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“We’re going to be aunts!” Avra said. “Again!”
“You’re going to be the best aunts ever!” I assured them.
“Cali, I’m so happy for you and Leon. He must be over the moon.”
“Actually,” I admitted, “I haven’t told him yet.”
Laya asked, “Why not?”
“I wanted to share this with you two first.” I smiled at the two most important people in my life. “You’re my sisters, and revealing this to you before anyone else felt right. I love Leon with all my heart and am excited to have his child. I’ve always told my sisters significant news first. Why should that be different now? I’m sure Leon will understand.”
“Oh, Cali!” Avra exclaimed, tears flowing down her face in sync with mine. “You’re going to be an amazing mother.”
“If sharing blood with the two of you is any indicator, then yes, I will be.”
We laughed and cried, hugging each other until CJ wiggled to be let go again, scrambling down Laya’s legs until his little feet hit the ground.
And in the next second, he was gone again, fleeing from his mother and venturing out into the world, another formidable Vitalis eager to demonstrate the strength of the blood coursing through his veins, now and forever.