Page 129 of Fractured Empire

“So what? It’s a color. Be a man, you wimp.”

Rayna cackles, covering her mouth to muffle the sound after half of it has already slipped out.

“Cupcake time!” Leo shouts from the kitchen. “Come get dem.”

“I guess it’s cupcake time.” I laugh, shaking my head. “Help yourself to food and drinks. The back patio has stuff out on it for the kids in case they want to go outside, but the fire pit is in the garden if anyone is going to smoke. Cigars are in the cabinet by the door.”

“Well, you know where we’ll be,” Ares says, getting up at the same time as Nico. “Congrats, sis.”

“Cheers on getting knocked up and all that,” my brother-in-law adds, nodding to Leon and I.

“Nico!” Jade chastises, glaring at him.

“What?” he shrugs. “I said cheers.”

“Go be antisocial outside,” she huffs. “I’ll deal with you later.”

“Oooo, you’re in trouble,” Ares teases.

“So are you,” Gaia snaps impudently.

Ares sighs. “What a pair we are.”

When they leave, they aren’t the only ones getting up. Most of the room migrates to the kitchen in search of food. Babies are passed around while toddlers and little children explore the crowd, drawn from one family member to the next. Cupcakes are consumed, drinks are poured, and plenty of conversation is had.

It doesn’t take long before I need to sneak off and empty my bladder that’s recently become the size of a grape. After washing my hands and leaving the small hallway bathroom, I run into an unexpected face.

“Hello.”

Melani really does look like the perfect old money wife, wearing designer high quality clothes that are somehow luxurious and understated. Her hair is beige blonde with dimensional lowlights and it’s been impeccably styled both times I’ve come into contact with her. She doesn’t have an outwardly warm presence but not a standoffish one either. She’s a bit neutral and hard to put in a box without getting to know her, I imagine.

“Hi,” I reply, lifting my lips into a greeting smile.

“I wanted to have a word with you, if that’s all right?”

“Of course,” I agree easily, not getting the sense that she has anything other than good intentions.

“I know we don’t know each other very well, and I haven’t made it a point to reach out to you since your wedding,” she begins, sounding almost regretful. “Cleo was one of my only friends and her loss hit me very hard. We didn’t get along at first, when we married our husbands. But when we became moms, we slowly started connecting and I thought…at least on my end, I really cared for our relationship. Coming into this family can be intimidating, especially when you don’t live with the big group. It’s easy to become close when you share a home every day.”

Not wanting to interrupt or ignore her, I nod along, hoping for her to continue.

“Our kids grew close, and so did we. I’ve never been good at making friends, and Cleo and I grew up similarly so it wasn’t easy but we managed it. I-I was so mad when she died without ever telling me that she was sick that I took it out on Leon at first and I kept my distance from there. I know he was only following her wishes by keeping it a secret for her, but…” Melani trails off, shaking her head. “I’m getting off topic.”

“No, you’re fine,” I say sincerely. “I’m not in a hurry.”

“You’re kind,” she replies, a sad look passing over her face. “I’m sure you’ve heard less than favorable things about me, all of which were likely warranted, but I want you to know that I care about Bastian and Leo. I’ll always be a phone call away if you need someone to help you with them or just a friend.”

“Bastian and Leo care about you too,” I promise earnestly. Sure, they’re currently obsessed with Rayna and Apollo most of all, but that doesn’t mean they don’t mention the rest of the family often. “They call you Aunt Lani, you know? And I don’t blame you for not reaching out, I haven’t done my best at connecting with the whole family either. Life is hectic when you have kids.”

“It is,” she agrees warmly.

“And I know there’s some things going on with you and the family, but frankly, I don’t think it’s my place to get involved. It sounds very personal, and I don’t know you or your sister or your parents well enough to even consider what might have happened.”

Melani makes a small noise, eyes flickering with grief.

“So, if you want to work on building a friendship, I think that would be lovely. I don’t have the best track record with friends, I must admit. My childhood best friend wanted to marry Leon and lost her mind on me when he asked me instead. But if you don’t have any objections after hearing that, and knowing that I’m friends with Rayna as well, I always have room for more friends in my life. Especially ones who care about my boys.”

Rayna being Sienna’s closest friend has made her defensive and angry where Melani is concerned, but Melani is still a Moretti, and still a mother and a woman who deserves to be given a chance. She hasn’t told anyone her side of the story where her family situation is concerned, and I don’t feel entitled to knowing everything about her before offering her the kindness of friendship.