Aubrey #2
“That’s adorable. I can already tell these two are going to be close.” I smile down at them, then look over at Gracie who is showing all her toys to Lionel as he kneels at her side. “How is Gracie handling the new babies? I know it’s only been a day, so it might still be too early to tell.”
“She seems okay. She keeps saying ‘baba’ when she sees them, so I’m pretty sure she’s trying to say baby. I think right now she’s still at the stage where she doesn’t understand that they’re her brothers, but it will come. Although I am expecting some fits of jealousy at some point.” She laughs.
I take my place back on the couch now that everyone seems settled. Lionel gets up from the ground and picks up a cooler bag. “I suppose you want these things in the fridge?” he asks Emma.
“Please, if you don’t mind.” She beams at him with enthusiasm.
“Not at all.” He then looks me over. “Are you okay?”
“Yes, Dad. I’m fine.” I smile as he shakes his head and leaves.
“What’s wrong?” Emma’s worried look turns my way.
“Nothing’s wrong.” I start, but when Em narrows her eyes at me, telling me she doesn’t believe me, I sigh.
“It’s nothing. I’ve just been getting dizzy lately.
I’m sure everything’s fine. I’m just stressed, that’s all.
And I probably need to catch up on some sleep while Shane is away.
” I blush hard after admitting to our nocturnal activities.
Em giggles. “Yes, I’m betting you’ve adapted to his schedule by now. Which means you’re up early and in bed, very… very late.” She winks which only results in me fanning my face from overheating.
“But seriously, Aubrey. This dizziness worries me. I know it’s common to experience it a bit at the beginning of the pregnancy, but promise me if it gets bad, you’ll see your doctor?” Her tone is laced with concern as she places her hand on my thigh, and I find mine rising as well.
“I will, I promise. If it doesn’t go away or lessen by tomorrow, I’ll make an appointment.” I place my hand over hers, reassuring her.
“Good. So, about my birthday party. You’ll be there, right?”
I make a face. “I don’t know, Em. I don’t want to keep causing problems between you and Grey.”
“Aubrey, you aren’t causing anything between us. Your brother and I often have disagreements, it’s nothing new. Look.” She pulls out her phone and taps into her conversation with my brother, swiping up a little.
She hands me the phone, letting me read her messages from the day at the hospital.
There are at least twenty texts from my brother, saying he’s sorry and that he loves her, begging her to let him come see her and the boys.
But it’s the last two messages that catch my attention and make my throat fill with emotions.
Wolf
I know I was harsh with her, and it killed me to push her away. But I don’t have a choice, I need her to see that he’s not right for her, that he won’t make her happy in the long run. That one day he’s going to get bored and leave her. She’s going to be heartbroken with a child to raise on her own.
Wolf
I don’t want that for her, Bunny. I thought if I pushed her away, she’d eventually come to her senses and choose her family over some guy she slept with. But apparently, it’s going to take more than that to wake her up.
Tears roll down my cheeks as I pass the phone back. “Why can’t he see that I’m happy with Shane? That we’re happy together? That all of this is real?”
“Because he hasn’t seen it. He’s only seen the awkward looks and small conversations.
He’s never taken the time to look deeper like we all have.
But that’s why I want you both there for my birthday.
I want him to see how you really are together, that it isn’t what he thinks.
Prove him that he’s wrong, Aubrey. And all of this will be over. ”
I chew on my bottom lip, contemplating. She’s right, it’s time my brother faced us for good. “Okay, we’ll be there.”
~ Two Weeks Later ~
“Are you nervous?” Shane asks as he parks the car in front of my brother’s house. He reaches across and takes my wrist, removing my thumbnail from my mouth, like he always does.
Today is Emma’s belated birthday party, since her original one was canceled due to her being in the hospital. Everyone’s already here from what Ronnie texted me earlier. But we thought it would be best if we arrived late.
I’m afraid of what will happen when we step inside—I know my brother won’t just ignore us or act normally. He’ll most likely cause a scene and I’d really like to avoid that. I just don’t know how. But I want to be in there, I miss my friends so much. I miss us all hanging out together.
“A little, yeah.” I let out a breath and look at him.
