Page 4 of Soothe Me, Daddy
It was only as he shuffled to the bathroom that he realised Felicity had said “we.” Isaac doubted she was talking about her husband, Van, so it was more than likely Sarah, his other sister. Double trouble indeed. There had better be coffee waiting.
An hour later, he finally made it through the door of the café to find his two sisters, chittering like old ladies across a table from each other. His sisters could easily have passed as twins: their dual blue-black hair hanging to their shoulders, and their slim frames reminiscent of their mother’s appearance made him smile. Their whole family took after their mother, so she would never be able to disown any of them.
“Isaac!” Felicity jumped up from the chair and flung her arms around his neck.
He stumbled backwards under her attack, chuckling in her ear. “Anyone would think you hadn’t seen me for years when, in fact, it was only last night.”
“I know, but I have news that I couldn’t share last night.”
Isaac pulled back, narrowing his gaze on Felicity’s face. “And…”
She smiled wide. “We found a surrogate.” She bit her bottom lip, trying to contain the excitement on her face that her body had already shown.
“That’s great news.” He dragged her in for another tight hug, rubbing his hand up and down her back as he felt her breath hitch.
Doctors had told Felicity several years prior that she was unable to have kids, and it broke her heart as well as her husband’s. After attending counselling for a year or so, they had finally begun talking about other ways of expanding their family. They had originally chosen the adoption route until Felicity acknowledged her wish to have something that was a part of Van if it couldn’t also be a part of her. They’d been through another few difficult sessions with the psychologist before agreeing to the surrogacy route.
Their first attempt to find someone had failed when the surrogate pulled away after a few meetings. Although Felicity knew that there were others out there, it had been a difficult time for them all. Both Felicity and Van agreed to take a step back for a few months to reconnect as a couple before delving back into anything. Neither wanted their relationship to suffer, and Isaac was damn proud of them for it.
“I hadn’t told anyone before because I didn’t want to jinx it,” she admitted as she dropped back into her seat. “But the contracts have been signed, and everything has been given the go-ahead. As soon as Shelby’s ready, we’ll start.”
“I’m so happy for you. Are you going to tell Mum and Dad?” Isaac sat beside Sarah, wrapping her in a one-armed hug.
“Not yet.” She played with her coffee cup, turning it around in place as she lowered her gaze. “I want to wait until I have something else to tell them.”
“Understandable.” Isaac smiled at her, resting his hand over hers. “I’m so pleased for you.”
“Me, too,” Sarah added.
“Well, you know where I am if you need anything.” Isaac would be there whatever the weather to help if she needed it. If any of them needed it. “Have you told Jeremy?”
Felicity snorted. “No. He’d go straight to Mum about it if I did. He can wait like they have to.”
“He’s going to be so pissed at you when he finds out.” Sarah rolled her lips inwards, attempting to hide her glee.
Felicity shrugged.
“Anyway, where’s my coffee?” Isaac mock growled.
Sarah pushed at his shoulder, moving him so she could scramble out. “I’ll get it.”
Felicity hooted as Sarah skipped across the tiled floor.
“What’s all that about?” Isaac asked, watching his little sister gesture wildly when she reached the counter.
“She has the hots for the barista. Every time we come in here, she’s the only one who’s allowed to order.”
Isaac grinned. He might pass by the counter on his way out and see what he could do for her, obviously, without her knowledge. He could honestly go for a couple of cakes to takeaway. Anything for the chance to make her happy.
And he did just that. After an hour of catching up on the topics that were not parent-friendly, he made his excuses and expressed an interest in some bakery items. Sarah attempted to come with him until he gave Felicity a significant look, and she ushered Sarah out of the door quickly, “remembering” something they had to do. He’d have to thank Felicity later.
“Good morning, sir. What can I get for you today?”
Isaac leaned his elbows on the counter as he stared at the delicious looking sweet treats. Indicating two of them, he casually asked, “Do you have a girlfriend?”
The barista, Miller, his nametag said, glanced across at him with raised eyebrows and an increasing blush on his cheeks. “No, sir.”
“A boyfriend?”
