Page 134 of Through You
“I can’t believe it. Congratulations, Artemis.” He wraps me in a hug. His excitement is contagious. When we come apart, I notice his smile is wider. “I honestly thought Ares would be the first to make me an uncle.”
I scowl.
“Oh, come on. We both know how much sex that savage has had,” he adds before glancing at the door of the room. “How’s she doing?”
“Surprised and a little scared. And I don’t blame her—it wasn’t something we planned.”
“The best things are never planned.”
“In this case, I fully agree. However, you’re just finishing high school, so no unplanned pregnancies for you.”
“As if I have sex,” he mutters, but I don’t believe him at all.
“Anyway, can I see her?”
“She’s resting. It’s been a complicated day.”
“I can imagine.” Apolo grabs his head. “I just can’t believe it.
I’m going to be an uncle. I bet I’ll be the favorite uncle.”
“I’ve missed a few calls from the house. Was that you?”
“No, it was Grandfather. He’s really worried. I’ll call back and let him know she’s fine.”
“Apolo, you can’t tell anyone that Claudia is pregnant. I need to talk to her first about how she wants to share the news. I told you by accident.”
“Lots of accidents lately, huh?” he jokes, and I give him a murderous look. “Okay. Too soon?”
I don’t say anything and head back inside to look after Claudia while she sleeps. I’ve never felt a fear as pure and as deep as when she fainted in my arms. So I’m staying put for a little longer. And now that I know she’s pregnant, I feel even more protective than I did before.
“Artemis, you’re exaggerating.”
Claudia crosses her arms over her chest and refuses my assistance when we get back from the hospital. I want her to lean on me and let me help her walk to the house the moment we get out of the car. The early morning sun shines on her messy red hair and brings out the small freckles on her cheeks.
“I can walk just fine,” she informs me as she goes by. I let out a sigh while closing the door of the car, and follow her.
When she enters the house, her mother and my grandfather are there to greet her with a hug. She reassures them that she’s fine. However, I notice my father standing in the hallway that leads to the study. Apolo is next to him. They both look serious and worried.
What’s happening?
“Claudia.” My father greets her. “I’m so glad you’re here. You gave us a good scare.”
She smiles at him. “I’m stronger than I look.”
All of a sudden, the person I least expected to see is coming down the stairs. His black hair is longer than the last time I saw him. I’m happy to see him, but what is he doing here? And then I remember the coming Fourth of July holiday weekend, and I realize that it’s been a year since I came home, since I came back to her. Ares rushes over to give Claudia a hug.
“I know you were excited I was coming home but passing out is a little too much, don’t you think?” says Ares playfully.
“Idiot.” Claudia hits his shoulder before hugging him again.
“It hasn’t been that long, still, I’ve missed you a lot.”
Ares moves toward me when they pull away, and I raise an eyebrow. “I’m not going to hug you.”
He puts his hand on his chest. “Always so cold.”
“No, it just hasn’t been that long, Ares.”
