Poppy flicks her hand in the air, dismissing Connie’s refusal to shake. “Anyway, I understand your concern, finding your kids with someone you don’t know. You must have been so worried and scared.” She pours it on thick, and I’m taken back to the confrontation with Rina. “But there’s plenty of room on the cart. You want to jump on and join us for the tour?”
By the shocked expressions and chuckles, no one saw that coming, especially Connie.
“Told you she’s got this,” Ryanne declares proudly.
“Breath-taking, talented, sweet, and witty, I love her.”
Before I can tell Jackson to fuck off, the nagging feeling turns into sharp awareness. My eyes shoot to Darby, who’s wincing and breathing unevenly.
“Jesus, Darby! Pierce something’s wrong.”
Pierce hands Devin off to Cole and squats. “Baby, talk to me.”
“I… I… I thought it was normal muscles cramping.”
“How long has it been happening?”
“On and off all day. When Dev got excited, he kicked down hard and something changed.”
“Goddammit, I knew you were doing too much.”
Her hand flies out, fingers twisting in his sweater as she doubles over, flinching.
“Shit, I recognize that look.” Ashlyn hops off the cart, takes Devin from Cole, and waves a finger through the air. “Someone get Pierce’s truck. Darby needs the hospital. She’s in labor.”
Pierce tosses his keys blindly, huddling Darby and speaking softly. Miller catches them, sprinting off. I slide in next to her, Mom leans over the seat, and Dad closes in.
“Honey, is there a lot of pressure like last time?” Mom asks gently.
Darby nods.
“I don’t think her water has broken yet, but it’s close.”
“Oh, God, I can’t believe this is happening again!” Darby’s head flies up, all signs of pain gone. “My baby boy’s birthday is tomorrow. I can’t have two children on the same day.”
“Why not? Your dad and I did. Makes birthdays simple.”
I drop my chin to hide my chuckle.
“Mom! You had twins.”
Poppy crawls on my lap, her eyes lit with excitement.
“Darby, calm down. Your pulse is racing.” Pierce is oddly peaceful.
“My bag, Runner, Maya, and Cole…” she mumbles.
“We all have it covered,” Poppy assures her. “Worry about yourself and this little girl.”
“Pierce, are we ready for this?”
My chest tightens at the self-doubt in my sister’s tone. She’s unstoppable, fearless, and solid as a rock. This is the first time she’s shown any apprehension.
He pulls her face to his. “I’ve been ready since the day we met.”
“Miller’s back,” Dad announces.
“Please don’t let my water break when I stand.”
“You’re not standing, I got you.” Pierce swoops her up and she clings to him.
Her face swings my way, the silent question easy to read.
“Be there soon. We’ll bring your bag and get Runner settled. Try not to have the baby before we arrive.”
“Hurry.”
The moment Pierce leaves, chaos ensues. Familiar faces in the crowd calling out questions and offering to help. Ashlyn and Miller try to organize our family and the plans. Maya and Cole immediately beg Jill and Warren to follow their dad.
“He carried her to his truck,” Poppy whispers in awe. “That’s one of the most romantic things I’ve ever witnessed.”
“She’s the love of his life. Building this family with her is all he ever wanted.”
“At the same time, I have never seen such yearning and heartbreak.”
My line of sight follows Poppy’s. Connie’s fixated in the direction Pierce drove off. She’s wearing a look of raw devastation I know well.
“It’s taken almost fourteen years for the karma to slap that bitch right where it hurts.”
“Evin!”
“No, Poppy. That woman carried out an agenda and intentionally inflicted pain on many people. Each time she suffers helps lighten the memory of my sister’s world crashing before it got started. I may be a bastard, but seeing her misery gives me satisfaction.”
“It’s rough and blunt, but I agree. She doesn’t deserve your sympathy,” Dad says. “Now let’s get these carts loaded on the trailers and back to the house. My granddaughter is excited to meet me.”
“You wish, it’s me she’s coming early for,” Mom snipes.
Poppy shimmies on my lap, waving her hands in the air. “It’s baby time!” she shouts unnecessarily loud, earning a chorus of cheers. “How’s that for satisfaction?” Her smile beams brightly.
I crash my mouth over hers, not caring about our audience. She giggles down my throat, twirling her tongue with mine and linking her fingers at my neck.
A new round of catcalls and whistles echo in the air as Mom speeds off, shouting her shrill approval of my affection.
“I’d like to visit Charleston.” Marco drops the news.
“Took you four fucking days to get to the point.”
“Was I that obvious?”
“No news on Tasha, no change with Poppy, and confirming everything is fine. All that can be covered in a text. Yet, you call every day. Idle chit-chat isn’t exactly our style.”
“Maybe we can change that, find more to talk about. I bet we have a lot in common.”
“Our relationship revolves around Poppy until she tells me differently.”
“Understood. That’s why I’d like to visit.”
“I don’t know if she’s there yet.”
“Evin, I’ve respected your wishes and done as you asked, caring about her wellbeing from afar. It’s been three months, and she’s on her path to recovery. Now I’d like my chance at repairing our relationship. And that means proving myself. I’m asking for a few hours. We can stretch it over days if that’s better.”
“Shit.” I rub the back of my neck, actually considering this. “Today’s your lucky day. All the positive energy in the air has me mellow. I’ll mention it to her. No promises.”
“Thank you.”
“It’ll be later. She’s currently flipping through at least a hundred pictures.”
“I remember those first birthdays. Although my girls had theirs at home surrounded by family. Not sure I’ve ever heard of one in a hospital.”
“Mom makes things happen, especially for her grandson.”
“He sounds like a fortunate little boy.”
“He’s a badass.”
“Is Poppy in any of the pictures?”
“Probably more than my sister.
