Page 108 of Feels Like Home

“Yes,” I say as Christine, so knowledgeable, points out, “I can’t really control that, kiddo, and it’s already beendecided.”

“Well, I want a babysister.”

“Me,too.”

“Bri? You okaythere?”

“I’m just in shock. I mean — are you happy? I know that sounds mean, but are you okay? Will the baby be okay? You’renot…”

“Young. I know. And we’ll go to plenty of checkups, and so far, everything isgood.”

Bri blows out a breath. “Wow. I so didn’t see that coming. I thought maybe you were moving in together and gettingmarried.”

I know Christine wants that, and so do I. I just haven’t found the right ring or the right way to ask heryet.

“I’m happy, Bri,” Christine says, reaching out to hold her daughter’shand.

“I’m happy for youguys.”

“Boys?”

“Yeah?”

“How you feeling about allthis?”

Aidan, ever the smart ass. “It seems like maybe you two didn’t pay enough attention in health class. You know what leads tobabies…”

“Aidan,” I growl, but he just smiles that cheekysmile.

“We’re cool. This is actually exciting. We’ve never had a little brother orsister.”

“So, you guys are all on board withthis?”

“Well, obviously it wouldn’t change anything if we weren’t, but yeah. This is kind of amazing. I’m finally gonna be a bigsister!”

“Hey!” the boys shout in unison. I notice how Christine gets tears in her eyes immediately. In technical terms, we aren’t a family of five or known each other too long. But the kids have embraced our relationship as if they weresiblings.

She rolls her eyes and looks at them. “You know what Imean.”

“Still…” Aidangrumbles.

My heart feels like in the Grinch movie when it just keeps expanding and growing. I didn’t know that I could be so full of love untilnow.

“And then there were six,” Christine says wistfully, placing her hand on her stomach. I cover hers with mine and lean down to kiss her on thelips.

“Gross! That’s what got you two into this in the first place!” Reecelaughs.

30

Christine

“Hey lady! What’s happening?”I ask, bringing Carly in for a hug. We haven’t seen a lot of each other lately with Balance getting ready to open, school back in session, and me not feeling the best. Not to mention the amount of time I spend with Andy and the boys, and visiting Bri when we can. When I pull back, I take a look at Carly and notice that her normal smile ismissing.

“What’swrong?”

She looks away then back tome.

“Can we go to youroffice?”

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