He’s right. There’s a chance we have more than one in there. “The possibility of two hasn’t escaped me.”
“I wouldn’t mind twins. Would you?”
I’m barely used to the idea of one. “The thought of caring for two babies at once is a little overwhelming.”
“You aren’t going to be doing this alone. You have me. And I know my mum is anxious to help. Lorna and Westlyn have become your good friends. I’m guessing they wouldn’t mind helping.”
It’s not reassuring when you subtract Isobel from the equation, combine the experience of the remaining three, and get a sum total of zilch. “Isobel is the only one with experience.”
“We can hire a nanny if you’d like.”
What if she mistreated my children? That kind of stuff happens every day. I’d have to kill her.
“I don’t know if I want to do that.”
The person I really want helping me will be missing. “I wish my sister could be in our lives. She’ll never have the opportunity to know this baby. Or babies. She’ll only see us a few days here and there. She’ll be like a stranger to our kids.”
He touches my lower stomach. “I will make sure you and whomever is in there will see Ellison as often as possible.”
“That means the world to me.”
“I’m excited to tell my parents. Can we do that tonight over dinner?”
I don’t think you’re supposed to tell people for several weeks. “Shouldn’t we wait? Just in case?”
“We can wait on telling everyone else. I want them to know now, but only if it’s all right with you.”
I suppose it makes no difference. “Whatever you want is fine with me.”
“They’re going to be very happy.”
“Ellison will be too.”
Speaking of … I need to call my sister. She’ll kill me if she’s not the first to know.
“I told her we were finding out today so I need to call her.”
“Of course.” He kisses me quickly and stands to do up his trousers. “I have to go back to the office. I had a few things I didn’t finish. I’ll probably be a couple of hours.”
I knew we wouldn’t get to steal the rest of the day away from The Fellowship. There’s always going to be business that needs tending.
I suppose I should be happy he was able to get away long enough to go to the appointment with me. “Okay.”
“Can I tell Mum and Dad to meet us at seven?”
“That’s fine.”
I note the time. Ellison has left work by now so it should be the perfect time to call.
“Did the rabbit die?” That’s the greeting I get. So typical.
“No animals were harmed during my pregnancy test.”
“Spill it.”
“It worked. I’m pregnant.”
“Bam! Fuck all those doctors who said it wouldn’t happen.”
“I still can’t believe we were successful on the first try.”
“That’s because your husband made sure you had the best doctor. Oh my God, Bleu. A baby!”
“Or babies.”
“How many little shit machines are we talking?”
She’s calling my offspring shit machines. “How classy.”
“Come on, Bleu. Are we talking a litter or what?”
“No more than two.”
“I hope you have two mean-ass boys. What did Sinclair say?”
“He’s ecstatic.”
“I bet. Have you had an ultrasound?”
“It’s too early for that. They wouldn’t be able to see anything right now. The doctor said I would get a scan at six weeks to make sure there was a heartbeat.”
“God, Bleu. I’m your sister. I should be there.”
If this were happening back home, she’d be up my ass so far I’d never dig her out. And that’s exactly where I’d want her. “I wish you could be.”
“This sucks! I’m going to miss all of it.”
I won’t let that happen. “Don’t worry. Sin has promised he’ll let us come see you as often as I want.”
“It’s not the same. I’m going to miss seeing your mean-ass boys grow up.”
“You won’t. Sin promised.”
“I’m coming.”
Umm … that’s not happening. “You can’t take off work to come here.”
“I will not miss you bringing babies into this world. Not happening.”
Oh boy. This should be fun when the time comes. “We have a long time to figure everything out.”
How in the world will I ever keep her away when it’s time for this baby to come? I know Ellison MacAllister. She doesn’t take no for an answer. That’s going to be a problem.
Chapter Eighteen
Sinclair Breckenridge
My parents haven’t mentioned a word but I’m certain they suspect the reason we’ve asked them and Mitch to dinner. Dad’s his usual collected self but Mum looks like she’s on pins and needles. We should probably put her out of her misery before she has a heart attack.
