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Eddie grabs the toy and stuffs its paw in his mouth.
“I think he might have his first tooth coming through,” Kennedy says. “He’s been a bit grizzly and grumpy. He takes after his father.”
Saxon laughs. “Thanks for coming today.”
“My pleasure.” She smiles at me. “Always up for lunch and shopping.”
“Catie has my credit card,” he says. “I think she’s spent all of fifty cents. I’ve been trying to talk her into getting some bits and pieces. She’s going to need some maternity clothes, right?”
Kennedy nods. “Totally. They do this range of jeans at Baby Bump that have elastic across here,” and she gestures to her midriff. “They stretch with you as you grow; they’re really cool. They do lots of nice empire-line tops, and some really pretty dresses.”
“I don’t really need all that, though,” I say.
“Need? Well, no, but we don’t focus on need in this family.”
This family? It makes me sound as if I’m part of it. Well, I suppose the twins are, anyway. They’re going to be related to Kennedy and Eddie, even though I’m not.
“It’s about being comfortable,” she says, “especially when you get bigger. Ordinary clothes aren’t shaped right, and you feel big enough anyway without having your T-shirts all stretched. And you’re going to need new underwear, especially bras. Gotta have something to keep the girls in check.” She gestures at her breasts, and Saxon gives a short laugh. “Don’t mock the afflicted,” she scolds. “They can grow up to two cup sizes.”
“I’m not laughing at the process,” he says, “only the terminology.” He glances at me, amused.
“I’m guessing I’d better get used to everyone talking about my body parts,” I say wryly.
“Oh yeah,” Kennedy says. “And by the end you’re used to every man and his dog getting their heads down there to have a look. If you’re thinking you can get through this with any dignity, you’re sorely mistaken.”
“Ken,” he scolds. “That’s not what a new mother wants to hear.”
“I tell it how it is,” she says. “Then there are no surprises. It’s always best to be informed.” She stands and takes Eddie from him. “Come on then,” she says to me, “let’s grab some lunch. Mothers unite, and all that.”
Saxon stands and holds out a hand to me. Surprised, I take it, and he pulls me to my feet. “I hope this was a good idea,” he murmurs, his brows drawing together. “She’s very direct.”
“I need direct,” I reply. “I think it’s going to be very refreshing. Plus I hope to learn a lot about you.”
“Me?” He looks alarmed. I just grin and follow her out.
As she clips Eddie into the stroller, Saxon says, “You’re under strict instructions not to tell her anything about me.”
“Yeah,” she says, “because I always do what you say.” Winking at me, she turns the stroller and heads out.
I grin at him and follow her, hearing him mumble something under his breath about women making his life a misery.
“Ignore him,” Kennedy says as we walk along the corridor, “he’s all bark and no bite. Now, anyway. He used to get into fights all the time.”
“Really?” Intrigued, I follow her through the swinging doors and across the foyer.
“Oh yeah. We went to the same private school. He and Kip appointed themselves my bodyguards, and they’d beat up any kid who made fun of me.”
I smile at the thought of the twins being so protective of their cousin. “Is Kip short for something, by the way?”
“Yeah, Kristopher. But he’s always been called Kip.”
We walk across the foyer. She seems very open, so I gather my courage and ask, “How old were you when you lost your arm?” She doesn’t seem to mind talking about it, and I’m curious. It seems clear that she’s the reason the guys are so interested in prosthetics.
“I was twelve. The guys were fourteen.” She leads the way out into the bright November sunshine. “This is a bit embarrassing, but do you mind if we just go to McDonald’s? I get a bit self-conscious in fancy cafés with Eddie, as half the food ends up on the floor. And he’s not much better.” She laughs.
“Not at all,” I say, wondering if Saxon told her about our fiasco at Frankie’s, and touched to think he probably did. “Do you mind me asking how it happened?”
“My arm? No, I don’t mind.” She sets off along the path, and I walk beside her. “My dad and Saxon’s dad are twins, did he tell you that?”
