Page 82 of The Biggest Secret
“Casanova Family! Before I get fired for allowing you all in here at once, pipe down, please! Give these babies some peace and get to know them with your mouths closed.”
Damn, I’ve never seen anyone put this family in their place like that before. “You’ve obviously never met us before,” I laugh and get a grin from the nurse. I hand over Cecilia to my sister and my mom picks up Eliana from the bin.
“Brother, I don’t know how you do it.” Billy settles in next to our sister admiring my daughters. “You continue to one up everyone in this family.” I step closer and put him in a choke hold which turns to a hug. “I love you, bro. Seriously. I’m so damn proud of you.” He pulls back a little to look at me, wiping at his eyes. “I couldn’t be happier that you finally pulled your head out of your ass.”
I laugh, this is as close as we will get to actually apologizing for our bullshit the night before Jackson’s wedding.
“Thanks for reminding me what’s important.” We hug again, with Tom and Jackson joining our circle.
“They’re perfect! Did you know the entire time?” Mom questions with awe. “Chelsea, there’s no way you were carrying two!”
“Oh, I definitely was,” she says with a pained look then she shrugs. “I don’t know how we kept it quiet, but we wanted something just between us for a bit longer, you know?”
My mom gives us a grin. “Well, I think it was a wonderful secret kept between you two.”
“The Biggest Secrets,” I lean down and kiss Chelsea, “are always the best.”
Epilogue
Tom
I make my way up the walk to my brother's front door and knock. I’m nervous to tell him my news but I’m hoping he will be so busy and consumed with his new family that he won’t think this is a reflection on him. Or try to fix it. Or give me shit.
This is something I had to do for myself. I know my family didn’t understand the need I felt within myself to enlist in the US Marine Corps when I graduated high school. I know they’re proud of me, but their fear of what could happen was deafening and seemingly drowned out their support. They didn’t understand why I wanted to leave our small town, why I wanted to put myself in danger.
They didn’t understand why I stayed past my mandatory four years and became a reserve. And they definitely don’t understand why I’ve continued to say yes when a call for service arrives.
So, when my commander contacted me that I was needed yet again,I said yes without discussing it with anyone. I didn’t need to see their disappointment and fear written across their faces.
Honestly, I don’t want to discuss it with anyone. I live my life alone and I make my decisions alone.
It wouldn’t be fair to commit to someone when I know I’m going to choose to leave, every time.
“Hey, Tom!” My new sister-in-law answers the door with one baby in her arms.
I adjust the hat my niece is wearing, looking for the nickname scripted on the front, so that I know who’s who. ‘Cece’ reads across the front. I lean down and give her a kiss. “My favorite niecey Cece.”
Chelsea tuts me and I look up and grin. “Where’s my favorite nephew and favorite Jelly-belly Elli?” She raises a brow and I step through the door.
“They’re with your favorite brother,” she giggles and leads me toward the kitchen where I see my brother holding Eliana while Dominic swings his legs off the island, eyes following every move the two of them make.
“Brother, you’re looking very domesticated today.”
That Casanova smirk we all carry makes an appearance. “I’m glad you noticed.”
I walk closer, give him a fist bump then give Eliana a kiss on the forehead. Turning I grab Dominic and swing him off the counter while he squeals from his sudden liftoff. I hold him just a little tighter, for a moment longer than usual before placing him back down.
I look up and find Adam eyeing me. He nods to the back deck, and I nod back. Our silent conversation isn’t lost on Chelsea. “Adam, go put Elli in her crib. I’ll grab their bottles, it’s about time for a nap anyway.” I watch as the two move in tandem, brushing by each other like they can’t help but touch as they move about the kitchen. I wish I could have that. No, I wish I couldallowmyself to have that. To be able to focus on one relationship instead of always thinking about the ones that are no longer and what my next move is going to be.
Farrah could be that one.
Farrah deserves more.
Adam comes back around the corner, moving with a mission to theslider doors that lead us out back. I follow, steadying my breathing as we go.
Of all my siblings, this will hurt him the most.
Adam pulls out a chair at the table and moves around to sit in the one next to it. I feel his eyes on me as I lower myself into it, avoiding his look. Like I’ve been taught to do, I harden my heart, steel my face and make eye contact with my oldest brother.
