Our song began.
**And my family was about to discover that the honeymoon they planned to give away was no longer theirs to promise.**
The first cloud of pink smoke rolled through the open terrace doors just as Daniel drew me closer.
For half a second, I thought something had caught fire.
Then a voice shrieked through the microphone.
**“IT’S A GIRL!”**
My sister Khloe appeared beside the DJ booth, both hands resting proudly on her pregnant belly.
Pink ribbons fluttered from her wrists.
Behind the terrace doors, her boyfriend Tyler was grinning beside a smoking canister.
Someone began clapping.
Then someone else.
Within seconds, half the ballroom was cheering.
I stood in the middle of the dance floor, still holding my husband’s hand.
Our song had stopped.
The photographer lowered her camera.
One of Daniel’s uncles coughed as the pink haze drifted toward the tables.
And my mother, Lorraine, hurried toward the microphone wearing the triumphant expression I’d seen at every one of Khloe’s important celebrations.
“Everyone!” she announced. “Before we continue, I have another wonderful surprise!”
Daniel squeezed my hand.
I already knew.
I knew because I’d spent nearly two hours on the phone with Caroline from the travel agency.
I knew because I’d received written confirmation that Khloe’s tickets had been canceled.
And I knew because my mother’s access to that credit card had been terminated before the wedding.
But Lorraine didn’t know any of that.
She was smiling so broadly that her cheeks looked painful.
“As a special gift for our beautiful Khloe and Tyler,” she announced, “we’ve arranged something extraordinary!”
Khloe reached for Tyler, who had come inside from the terrace.
They stood together beneath the floral arch.
Mom lifted a glossy envelope.
**“Twelve glorious days in Greece! Business-class flights to Athens, a romantic stay in Santorini, and the honeymoon experience Khloe has always dreamed of!”**
