AllFreeNovel
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“You okay?” he asks as he kills the engine.
“What if they see through us? Our plan?”
He smirks. “It won’t be any different than the shit they always give us.”
“That’s true,” I say, relaxing my shoulders.
We get out of the truck, and I suck in a deep breath before we enter my parents' house.
“What’s that?” Mom asks with Hendrix and Hannah on her lap. They’re climbing on her like a jungle gym.
“It’s for Dad and only Dad,” I confirm.
Mom laughs because she knows what we did earlier.
Knox yanks the foil off the top, and his jaw drops. “Apple pie?”
“That’s mine!” Dad stands and grabs it from my hands. Wrapping his free arm around me, he kisses the top of my head. “This is why you’re my favorite kid.”
“Suck-up.” Kane rolls his eyes at the same time as Knox makes a face at me.
Hadleigh and I make small talk while Mom pulls a lasagna out of the oven along with two loaves of garlic bread. The hearty aromas have my mouth watering. It’s been a while since I’ve had her homemade recipe.
“You look really good, Kaitlyn,” Hadleigh says, eyeing me up and down. “I love that top on you.”
“Thank you. It’s a newer one.” And it shows off my boobs nicely, which wasn’t on purpose, but I was able to buy a smaller size, and now it’s accentuating my chest.
“Okay, dinner’s ready, y’all,” Mom announces, and we all find our seats.
“Time for the blessing ’cause I’m starvin’,” Dad says once it quiets down.
We bow our heads as he says grace, and then we immediately dig in.
“This is so good, Mom,” I tell her. “I’m gonna have a food baby later.”
Ivy snickers, and Kane gives her a look before clearing his throat. “Do you wanna tell them, sweetheart?”
“Sure.” She swallows hard as we all wait. “So we had our ultrasound, and it turns out we’re having twins!”
The room bursts into chatter as a whirlwind of emotions nearly knocks the breath out of me. Of course, Payton notices, and he gently squeezes my thigh. I force a smile, not wanting to make this exciting moment about myself.
“Congratulations,” I say. “I’m so happy to be getting two more nieces or nephews!”
“Or one of each,” Hadleigh gushes, wrapping her arms around Ivy. The rest of us join in celebratory hugs.
“You’re gonna have your hands full,” Mom teases. “But don’t worry, we’ll help as much as we can.”
Everyone is smiling, but right now, I feel like crying.
I’m excited for them and hate the feeling of jealousy that burns inside me. Kane and Ivy deserve this just as much as anyone else who wants a baby, but constantly watching everyone around me get pregnant is just a reminder that it might not be in the cards for me.
Although Mom has fudge sundaes, Dad shares his apple pie with us. After we finish eating, Payton stretches with a yawn, glancing over at me. If I didn’t know any better, I’d think he was trying to give us an out to leave early. He’s the only one who knows I’m having an internal meltdown.
Once we help put the dishes away and the kitchen is cleaned, we say our goodbyes. We thank my mom for a delicious dinner, then I tell my brother and Ivy congratulations again and punch Knox in the shoulder before walking out.
As soon as the warm summer air hits my cheeks, a few tears slip down my face. I hurry and wipe them away, but Payton catches me.
I’m angry with myself for feeling envious. I’m mad at my body and how unfair all of this feels.
