When the room has cleared, it means we have to do something I am not too excited for. FaceTiming Liam’s parents. I don’t know why I am dreading it. Tracy Ruinsky has checked in a lot over the past few months but now that the baby is here what if that changes? They might decide that now that my job is done they can push me aside, convince Liam that it would be better to raise Charlotte alone, kicking me and Jack to the kerb. In my heart I know he wouldn’t agree, he would never do that to Jack and me, but there is niggling anxiety I can’t shake.

“You ready?” If I told him right now I couldn’t do this he would send them a text and we would be done until the morning, but putting it off isn’t going to make this easier. So I cuddle up further into his side and nod as he pulls his phone out.

The three seconds that it takes before the Ruinskys appear on the screen feels both too long and not long enough. Some loop of never-ending anxiety and a yearning for them to be asleep and miss the call altogether. They do answer though, and are both smiling widely.

“Oh Ellis! You look amazing! I looked terrible after Liam was born!” Tracy laughs and Alek rolls his eyes at her, still smiling.

“You’re sweet.” I laugh, hoisting Charlotte up on my chest so they can see her. They “ooh” and “ah” at her for a moment before Alek turns his eyes on me.

“Are you okay?” he asks, his voice still has a hint of an accent from growing up in Russia. If you didn’t know to listen for it you would miss it.

“Charlotte is great, she is so beautiful,” I assure him with a smile.

“I’m sure she is, but are you okay?” he asks again and I freeze. I didn’t expect them to want to know about me. I just gave birth to their granddaughter, I assumed she would be their priority. The Ruinsky men keep shocking me.

“Oh. Oh, yeah I’m–I’m good, thanks for asking.” I stumble through my words. I am good. I have Liam keeping me warm and fed and a beautiful baby who has made my heart grow three sizes.

We talk for a while, they ask about the birth and Liam tells them everything with a reverence I don’t expect. It makes me melt. If I didn’t already love him I think I would swoon right here. He looks at us as though I am the moon and Charlotte is made up of stars. Alek’s eyes sparkle the same shade as his son’s as he watches with pride as Liam waxes poetic about how amazing I did.