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“What is this 911?” I ask, a little worried.
“Whenever there is something serious happening in the family, we text each other 911. It is basically code for drop everything you are doing and run immediately to the advised location. We started it a few years ago when Dad died and things got a little hectic. Unfortunately, we have used it a few times since then, mostly because of our mother,” he explains, his brow crumpled.
“So there’s an emergency?” An all too familiar panic and anxiety fills my chest as we rush through the garden gate, and I am enveloped into a new garden wonderland that I can’t admire because my mind is racing.
“Must be,” Eddie says, a little unsure. Just then, we spot two cars heading up the picture-perfect driveway and watch as Harrison and Beth rush out of one, and Tennyson and Willow jump out of the other, walking just as quickly as Eddie and I.
“Let’s get inside. Ben’s waiting,” Harrison says, looking serious as he walks straight in. I feel sick.
“Hey, come in.” Em hugs me as we walk inside, through to their living room.
“What’s going on?” Eddie asks as he stays standing, and I sit with the girls on the sofa and hold my breath. Harrison paces, the other brothers looking totally confused.
“I got a call from the hospital blood bank,” Harrison says, looking a little pale.
“What happened?” Ben asks, stepping forward.
“They called about the donation we made back at the time of the hospital fire,” Harrison says, his eyes quickly flicking to me. My chest feels heavy, and I can barely breathe.
“What about it? Are you sick? Was there something wrong with your blood?” Tennyson asks, stepping forward, and all the boys frown.
“No. We are all healthy.” He looks like he is gathering his thoughts.
“Well, spit it out,” Eddie says as we all wait on tenterhooks.
“It appears that our blood type is a match for one of the severely injured.” We all look at him, confused.
“Of course it was. We are AB negative, so that means we are super rare. That is why we gave extra, for that other patient who needed it,” Tennyson says, none of us sure of where this is headed.
“No, I mean, genetically. They did a genetic test. Apparently, it is a research procedure, and when we signed up to donate, we all ticked that box. The injured patient from the fire is a complete match. Genetically,” Harrison explains.
“I don’t understand,” Tennyson says, looking at everyone in confusion.
“What he is trying to say is…” Beth says, standing, taking over for Harrison, who appears to be struggling with the information. “Your blood is a thirty-two percent match with the patient, which means you have a half-sibling.”
“Excuse me?” Ben says, gaping at Beth like she is crazy.
“We have a half-sibling, so one of our parents had a baby without the other,” Harrison says. “I got notified, looked over some paperwork, and it appears to be correct.” He releases a heavy sigh, appearing exhausted as he takes a seat.
“There are more of you?” I ask, bewildered.
“Wow, if this gets out, it is going to explode,” Willow says, her eyes wide, obviously thinking of the media impact.
“So we have another brother?” Tennyson asks, still confused.
“Or sister,” Beth says, a small smile on her face.
“Wow, a sister…” Eddie says, looking at me, as his face relaxes slightly, his eyes widening in awe.
“I mean, it is a shock, but wow, another Rothschild?” Em says, her smile passive but supportive.
“Well, who is it? Was it Mom or Dad?” Ben asks, and we all look at Harrison for the answers.
“I don’t know anything about the patient. They can’t tell us because of patient confidentiality. But we can put paperwork through to request information, and if the patient agrees, we can meet up and talk and figure out how this all came about,” he says, and I lean back.
“Can I ask a question?” I ask, looking at everyone in the room.
“Of course,” Eddie encourages.
“Is there ever a dull moment in this family?” I ask, a small smile dancing on my lips, because I already know the answer. This family is larger than life; their hearts are massive, and their bank balances are huge. This is their normal.
“No, never.” Beth huffs a laugh, and I laugh with her. Soon, we are all smiling and laughing as the boys start discussing how to move forward, all of them keen to meet their new sibling and find out who it is.
Over all the commotion, Eddie looks at me, and I smile. The panic I felt earlier is now all gone, the joys of being around everyone soothing for my soul.
“So how about it? Want to move next door? Start our new life?” he asks, sliding up to me, as his family all start talking over one another in shock and excitement.
“Let’s do it.”
Wantto know what Eddie and Pinkie are up to now? Download a bonus epilogue to get a glimpse into their future here.
