Page 185 of My Unfinished Heart

He chuckles. “Okay. We’ll see…”

West’s text tone goes off, and he stops in his tracks to dig his phone out of his pocket. My heart is beating as fast as his must be. “It’s Mom,” he says, relief moving like a ripple over his body. “The girls can’t sleep. They’re coming up.”

“They don’t have to go to school tomorrow, do they? They’ll be exhausted.”

“Nah,” he says. “I figure they’ll be here most of the day. You know. ‘Helping.’”

“I can take them after work,” I offer.

“I’ll let you know.”

I get a text next. It’s Tristan. He’s with Connor in Joey’s room. He sends me a picture of the three of them with all their fingers held up, splayed open like jazz hands. Joey is clearly not asleep anymore, though her hair is in a wild mess of a bun on top of her head. She’s swollen and exhausted, but she’s grinning from ear to ear.

West gets the same photo on his phone. “Shit,” he says. “She’s at ten.”

I look at the photo again. The message could not be more obvious.

West’s next text as we’re booking it back to labor and delivery is from Connor.

Little Bro

Get your ass back here.

His text to me says Get West back here!

We pick up our pace. Fortunately, we haven’t gotten far.

Leaving me in the waiting room, West keeps going. A minute later, Tristan and Connor come in. “Did he make it?” I ask.

“Yeah. He’s good.” Tristan gets close to me. His hand on my arm slows my heart and keeps me from pacing. He runs his other hand through my messy hair, his thumb dragging lightly across my unshaven jawline. “You okay?”

“He’s a wreck,” Connor answers for me, going to sit back down.

“I’m fine,” I say. “I’m just…you know…nervous for West.”

“Come here.” Tristan’s arms enclose me, holding me tight.

I breathe in the scent of his hair, all sea and spring.

“All right, kids—final wagers. After this, all bets are closed.”

Helen’s words distract me. She’s dressed like she’s been dragged out of bed by force in pink sweatpants and a gray flannel shirt. Kate, in her favorite unicorn pajamas, buzzes around her like she’s high on sugar. Eliza is two feet behind them, sullen and tired dressed in jeans and a striped sweater like she’s on her way to school.

“Boy. I still say boy,” Connor says from his corner.

“I really really really really really want a baby brother!” Kate says as she hops up and down.

“Cut it out, Kate!” Eliza’s sharp reprimand cuts through Kate’s excitement.

Tristan pulls away from me but keeps an arm around my waist. Eliza sends a deliberate glare his way. Tristan’s smile tightens and so does his arm around me. It’s both possessive and also entreating. Obeying his silent demand, I put my arm around him, too. He and Eliza have not grown on each other. Yet. I still feel like there’s a chance.

“It’s a girl,” Eliza states as though there’s never been a question of it.

“My money’s on boy,” Helen says, making herself comfortable in the chair next to my brother. “Archer?”

“I have no idea.”

“Oh, come on.” Tristan taps my stomach with his free hand. “The world won’t come to an end if you guess wrong.”