Carolina came over and hugged her. “This is the life you wanted, the one you dreamed about. A husband and a family. You and Gray will make it work.”
“You’re right. We will make it work. As long as your father doesn’t fire me.”
Carolina laughed. “He’s not going to fire you. He thinks of you as another daughter. He loves you.”
“Wish me luck, then.”
“You won’t need it, but good luck.”
Carolina finished packing, then went downstairs. It was quiet. No doubt Evelyn and Gray were somewhere having a conversation with her parents. She found Drew watching a basketball game on television. She fixed herself a cup of tea, then sat down beside him.
“Hey,” he said, muting the television. “Where did everyone go?”
“No idea. Are you all packed?”
“Yeah. Are we flying out together tomorrow?”
“My flight is at ten thirty.”
“Mine, too.”
She smiled at that. “I figured my mother’s social secretary would put us on the same flight since we’re going to the same place. Do you have a home game next?”
“Unfortunately, no. We have two road games in a row. Then we come back home.”
“That’s too bad.”
“What about you?” he asked, tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear. “Is your staff coming back?”
She shook her head. “I gave them time off until after New Year’s.”
“That’s generous of you. So you’ll be toughing it out alone?”
“That’s okay. It’ll give me some quiet time to do some planning on advertising and take care of some of the myriad minor details I don’t have time to mess with when the staff is in.”
“A quiet way to settle back in after Christmas.”
“Yes.”
“Maybe you can even take New Year’s Eve off.”
She paused and looked at him. “Are you asking me out?”
“Maybe. If I was, would you say yes?”
“Maybe. You know, it’s a little late in the game to be making New Year’s Eve plans.”
He grinned. “I have connections, you know.”
“You wouldn’t dare drag me out in the middle of Times Square, would you?”
“Where’s your sense of adventure, Miss Preston?”
“My sense of adventure wants nothing to do with the middle of Times Square on New Year’s Eve.”
He shook his head. “So is that a yes?”
She smiled. “Yes.”
The door to her father’s study opened, and her father was laughing, his arm linked with Evelyn’s as the four of them spilled out. Carolina wasn’t sure she’d ever seen her mother grin so much. And it looked like she’d been crying.
“What’s that about?” Drew asked.
“I think you’re about to find out.”
“Oh, good, Carolina, you’re here,” her mother said. “We have news.”
“Is that right? What kind of news?”
“I’ll let Gray and Evelyn tell you.” Her mother and father stood back.
“We’re pregnant,” Gray blurted out.
“Well, I’m pregnant,” Evelyn said with a wide grin. “But Gray helped get me that way.”
“What? This is awesome,” Drew said, going to Gray and giving him a big hug. “Congratulations, buddy.”
“Thanks.”
Carolina gave Evelyn a hug. Again. “I’m so thrilled for you both.” Then she hugged her brother.
“So it looks like the kids have set a date. The wedding will be in May.”
“I’ll definitely have a belly by then, but hopefully I won’t be grossly pregnant. The baby’s due in August.”
“And I don’t care, because I’m going to be a grandpa,” Mitchell said, beaming.
Champagne was uncorked, though Evelyn settled for juice, and toasts were made to the upcoming Preston baby. The family spent the rest of the afternoon celebrating and talking wedding plans. Carolina was shocked and humbled when Evelyn asked her to be her maid of honor. Of course she accepted immediately, and then she was doubly shocked when Evelyn asked if Carolina would make her wedding gown.
“Are you sure, Evelyn?”
“I can’t think of a better designer to make my dress.”
“Evelyn. There are a million designers who would love to make the wedding gown for the vice president’s daughter-in-law.”
“Yes, but I want you to do it. And you’ll be working with an expanding waistline. No easy task.”
Carolina laughed. “I can handle that, but I don’t want you to feel like you’re under any obligation. My feelings wouldn’t be hurt at all if you have a favorite designer you want to use.”
“I want you to do it. Unless you’re too busy. Then I’d completely understand. You have so much going on right now with Fashion Week and launching your line.” Evelyn sat back. “I didn’t even think of the imposition.”
Carolina took Evelyn’s hands in hers. “I’d be honored to make your gown. I already have ideas. In fact, let me go get my sketch pad and we can talk about it if you’d like.”
“Are you kidding? I’d love that.”