Page 42 of Eternal Pieces

“Don’t worry about it, I’ll sort it after we eat.”

“It’s my mess, I’ll?—”

Reginald takes the cloth from me. “Violet, I’m not having my pregnant daughter-in-law cleaning my house. Sit down, please.”

Maddox snickers quietly, and I shoot him a look over my shoulder as I follow Reginald to the table. I can’t believe my father-in-law is going to be cleaning up my breast milk. I’m absolutely mortified.

Thankfully, nothing else embarrassing happens over lunch, and the conversation steers toward safer topics. Mainly because every time Maddox starts to make a joke, I kick him under the table.

“How far along are you now, Violet?”

Grabbing my purse, I pull out our latest 3D scans and give one to Reginald.

“We just hit twenty-four weeks.” I rub my stomach tenderly.

He admires the scan and puts it on the fridge next to the others we’ve given him over the months.

Seeing them up there makes my heart feel torn. I love that he’s so excited and has greeted our entire relationship with nothing less than open arms. But it makes me long for that connection with my mom. I wonder what she’s done with the scan I gave her. Probably left forgotten at the bottom of her purse. I’ve not heard from her since she showed up at the house.

“How’s all your wedding prep coming along? Have you chosen a date yet?” Reginald asks.

“We have a rough idea, it’ll be this summer, before the triplets arrive. I’m going to give myself a little break after graduation and then go at it full swing. My maid of honor, Sarah, is amazing at party planning, so she’ll be helping out with it all.”

“I’m here to lend a hand if you need it. Don’t worry about the cost of anything. I expected to be paying for two weddings for my sons, so you get double the budget.”

My jaw drops. Maddox and Max take my hands on either side of me.

“Wow, that’s so kind of you.”

Reginald nods his head and leans against the counter. He studies us, warmth filling his eyes. He looks a lot like an older version of Maddox like that. “Whatever you don’t spend, I’d like to give to my grandchildren. I set up a fund as soon as you told me you were pregnant. I’ll add any leftover wedding money to that, and it’ll be theirs when they’re eighteen.”

“Are you serious?” Maddox chokes out.

“Thank you so much,” I tell him, feeling teary-eyed.

“That’s…generous. Thanks, Dad.” Max smiles a little more than he usually does at his father.

“You’re welcome. I know I said I’d have the whole weekend free for you, but I’m afraid I do have to head into the office for a bit this afternoon. It’s because of Monday.” His words hang in the air. I know the boys have always resented how much their father works, but this time is different.

“Violet,” Reginald clears his throat. “Are you sure you won’t be there?”

“No, she won’t,” Max interjects sharply.

Part of the process against James was to give statements about what happened at college. They started as written ones, and then they wanted me to go in for a recording. I did bothlast year, and it was hard enough remembering what to omit about Max and Maddox’s involvement without the baby brain. Reginald believes that my presence might sway the case in our favor, but I’m too worried I’ll say the wrong thing and screw it up. The last thing I want is to accidentally get Max and Maddox in trouble for what they did.

“There’s enough evidence for him to get sent down without her being involved anymore. You said so yourself,” Max adds.

Reginald holds his hands up, dropping the subject. “It’s your call. I’ll see you later. Make yourselves at home while I’m gone. Your rooms are all still made up.”

He heads out, the door closing behind him.

We’re left in silence until Maddox breaks it. “Looks like you’ll still get your wish, Max.”

We both wait for him to elaborate, and he smirks. “You’ll get to fuck our little sister in her bed.”

CHAPTER 19

MAX

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