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Especially when he’s regarding me silently.
But I’m not going to get intimated. “Because Ledger is taking good care of me. So you don’t have to apologize or offer your help. I’m covered, thank you.”
I’m speaking the truth.
I am covered.
Not only because Ledger has taken such good care of me these last few weeks when I thought I was going to die and probably never make it to my second trimester, let alone the third or my due date, but also because I’ve got such good friends.
First there’s Callie, my BFF and my sister-in-law.
Who, after we broke the news to her and my brother, came right over to the cabin that very week, as soon as Halo had started to feel better. She was definitely surprised at our choice of home, especially when I told her who it belonged to. Since Ledger wasn’t going to, I also explained its significance to him. Which brought tears to her eyes before she told me, yet again, how happy she was that we’d finally gotten together.
Apparently, she had all the clues that there was something going on between us. I guess we didn’t fool her with our intense looks at each other and friction and whatnot over the past few years. So at that point I had to burst her bubble and say that we aren’t. I didn’t go into a lot of detail but simply said that we weren’t meant to be and so far she’s accepted the idea — although reluctantly — and hasn’t questioned me or anything.
In any case I know she’s happy that we’re having a baby. And not one but two.
“So you mean like, Stellan and Shepard?” she said excitedly the day she’d come over.
Ledger had just returned from his second workout of the day and had replied, “Fuck no. Not like Stellan and Shepard.”
“What, of course like them. They’re the twins.”
“They’re Satan’s spawn.”
“Well, that’s true. Shep definitely is.”
“My baby girls are nothing like Stellan and Shep.” Then, with a slight dopey look on his face, “They’re my two little fireflies.”
Callie smiled. “Oooh, I like that. Two little fireflies.” Then, “Oh my God, I just got this amazing idea for mittens that I want to knit for them.”
After which she went on a tangent about all the stuff she’s going to knit for them while all I could do was stare at him and blush.
But anyway, she also told me that Conrad and all her brothers were having a hard time with the news. Something they found out from Ledger and something Ledger and I had a fight over, because I had no idea that he was going to tell them. If I had, I would’ve liked to be there when that happened to support him.
Like he had when I’d told Reed.
Who still hasn’t come around, by the way.
I haven’t talked to my brother in weeks and it hurts the same way it did the night I told him about the pregnancy. And again, Callie told me to give him time. Although I’m not sure if time’s going to be able to work its magic this time around.
Anyway, apart from Callie, I’ve got my other friends as well.
Who all showed up one weekend or another over the last few weeks. Jupiter, Echo, Poe, even Wyn — Con’s girlfriend, Salem over FaceTime because she’s in California with her pro-soccer player boyfriend, Arrow Carlisle. Who by the way is flying over with him next week for his game against New York City FC.
But that’s neither here nor there.
The point is that Conrad doesn’t need to worry about me.
I’ve got my people.
And I’ve got him.
The most wonderful and misunderstood guy in the world.
I’m about to put an end to this conversation with Conrad and turn back to watch the practice when he begins, “I’m glad. That you’re covered and he’s taking good care of you. And I hope that it lasts. But,” he shifts on his feet and thinks over things for a second before saying, “if it doesn’t, I want you to know that we will stand by you. Not only me but all of us. Stellan, Shep, Callie. The whole family.”
My spine was already straight and I was already prepared for him to say something that might make me angry as soon as he started talking. But I still wasn’t prepared for the hot rush of anger that goes through me at his words.
The whole family.
That somehow doesn’t include Ledger.
Fisting my hands at my sides, I raise my chin. “As I said, you don’t have to worry about that. My family is already standing by me.”
Again he regards me silently and again I’m struck by how similar they are to each other, the oldest and the youngest brother. God, even their heights are similar and now that I don’t wear heels, I’m feeling the impact of it so much more.
