Chapter 327: Chapter 329: Well. This is unexpected
He sat down.
Julian gave a toast that was considerably longer and involved a story about Alexander that made Mei laugh so hard she had to set down her glass and that made Alexander look at Julian with the expression of a man filing something away for future reference.
Richard gave a toast that was three sentences and that was more moving than anything else said all evening.
"Mei Chen," he said, standing with his glass. "You raised the most extraordinary woman I’ve had the pleasure of knowing." He looked at her. "And you’ve made this family complete." He raised his glass. "To Mei and Alexander."
Mei looked at Richard.
She raised her glass.
The dancing started late.
Not organised dancing, just music and the space and whoever wanted to use it. Lucy pulled Sebastian onto the floor immediately. Julian asked Mrs Chen who accepted with the dignity of a woman who had not been asked to dance in some time and intended to make the most of it.
Aria watched from her chair.
Damien’s hand was on her waist.
She was twelve weeks.
They were telling people next week.
Tonight was Mei and Alexander’s.
She watched her parents dance.
Alexander’s hand at Mei’s back. Her face tilted up toward his. The specific ease of two people who had found their way back to something after a very long detour and were now moving in it like it was exactly where they were supposed to be.
Twenty five years.
She thought about a twenty three year old woman leaving with a two month old baby because she had to. About a forty year old man in Singapore with a photograph and a search that had been going on so long it had become part of who he was.
She thought about what it meant that they were here.
She felt Damien’s lips at her temple.
"Okay?" he said quietly.
"Yes," she said. "I’m really okay."
He pressed his lips to her temple again.
On the floor her mother laughed at something Alexander said and the sound of it filled the room, warm and unguarded and completely Mei.
This moment.
This room.
These people.
All of it.
She found her mother at the window near the end of the evening.
Just the two of them for a moment. The city below. Alexander somewhere behind them talking to Richard.
Mei looked at the city.
Aria stood beside her.
"Happy?" Aria said.
"Yes," Mei said.
"Good," Aria said.
Mei turned and looked at her.
At her face. Then briefly....so briefly down. And back up.
"Twelve weeks?" she said quietly.
Aria looked at her.
"We’re telling people next week," she said.
Mei’s face did the thing. The full thing. The smile that was Aria’s whole world.
Everything was exactly as it should be.
"Mama," Aria said.
Mei looked at her.
"I’m glad you’re happy," Aria said. "I’ve wanted this for you for a long time."
Mei squeezed her hand.
"I know baby girl," she said.
They stood there until Alexander appeared behind Mei and put his hands on her shoulders and looked at Aria over her head.
"You’re glowing," he said to Aria.
"I’m warm," she said. "It’s a warm room."
He looked at her and smile.
Then said ’’Well excuse me, i need to steal you mother away for another round of dance’’
Aria smiled and said ’’ You can have her, she is all your’’
She looked at her parent dancing on the dance floor and smiled, she realized she had never felt as happy as she was feeling at that moment.
*****
MONTHS LATER
The Foundation gala was perfect.
Two hundred guests filled the Grand Meridian ballroom. Crystal chandeliers threw light across silk gowns and tailored suits. The Foundation’s first year had been a success....five clinics operational, three more breaking ground next month.
Aria stood on stage in a navy dress that Marcus had insisted wasn’t too tight even though she’d argued it was. Eight months pregnant and still insisting on giving the keynote speech herself.
Damien watched from the side of the stage, arms crossed, trying not to look like he was two seconds from pulling her off stage and wrapping her in bubble wrap.
Marcus stood beside him. "She’s fine, Boss."
"She’s eight months pregnant and standing in heels."
"She’s a doctor. She knows her limits."
Aria’s voice carried across the ballroom, clear and confident. "....which is why our focus for year two will be expanding mental health services to underserved communities. Healthcare isn’t just physical. It’s...."
She stopped mid-sentence.
Looked down.
Damien straightened. "What...."
Aria’s hand went to her stomach. Her eyes widened.
Then the puddle appeared on the stage floor.
"Oh," she said into the microphone. "Well. This is unexpected."
The ballroom went silent.
Damien was moving before his brain caught up. Vaulted onto the stage in two strides. "Aria.."
"Damien, I can....."
He scooped her up.
"Damien, put me down...."
"Not happening."
"I can walk..."
"I don’t care."
Marcus was suddenly there, hand on Damien’s arm. Firm. "Boss. Exit is this way. She needs a wheelchair, not a sprint."
"She needs a hospital..."
"Which is why you’re going to walk, not run, to the exit where Richard already has the car waiting."
Damien blinked. "How...."
"He’s your grandfather."
The crowd parted like the Red Sea. Mei appeared from somewhere in the middle of the room, face already tear-streaked. Alexander right behind her, trying to look calm and failing spectacularly.
"My baby....." Mei reached for Aria.
"Mom, I’m fine...." Aria was saying, but Damien was already moving toward the exit with Marcus running interference.
A nurse appeared with a wheelchair. Damien set Aria down like she was made of glass.
She immediately stood back up. "I don’t need...."
"Aria Chen Blackwood, sit down." Mei’s voice cut through the chaos.
Aria sat down without a word.
Damien gripped the handles of the wheelchair so hard his knuckles went white.
Marcus was on his phone. "Car’s ready. Hospital is expecting you. Dr. Martinez is already on her way."
"How did you...." Damien started.
"I planned for this three weeks ago, Boss. Did you really think I wouldn’t have a contingency?"
