AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Hannah: that’s awesome I’m sure Lilly is happy she’s been so uncomfortable.
A pang of sadness hit me when I realized I wouldn’t be around to enjoy the newest Gregory.
Hannah: keep me posted
I was sure Morgan didn’t know what was going on with Bryce. There was no need to air my dirty laundry. Nicole’s eyes were pinned on me. Placing my phone down I picked up my spoon.
“It was Morgan. Lilly is in labor.”
“Do you want to go to the hospital? I could drive you?”
I shook my head. Chances were it would create unnecessary stress on the family. I would just wait for Morgan to update me.
It had been a few hours and we had finished a bottle of wine and enough junk food that I would need to avoid the scale for a few months. The whiskey from earlier drained from my system fast after the eye-opening conversation with Bryce. My phone buzzed again.
Evan: just wanted to update you, Lilly had to have emergency surgery.
I shot up clutching my phone with both hands. My thumbs sped over the keys faster than they ever had before.
Hannah: is she okay? Is the baby okay?
I wanted to ask if Bryce was okay but I didn’t hold the right to do that anymore.
Luke: we don’t know. They just let Devin back a few minutes ago.
Hunter: I know it’s a lot to ask Hannah and he doesn’t deserve a damn thing from you but… he’s not okay right now.
Luke: he’s stubborn and an asshole but he’s liable to hurt himself
The entire Gregory family took me in when I needed it the most. Before I had even accepted that Bryce and I were going to give us a try.
Hannah: I’ll be there as soon as I can.
Hannah: this is for you guys. Not him. I’m doing it for you
The smell of antiseptic assaulted me as I exited the elevator on the maternity floor. The waiting area wasn’t huge but adding the Gregory boys into the room dwarfed it. Evan was sitting with his phone in hand, typing like his life depended on it. Hunter and Luke were talking and I could tell it was about the farm. The two of them nodded twice as much while talking about the homestead. Then there was Bryce. Standing by the window, staring out at the parking lot.
Three sets of eyes landed on me as I stepped into the area. The somber tone hung heavily in the air.“Thank you for coming.” Evan got up first, coming over to welcome me into the group.
“Of course. I messaged Claire, but she hasn’t gotten back to me. I told her I could come to watch the kids so she could be here.”
Hunter let out a half laugh, “she’s probably home cleaning right now. It’s what she does when she’s stressed.”
I couldn’t imagine the level of stress she was feeling right now being home with the four kids. Having Molly and Jeremy asking where their mom was and if their sibling was there yet.
“Can I get anyone anything? Coffee, something to eat?”
I looked around as I asked. Bryce didn’t bother turning to acknowledge my existence. Everyone shook their heads no, so I settled on a chair that allows me to have my back to Bryce. It felt like an eternity of unsettled waiting had passed before Devin appeared in the waiting room doorway.
His face was a mixture of pure exhaustion, trepidation, and delirium all rolled up into one look. We all waited with bated breath for him to tell us everything was okay.
“Everyone is okay.”
An audible sigh of relief washed over all of us with his statement.
“Molly and Jeremy have a new little brother, Lilly still can’t settle on a name. I don’t really care. They’re both in recovery and are going to be fine. Lilly lost a lot of blood but she’s okay.”
As he said the words he fell into the first chair his feet could get him to. His face fell into his hands and his brothers patted him on the shoulder. Each one gave words of encouragement and congratulations. Everyone except Bryce.
