Chapter 29
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
FERN
“ T his is a bad idea,” I mumble.
“It’s going to be okay, babe,” Elliot says, taking my hand and kissing it. “We can go back and come another day.”
“No, I have to do it today,” I almost whisper. “The longer it takes, the worse it will be dealing with her.”
More so considering a few of my brothers learned about it before her.
“But why is your mom going to be a problem?”
“She swears I keep her at arm’s length—that we all do. She doesn’t understand that we do things differently. We had to learn when she… almost died.”
I don’t know if my brothers ever told him how Mom checked out on us and we had to take over her duties, so I do, and he listens to me attentively. He gently takes off my seat belt, lifts me, and puts me on his lap.
“You don’t need to justify your actions to me—or to anyone. You’re a good daughter and a great sister. Maybe you two have to learn how to coexist as mother and daughter.”
“I never thought about it that way.”
He shrugs. “It’s natural that you still think you’re in charge of your siblings.” He places a hand on my belly. “You have other little ones that will need you more. Rescind that power and just be a sister, okay?”
I hug his neck, clinging to him, wanting to stay in this moment. We haven’t talked about us, but after the kiss he gave me in front of the property, I felt the shift between us. It was almost a declaration of love, but can I let myself believe that he has feelings for me?
“If we stay here, I might fuck you, babe. I don’t think we want to do that before we tell them about the babies.”
I laugh. “That’d give them an idea. It’ll be like show and tell, but I’ll save the scene. My brothers can be buttheads.”
When we climb out of his truck, Lysander appears. He gives me a suspicious look when he spots Elliot. When his eyes open wide, I know he knows. He whistles the same way he’s done for years when calling our brothers.
Caspian comes out of the tasting room. “What the fuck, I’m busy?”
“We have a problem,” Lysander says, cracking his knuckles. “Remember the guy we wanted to beat to death? I think I found him.”
“I hate my brothers,” I mumble.
Elliot arches an eyebrow in amusement as he sees Lysander and Cas heading toward us. “I assume they know.”
“Yep. They came to my house when Lulu was covering for me. They were worried. Heath came along too. I assume to make sure I wasn’t sick.”
Elliot takes my hand and kisses the inside of my wrist. “It’s going to be okay. I just hope you know that I’m not letting them hit me.”
I chuckle because I doubt my brothers will throw a punch. They like to intimidate others but they’re all softies. When they’re in front of us, Caspian cracks his knuckles. When is he going back to Portland? I swear the off-season is lasting too long.
“McPhee, what a surprise.” Lysander looks at me, then back at Elliot.
“Stop,” I order.
“Umm. I would but I think not. Cas, can you teach this gentleman how we treat assholes who knock up our little sister?”
He nods, almost all too happy to obey. “She’s my big sister, though, but sure, I’ll be glad to. Do you get in trouble for hitting senior citizens?”
“You’re not going to hit him.”
“It’s the least we can do. What the fuck, man? We trusted you, and you…” Lysander looks at him, then at me, and stares at our entwined hands. “Seriously, my little sister?”
“What’s happening?” Aslan appears from who knows where.
He looks at me then at Elliot. “Fuck. Seriously, Fern? Him?”
“He knows?” I glare at Lysander. “Of course he does because you tell everything to the other two. What happened to confidentiality?”
“You’re pregnant,” he says accusingly.
“And? Confidentiality disappears the moment I begin to procreate a little human?”
Lysander’s eyes almost burst into flames, but his voice remains calm.
“I had to have a contingency plan. You have this ridiculous misconception that you don’t deserve any part of the company, a salary from the foundation, or a cut from the vineyard.
Even when you bust your ass to help us. I know you’re Miss Independent, but you’re about to have three children, and you need help. ”
Aslan glances at Elliot. “Are you rescinding your parental rights?”
“No. I’ll be there for them, and they’re set financially. Gatsby already knows my net worth, if you need to know more about it. Which shouldn’t be any of your business.”
Lysander shakes his head. “I don’t like this. Are you telling Mom today?”
Aslan glares at Elliot. “Where do I start? We opened the doors to our house, and you took advantage of her. You seduced my little sister.”
“Stop! I’m not little, no one took advantage of me, and if I want to hook up with some random guy, it’s my problem. Not yours.”
“So you don’t deny that he seduced you.”
“Oh God, someone hold me, or I’m going to kill them. All six of them.”
Elliot laughs and shakes his head. “I understand why you’re upset. Fern and I will work together to raise our children. You don’t have to worry about them.”
“I worry about her,” Aslan says, shaking his head. “When you hurt her, I’m going to kill you. I know people.”
“But I won’t. This is simple. We’re parents who’ll do the best for their children.”
Aslan snorts, and my three brothers walk away.
“That wasn’t that bad,” Elliot says, almost implying that I’m exaggerating.
“Have you met my mother?”
“We’ve crossed paths a couple of times. It’ll be fine.”
I snort and walk inside the slaughterhouse.