Page 80 of Gideon
“I’ll be speaking with them tomorrow about it, actually,” Malachi admitted. The room went silent as all eyes landed on Malachi.
“Well, shoot my shit and call it art. Malachi’s actually going to get married,” Ollie exclaimed.
“That was disgusting, Ollie,” Delilah cringed, scolding her husband.
“Did you honestly expect anything less?” Gideon questioned her with a laugh.
“Not for a split second,” Delilah giggled, lightening the mood.
“So you’re finally going to accept?” Levi asked Malachi.
“I am. I know I’ve drug my feet a little —” Malachi began.
“A little?! Shit, bro. You’ve been more stubborn than anything I’ve ever seen!” Ollie exclaimed.
“I’m ready to bring this place down,” Malachi admitted, eyeing both Talia and me as he spoke. “Enough is enough.”
“I’m glad to finally hear it,” Levi commended him.
“Are we going to have dinner now, or are we just talking tonight?” Ollie blurted out at random.
“Oh, shit!” Talia cursed, standing from the table with a blush on her face. “Yes, just a moment.” Delilah and I both followed her into the kitchen, wanting to help her. She pulled a casserole from the oven where it was set to warm. It smelled delicious.
“You made this?” I asked her, impressed by her skills.
“Yes. Chicken pot pie is one of Zeke’s favorites, so I made a larger version to feed everyone,” she explained, cutting into the steaming dish and serving plates as Delilah and I helped. Dinner was on the table in mere moments, all of us taking our seats before digging in. Ollie had his fork halfway to his mouth when Zeke interrupted.
“Before we eat, I’d like to make one more announcement,” he spoke awkwardly, standing from his seat. Talia blushed beside me. “Talia and I are pleased, but shocked, to announce that we are expecting a baby.”
There was a singular moment of silence before congratulations rang out throughout the room.
“Congratulations, Talia,” I spoke quietly amongst the chaotic noise. Her face beamed, and I felt excitement flood through me. She was happy, so I was happy.
“Thank you, Naomi,” she responded with a smile, her hand pressing against the flat of her stomach in a gesture I had seen time and time again.
“Whew, that’s a relief,” Ollie exclaimed.
“A relief?” Zeke questioned.
“I’m glad it’s a baby,” he explained, as though that actually explained anything.
“What do you mean?” Levi asked.
“Well, it would be awkward as fuck if you were expecting a velociraptor. Ouch!” Eye rolls abounded around the room at Ollie’s poor attempt at humor.
“Classless humor. I told you,” Gideon whispered beside me.
“So true,” I whispered back conspiratorially.
A baby. I tried to imagine myself in Talia’s shoes. She was radiating warmth and love and happiness. I wasn’t sure I could possibly feel the same in her shoes. I wanted to be far, far away from here before I ever gave any sort of real thought to having a child. If I ever wanted a child at all, in fact.
As we all ate our dinner in companionable conversation, I looked over at my husband. What would life look like away from here? Would we stay together? And if we did, would he want children?
I tried to imagine life without Gideon. It would be far less chaotic, but perhaps that was only because we were here in Zion. I doubted we would ever stop our bickering, but then again, there was something to be said about the rest of it. The kindness he had shown me. The care and understanding. The sensual kink he had introduced me to. Would I ever be able to find someone else who could give me those things? Or was life better with Gideon by my side?
CHAPTER20
GIDEON
