Chapter 32
Chapter Thirty-Two
G annon
“Hello?” Mom says.
“How is Brewer Air’s favorite passenger?” I ask, teasing her.
“Gannon, you’re a brat.”
I laugh. “How are you?”
“Good. I’m in Cabo San Lucas, actually. It’s gorgeous here. I’d say you should take a vacation here, but I don’t want to stress you out.”
“Does that mean I’d find Cabo stressful?”
“No, it’s wonderfully relaxing. I just meant you’d find taking a vacation stressful.”
I hum. “Maybe I’ll give it a try.”
“Hang on. Let me check my screen. I thought I was talking to Gannon.”
My cheeks ache from smiling. I hold on to the back of the sofa and try not to laugh.
“Yeah, this is Gannon,” I say.
“And you’re considering Cabo?”
“Hey, I read it’s a great place to take a babymoon.”
“I think that’s true. Bianca considered it before she had Emery … wait a minute .”
I chuckle.
“ Wait a damn minute ,” she says, her tone thick with confusion. “ A babymoon ?”
“Yeah.”
“Why would you need to read about babymoons?”
“Well, I can only think of one reason to read about them.”
She gasps.
“It would probably mean you’re having a baby. Or, that could mean that I’m doing research for a friend. Or it could mean?—”
“You’re having a baby!”
I laugh. “How do you know?”
“ Because you don’t have any friends . Oh, I didn’t mean it like that. I’m just panicking a little over here.” She rushes a breath. “Are you having a baby, Gannon? Please don’t mess with me. Now isn’t the time.”
I laugh again, happier than I’ve ever been in my life.
“Mother, you’re going to be a grandmother again.”
“Gannon Reid …”
“I’m having a baby with Carys Johnson,” I say.
“Oh, my God!” she screams. “Finally! Oh, Gannon.”
Her sobs fill the line.I’ve made my mother cry once or twice, but never for a good reason. I have to say it’s much nicer listening to her cry tears of joy.
“You know Carys, right?” I ask.
“Yes.” She hiccups a breath. “A darling girl. She’s an absolute darling.”
“She’ll be your darling daughter-in-law soon.”
Ping! My text alert chirps.
Emotion clouds her voice again. “I’d say this is too much for one day, but I’ve waited on this forever.”
Me, too, Mom. Me, too.
“I’m coming to town on Friday,” she says. “Would it be okay to come by and see you? See sweet Carys? Offer my congratulations in person?”
Ping!
Ping!
Ping!
I roll my eyes. Fucking Tate.
“I think she’d really like that. And I would, too.”
Ping!
Silence slips between us, unlike anything I’ve experienced with my mother. There’s pride in her voice. Joy. She’s not poised to tell me she’s worried about me, or that I need to do this or that. She’s happy with me. For me. And that feels pretty damn great.
“I’ll see you soon,” she says. “I love you so much.”
Ping!
“Love you, Mother.”
“Thank you for calling me.”
Ping!
“Of course. Goodbye.”
“Goodbye, Gannon.”
I blow out a breath and swipe to my texts. “Let’s see what Tate’s done now.”
I glance at the screen and shake my head. That’s all I can do. Shake my damn head.
A picture of the ultrasound is in the family chat with no context.
Ripley: What the fuck?
Bianca: Woah.
Ripley: Tate? You got something to tell us, buddy?
Bianca: It would appear so.
Jason: Is that an ultrasound photo?
Bianca: Yes.
Jason: From Tate?
Ripley: Tate’s having a baby?
My fingers are hovered over the keys but Tate beats me to it.
Tate: No, GANNON IS HAVING A BABY.
“Fucking hell,” I say, waiting for the comments to fly.
Ripley: WHAT?
Tate: Yeah, they just told me. Called me over and showed me the picture. Asked me to be the godfather.
I burst out laughing. “This fucker.”
Jason: I don’t know if we should believe you.
Bianca: It’s a little suspect.
Tate: Then how did I get a picture of the ultrasound?
Ripley: There’s no way Gan would make you the godfather, so I know you’re full of shit.
Tate: Sorry. I know it hurts.
Renn: HOLY FUCK WHAT IS GOING ON?
Tate: Gannon is having a baby.
Renn: With who?
Tate: Carys.
Jason: Your Carys?
“Okay, enough,” I say, typing furiously.
Me: No, not his Carys. My fiancé Carys.
Bianca: I’m still too hormonal for this.
Jason: But it’s the same person, right? Carys, I mean.
Tate: He’s a best friend stealer. I knew he had it in him.
Ripley: Sounds to me like she had it in her, if you know what I mean.
“We’re not doing this,” I say, biting my lip.
Me: We’re not doing this.
Renn:
Tate: This is why I’m the godfather. Ripley is too immature.
Jason: Congrats, Gan!
Bianca: I’m so happy for you, Gannon. We’re starting our own Brewer Army with Arlo, Emery, and Baby Gan. God, I want to move back to Tennessee.
Jason: I’d want to get away from Banks too.
Renn: Let’s celebrate! Everyone want to come over tonight?
Jason: We’re not doing anything.
Bianca: I wanna come.
Ripley: Sure.
Tate: Can I bring Mimi? It’s our date night.
I lean against the wall and watch my siblings banter back-and-forth. Suddenly, I see the beauty in it. I see it from another angle.
We’re the only ones who understand what we’ve gone through. When the world has been against us, we’ve stuck together. And even though we weren’t raised as tight-knit as some families, we’ve managed to grow that bond ourselves.
And now our children will grow up with cousins and aunts and uncles. These people, my brothers and sister, will be the safety net for my kids. Even though they irritate me and we bicker back and forth, they really are the best people I know.
Maybe I should try a little more with them.
Me: Let me check with Carys but I think we should be able to swing it.
Jason: Can’t wait.
Ripley: Awesome.
Renn: See you guys around seven?
Tate: I’ll be there.
Bianca: Someone FaceTime me.
I grin, sliding my phone in my pocket, and go find my fiancé.