Page 64 of Falling for Brody

Joshua was fussing over Avalon.

It wasn't something unusual or unexpected. Joshua was so sweet around Avalon.

While she hadn't seen much of her former patient, she'd had a chance to see her around town and everyone in Fallport loved her.

As she watched Joshua and Avalon, she saw him rub his hand over her stomach and Avalon put her hand over his.

The look in their eyes as they looked at each other?

She'd seen that look before.

She'd had that look on her face, too.

As she looked at them, she could feel a tear slide down over her cheek and a smile tickled her lips.

Chip appeared at her elbow, leaning his weight against the arm of her chair. "Mom? Are you okay?"

She looked down at Chip and touched her nose to his. "Yep. I'm fine. I'm just... I'm happy."

Chip nodded. "Okay."

She looked back up and saw Avalon was looking back at her.

Joshua put his hand up in the air and one by one, the conversations around the table slowed and stopped until they were all looking down at him. "Avalon and I have an announcement-"

Helene, Joshua's mother, gasped out loud and clapped her hands together. "Oh my."

Avalon laughed and gave Joshua a look. "I told you that you wouldn't even have to say it and they'd know."

Michael, Joshua's father, was already out of his chair. "Are you serious?"

Joshua got halfway out of his chair, holding his hand up toward his parents. "Now, before you rush over here for hugs, remember that she has a cast on her leg, okay?"

The whole family was suddenly in motion.

Sarah was startled awake by all of the noise and started crying, prompting Brody to stand up and rock back and forth with her. Rhea felt partly responsible for the sudden announcement and walked around the table to take Sarah from her 'uncle.' Sarah wrapped herself around Rhea and put her head down on Rhea's shoulder.

"Thanks," Brody leaned in and kissed her on the cheek before walking off to Avalon's end of the table.

Rhea almost froze in horror as he walked away.

Surely, he had no idea what he'd done, right?

And hopefully, no one else had seen the intimate moment.

"Mom?"

"Hmm?" She looked down at Chip. "What is it, sweetie?"

Chip looked down at the end of the table and then back up at her. "What's going on?"

Letting out a relieved breath, she put her hand on his head and mussed his hair. "Everyone's excited because Avalon and her husband are having a baby."

"Oh." Chip moved in closer to her and wrapped his arm around her leg as he watched everyone crowd around the happy couple. "That's cool."

Rhea smiled. "Yes, sweetie. It's very cool."

Chip nodded his head and then his brow furrowed, and he tipped his head back and looked at her. "Then why did Brody kiss you if it's their baby?"

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