Page 49 of Fourteen of a Kind

“Excuse me for a moment,” I said to Graham.

“When should I announce that I’m pregnant? During dinner, after dinner, never?”

“Lily, relax.” I gripped her shoulders.

“My mom will be happy, but I’m worried about my dad.”

“Your dad will be so happy after the shock wears off. Do it right after dinner. We don’t want to risk anyone choking on their food.” I smirked.

“Right. After dinner, it is. By the way. Dr. Graham Malone is very hot.” She grinned.

“Isn’t he?” I smiled.

After a couple of volleyball games, it was time for dinner. We all gathered around the large table that was set up and enjoyed the food Sebastian and the rest of the family prepared. I couldn’t stop thinking about my Grandma Barb and how she called Graham Henry. Something wasn’t right with her, and I wondered if I was the only one who noticed.

Lily looked at me as she stood from her seat. I gave her a small nod and smiled.

“Can I have everyone’s attention?” she said.

Silence filled the air.

“I’m pregnant,” she blurted out.

I glanced at Alex, who placed her hand over her mouth. Everyone looked at Stefan.

“Excuse me?” he said.

“You’re going to be a grandpa, Daddy.” Lily nervously smiled.

Everyone shouted and clapped, and the family congratulated Lily and Adrien with many hugs and kisses. Stefan walked over, grabbed her, and held her tight.

“I can’t believe I’m going to be a grandpa,” he said.

Shaun tapped his knife against his beer bottle to get everyone’s attention.

“Congratulations to Lily and Adrien. Here’s to the first grandchild of the Kind family.” He grinned, holding up his bottle. “Life is family, and family is life.”

“Cheers!” We all shouted.

Alex and Stefan took Lily and Adrien back to their house to talk privately.

“I can’t believe my first grandchild is going to be a mother,” Grandma Barb walked over with a smile. “Curtis and I were just talking about how it’s been forever since there’s been a baby in the family.”

“Yeah, Grandma. It has been.” I smiled.

“Ella, can I speak with you for a moment?” my grandpa asked.

“Of course. I’ll be right back.” I placed my hand on Graham’s arm.

My grandpa and I took a walk down to the shoreline.

“I didn’t want to mention anything to the boys yet, but I think something is wrong with your grandmother,” Curtis said. “We were shopping the other day, and she wanted to drive. On our way home, she drove to our old house and pulled into the driveway. I asked her what she was doing, and she looked at me like she didn’t understand my question. I told her we didn’t live there anymore and needed to leave before the owners called the police. It took me ten minutes to explain to her that we used to live at the house many years ago, but we moved. And that’s not the only thing. Sometimes, she’ll call me Henry. The other day, I went golfing with a few of my friends. Barb called and ranted and raved about how I was out cheating on her. I had to leave the golf course and go home.”

“I’ve noticed some things, too,” I sighed. “She said a few things while we were in New York, and when she came over earlier, she looked at Graham and called him Henry.”

“I’m really worried about her, Ella.”

“So am I, Grandpa. I’ll talk to Sam, Stefan, Sebastian, Simon, Shaun, and Uncle Jackson.”

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