I love this restaurant. I brought Bleu here for our first date. That was nine months ago. Seems a lifetime between then and now.
I reach for Bleu’s hand beneath the table and give it a squeeze. She raises her shoulders and gives me the eyes. I’ve come to know my wife’s expressions and body language well. This is her asking me if I’m ready to tell them.
“Ready if you are.”
My mum sits more upright. “Ye have our undivided attention.”
“Have a look at this, Torri. It seems the other Breckenridges thought it was a good idea to come out for dinner as well. I suppose great minds do think alike.”
Dammit. I’m not sure how Abram knew we were having dinner here tonight. I suppose my Dad could’ve told him but I’m certain he’s here with a plan in mind. Nothing he does is by accident.
He snaps his fingers to summon the host. “We’ll be seated with this party.”
Bleu and I look at one another as Abram, Torri, Jamie, Westlyn, and Evanna are seated. I see the anger and disappointment in Bleu’s eyes. “He’s ruining this special time for us.”
I strongly suspect he knows he’s ruining something, although he can’t possibly know what. “Do you want to tell them or wait?” I whisper.
“I’m afraid your mother will keel over if we don’t tell her now. It’s going to eventually come out.”
Bleu’s right. We can’t let Abram ruin this for my parents or for us. It’s even possible he’ll see Bleu in a different light after he learns she’s possibly carrying a Fellowship leader.
“So. What brings everyone out tonight?”
I squeeze Bleu’s hand again. “We asked Mum, Dad, and Mitch out because we have some exciting news to share. Bleu’s pregnant.”
A chorus of oohs and ahhs erupt from the women around the table. The group swarms Bleu. My mum is tearful as she cups her hands over her mouth. She gets up from her seat and comes to me. She kisses the side of my face and whispers in my ear as sh
e embraces me. “I knew it would work. I never doubted it for a moment.”
Jamie gives me a congratulatory slap on the back. “Breeding ’em quick, aren’t you? I suppose The Fellowship will be pleased about that.”
“Our decision to have a baby has nothing to do with the brotherhood.”
“I’m not judging. I’m happy for you and Bleu if it’s what you want.”
Jamie’s a good mate. Nothing like his father. If he says he’s happy for us, then he is. “Trust me. You find the right woman and it’ll be what you want too.”
“I don’t know about that. I’m pretty determined to be an eternal bachelor.”
“That’s because you haven’t found your Mrs. Breckenridge yet.”
Abram doesn’t appear happy but I guess he wouldn’t be. He wants Bleu gone. Her being pregnant with the next generation of Fellowship leaders only solidifies her place within our family.
“How can we be certain the baby is Sinclair’s?” Everyone around the table goes quiet and looks in Abram’s direction.
This is fucking unacceptable. “Are you suggesting my wife has been unfaithful?”
“No. I’m suggesting the clinic you used for your in vitro procedure might have made a mistake. It’s been known to happen before. If that’s the case, your wife isn’t carrying the next Fellowship leader.”
He shouldn’t know we used a fertility clinic. But he does so I can’t dispute the fact that we didn’t conceive naturally. “We used the best clinic available. There was no mistake.”
“But how can you be sure? There’s always room for human error in medicine,” he argues.
He’s being absurd. “Is there not the same risk with every wife of a Fellowship member? Couldn’t she be unfaithful and conceive a child with a non-Fellowship member? Do you paternity test every child born within the brotherhood?”
“Not every child born within The Fellowship is intended to be a leader as your child will be.”
“This is ridiculous!” Bleu tosses her napkin onto the table. “I’m not going to sit here and listen to his bullshit. Please take me home, Sin.”
I don’t try to convince Bleu to stay. I already know my words will be wasted. Frankly, I want to be away from Abram as much as she does. I’m afraid I might do something I’ll regret if I have to listen to him say anything else about the paternity of our child.