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“Oh, my Sophia.” Nana cupped her cheek as she leaned in and kissed her on the cheek.
“Happy birthday, Nana. I missed you.”
“I’ve missed you too.”
Jamie’s heart warmed at their interaction. She loved being with the McGregor family, and she couldn’t imagine why Sophia would stay away as long as she had.
After a conversation with Nana, Sophia joined them by the fire, taking a seat between Jamie and Shannon. The music suddenly shifted to a rendition of “New York, New York.”
“Very funny, Tim,” Sophia cried, which brought on a round of laughter.
“Soph, you remember my friend, Jamie, right?”
Sophia nodded. “You’re the one our baby brother knocked up, right?”
Jamie choked on a laugh. “Uh … yeah, that’s me.”
The sisters’ laughter blended as if it came from one person.
She glanced around to see if Duncan and Dréa had heard her, but they were nowhere in sight.
“When are you due again?” Sophia asked as she flipped her long brown locks over her shoulder.
“January,” Jamie replied.
“A New Year’s baby?”
“Mid-January, actually. Will you be coming home after the baby is born?”
Sophia shrugged.
“We didn’t think you were coming home for this,” Shannon said.
“Yeah, well, I missed another picnic on the Fourth, and I felt bad about it. Figured it was about time I showed my face around here again. Plus, I didn’t want to miss Nana’s birthday.”
Shannon wrapped her up in a hug. “I’m so glad you’re here.”
Sophia forced a smile. Maybe Shannon didn’t notice, but Jamie did. Sophia seemed a lot like Jamie’s old friends—into herself and her own life. Jamie had been like that once too. But not now that she was carrying another life inside her. Not now that she knew the goodness of God in her life. She knew Sophia’s type, though, and she wondered what was so great about her life in New York that kept her from her wonderful, loving family.
“I’ve never been to New York,” Jamie said, hoping to get some information out of Sophia. “But I’d love to shoot a wedding or some engagement pictures in Central Park.” She glanced past Sophia to Shannon and gave her a hopeful look.
Shannon grinned.
“You must’ve been to more than a few New York weddings in your time in the city,” Jamie said.
“A few,” Sophia replied. “I worked with a wedding dress designer before I moved on to work at DVF.”
“I don’t know what that is, but I’m sure it’s cool.”
“Diane Von Furstenburg. She’s a famous designer,” Sophia stated.
“I’ve heard the name before,” Jamie replied. “Is that where you work now?”
“Uh … no, not right now. I’m working on my own stuff and in between designers.”
“You are?” Shannon looked surprised. “I thought you got that job at Givenchy.”
“I did, but it was a short term gig.”