AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Thanks, Ro.”
Ronan winked at her, and she grinned. It seemed he was warming up to her again. Well, he’d better, because she wasn’t going anywhere.
“Thank you all so much for surprising me today! It means so much to me.” Bree smiled at Kate, who wiped tears from her cheeks with a white handkerchief.
She glanced at Declan as he put his arm around her. “I should say tous. We’ll never forget this moment for the rest of our lives.”
Some people started clapping and cheering, but she wanted to say one last thing. Bree held up a hand, and when it didn’t work, she looked over at Ronan.
He put two fingers in between his lips and let out a shrill whistle, silencing the whole backyard again.
Bree looked over the crowd and tried to keep the nervousness out of her voice.
“For anyone that has already placed their bet with Ker or Gwenn about the gender of our baby… I’m sorry, but we don’t want to know the gender before birth,” she said.
Joan stepped out of the crowd and said with her brows pulled down, “What’s that for new age bogus?”
Bree busted out laughing. Only Joan. Leave it to her mother to vent her opinion like that.
“Perhaps it is, Mom. But we would like to share something else with you all…. we’re having twins!”
Pops immediately engulfed Bree with his burly arms and kissed the top of her hair. She let go of Declan’s hand and hugged Pops back.
“My, My. What a day. You bring so much joy and happiness into our lives, sweet Bree. I’m so proud of me boyo that he’s goin’ to be a da, and he’s finally goin’ to marry ye. I feel like me heart is overflowin’. And Twins!”
She snuggled into his chest like she did when she was a kid.
A pang of sorrow shot through her as she realized her father would not be a part of her children’s life. He was missing out on so much already. He wasn’t here today. Most likely will not be at the wedding… Or when the twins would be born.
Bree cried for all the things her father already had skipped. School plays, graduations… Pops held on even stronger.
“What’s the matter, lass?”
“I was thinking of my dad. Sorry, didn’t mean to cry all over your shirt, Pops.”
“Nonsense.”
He leaned in and whispered against her hair, “It’s okay, lass. Let it all out. I’m here for ye. I may not be yer da, but I love ye just the same. Ye hear?”
She sobbed and nodded.
“Can I steal my girl for a moment?” Declan asked, his hand on her waist.
“Sure, boyo. Ye keep an eye out on me, lass, eh?”
“I will, Pops. Always.”
She looked into the dark grey eyes of Declan. He was trying to read her.
“Are you okay?”
She swallowed and tried to hold herself together. “Yes, I’m okay, Dec. It’s just those damn hormones.”
He whispered against her ear, “You don’t need to be so damn strong all the time, I’m here for you. Share your pain with me. Maybe I can help.”
“It’s my Dad. I have such mixed feelings about everything…”
He kissed her bare shoulder. “Maybe we should get together with Jessie. When everything has cooled off with her situation, that is. I’m not letting you near her while that husband of hers is still walking free.”
