at her expectantly, already sensing what was to come considering her growing grin and the protective way Leo's arm curled around her shoulders.
"We're pregnant again!" Meredith shared, her voice lifting with joy. "It's early, but the doctors are optimistic this time. We've had all our check-ups and it's going smoothly." Her eyes moved around the table, seeking our reactions.
I smiled, genuinely. I knew she'd wanted this, and after the scare with the miscarriage… this was something they wanted to be hopeful about. "That's wonderful, Mer." And it was. I meant it. Even if part of me still ached with the knowledge that I'd missed every other milestone in her life—her first heartbreak, her graduation, her wedding. I'd been robbed of a sister, and she'd been robbed of me.
"We're being extra cautious," Leo added, his voice smooth as aged whiskey. "But the doctor says everything looks perfect. I'm glad we could share the news with everyone finally." His gaze slid past me, focusing on something—or someone—behind me.
I frowned, noting how everyone on the opposite side of the table was now looking past me with expressions of shared conspiracy. I turned, instinctively, and there she was.
Mom.
Out of the hospital with a grin plastered on her face at the news she'd overheard. Clearly, the hospital hadn't wanted her walking too much, since Ivy was the designated pusher of her wheelchair.
Ivy wheeled her over to join us. My mother's face was still thin, but there was color in her cheeks I hadn't seen in months. Her blue sparkled with life and delight.
"Sounds like it's a day for good news," Ivy said, grinning while I tried to understand why mom was out of the hospital. Sure, her treatments had been going well, but no one had told me she was allowed to leave freely now. The last time I'd visited, she'd still been feeling weak.
"Well, I want to add to the good news then, since today will be a day of celebration. I'm officially in remission," my mom said as she threw her arms up, her smile so wide it seemed to illuminate her from within.
Remission.
The word hit me so deep it took my breath away. The world rocked beneath me as my heart stuttered, disbelieving the word.
She wasn't going to leave us.
My knees nearly gave out as I lurched out of my chair and rushed to her. I wrapped my arms around her frail frame, holding her as tight as I dared without feeling like I was going to break her. "Mom," I whispered, voice cracking. "Oh my God."
She smelled like honey and home, and I didn't care that I was crying in front of everyone. I buried my face in her shoulder and let the tears come—months of fear, of waiting, of not knowing if I'd lose her. It all poured out of me in silent, shuddering sobs.
Her hand stroked my hair, just like when I was little. "I told you I'd fight," she murmured. "I told you I'm not going anywhere anytime soon."
I pulled back just enough to see her face, to search her eyes. "When did you find out? Why didn't you tell me?"
"Yesterday," she said, wiping a tear from my cheek. "I wanted to surprise you. Ivy helped arrange everything."
I turned to look at my best friend, who was dabbing at her own eyes. "You knew?"
Ivy shrugged, her smile watery. "Someone had to get her here. And you know I love a good dramatic entrance."
I didn't know how long we stayed like that, but when I finally pulled back, everyone had gathered around us. Even Meredith looked misty-eyed, her hand pressed to her chest as Leo stood protectively behind her.
"I'm so happy for you both, congratulations," my mother said, reaching out to squeeze Meredith's hand. "I hope I didn't take away from your excitement. I guess we both wanted to use this get together to share great news."
"Oh, please, this has only made this day even more special," Meredith said with a relieved smile. "A day of life all around."
My mother covered Meredith's hand with her own. "Thank you, dear. I can't wait to meet this little one."
Grayson appeared with champagne flutes for everyone, and sparkling cider for Meredith and Mom. "To Meredith, Leo, and Anna," he said, raising his glass, his green eyes warm, "for a new life on the way, and for surviving a hard battle."
