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Noah leads us down the path and into my parent’s house. The TV’s on, but no one is really talking. We head down the hall and before we turn the corner, Noah says, “We have a surprise.” He holds our pup out, like the scene from The Lion King. Someone, I think it’s my dad, starts singing.
“Oh, my you got a puppy!” My mom all but squeals as she comes to take her from Noah. Honestly, now that I think about it, getting a dog before taking the test was the best idea. No one is staring, waiting for me to give them the news.
Then our universe aligns. Beau comes bounding into the house, with Ben and Elle hot on his heels, followed by Nick, Mack, and Amelie. There are lots of hugs and when I’m about to ask what everyone is doing and why my sister didn’t tell me she was back in town, Liam, Josie and Paige walk in. I glance at my husband, who wraps his arm around me.
“I thought this would be the best way to tell them,” he says into my ear.
“And if it was negative?”
“Then my parents are in town, and we have a puppy to show off.”
“I love you.”
“I love you,” he says, kissing me where his mouth was.
“Dog!” Oliver screeches. He pulls on her ears, and she cries out, causing Ollie to cry. My dad’s there, teaching him right and wrong, and before I can grab her, Mack has her cradled like a baby.
“What’s her name?”
“Stevie Nicks,” Noah says proudly. “As one name though.”
“Isn’t she, like, old?” Paige asks, much to my dad and Liam’s dismay.
“Child, we’re going to have a music lesson when we get home,” Liam says.
“Hey, where are the Davises?” I ask.
“Australia,” Josie says. “Eden has an event.”
“Oh.” That totally sucks.
Elle comes over to me and puts her arm around my shoulder. “How are you feeling?”
“I’m good.”
“Do you have something to tell us?”
I play it off. “No, why?”
“Um, seriously, P?”
“What?”
“You were supposed to take a test today.”
“Oh shit. I’ve been so wrapped up with the puppy I totally forgot.” I wave the thought away. “I’ll do it when I get home.”
“You’ve got to be kidding me.” Elle throws her hands up in exasperation. It takes everything in me not to crack a smile, to stay as stoic as possible.
“Where’s Quinn?”
“Right here.”
I hear him yell from outside. I go out there and find him hosing off, still in his wetsuit. “Where’s Nola?”
“Studying for an exam. She said she’d try to come over later.”
“Oh. Come meet our dog.”
