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They both turned as Ryland walked into the kitchen, chest bare, blue plaid sleep pants barely hanging on to slim hips. His thick hair was all over the place and sleep still clung to his eyes as he scratched at the peach fuzz on his chin.
“You’re still pregnant,” he said to his sister as he poured himself a glass of juice and then topped up hers.
“You’re still annoying.”
Ry cracked a smile. “Some things never change.”
“I’m hungry.” Nora ran to Cal and tugged on his hand. “Can I have pancakes with smiley faces on them?” She twirled and giggled. “Pretty please?” She paused when she spied Scarlett. The little girl had been asleep when Cal had brought his sister home the night before. “Auntie Scar! You got a beach ball in your belly.”
“She’s got more than that,” Ryland said under his breath, ducking a swat from his sister as he made his way to the cupboard. He grabbed the pancake mix from the cupboard, while Cal got the eggs and milk out of the fridge, along with peameal bacon and bread. The two of them worked together to prepare the food while Nora kept Scarlett entertained with her endless questions and shrieks of joy when she found out a baby, and not a beach ball, was inside her Auntie’s belly.
“Is it a boy?” Nora asked, waiting patiently for Ryland to draw a chocolate syrup smiley face on her pancake.
“I don’t know.” Scarlett’s voice was light, and Cal knew his sister was doing a good job hiding her pain.
“Well, when will you know?” Nora’s eyes were wide as she listened.
“When it’s born.”
“And when is that gonna be? Tomorrow?”
Scarlett laughed. “No, sweetie. Around the New Year.” Her eyes met Cal’s. It seemed his sister was farther along than he’d thought.
They ate their food, and, once finished, Ryland offered to take Nora to school.
“That mean you going to class?” Cal asked before heading up to shower.
“Yeah. I guess.”
“Good. Thanks for taking Nora. Do you need me to pick her up or—”
“No. I got it.” His brother paused. “You going to see Bent?”
“Yeah. I’ll take Scarlett this morning.”
“When can I see Daddy?” Nora’s eyes were wide as she gazed up at Cal.
“I’ll ask the doctor today. I’m hoping soon.”
“Can you give him a big squishy hug and a kiss on his nose?”
“I can.” Cal patted his niece on the back. “You need to get on upstairs and get dressed.” He winked. “And no cowboy boots today, got it?”
He waited until Ryland and Nora disappeared before he blew out a ragged breath. He hadn’t realized how tight he’d been holding himself until that moment.
“I can’t remember being that young,” Scarlet said. “Not knowing about the bad stuff.”
“Not all kids are that lucky,” Cal replied.
“No. I suppose they’re not.” She paused. “I had tickets to your show at Wembley. It was supposed to be next week. Ivy sent them months ago.” She gave him a hug and murmured against his chest. “It must be hard to give all that up and come back here.”
“Not as hard as I thought it would be.” The admission surprised him, and he had to clear his tight throat before he could continue. “I’m sorry I’ve been out of the loop. That I haven’t checked in.”
“You’ve been too busy being a superstar.”
“It’s no excuse.”
“No,” she replied softly. “It’s not. But you’re here now.” She paused. “Was it hard to see Millie Sue? We didn’t talk about her last night.”
