Surprise

Famke reached the bottom of the stairs and rubbed her sweaty palms on her jeans. She was trying not to freak out. She saw Bram poke his head into the space and they connected eyes, and he took a breath and reached his hand out to hers.

The sound of Precious squealing at her Uncle Royal to hurry up and give her the surprise made her heart jump. When she’d been near the child the last time, she hadn’t known who she was. Now, walking into the space and knowing she had once housed this child inches from her own heartbeat, was making her pulse race painfully.

Her brother’s fingers interlaced with hers as they walked towards the room and he leaned sideways and whispered, “I’ve got you. Breathe.”

How at eighteen he had the compassion and insight he had, she didn’t know but she was grateful for him, and his presence as she walked into the kitchen.

The first thing she noted was the woman standing beside Royal. She was gorgeous and her smile was so wide the room was brighter for it. Was this th