Rose and I both were unlucky receptors of a crappy childhood, but I swear I’ll give my kids all the happiness possible in this world and beyond.
“Me too. I would love to have them. But someday, right?” The nervous, shy girl who turned my world upside down with her smile and words makes an appearance.
I pull her into my arms and squeeze her against my chest. Doesn’t she know I’ll do anything for her? “Yes, someday. I want you to be exclusively mine for some more time, couch girl.”
19
ROSE
“Hello, sis.” Kristy strolls into my office.
It’s been more than a month since our lives were turned upside down by Sophia’s revelations. We’re all slowly finding our way and making peace with it. At least as much as we can.
The best thing that came out of all this mess was that Kristy is my sister. The heartfelt connection I’ve always felt with her now goes beyond a matching eye color. It’s made of blood and flesh.
She perches on a chair, playing with the red tassels of her blouse. At three months pregnant, Kristy isn’t showing much. But she has already given up on her huge collection of fitted formal dresses. At present, she has a strong infatuation for custom-made bohemian tops and peasant shirts designed by Clementine.
With time, I’ve accepted her pregnancy, maybe with a tad too much enthusiasm. Whenever Zander and I are in the mall, by some miracle, we end up in the kids’ section. I don’t know what’ll happen when we have our own kids.
But we have time for that.
Last week, I bought her a journal where she can mark all her special moments with the baby, as well as things she’ll want to share with him or her.
Yeah, that’s another thing. We don’t know if it’s a boy or a girl.
Kristy and Oscar have decided to keep the sex of the baby a surprise, which is quite stupid in my opinion. Why would you want to intentionally not know something?
The crazier thing is, everyone is taking a bet on the baby’s gender.
That’s something I don’t understand at all…
Kristy slouches back in her seat. “What are you thinking about?”
“The stupid bet.”
She giggles at my agitation.
It’s really driving me crazy.
I turn on the hot water kettle that now sits on the windowsill. Since Kristy’s pregnancy, our ritual of going to Steamy Beans for coffee has been put to a halt. Instead, she joins me in my office every morning for a cup of hot tea.
“So, you’re fine with tonight?”
I shrug. My feelings are all over the place about this evening. Zander asked me yesterday if I would like to accompany him to Beast’s house for dinner. I didn’t realize what he meant exactly, until he told me Ash wants to celebrate Sophia’s return in his life, Kristy’s pregnancy, and all of us finding each other.
To say I’m conflicted would be an understatement.
Only after Zander assured me that he’ll bring me home the minute I don’t feel good did I agree. He repeated the exact words to Ash while I was sitting in his arms by the fireplace.
“But you are coming, right?” Kristy’s question breaks my reverie.
I nod.
“Is this some kind of practice mute protest to avoid talking tonight?” She smiles with mischief shining on her face.
I know she’s trying to lighten the mood, urging me to talk to her.
“No. No mute protest.” I show her a box of mango-peach tea and she nods. “I’ll be there. But if I don’t feel good, Zander and I will most likely leave.”