I don’t know what to feel as we head out to the car. Two babies. That’s a lot of babies. And they’re both going to grow inside me.
It’s suddenly starting to feel real again.
When the guys drop me off at my apartment, I’m a bundle of strange emotions. What’s going to happen when these children arrive? I find that even though they’re barely a seed inside me, I’m much more attached than the first time around. We made this together, not in a sterile breeding room.
I think about what Arthur said during sex, how he wanted me to feed the baby, and I find myself returning to that once more. I want to be there, to do that for them and for the little ones when they come. But what else does that entail?
I’m barely paying attention as I approach my front door with the key out, but something stops me in my tracks.
There’s a note stuck to the front. Hmm. Maybe one of my neighbors received a package for me by accident. The property management company usually calls me directly if there’s an issue.
I peel it off and read in the low light.
Dearest Bree,
I was devastated to learn you had banned me from your stream. It hurt my feelings immensely as one of your staunchest supporters and biggest fans.
I hope you’ll forgive me for my comments, but I simply prefer you by yourself, the independent woman that you are.
Best,
GingerWatchman
My stomach performs an incredible, terrible flip.
Whoever he is… this man has my address. Not just my name. He knows where I live now.
I grab my phone out of my pocket, open favorites, and hit dial.
Bennett
My heart is immeasurably full after our appointment with Bree today.
We’re not just having one fawn. We’re having two. It’s a little more than we bargained for, but it’s not unwelcome. There are three of us, after all. We can manage it, no problem.
I hope. Those might be famous last words.
And besides, maybe someday it will be four of us. A guy can dream.
“We’re going to need two cribs,” says Arthur over dinner. “And then two beds. And then two rooms.” He sits up straight in his chair, alarmed. “We need to be looking at bigger houses, guys.”
I’m in agreement on that. We’ll have to adjust quite a few plans.
Jack’s putting the salad bowl on the table when his phone buzzes in his pocket. He sets the bowl down and slides it out, then his brows rise.
“It’s Bree,” he says. Then he cocks his head at Arthur. “She usually calls you.”
“Well, answer it,” I tell him.
He taps the screen and holds his phone up to his ear. “Bree? What’s up?”
I can’t hear what Bree’s saying, but I do hear the frantic pitch of her voice. Immediately my hackles rise.
Jack’s brows lower dangerously. “What did it say?”
She talks more, faster, and I wish I knew what’s going on.
“Come over right now,” says Jack in a firm but gentle voice. “You need to pack your things for tonight and get out of there. Just take what you need right now and we’ll go back for more tomorrow.”
