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"Is that what you want, Ivy?"
Ivy nodded. "It's so nice here," she said. "I mean, look around."
We all took a minute to stare at the kitchen. It was the same kitchen—albeit remodeled a few years ago to sport marble countertops, new appliances, and new fixtures—I'd grown up in. But it was big, and the apartment Ivy and Winter shared could probably fit into the kitchen and dining room here.
The farmhouse boasted five bedrooms and as many bathrooms. The basement was fully tricked out with a movie room, a game room, and a wine cellar. It was nice—way nicer than where she'd been living.
"I also talked with your Uncle Pat. He's willing to help oversee the Riverside project until it's completed. After the project is done, I'll be selling my interest in the company. He's willing to buy yours as well, on an installment plan, as he wouldn’t be able to afford to buy both our shares outright. That way you can return to your house-flipping jobs."
"Why are you doing this?" I asked.
She swallowed hard and squeezed Ivy's shoulder. "Because I owe it to you. I…I did things to sabotage your build site. If Ivy wasn't being taken care of, you two would be constantly worried about her, and that's no way for a young couple to start out their lives. Besides, after losing your father, I could use the company. I think Ivy and I will be good for each other."
"What do you think?" I turned to Winter. It was her call. I could get my mom to rescind the offer and kick Ivy out. This arrangement made a lot of sense to me, but I didn't want Winter to feel uncomfortable in any way.
"I think this could really work," she said. She pressed her hands together and brought them to her lips, almost prayer-like. Then she released a short laugh and pulled out a chair. "Gosh, what's for breakfast? I'm starved. Ivy, you need to eat more."
"I just hate cooking, and apparently Mrs. O'Malley is going to hire a nutritionist for me, and we're going to make meals together."
"Is she?" I raised my eyebrows at Mom. She shrugged. I guess she had to do something with her O'Malley construction money. It was going to take a while for me to get over her betrayal, but I set that aside. I didn’t want any animosity to ruin the peace we were trying to negotiate.
"Yes, and we’re going shopping today for a changing table and all new nursery things. I haven't found out the sex of the baby yet. The ultrasound is in a couple of weeks, so we aren't going to buy anything that isn't gender neutral until then," Ivy chattered on. I tuned her out and watched Winter smile and interact with her sister like none of the past had happened.
After breakfast, I was anxious to leave.
“Can I talk to you for a minute?” Ivy asked as Winter and I were walking out to the truck.
“Of course,” Winter answered immediately.
Ivy raised her eyebrows in my direction. “Alone?”
“I’ll just stand over here,” I replied. No way was I letting Ivy talk to Winter without me present. Not because I thought Winter would cave, but because Ivy had to see Winter and I as a unit.
Ivy opened her mouth to argue, but Winter hustled her away from the truck. I could still hear them but the distance must have given them some appearance of privacy.
“What is it?” Winter asked. She held her arms tight against her body, tense and apprehensive.
Ivy took a deep breath and even from where I was standing, I saw her frame shake with her own fear. “This is rock bottom for me. I really am sorry. I can’t tell you how much I want to go back and change things. I'm so scared of losing you.”
"You aren't losing me. You're my family."
"But not your only family anymore," Ivy said brokenly.
Winter tilted her head and her dark eyes met mine. "Our family is so small we could use a few additions." She reached out at patted Ivy's stomach. “There’s no changing the past, only the future. We’ll get through this together.”
The small touch was all the encouragement Ivy needed. She crumpled against Winter who didn't hesitate to fold her arms around her sister.
“I’m so sorry,” Ivy sobbed, saying the words over and over.
Winter rocked her, swaying back and forth. I pushed off the fender to make my way over but caught a glimpse of color out of the corner of my eye. Mom. She stood by the side door, shaking her head. Forcing myself backward, I settled my ass against the metal again.
“It’s going to be all right,” Winter crooned.
“Do you really believe that?”
“With all my heart. Donovan pinkie promise.” Winter pushed back and offered her right pinky toward Ivy. Ivy looped her own little finger through Winter's and then the two sisters hugged for a long time. After a while, Mom walked over and drew Ivy away and into the house.
I waited while Winter made her way toward me and into the truck.
