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“Four weeks.”
“Four?” I blurt.
“And it’s twins.” She flashes a wide, toothy, nervous smile and slams the door, hiding again.
I stare at the wood. Just stare. Twins? Did she say, twins? “Rose, baby.”
“Yeah?”
“I think I just heard you say it’s twins.”
“You did.”
“Oh.” Twins? I peek across the bedroom when I hear my phone ringing. I get up and wander over to the nightstand, frowning, looking over my shoulder to the bathroom door as I answer. “Hey.”
“She said yes.”
“Of course she said yes,” I murmur, walking out into the kitchen. “Congratulations.” I don’t sound very chirpy, and I won’t be telling him I already knew. Privacy in this family is non-existent, despite us all having our own places on various parts of the beach.
“You all right?” Brad asks.
“Fine.”
“Okay. I’ll see you later?”
“Bye.” I hang up and lower my phone to the island, then absentmindedly follow my feet out into the garden. I eye the champagne. Take two glasses. Down them both as I walk around the side of the villa. Daniel is coming up the path with Maggie toddling along beside him, cheering her on as she walks with the aid of his hand.
“Yeah, girl,” he yells, making Maggie chuckle and squeal. “Go on, girl.”
“Dadadadada!”
Daniel looks at me. Recoils. “Ummm, Dad, did you forget something?”
I look down my front. My naked front. “Yeah,” I say, holding a palm over my dick. Give me a sec.” I turn and go back to the bedroom, knocking on the bathroom door. She doesn’t answer. I turn the handle. Surprisingly, it opens. I find her sitting on the toilet, her hands joined, her knees bouncing from her feet tapping the floor. She looks up.
“You definitely said twins, right?” I say, and she nods slowly. “Thought so.” I leave her and go to the bed, collapsing onto my back, arms and legs splayed. “God,” I say to the ceiling. “I know you and I haven’t exactly seen eye to eye, but if you can bring yourself to help me out, I’ll take all the strength and patience you can spare. Thanks.”
I hear Rose chuckle and lift my head. She’s standing at the bottom of the bed. And yes, she’s fucking glowing. I had noticed, of course, but I put it down to the sunshine, the peace, the calm. She sighs and crawls up to me, straddling my hips. “Are you scared?” she asks.
“Nah,” I say, taking her hips, eyeing her tummy. After everything we’ve been through, this will be a walk in the park. “You?”
“Nah.” She drops her front to mine. “We’re pros now.”
I smack her arse. “Fucking twins.” Shake my head. “Kiss me.” I roll us over, letting her attack me like the lioness she is.
* * *
I sit on the edge of the terrace, a Scotch in my hand, a cigarette in the other, trying to come to terms with it. Still. It might take a while. So much for eternal calm and peace. I observe everyone from a distance, watching as they mingle, drink, laugh on the patio.
Relaxed.
Maggie is on Rose’s hip, Georgie’s in Beau’s arms, Ella has Ruby, and Pearl is perched on a tall stool. She looks great. A little tired, but really great given her traumas.
I see Lennox come in, waving a bottle, his new lady friend clutching his hand. Barney dashes off to join Daniel on the Xbox, and Esther greets them. I raise a hand when he looks this way. I’ll go over soon. I still need this moment.
“Oh my,” Pearl had said when she and Brad arrived, her face a picture of reluctant enthusiasm.
I’d given Rose a telling look. She’d shrugged it off.
