six hours

14: Something new

"CONGRATULATIONS!!!"

Ash's voice ripped through the silence of the room like a thunderclap, breaking the fragile moment I shared with Eddy. My heart skipped. What? Did she just yell?

Before I could comprehend, Ash burst in, her hands wildly waving in front of me and Eddy. She was practically vibrating with excitement, as if the world had just handed her a gift.

Eddy raised an eyebrow, genuinely puzzled. "What's going on?" His voice was still soft, but something in his eyes told me he was already half-expecting the chaos she was about to unleash.

I looked at Ash, trying to piece it together. Then she hit me with the bombshell that left me speechless.

"YOU'RE GOING TO BE A SISTER-IN-LAW TO CRISTOPHER ROMANO!!!"

The words crashed into me like a wave, and suddenly, everything around me seemed to slow down. Her hand in the air, the ring on her finger, and that smile—the one she wore when she had just uncovered the most exhilarating secret.

Cris strolled in then, beaming like a bride on her wedding day. Seriously, what was it about these Romano men? They always knew how to carry themselves like they had the world in their hands.

Eddy chuckled, shaking his head. "Dude, I thought you were going to propose when we came back." His playful tone didn't hide the mock surprise in his voice.

"I know," Cris laughed, flashing the ring at me. "But Ash found out about the plan, so I had to speed it up."

And just like that, they were celebrating—the Romanos, so perfectly imperfect. I stood up, feeling this strange mix of happiness and overwhelming emotions. I hugged Ash and Cris, my arms around them like a lifeline.

"Okay, okay!" Ash pulled back, still bouncing in excitement. "You're going to be a part of the family now, Nora!" She squealed, wrapping her arms around me like we were already sisters-in-law.

We spent the next few minutes with the boys, saying goodbye, but I knew deep down that the pain of them leaving was creeping up on me. I didn't want to show it, but I felt like my heart was being torn in two. Eddy just kissed me gently, a soft promise in his touch. I didn't want to go to the airport, because I knew what would happen. I would break down. And I wasn't ready for that.

Instead, I stayed behind, with Ash supporting me—just us, as sisters. She made lunch, and we laughed about the silliest things, trying to ignore the emptiness in the air. We watched Encanto, my heart aching with every song, every line. It was just us. But it was also just me, trying to hide how I felt.

Then, the door opened.

Tante Marie.

She looked at us like we were guilty of something, her eyes narrowing as she stepped in with her luggage. That woman always had a way of knowing what was going on before anyone else did.

"I see you girls have been lazing around my house," she said with a smirk, pushing the bags through the door.

Ash and I jumped to our feet, rushing to help her with the bags. God, this woman was a force of nature.

"Wow, maman, I didn't know you were coming," Ash said, giving her a playful look.

Tante Marie rolled her eyes. "Les enfants, I don't need permission to come to my own house." She flopped down on the couch, as if claiming her rightful place after being away for too long.

Ash and I exchanged looks—this woman always kept us on our toes.

Tante Marie asked, "So, tell me, qu'est-ce que je manque?"