Page 83 of Love and Lingerie (Rockland Falls 2)

“No, but they might have crabs!” Lexi bellows.

I glance up. “Umm, no one has crabs. My store is crab-free,” I assure, running the scanner over the tags. Glancing at the screen, I’m shocked to see the itemized list that appears. Apparently, I vocalize my surprise.

“What? What’d she buy?” Jaime asks, leaning over the counter and looking at the screen. A gasp fills the store.

“What? What’d she buy?” Meghan mimics Jaime’s question.

“Crotchless panties, garter belt, and a bustier!” Jaime roars, making her sisters gasp in shock.

“Grandma!” Abby huffs.

“The bustier is black leather,” Emma boasts proudly. “And it’s missing the bra cups that hold my girls.”

As if on cue, all of us – my cousins, myself, and Free – all glance to Emma’s chest. I’m not sure what we’re expecting to see. It’s not like we’re able to see through her shirt, yet we all gaze at her as if her boobs could pop out at any second.

“Your grandpa will be so excited when I get home,” Emma adds, coyly. She leans in as if she’s about to share a secret, but doesn’t keep her voice down as she says, “I always carry my nipple tassels with me. They’ll look amazing with this bustier.”

A gagging noise sounds over the counter, and I glance up just as Lexi puts her hand over her mouth and takes off to the back for the restroom.

“Way to go, Grandma. You made Lexi throw up with your oversharing,” Payton chastises.

“Oh, it’s not my crotchless panties that has her sick, Payters. It’s the pregnancy,” Emma says matter-of-factly.

AJ glances at her sisters. “She’s pregnant?”

“Don’t look at me! I didn’t know,” Abby insists, holding her hands up in the air.

A sniffle echoes through the room. “I’m so happy. We’re pregnant together. Again,” Jaime cries.

“I can’t believe four of us are pregnant at the same time,” Abby cries, tears streaming down her face.

A throat clears. “Ummm, five.” Our eyes all fly to AJ, who stands in the middle of her sisters, trying to hide her smile.

“You’re pregnant too?” Meghan asks, unable to fight her own smile.

AJ nods her head frantically. “I just found out this morning.”

“And Sawyer?” Jaime asks.

“He was with me when I peed on the stick. He knows.”

A massive hug ensues, filled with grabby hands and happy tears. “I can’t believe five of the six of you are pregnant. At the same time. Your father is going to be so excited,” Cindy adds, hugging each of Brian’s daughters. When she gets to Payton, I notice the tears streaming down her face. “Oh, Payton,” she whispers, pulling her into her arms and giving her a tight hug.

Payton’s sisters all seem to realize what this means. Even though I’ve only known this side of the family for a few months, I’ve heard the stories. I know Payton has PCOS, or polycystic ovarian syndrome, and her chances of conceiving are very slim. She went through several rounds of fertility treatment to have her son, Noah, and had a rough time. I can’t imagine what she’s feeling right now, knowing that all five of her sisters are at various stages of pregnancy, and she’s not.

Tears burn my eyes, and I will them away. I’m able to get them under control, but not before one slips out and slides down my cheek. Even Free seems to understand the magnitude of this moment, silent tears slide down her own cheeks.

“It’s okay,” Payton whispers as the tears fall freely. “I’m so happy for all of you.”

“I’m sorry, Payters,” Meghan says to their oldest sister.

“I’m not. Am I a little disappointed I won’t experience pregnancy with all my sisters? Sure. But I know I’m going home to the family God intended for me to have. Dean and Brielle, and of course, Noah.”

Emma steps into the circle and pulls her eldest granddaughter into her arms. “You are, without a doubt, the bravest woman I’ve ever met. Your life is so full of love, just as God intended it to be. Hold on to that, Payton McIntire. Hold on to them.”

They all embrace once more, but Free and I stay where we are, letting them have this moment. I couldn’t imagine what Payton must be feeling. Disappointment. Sorrow. Anger. I’m sure it’s all there in spades.

“What’d I miss?” Lexi asks, rejoining the group, looking a little green still.

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