Page 113 of Strictly Against Policy

“Hey, he looks a bit like you and me, Jonathan,” he pointed out, voice gentle.

“His eyes are closed now. But he has light brown eyes like you, too,” Andy said, placing a hand on his shoulders and squeezing it lovingly.

Anthony beamed at his older twin brother, his eyes shiny.

“You named him after us?” I asked.

“Yeah,” Julie nodded as Andy wiped away her tears. My mom and Auntie Gao’s sniffles could be heard in the background. “Nathan from Jonathan and Nhia from Anthony’s Hmong name—his two uncles.”

Anthony snorted softly. “You sure about that? I think you two might regret that decision.”

We both shared a look across Julie’s hospital bed. “That kid’s going to be a menace, exactly like his namesakes,” I nodded.

“If not, we’ll make sure he is.” Anthony nodded back. We both grinned mischievously and fist bumped over Julie, leaving everyone laughing quietly.

“We wouldn’t doubt it,” smiled Andy. “We figured he’d be a troublemaker.”

“He’s the first grandchild, which means he’ll probably be spoiled and bratty so—” Julie said before I interrupted her.

“Wait. Is that why you named him after me?” I gaped.

The twins, Shoua, and my sister had always claimed I was the most spoiled and the brattiest out of all of them. It wasn’t true. I admit I usually had the best birthday parties and Christmas gifts growing up, but I wasn’t spoiled. Or bratty.

“Yeah,” nodded both Julie and Andy.

I scoffed, feigning offense as Lina stifled a laugh. Julie simply shrugged. She asked, “Who wants to hold the baby next?”

“Us,” said Anthony, holding out his arms and looking over his shoulder at Shoua. She beamed as excitedly as he did, tiptoeing to rest her chin on his shoulder.

“Me next,” I quickly said as Julie grinned at me.

Andy helped transfer Nathan from Julie into his arms. My sister turned to Lina and me. “Thank you for bringing me peonies,” she smiled. “They’re pink and paired with snapdragons too!”

I shrugged. “They’re your favorite. Lina suggested the snapdragons, or whatever they are.”

She raised her eyebrows at me. “I thought you couldn’t remember what my favorite flower was.”

“I remember all the favorite flowers of the important women in my life. Mom’s are roses. Auntie Gao loves lilies, especially tiger lilies. Yours are pink peonies. Shoua’s are sunflowers.” I turned to Lina and grinned. “And Lina’s are blue forget-me-nots.”

My sister laughed, reaching for my girlfriend’s hand. “Thank you for being here, Lina,” she said. “It means the world to Andy, Nathan, and I that you could be here to celebrate with us, too.”

“Me too,” she said, squeezing Julie’s hand tenderly. She looked up at me, beaming brightly with one of the happiest smiles I’d ever seen her wear. “I’m also happy to be here and be a part of this.”

I couldn’t stop smiling as my chest filled with warmth. My mom came to Lina’s side, along with Kham and his big, broad smile. I greeted him as my mom said something quietly that made Julie, Lina, and her chuckle. Lina glanced at me with warmth in her eyes.

Meanwhile, across from us stood the other set of Hughes. Anthony and Shoua held Nathan, bright-eyed, with Auntie Gao and Uncle Gary at their sides. My cousin and childhood best friend shared an elated grin, happy and delighted. Andy stood proud and laughed gently, kissing Julie’s temple.

I looked outside the window to find the sun shining bright and happy—that was how I knew my dad was beaming down on us. I looked back at my family and Lina. She smiled as she approached me, leaving my mom and Kham by Julie’s bedside.

I took her hand and smiled so wide the apples of my cheeks hurt. We stood side by side and watched, enjoying the calmness of everyone’s soft voices and laughs.

I looked at Lina as she turned to me, both of us smiling. Through the good, the bad, and the moments in between, I knew we’d get through it all. Together.

The End

Epilogue

JONATHAN