“Honestly, Nikki… ridiculous thought.”
***
“Where’s my niece?”
Adriana decides to make an impromptu visit. It can’t have been worse timing because we have been home less than twenty-four hours, and Nikki won her bet. I’m as horny as a teenage boy. It’s so left field, totally catches me by surprise when I see Lex in his wife-beater and gray sweats standing in the kitchen making dinner. I’m ready to b
low his brains out when we hear a knock on the door.
Fuck off!
Adriana immediately pulls Amelia out of her bassinet and sits on the couch, cooing and singing lullabies.
“I’m pregnant,” she says quietly.
Shocked, I look over. “You’re pregnant? The IVF worked?”
She nods with this enormous smile on her face. “Yes, but I haven’t told Elijah yet.”
I lean over and hug her because this is crazy awesome! Cousins so close in age. It can’t be more perfect!
Lex walks into the room carrying dinner. Adriana breaks the news to him but warns him first that Elijah doesn’t know. His face pales, putting shame to ghosts. It’s impossible not to notice how he almost drops the plates. This isn’t at all like him, especially since Elijah and Adriana are married, and having a family holds importance for them.
“Lex, why aren’t you happy?” Adriana questions, looking rather annoyed.
“I just think you should have told your husband first.”
“Lex, he’s in Australia for that art promo convention. I want to tell him in person.”
Lex remains quiet. I don’t want to pry right now, but something is definitely wrong. He must have realized how transparent he is and quickly hugs his sister, offering his congratulations, but the more I watch them closely the more I know there’s more to this.
Adriana stays for a few hours, asking question after question about pregnancy. When I can’t stop yawning, she announces she will head home even though both Lex and I offer for her to stay.
The moment she closes the door behind her, the words practically fall off my tongue.
“Why are you upset that she’s pregnant?”
His posture changes, and he appears defeated as he rubs his face with his hands. “Elijah’s cancer has returned.”
It takes me a moment for the words to sink in. Cancer? Adriana never mentions the cancer nor does it seem to cross her mind as she joyfully told us the news about the pregnancy.
“It’s back?”
Lex stands and walks over to Amelia’s bassinet. She’s sleeping, but for some reason, he picks her up and holds onto her. He rubs his nose along her face almost as if he needs a distraction while we speak.
“Stage three, we think. He’s in Australia being treated.”
“Huh… wha…” I can’t form any words, my stomach riddles with nausea at the news. “Why didn’t Adriana say anything to me… and she’s pregnant?”
Again, Lex buries his face into Amelia’s hair. I don’t quite understand what the hell I’m missing.
“She doesn’t know. Elijah wants this treatment first. He doesn’t want to stress Adriana out while they are doing IVF.”
“Why would he want to have a baby if he can quite possibly die?” I bellow.
“Charlotte,” Lex warns.
“No, Lex, why didn’t you knock any sense into him?” Unable to stand quickly, I remain seated with my arms folded beneath my chest. A fresh swell of anger rises within me over the stupid decision they’ve made to bring a child into this world right now. “At least convince him to tell Adriana so she won’t be so baby crazy.”