Three hours later, after watching a very boring video about “Taking Care of Your Newborn,” Anna and Gibson were officially released from the hospital. While I called Kellan to let him know we were about to head out, Anna finally called our parents. Dad didn’t handle the news very well. Cringing, Anna held the phone about a foot from her ear. Every so often, she said things like, “Dad . . . but . . . I’m . . .” Dad never let her finish, so she stopped trying to explain herself. Rolling her eyes at me, she played with her daughter’s fingers while she half-listened to Dad vent about her life choices.
Once Anna was done being chastised, she handed the phone over to me. As I was still talking to Kellan, I shook my head. I really didn’t feel like getting an earful right now. Anna indicated that I should take it, and I sighed in Kellan’s ear. “Hey, Dad wants to talk to me, so I have to go.”
Kellan’s laugh made me smile. I missed his chuckle. “Good luck. I’ll see you soon.”
“Yeah, bye.” Hanging up with Kellan, I reluctantly took Anna’s phone. Expecting the worst, I held it to my ear. “Hello?”
“Hi, dear.” Surprise and relief washed through me. It was Mom, not Dad. There was a good chance that I wasn’t going to get yelled at for being an accomplice to Anna’s give-birth-on-the-road plan, then. “I was just wondering if I’d see you for Thanksgiving. I’d really love to see you, since we have so much to discuss before the wedding next month. And I’m dying to show you the dress I bought. It’s absolutely stunning, Kiera. You’re going to love it.”
I glared at my sister, and she started laughing. Feeling bad for what I was about to say, I turned my back on my gleeful sister. “Actually, Mom, Kellan really wanted to see his dad for Thanksgiving, you know, since we’ll be spending Christmas with you guys.” In a quieter voice, I added, “I know we have a lot to talk about, but Kellan’s never had a decent holiday with his family, and I really want to give him this. I’m sorry. Is that okay?”
Mom was silent for several seconds, then she sighed in defeat. “Yeah, okay. Of course, I understand. You’re married . . . almost. I’ll have to get used to sharing you.” Her voice hitched, and I hoped she wasn’t about to cry.
Putting on my perkiest voice, I told her, “I’m excited to see everything you’ve picked out. And I know it’s going to be perfect. Thank you for taking care of everything for me, Mom. I feel bad that I couldn’t help you with more of it.”
“Well, I know you’ve had your hands full, sweetheart.” I could hear the concern in her voice. She knew things were stressful right now. I was about to tell her for the millionth time that everything was fine, when her tone brightened. “I’m so excited to see you in your dress!”
We chatted some more, then I told her goodbye and handed the phone back to Anna. Her face was incredulous. “I can’t believe you still haven’t put a stop to the puffy sleeves, Kiera.” She exaggerated bulk around her arms. “We’re talking Elizabethan puffy. It’s hazardous, really. You could accidentally turn around too fast and knock your husband out cold.” She giggled. “Then I’d have to resuscitate him.”
Smirking, I threw a plastic barf tray at her.
East Rutherford, New Jersey, was only a couple of hours away, so I knew catching up to the boys wouldn’t be a problem. If we hurried, we’d probably make it in time for the meet-and-greet. Not that I planned on walking into a room full of fans and causing a stir again. No, thank you.
Anna called the driver that Sienna had left behind, so he could pick us up. When he arrived, he came up to the room to give us a hand with all of our stuff. Or Gibson’s stuff, rather. It took us thirty minutes to secure Gibson in her car seat. Anna must have taken her out and readjusted her twenty times. She was nervous to put her in a car. My sister was a caring person, but she wasn’t prone to worrying, so seeing her stressed was endearing. After the twenty-first adjustment, I grabbed Anna’s hands when she moved to unbuckle another strap. “She’s fine, Anna. It’s perfect.”
Anna frowned at me. “You sure? Are the straps tight enough? Too tight? What about that thing around her head? Is her neck secure?”
Anna’s eyes were glossy as fear filled her. Grabbing her cheeks, I firmly told her, “She’s fine, and everything is going to be okay. Have faith.”
Anna took a deep breath, then nodded. “This pit of dread in my stomach sucks,” she muttered.
I couldn’t help but laugh at her. “Now you know how Mom and Dad must feel on a daily basis.”