Two weeks later, Corinne got a call from her sister, Amber in Minnesota.
“Hey, sis, I have a favor to ask you!”
“Sure, what is it?”
“I have to talk to you about some things, but I don’t want to say them over the phone unless I have to. Is there any way at all you can come visit me in the next few days?”
Wow, Corinne thought. She had spoken with Amber briefly after Brian and Leighanne’s party that day to find out how she and Grady were doing and to tell her about her engagement to Nick, but that was the last she had heard from her. Apparently, they were happy and doing great.
“Is everything alright?” Corinne asked, concerned.
“Yeah, great. Well, do you think you could come out? Even if it’s just for a weekend, I would love it. We would pay for your ticket, too.”
“Oh, don’t worry about that; I can pay for my own ticket. I was just thinking about Nick and work and everything, but I think I can swing it. I can fly out this Saturday and stay through Monday sometime. Does that work for you?”
“Yes! Yes! That would be great! Any time you could give me would be wonderful! Thank you!”
Corinne hung up thinking, whoa, this wasn’t like Amber. She didn’t gush; she didn’t celebrate; she didn’t invite her sister to come visit her unexpectedly. What was going on? Whatever it was, Corinne was excited to find out about it as she got online and started looking for the best fares.
“Uh, Baby, have you forgotten our plans this Sunday?” Nick said to Corinne that night in his kitchen. She had just told him about her leaving on Saturday.
Corinne looked at him blankly and then it dawned on her. “Oh my God, Nick, I forgot that me, you and the guys are meeting Tawny at the mall! Shit!”
Nick smiled at her and put his arm around her. “Don’t worry about it. You go see your sister and we’ll meet her without you. It will be fine.” He stressed, knowing she would worry about it otherwise.
“Are you sure?” Corinne looked up at him.
“I’m sure. How often does Amber ask you to come see her, huh?”
“You’re right! She never does. OK, I’ll go. Thanks! Are you sure you’ll be fine hanging out with Tawny?”
Nick laughed. “Yeah, I think I can handle a 15-year-old girl! Angel isn’t much older than that!”
Corinne smiled. “Yeah, it’s just that you guys just met that one time and it didn’t go very well…”
“God, would you stop! I’m going to tickle you to death!” Nick said, threatening to come near her.
“Don’t you dare, you know I will get you back!” She giggled. Nick ignored her and started to tickle her all over until she ran screaming into the bedroom. Hmm, good idea, Nick thought and followed her in there.
Corinne arrived in Minneapolis five days later.
“Thank you for coming! It’s so good to see you!” Amber hugged her at the airport baggage claim.
“Hey, Corinne. Good to see you again.” Grady said sheepishly and she gave him a hug.
“Hi Grady.”
Grady got Corinne luggage as the two sisters walked arm in arm towards the car.
As soon as they arrived at their home, Amber showed Corinne around the house while Grady put Corinne’s luggage in the guest room.
“Isn’t this house great? We just moved in!” Amber gushed.
“It’s awesome. Did you guys just buy it?” Corinne asked.
“Well, we are actually renting it now, but we have high hopes of buying it some day.”
“Wow, that was fast! I’m so happy for you, Amber. How was the wedding?”
“It was nice. Short and simple with only my friend, Hannah and his friend, Jeff as witnesses at City Hall. But we’re married again so that’s all that matters. We had the big wedding the first time over two years ago anyway.”
“Yeah, I remember. It was lovely. You look so beautiful! What is different about you?” Corinne looked her sister over.
“That’s part of the reason I wanted you to come here. I’m pregnant!”
“Oh my gosh, Hun! Congratulations!” Corinne hugged her.
“Yeah, this is my baby bump.” Amber rubbed her tummy.
“Wow. That’s so cool. Hey, Grady is the father, right?” Corinne had a fleeting thought that maybe Kevin was.
“Yeah, silly! I’m four months along! It is weird to think that Kevin and I were doing it when I was pregnant, though.” Amber laughed.
“Yeah, weird.”
“Hey, how’s he doing? He’s dating someone, right?”
“Yeah. I hear they are pretty hot and heavy. I’m so happy for him.” Corinne smiled. She truly was.
“And you and Nick? Congratulations on the engagement! When is the wedding?”
“We haven’t set a date yet. We’re taking our time. I’m happy to do that since I know he really wants to marry me plus…” she hesitated, smiling. She had some news of her own.
“Yes?”
“I’m moving in next weekend!”
“God that’s great! Congrats! You’re so lucky to be living in the gorgeous big house!”
“I know!” Corinne laughed.
Amber ushered Corinne into her bedroom and said,
“Corinne, another reason I wanted to see you in person was I wanted to apologize to you about me going after Kevin. I’ve thought about it a lot and I feel really bad about it. I was in such a lonely, depressed place. I had just gotten divorced five months earlier, Megan was having a baby, you were successful as usual and dating Kevin and then Nick, two hot celebrity singers and I just went off the deep end. And I was such a bitch to you for so many years and I’m sorry about that, too.”
Corinne looked at her, shocked. “Amber, thank you. It’s okay about Kevin; I understand, sis. And you weren’t always a bitch to me. I was a bitch to you a lot of the time, too, so we’re even!” They hugged and tears sprang to their eyes.
“Wow, you really have changed, haven’t you? I think impending motherhood has mellowed you!” Corinne finally said.
“Yeah, I think it has.” Amber smiled.
That night Amber and Grady asked Corinne to be the baby’s godmother and she was overwhelmed with joy and of course, agreed.
It was a wonderful three days and Corinne spoke with Nick on the phone every day. Amber showed Corinne around the city and she fell in love with it.
“I just love this area; what a great place to raise kids!” Corinne commented on one of their drives around town.
“The house at the end of our street is for sale is you’re interested.” Amber said, smiling at Grady.
“Believe it or not, I am interested.” Corinne said.
“What? You are? I was just kidding! What about Nick?” Amber looked surprised.
“Uh, Nick owns a house in Orlando and LA. I can own a house in Minneapolis!” Corinne said. She had been wanting to buy a house somewhere for a long time and she had enough money saved up now.
“Wait a minute! You are going to live here and commute to LA and Orlando?” Amber said.
“Yeah, why not? I won’t live here full-time, of course, but some of the time and it would be so great to be near you guys and my niece or nephew to be.”
“Don’t you tease me, Corinne! I would so love that!” Amber started getting excited.
“Well, wait, I haven’t even seen the house yet or talked to Nick. Since we’re getting married, I should probably consult with him before I make an final decision!” But Corinne knew he loved her and would want her to be happy so it probably wouldn’t be a problem.
It’s funny how things turn out sometimes. Corinne would have never dreamt that within a week, she had made an offer on a house just down the street from her middle sister, the one she didn’t usually get along with, but now she suddenly does and that her fiancé was totally fine with it and he even planned to fly out with her in three weeks at the close of escrow.
She was truly happy. She had the man of her dreams, a beautiful daughter, two wonderful sisters, an adorable nephew, as well as a nephew or niece on the way, a brother-in-law, two awesome parents and great friends like Julia, AJ, Brian, Leighanne, Howie and even Kevin. Could life get any better?