His thumb rubs circles on the inside of my wrist, over my pulse line. “I’ll be by your side the whole time. And if it gets to be too much, we’ll leave, okay?”
“Okay,” I whisper.
He leans in, kisses me, then releases my wrist and steps out of the car, coming around to help me out even though I can do it on my own.
But ever since my dizzy episodes, Shane’s been extra cautious where I’m concerned.
I haven’t had a big episode like the last one, where I couldn’t even go into work, but I’d be lying if I said it didn’t happen occasionally still.
He takes Emma’s gift from my hand, lacing our fingers and walks us to the door.
I’m excited for Emma to see her gift. I had to pull some strings, meaning beg Shane and make a lot of pretty eyes at Phoebe, but she ended up agreeing and helping us out.
Which is how I ended up with a one-of-a-kind vintage-inspired pearl necklace, from none other than Shane’s family business, as well as an exclusive ‘Welcome to Andromeda Jewels’ client card.
Apparently, those are not handed out lightly or very often; it’s how they keep their reputation and client list so pristine.
Even spouses to the family aren’t always given one.
But I promised Phoebe that Emma was a very good client to have on their list and that she wouldn’t regret it.
Shane also vouched for her, so I’m sure that helped too.
I’m about to push the door open, like I normally would, but refrain from doing so. Instead, I reach for the doorbell and press it. Fear crawls at my skin at the prospect of it being my brother who opens it, but when it finally does pull open, it’s Emma grinning at us.
“Finally, you’re here!” She practically drags us inside and shuts the door. “Ooh! If that’s jewelry, it better be from your store, Shane. I won’t accept anything less now that I know who you are!”
“I guess you’ll have to open it to find out.” He chuckles and hugs her. “Happy birthday, Emma.”
“Wait, are you saying I can open it now?” She’s practically bouncing in place with excitement, and it makes me giggle.
“You look a lot better since the last time I saw you,” I tell her.
“I am, it feels so good not to be in pain anymore. Although I do occasionally still feel like I’m split in half, but it should pass soon. So, about the gift?” she redirects the question with a smirk.
“Yes, you can open it.” I beam at her and take Shane’s hand again. Honestly, I just want her to open it now because I have a feeling that we won’t be spending the whole evening here.
“YAY!” She scurries away toward the kitchen, and we follow behind.
I let my eyes wander over everyone gathered around in the living room as we pass by.
I spot Lance and Amanda, holding my nephews, Mira is carrying one of the Burkley twins while Johanne, Clay’s mother, has the other in her arms, and John, Silas’s father, is playing kiddy hockey with Dante and Gracie.
When we finally make it to the kitchen, we’re greeted by the entire gang except for Silas and Greyson. Clay groans, dropping his head, but I try to ignore the sting of his reaction as he sees us.
Morgan quickly slaps him in the chest. “Be nice,” she warns him.
He lifts his head and gives me a sympathetic smile. “I’m sorry. I have nothing wrong with you two being here. I’m happy you are, truly. I just don’t want to have to break up any more fights.”
“That won’t be necessary today. I think we’re all capable of acting like adults for the occasion,” Shane says, pulling my back into his chest and pressing his hand to my belly protectively.
“Where’s…?” I’m too afraid to say his name just in case it makes him show up instantly.
Cecilia’s the next one to give me that same smile and I hate it. I don’t want them looking at me like I’m a wounded puppy. “He’s in the backyard with Silas. Something about wanting to make some changes to have a bit of green space back there.”
I nod as Emma rips through the wrapping paper to her gift. “Oh my God! Oh my God! Oh my God!” she gushes once she sees the logo on the box. But it isn’t until she lifts the lid upwards that she screams, loud enough to pierce our ears and cause a few babies to cry. “OH MY GOD!!!”
She doesn’t even bother to look at the jewelry, just picks up the card and begins to fan her face with it.
“I don’t know how you made this happen, but I love you more than anyone else here.
Sorry guys, but Aubrey and Shane have officially topped all your gifts.
” She rips me out of Shane’s arms and squeezes me in hers, thanking us a million times.
“But you haven’t even opened our gifts yet.” Ronnie frowns at her.
“I don’t care. Nothing can beat being added to the Andromeda Jewels client list!”