“I’m bicoastal,” Freddie boasted. “Or, bi-country, at least for a bit longer. But I’m here on official business.” He leaned forward and placed his elbows on his knees, and I could see him go tense. “I know it’s expected that you’ll stand up with me at the wedding, Knickers, but I don’t want you to be there just for ritual. It would mean a great deal to have you there with me, and so I would still like to ask, officially, if you would do me that honor.”

Freddie looked so nervous, as if he thought Nick might actually say no. Instead, I watched Nick all but melt at the thought that his brother—after all this—thought he’d ever tell him to go it alone.

“Of course I will,” he said, sticking out his hand in the manner of a dude who isn’t sure if it’s hugging time or not. “I’d turn up next to you even if you hadn’t asked. There is nowhere else I’d want to be.”

As they shook, Freddie’s face flooded with relief, and he pulled Nick into a hug.

“Thank you,” he said. “The whole thing is very nerve-racking. Fortunately, all I really have to say in Dutch is ja,” he said. “It will be a little odd to be married in a ceremony I cannot totally understand. Good thing they’re all pretty much the same, right? Love, honor, etc. Various pledges of troth.”

Nick and I exchanged a glance, which Freddie intercepted. “Don’t,” he said. “That wasn’t me being blasé. You can’t second-guess everything I say about this for the rest of my life.”

“We know, we promise. You’re right.” Nick pulled at his hair. “You wouldn’t be spending hours with a Dutch tutor if you weren’t serious. You didn’t even do your schoolwork when you were in actual school.”

“Dank je,” Freddie said. “That’s Dutch for ‘thank you.’ See? I’m very committed to this. We need to get it done before the babies arrive.”

“Freddie,” I said, “I’m not going to be housebound forever after the babies come. Or, worst-case, Nick can hold up a big iPad and FaceTime me in.”

“No,” Freddie said. “I don’t want to wait any longer than I already am. What’s that old line from When Harry Met Sally? When you figure out the rest of your life, you want it to happen as soon as possible?”

“Since when are you watching When Harry Met Sally?” I asked.

Freddie shrugged. “Marj and I watched a lot of rom-coms over the years.” He stood up and stretched. “Right, I’m off to talk to Father about boring logistical issues regarding what I have to give up and what I don’t. Anyone want to join?”

“Tempting, but I’ve got to make breakfast for dinner,” Nick said. “I can’t tell if they’re real cravings, or whims.”

“As long as that’s healthy for my nieces and/or nephews,” Freddie said, crossing the room to squeeze my shoulder on his way out. “Little Prince Sun Pat Peanut Butter and Prince Flora Margarine.”