Page 13 of Twisted Fate

By the time he came back, in a pair of black lounge pants and black sweatshirt she already had the steaks on, and wore an apron she’d brought when they were together over her dress. “I was too hungry to wait.”

“That’s fine, want me to take over?” He offered.

“Yes, please, my feet are killing me.” She went over to the table and sat down to take her heels off.

He finished the steaks off, tipped the salad into a bowl, added a few things to make it more appealing, and brought it all to the table. He went back for the salad dressing he knew she preferred, two bottles of water, and put them on the table the housekeeper had set up before he arrived back home for the day.

“Do you need anything else?” Logan lifted an eyebrow and looked over at her with a tiny smile. It was strange to be here with her again, to feel so…calm.

“This is fine, thanks.” She said and started to eat.

He watched her while he ate and tried not to think about how much he missed her. How odd it was that he’d started the day dreading seeing her, and now she was here in his house again. He’d wonder how that happened, but her stomach was the answer to that, and an obvious answer at that.

“So, what do you need me to do?” He asked as they finished up their food and sat back from the table.

“What do you mean?” Keily asked as she wiped at her mouth and put her napkin down.

“Do you need money, a place to live? I know you left the apartment…” His voice trailed off as her eyes turned dark and she frowned.

“I don’t need any of that, Logan. I’m taking care of myself for once, and the babies. I have a job and a place to live.”

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to imply you didn’t.” He answered, feeling like an idiot for being so callous. “It’s just, they’re mine, you said. I’d like to help take care of them, be a part of their lives.”

“I’m fine with that, but please don’t throw money at me. That’s not why I’m here.” She looked him dead in the eye and he could see how tired she was at last. There were hints of dark circles under her eyes and her face wasn’t as animated as it usually was.

“I really didn’t mean to imply it was, Keily. It took both of us to make them, and I accept that.” He pulled his lips in for a moment before he went on. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to upset you.”

“It’s fine.” She put her hands on her stomach and looked away. “I just wasn’t expecting you to take it so well, I guess.”

“I’d ask why you didn’t tell me, but I know. I guess I should have...” His voice trailed off.

“Should have what, Logan? Asked the woman you’d just left whether she was pregnant? Who would think to do that? Especially a woman you obviously didn’t like that much when you ended it.” There wasn’t an accusation in her voice, just acceptance.

He was stunned she was so calm, but then, it was Keily. She always surprised him. Maybe he should stop underestimating her so much.

“I see your point.” He paused and tried to think of what else he should say.

“I don’t mind you being in their lives, Logan. To be honest, I’m terrified of what will happen when they’re born. The doctor says they’ll probably be underweight and there’s a risk I’ll go into labor early. It’s all really quite scary and it would be nice to have you there, when it’s time.” She paused, staring out of the window on the other side of the table. “I don’t mean you have to be, but it would be nice to have you there.”

“I’d like to be. And to go to your appointments and everything.” He said quickly, leaning over to be closer to her. “I know this is a strange situation, but I’m glad I know now. We can do this together; I know we can.”

After thinking about it all day, he wasn’t surprised that he was looking forward to being with her for all of this. He was kind of glad he’d found out now, instead of later, after they were born. Should he set up a nursery at the house, he wondered? But then he thought about all the articles he’d seen as he read the news about multiple births being premature and how long they spent in the hospital. He had the money to pay for that, he didn’t care about that. What he did care about was making sure they were taken care of.

“Two girls, huh?” He asked, a smile spreading over his face, bringing his features to life.

“Yes, two girls. And one unknown.” She smiled a smile that nearly made him gasp, it was so beautiful.

It was a smile of pride, of joy, of love, unlike anything he’d ever seen on her face.

“And you’re okay with it? I mean, obviously you are, you’re having them, but you’ve been alone, it couldn’t have been easy.” He immediately wanted to kick himself for reminding her he’d left her.

“No, actually, I’ve had Rosa, who I swore to secrecy by the way. You had every right to leave me, so I don’t blame you, but I didn’t want you to think I’d done this on purpose.” Her words stopped and she looked at him, breath held.

“I know you better than that, Keily.” He dismissed her worries with a wave of his hand. “I would never think that of you.”

“Good. But yeah, I have her, and my sister and I are talking again.” She smiled a pleased smile this time and he smiled back.

“That’s great news, I know it bothered you a lot that she didn’t want to talk to you.”