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A sob escaped Bree’s lips and Kera held Bree close. She slid her arm over Bree’s shoulder, and Bree shifted so she could lean her head against Kera’s shoulder.
“I’m so stupid…”
Kera patted Bree’s back. “No sis. Don’t beat yourself up about it.”
“I feel like I’ve let myself down by getting pregnant with Declan’s child. He’s never going to love me for me now. The moment he hears I’m carrying his child, he’s going to chase me for the sake of this baby. But being with Declan would be on false grounds. Not because of his love for ME.”
“Damn, sis. You’re fucked in the head.”
“Gwenn!” Kera chastised.
“I’m right, though. She’s thinking about Mom and Rob’s shitastic relationship, and it ruins all her chances to be happy.”
Gwenn turned to Bree. “I know you love him. And even though he hadn’t said the words, that man is in love with you. With YOU and sure, the moment he hears you’re pregnant, he’s going full throttle. Because we all know that’s who Declan is. But don’t for a moment think he doesn’t love you. Because he does.” Gwenn stood a little taller and crossed her arms.
“Although Gwenn could work on her timing and deliverance,” Kera gave Gwenn a pointed look before she turned her eyes on Bree again, “She’s right, you know.”
“I’m still in shock… I’m going to be somebody’s mom. I don’t think I’m ready.”
“Bullshit.” Gwenn said and fisted her sides. Bree was about to pull the covers over her head to cut herself off from her sister. That, or she could evict Gwenn from her couch. At least then Joan would be happy.
“You take care of a class full of kids. Now if I’d said I’m not ready for a baby, everyone would agree with me. But not you, Bree. You were born ready to care for others. In a sick way, I’m secretly glad you’re preggers. Gives us a chance to see how it’s done by one of the best.”
Bree barely held in her laughter. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”
“As you should, sis. Now, scoot your ass over. Let aunti Gwenn snuggle with her niece or nephew.”
They watched a marathon ofFriendsepisodes together and Bree tried her best for the rest of the day not to break down and cry. Her sisters might have taken this news rather well; she was dreading her upcoming talk with Dec.
Because if Dec couldn’t love her like she needed him to, they would have to end things. Romantically, that is, because this baby would bind them together forever.
She couldn’t be with him if Dec only stayed with her out of obligation. There was no ‘taking things slow’ now. The moment of truth was coming, and she had to face the music.
“Itake it you haven’t had a talk with Bree yet?” Brennan said.
“Shit, man. We’ve talked all right. We…”
Declan moved in closer and he lowered his voice since they stood in Thomas Tavern, surrounded by family and friends. It was Errin’s farewell party, and he was there to say goodbye to Errin, but mostly to support his oldest brother.
Brennan was head over heels for the Walsh sister, but she was moving back to Jersey to follow her dream of becoming a famous dancer.
Although Brennan had enough on his plate with the love of his life leaving him after tonight, he still found the time to check up on his brother.
Growing up, Brennan had been there for all the Mills brothers. Their mother had died of breast cancer when Ronan and Declan were only six-years-old.
The fourteen-year-old Brennan had been the rock they all could depend on. Not their dad, Sean Jr., because he’d checked out, overwhelmed with grief.
Brennan never got to have the childhood like the rest of them. He was the young boy, acting like the man of the house. The tension between Sean Jr. and Brennan had been like another cancer, spreading its ugliness throughout their family.
Declan looked up to his big brother. Brennan was the one who’d successfully steered Declan’s twin Ronan in the right direction. Each Mills brother had dealt differently with the loss of his mother. Declan wanted to make his family proud. And help Brennan wherever he could.
His twin had always been the polar opposite. Ronan fought in school. And out of school. Wherever Ronan was, followed trouble. He picked on other kids. Knocked a boy’s tooth out for looking funny at him. Declan was certain it was solely because of Brennan’s guidance that Ronan finally turned away from the dark path he’d started.
Even though Bree wished to keep their hook-ups a secret, Declan felt like his big brother deserved to know the truth. Brennan stood by him when Declan was heartbroken because of the Bree situation. He’d talked with Declan about regretting letting Bree go. They had talked about the loss of Bree’s friendship. The least he could do was give Brennan a heads up about the recent developments.
Declan said, “We spend one night together at my place, and then again two weeks ago. Fuck, Bren. That first night was everything, man. But every time I think we can finally be together, she freaks out. She’s been ignoring me for the past weeks.”
“Why didn’t ye tell me something had happened between yous earlier?” Brennan said. He widened his stance and crossed his arms. His sudden Irish brogue let Dec know how upset he was with him.
