“Hope you’re ready to be an aunt.”
“Ready to ... wait a minute! Did you just say aunt?”
“He did,” her sister confirmed with a happy giggle. “We’re going to be adding a little one to our family.”
“As in another puppy?” Aurora said. Jade and David always called their dog, Mac, their child. Maybe they were adopting again and giving Mac a playmate.
“No, silly,” Jade said, her voice filled with unrestrained joy, “we’re having a baby!”
A wave of emotion washed over Aurora. She had never felt so many things at one time. Surprise and joy for her sister and David. Sadness for herself, because she was the oldest daughter. She should have been the one telling her little sister that she was going to be an aunt. But Aurora hadn’t even made it to the altar. At that moment, it felt as if life was passing her by. She wanted all those things her sister had been so blessed to find.
“Aurora?” she heard Jade say, her excitement replaced by concern.
Aurora fought back an unexpected rush of hot tears. “I’m here.” She forced a smile because she really was happy for her sister. But her heart ached at the realization that while she had put an end to the life she’d thought she wanted, her sister was adding to hers. “I’m just speechless. I had no idea you and David were trying.”
“We didn’t want to say anything to anyone, not even Mom and Dad, until it happened and we were safely through the first trimester. Today was day one in my second trimester!”
“I have to say your sister dealt with the first three months of pregnancy like a champ,” Aurora’s brother-in-law said with pride. “Even with morning sickness that lasted beyond the mornings.”
“Jade, David,” Aurora said, her throat tight, “I am so very happy for you both. And for Mac,” she added. “He’s going to be the best big brother.”
“He will,” Jade agreed. “I can’t wait to hear all about your trip to Alaska. It must be pretty special for you to extend your stay a week longer than planned. Hope you’re getting all the photos you need for the magazine.”
“I am,” Aurora replied with confidence. “And it is,” she said, her thoughts going to Gage.
“I’m glad,” her sister replied. “Enjoy the rest of your stay. I need to get going. David and I still have to call Mom and Dad and then David’s family with our news.”
She was touched that her sister had shared their big news with her before anyone else. “We’ll talk more when I drive home for early Thanksgiving dinner,” Aurora said. “Love you guys.”
“Love you, too,” Jade said, and then the call disconnected.
Aurora stood in contemplative silence, staring off into the darkness that surrounded the lodge’s back patio.
Gage stood watching Aurora as she paced about on the phone. “She looks upset,” he said to his sister, keeping his voice low.
Julia nodded. “I hope everything’s okay.”
“I should go check on her,” he said, rising to his feet.
Across the starlit patio, Aurora stood gazing out, phone still clutched in one hand by her side.
Gage stepped up behind her and stopped, not wanting to intrude on her thoughts, but needing to know she was alright. “Aurora,” he said softly, “everything okay?”
She nodded, but didn’t turn around. “I’m going to be an aunt,” she told him, her reply ending in a muffled sob.
“So those are happy tears,” he surmised, relief sweeping through him.
“Yes,” she said and then added, “and no.”
No?“Is your sister having problems with her pregnancy?”
Aurora shook her head. “She’s wonderful. It’s me. And I feel awful for feeling the way I do. And it’s not just my sister’s pregnancy announcement. Being here makes me feel homesick, because it feels so much like home did before I moved to Seattle, and Jade got married and moved into a home of her own. I miss the quality time you still get to have with your family.”
A brow lifted as understanding settled in. Stepping forward, Gage wrapped his arms around her in a comforting embrace. “It’s okay to be happy for someone yet feel sad at the same time. You are dealing with a lot on this trip. Give yourself some grace.”
“I’m going to take this tray back to the kitchen,” his sister said as she darted past Gage and Aurora. She paused halfway to the back door of the lodge and glanced back. “If you ever need to talk, Aurora, I’m a great listener.”
“Thank you, Julia,” Aurora replied. “I appreciate the offer.”
