“Yours or mine?” he asks, driving back from the airport.
I haven’t been sick again since that morning. And I’m so thankful. I suck at holding vomit down. Never mastered it. It’s more like, surprise bitches, better run.
“Mine,” I tell him, then add, “You’ve been quiet.”
“Can I invite my brothers over?” he asks, looking my way briefly before turning back to the road.
“Yes, you know you can.”
He pulls up to my place, helps me out of the car, and carries my bag up the stairs. I let him while I unlock the door before we walk in. “Oh, I forgot to share with you, but it’s not much…” I reach into my bag and pull out the sonogram. “I want to find out if it’s a boy or girl, but it’s too early right now,” I tell him, handing him the picture.
He studies for a minute, then says, “I have no idea what I’m looking at.”
“That’s our baby, growing inside of me,” I say, pointing at the heart. “Why are your brothers coming over? Everything okay?”
“I’m telling them I’m quitting,” he says matter-of-factly, and my head whips up so I can meet his eyes.
“Why?”
“I don’t need the money, and it’s what’s best for you.”
“Don’t bring me into this. I have no issue with what you do. Just don’t tell me any gory details, and we will be fine,” I insist. “So don’t you quit because of me! That’s not fair.”
“I’ve been thinking about quitting for a while… way before we met. This just pushed me farther in that direction.”
“I’m not her, Kyson. This…” I wave a hand between us. “We aren’t like what you and she were.”
He steps closer to me and grabs my shoulder. “You and I are nothing like that, and I know it. I respect you. And I want to do what’s best for not only you but the baby. And us.”
“Okay, so don’t quit. I know how much you love what you do.”
“What about when your parents dig further and ask me more about my job?” he asks, letting me go.
“You can give them some form of the truth. I don’t expect you to lie. You are a contractor, of sorts, and you search for people who can’t be found,” I tell him, smiling. “See, that was easy.”
“And what about the nights when I come home worked up and covered in blood?” he argues.
“You will learn to respect that you shouldn’t bring blood in the house and to use a hose.” I turn and walk to the kitchen, needing some water. My stomach is upset.
“Are you okay?” He’s behind me before I can even open the fridge.
“Yes, just need water.”
He reaches in before I can and grab the jug, then pours me a glass.
“I can do that.”
“You’re pale,” he points out as I take the water from him and drink it, the coolness helping my throat a little.
A knock comes at the door, and Kyson goes to open it, checking over his shoulder to ensure I’m okay. I hear his brothers before I see them as they both come in and head straight for the sofa.
I stay in the kitchen when they talk. Kyson keeps looking my way, but I feel better already. It’s just the start of the pregnancy, and it will get better with time.
I hope.
“What’s so urgent?” Zuko asks.
“I was going to quit,” he starts, then focuses his gaze on me. “But she said no.”
At that, I have the attention of all of them.
“You love it. You all do.” I wave a hand. “Don’t even look at me like I’m the bad guy.” I put the water to my lips and drink some more.
“I’ll stay, for now,” Kyson says.
I give him my best eye roll and see Kenzo smirk at me.
“What’s wrong with you?” he asks, eyeing me.
“I’m pregnant,” I say matter-of-factly.
“Yeah, sounds about right,” he says teasingly and turns to Kyson, who is staring at me like I dropped a bomb.
“Shit, you really are?” Kenzo looks at me, surprised.
“I did say I was. Did you think I was lying?”
“Well, yes.” He shrugs, and Zuko is watching Kyson.
“Is this what you want?” Kenzo asks Kyson.
We’re all quiet for a beat because, to the twins, Zuko is their everything. They followed his path and have been with him since the beginning.
“If it’s what she wants,” Kyson says.
“Nope. I told him he didn’t have to stay,” I state.
Kyson stares at me.
“Didn’t have to stay, ” he says, shaking his head. “I stay for you and whatever it is you want.” His eyes go a little softer. “If you want the baby, we will have the baby.”
“You shouldn’t have a baby just because I am.”
He lets out a heavy sigh. “You know that makes no sense.”
“I know, but it did in my head. What I am saying is…just because I’m having your baby it doesn’t mean you have to be a part of our life.”
“But I want you in my life,” he argues. “And that baby is a part of you…and me.”
“Yes, it will be.” I nod.
“So, I’ll probably love it more than you because it won’t talk smack to me.” He smiles like he’s won. He hasn’t.
I win.
It’s my favorite thing about us—he lets me win.
The guys stand and walk over to me.
“We hate kids. And I hated these two as kids even more,” Zuko says, motioning to his brothers. “It could be twins, you know.”
Oh fuck! I didn’t even think of that.
Zuko smiles when he sees the sheer terror on my face. “I’ll like this kid, but don’t have any more.” He nods and walks out.
Kenzo grins widely at me before following Zuko.
“Breathe,” Kyson reminds me.
“Twins,” I say through a staggered breath.
Fuck. How did that not occur to me?
“I don’t want my vagina to be stretched that much by two kids.”
“Our mother had a C-section. We came early,” he informs me. “She was on crack too, so that could have been part of the reason.” He shrugs, making my eyes bulge at his words. “What? I never said she was a good mother… Look how we all turned out.”
“Yeah, fucked-up.”
“Hey, at least we don’t beat and control our women.”
“No, you just push them in rivers.”
“Oh, for fuck’s sake, I will never live that down.”
I give him an eye roll.
“Only when they talk back.” He licks his lips. “Now, should we try for another baby?” Kyson steps real close and presses himself against me and I lay my hand on his chest.
“You know you can’t impregnate me again when I’m already pregnant,” I tell him, leaning in close to his lips. “I want dirty public sex,” I whisper. He pulls back and grabs my hand, tugging me toward the door, and I giggle as I follow him. When we get to the street, he slips off his jacket and wraps it around me before he pulls me close.
“It’s late. Where are we going?” I ask.