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26
GABRIEL
“How are you feeling?” I look over at Zara, who is walking into the kitchen, wearing jeans and a sweater. We got back to my house yesterday afternoon, after we had breakfast with her parents, which did not go as I planned. At one point, I thought I was going to go to battle with her father. Luckily for me, he simmered down a bit, but he still gave me the stink eye for the rest of the meal.
“Like I’m going to throw up.” She takes a deep inhale. “But I think it’s because of Colson and not the baby.” She walks to me while I’m at the sink, wrapping her arms around my waist. “Do you think it’s a good idea that I’m here?” She tilts her head back.
“Sweetheart,” I say softly, turning off the water before grabbing her and putting her ass on the counter. She opens her legs so I can stand between them. “It’s going to be okay.”
She puts her hands on my sides. “But he doesn’t even know me.”
“Well, he’s going to have to get to know you.” I pull her even closer to me. “You’re having his baby sister.”
“Or brother.” She rolls her eyes at me.
“I feel like it’s a girl,” I tell her, and she puts one of her hands on her stomach.
“As long as the baby is healthy, I don’t care what it is.” She smiles. “I’m just hoping that he’s not, I don’t know, mad at me.”
“For what?” I shriek out the question.
“Because he’s not going to be your only child anymore.” She avoids looking at me and instead looks to the side. “It’s a big deal.”
“He has two other step siblings, and he’s been fine with it,” I remind her. “Now give me a kiss before I go.”
“Ugh, fine.” She wraps her arms around my neck. “But if he hates me, it’s on you.”
I kiss her on her lips before taking her off the counter and placing her on her feet. “I’m surprised you are worried about Colson and not the barbecue we are going to this afternoon.”
She puts her head back and moans. “Why did you remind me?”
“Sorry, Sweetheart.” I kiss her neck before grabbing my jacket and going to pick up Colson, who is waiting for me at the door. He rushes out and comes straight to the truck, getting in the back, making Patricia come to the door and wave before we take off.
“Hey, buddy.” I look in the rearview mirror at him. “How are you feeling?” I ask nervously now that he’s in the truck.
“Good.” He just stares out the window as we make our way to the house.
When we get there and right before we walk in, I put my arm around his shoulder. “I have something I have to talk to you about.”
“Okay,” he says, opening the door and stepping in. “Miss Zara,” he shouts her name when he sees her, running to her, “you came back.” I walk in at the same time he hugs her around her waist and she smiles down at him, kissing the top of his head.
“I did,” she says. “I missed you guys too much.”
“Dad missed you too,” he tells her. She looks over at me and I don’t think my heart has ever been this full.
“Is that so?” she asks him, but she knows how much I’ve missed her. I know how much she’s missed me.
“Is this what you had to talk to me about?” Colson asks me, and I shake my head.
“Let’s go sit down on the couch,” I tell him, and he lets go of Zara to go to the living room. Zara waits for me, grabbing my hand with both of hers and pulling me a little so she can kiss me.
“It’s going to be okay,” I whisper to her as she holds tightly to my hand.
I sit down next to Colson, my heart speeding up a bit. I really hope he doesn’t react badly and make Zara sad. Zara sits next to me, my hand in hers as I try to make her relax, but she is squeezing my hand nervously. “So we have a little bit of a surprise,” I start to say to Colson. “It’s a surprise to us too.” I look over at Zara with a smile on my face. It is one of the biggest surprises of my life. It’s also one of the best surprises I’ve ever gotten. “You are going to be a big brother,” I announce, and he looks at me, then at Zara, “again.”
We both watch Colson’s face, and I think both of us do it holding our breaths as we wait for his reaction. His eyes go big as he takes it in. “Is Miss Zara having your baby?” he asks me, and we both laugh and say yes at the same time.
“That’s cool,” he finally says with a smile. “I’m the best big brother in the world.” He looks at Zara. “My mom tells me that all the time.”
