"Push Emma," Austin says, placing his hand on mine.
I scowl, throwing him a look that could kill. "I am, but you just had to have this damn sofa," I say, rolling my eyes. "Couldn't you have decided on the smaller one?"
We're in Queens, at our apartment, trying like hell to push a too big sofa through a door too small. Austin stops pushing, placing a hand on his knee. "You said to pick whichever one I wanted, so I picked this one."
Although he's right, I did say that, he should have measured the door frame first.
"Let's just get it in already," I say, sighing with exhaustion.
Austin shakes his head. "No, you go lay down. You shouldn't be helping in the first place but you're too damn stubborn to listen. I'll just call Pete," he says, referring to out neighbour. I offer a smile and crawl over the sofa and into out two bedroom apartment. We don't have a roommate anymore, and now its just empty.
I hop on the kitchen counter, checking my phone. Three messages. One missed call.
Taking the peanut butter jar and spoon, I open it and scoop out a spoon full, closing my eyes at the glorious taste.
I dial Jude's number.
"Hello?" A little girl asks and I smile at the sound of my eight year old niece.
"Hello, Miss Lucy. Is Uncle Jude there?"
"Uncle Judy, its Aunty Emma!" She calls, her voice moving in and out of hearing as she runs around the house, trying to find Jude. She calls him Judy ever since she started saying his name. Its sticks, despite his displeasure. "Uncle Judy, Aunty Emma is on the phone."
There's a deep voice on the end as muffled sound as the phone is being passed over. Lucy screams and Jude promises to give her the phone back when he's done talking.
"Emma? What do you want?"
I scoff. "Wow, that's how you greet your one and only sister?"
Jude sighs. "Sorry, I'm just tired," he says and I can hear it in his voice.
"Why? Is everything okay?"
Jude chuckles. "Yeah, Quinn just left Lucy here while he went to run a few errands," he explains. Quinn, despite our parents caution, knocked up his senior year prom date. After the birth of Lucy, she disappeared and he's a single father of a five year old.
"Is everything alright there?"
I glance over at the suit cases, packed up and ready to go.
"Yeah," I say, smiling and look down at my stomach. "Everything is great. I'm really excited to come home for a while."
"Me too Em," Jude says. "You've worked really hard and I'm proud of you."
"Thanks Judy," I say, laughing at his nickname.
Austin and I haven't seen our families since last year. Since I graduated Queen's with my b.ED, we haven't seen our families at all because we've been working. Though its worth it.
I glance down at the shining diamond ring on my finger, the one that replaces the promise ring Austin gave me years ago.
Married seven years and still in love.
"So, I'll meet you guys at baggage claim, yeah?" Jude says and we discuss the flight before hanging up.
Austin and Pete walk into the kitchen, sweat dripping down their forehead.
"Thanks for helping man," Austin says, reaching into the fridge. "You want a beer?"
Pete shakes his head. "No thanks, I have to go pick up the kid from basketball practice. You two have a safe flight" He leaves and Austin walks over standing in front of me, smiling.
He leans forward, kissing my cheek then bends down, putting his face to my stomach.
"I can't wait to meet you," he says, grinning.
***
"Oh my god," I say, scowling at the line of people to get baggage. "I am truly going to murder someone.
"Emma, don't say that in public," Austins says, busy searching through the crowd of people for Jude. He texted a while ago to say he was here but we still see no sign of him. "Murder does not look good on a resume."
"Emma! Austin!"
My eyes snap forward and I see my big brother running through the crowd. He reaches us, throwing his arms around my body and squeezing tight.
"Careful man," Austin warns, then strides to collect our suitcases.
Jude unleashes me from his grasp, staring at me with curious look. "What's he mean, careful?"
I smile, despite how irritated I am and touch my stomach.
My brothers eye bulge at the roundness. "You're fucking pregnant," he says, more of a statement.
I nod. "Twenty nine weeks," I say, chuckling. "We are past the risk period, which is the only reason I'm telling you and coming home."
Austin and I have wanted a child since we've been engaged, but we've had two miscarriages in the last four years. The pain is great, losing a child you've never met before and we stopped trying but when the doctor told us I was pregnant again, we didn't get our hopes up.
"I am beyond happy for you, little sister," he says, hugging me again. "And our brothers better believe who is going to be the favourite uncle." Austin comes back, dragging our luggage. Jude attacks him in a hug.
"Congratulation man, you're going to be a dad," Jude says, laughing. "Man, I cannot wait to mete this little human."
"You and me both," Austin chuckles and we begin the journey home.
I cast a curious glance towards my brother. "How's Noah?"
Jude's eyes light up with glee when I mention his partner. "He's doing great," he says, and he details Noah's promotion. Its been two years since Jude came out as bisexual, taking everyone by surprise. Though, no one cared who he dates or falls in love with, because we love him no matter what.
"So, when has mom planned for a family dinner?"
"Tomorrow night," Jude says. "Are you going to tell everyone then? Mom said the dinner is mandatory, which I'm guessing is your doing."
I grin, nodding. "Well, I have one more surprise."
***
Every one sits around the table, staring at me with anxious eyes.
All of my brothers but Daniel are here. Logan and Cassie hold hands, one year old Grace in Logan's arms. Mom and Dad sit at the end of the table, her hand resting on his shoulder. Diane and Mark sit beside my them. Quinn stands near the counter, Lucy wriggling around on his shoulders. Owen, Ben, and Aiden lean on the wall, waiting for me to speak.
Andrea, Joey, and Izzy are sitting at the table, grin knowingly.
Austin grabs my hand, squeezing. "We have an exciting announcement," I say, chuckling. Austin leans down, picking up the pink and blue pattered box and passing it to my parents. "Go ahead, open it."
My mom shoots me a curious look but takes the top off the box.
Her eyes widen and she covers her mouth. She reaches in and reveals two pairs of tiny, baby shoes. One blue and one pink. Tears of joy begin to run down her cheeks and she stands, coming over and wrapping her arms around me.
"I don't understand," Joey says, taking the shoes from dad. "Why are there two? Are you doing the baby X thing, where the child doesn't have a specific gender?"
I chuckle, glancing at Austin. Surprise is evident, written all over his face.
"We're having twins," I announce. "A boy and a girl."
Austin smiles, kissing my on the cheek as my mom squeals. Everyone begins to talk excitedly, my brothers arguing over who will be the favourite. My parents envelop me in another hug before Austin wraps his arms around me.
The rest of the day is full of laughter and tears, happy tears and if there is such a thing as a perfect day, this is it.
***
That's the end of the glimpses.
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