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“The fact that I’m in this situation, again, and that it’s with another member of the Lewis family.”
“Chloe…”
“What is wrong with me?” I asked, feeling full-on sorry for myself, but not really caring. “How does this happen twice, Zo? I haven’t dated anyone seriously; hell, I’ve barely had sex, yet with two out of my four partners, I have drunken sex and get pregnant? Damn the luck.”
“Chloe,” Zoey began patiently, her hand coming to cover mine and give comfort. “You know you’ve never regretted Christopher. I remember what you were like with him as a baby, and although you were scared and didn’t know what you were doing, you loved him more than anything. You always have.”
I nodded and felt a tear escape down my cheek.
“Your situation with Reardon is nothing like what happened between you and Gabe. He’s always had feelings for you, and although the conception may not have been planned, this baby’s parents are in a relationship. I’d dare say, they’re even in love…” Zoey’s eyes caught mine and she looked at me questioningly.
I could never lie to my sister, so I nodded and admitted weepily, “Yes, I do love him.”
Zoey smiled and said, “Then that’s all that matters.”
“What about the family. The stigma. The weird?”
“Stop, I get it. You know I do, Chlo. You were there when I was freaking out about being in love with Gabe after finding out he was Chris’s dad, but you also know I was wrong.”
She lifted a hand to my cheek and left it resting there.
“It’s normal to be afraid. And to worry about what other people are going to think, or how they may judge. But all that matters, all that really matters, is you and Reardon. What you guys think. How the two of you feel. Fuck everyone else.”
I let out a sharp laugh at that and said, “Zoey, I don’t think you’re supposed to say the F word anymore. You’re a mom now.”
“Oh, shut up,” she said with a laugh, and I brought my hand up to cup hers on my cheek.
“Thank you.”
“That’s what I’m here for, big sis. I am the wise one, after all.”
“You wish.”
We were both laughing when the door opened and Gabe walked in, looking happy and handsome with his baby girl tucked in his arms like one of the footballs he used to cradle.
“Is it safe for us to come in?” he asked with a smile, his eyes filled with concern as they took in the tears on my face.
I nodded and assured him, “It’s all good.”
“Want to go see Aunt Chloe?” Gabe asked Evie, though his eyes were still on me.
I nodded and held out my arms, then felt warmth envelope me as I held that precious girl in my arms.
I took in her dark eyes, plump cheeks, and sweet little hands poking out of the blanket, and felt calm overtake me. There was nothing as soothing as holding a baby in your arms.
Memories flooded of holding Christopher as a child, and I realized how right Zoey was. No matter what happened, I would love and cherish this baby more than my own life, and this time, I wouldn’t have to do everything on my own, or call on my sister for help.
Reardon was a great guy, and he’d make a terrific father. I’d seen evidence of that with the way he was with Christopher. Shoot, he was a kid at heart himself. Plus, he was kind, tender, and hard-working. All wonderful qualities for a father to have.
Feeling lighter and less stressed, I looked at Evie and let myself imagine what it would feel like to hold my own baby again. Smiling, I lifted my head to see Zoey watching us fondly.
“Could you imagine?” she asked softly. “We might have babies together.”
“That would be amazing,” I conceded.
“And we could be sisters slash cousins-in-law.”
I scowled at her.
