I nod, my heart exploding with love.
“And I’m happy to be your mama,” I say in a gentle tone while pressing a kiss to her forehead. “Now get some rest, young lady,” I say in a stern voice. “You have a busy day tomorrow.”
Then, I stand and let myself out of Melly’s room, pausing for a moment in the hallway. It’s funny because just a few months ago, I was going through the same routine, but the difference is that I was the little girl’s babysitter then. Now, I’m something much more, and it warms my heart to know that our bond is deep and unshakeable.
But right, there’s this identical twin thing going on, and I begin to make my way downstairs. Male voices float up to greet me, and I pause on the landing for a moment. Am I really ready for this? After all, this will mean getting involved with Rick’s family at a level that I’ve never done before. Yet, our relationship has already come so far and the depth and intensity feel right.
With that, I set foot into the living room, and again, I’m stunned at how similar the two men look. Of course, Rick is the broader and more athletic of the two because my boyfriend works out like a fiend. Plus, James is a professional chef so maybe he samples a bit too much of his food, judging from the slight paunch at his belly.
“Hi,” I say in a bright voice while lumbering over to my boyfriend. “What have you guys been discussing?”
James nods.
“Your beauty,” he says immediately. “My brother’s a lucky man to have you, Tracy. When’s the baby due?”
I shoot a quick look at Rick because I don’t know how much he’s told his twin. But Rick merely smiles and nods, and as a result, I pat my tummy.
“Soon enough,” I say in vague terms. “He or she is going to make their appearance, and then our lives will never be the same.”
All three of us laugh then, as the doorbell rings.
“Ah, that must be our guest,” Rick growls while heading for the door. “Give me just one second.”
Meanwhile, as my boyfriend departs, his twin turns to me with a questioning look. “There’s someone else coming to dinner?”
I nod with a secretive smile.
“Yes, and I think you know her already.”
With that, Savannah materializes in the doorway, and she looks ravishing. Her long blonde hair streams down her back in the most gorgeous beachy waves, and she’s clad in a white Grecian-style gown bound with a gold belt beneath her breasts. Of course, the style also highlights her small, but visible, bulge.
Meanwhile, James does a double take, the scotch in his glass sloshing about.
“Savannah?” he gasps. “What are you doing here?”
She shoots him an arch look.
“Should I call you Rick? Or James, hmmm?”
Immediately, the man goes bright red, turning an unflattering shade of tomato.
“I swear, I can explain,” he stammers. “I mean, I’m James but you know I was borrowing my brother’s house for a bit. Housesitting if you will, so I figured it’d be easier to take on … well, no.”
Savannah pins him with a look.
“No,” she repeats in a firm voice. “You stole your brother’s identity. The real Rick told me everything.”
James nods again, still flushing all the way up to his hairline.
“I shouldn’t have lied,” he mutters, looking down. But then he looks back up, taking in her swollen belly. “Is that mine?” he asks in a stammer. “I mean, we were only together a few times.”
But instead of nodding straightaway, Savannah merely shoots my new brother in law a measured glance.
“I don’t know,” she says. “This whole thing has been a complete shitshow, and to be honest, I’m not sure who fathered my baby.”
All of us gasp then, and my heart starts racing.
“What do you mean?” James stammers. “Were you hooking up with other guys while we were together?”