by Anna Castor
“I… um, on and off a couple of days? A week maybe? It’s just a bug…”
“Exactly!” Gwenn waved her hand in the air with the phone clenched between her fingers.
Bree’s head pounded. “I don’t know why it’s so special now. So I got sick again. It’s not like you haven’t been sick before?”
“Geeez… Okay, if that’s how you want to play it.”
Bree narrowed her eyes at her sister, “What in the world are you talking about? Here I was thinking you were so sweet in helping me. Why are you badgering me?”
Gwenn stalked out of the bedroom and said, “I’m so happy I called in reinforcement.”
Bree placed her hands next to her thighs, leaned over her legs and shouted in the doorway's direction, “Stop talking army. You are not on a mission here!”
“Take some rest. Kera will be here shortly.”
“Whatever,” Bree muttered. “Just my luck, she had to stay with me. I get sick for a few days and she sends in the cavalry. Pff.”
And then it clicked. She gasped and held her hand before her mouth. The thoughts running through her head made her nauseous again. This time she didn’t spill. After going at it for two rounds, she brushed her teeth again. She slumped over to her bed and waited for her sisters to join her.
She’d heard their whispers in the living room. After a few more minutes, Kera walked in first into her bedroom. She had brought a white paper bag. The kind you’d get at the drugstore.
“Nooo…” She shook her head and pulled her knees up to her chest. She linked her fingers as she folded her hands against her shins.
“Sweetheart, just to be sure,” Kera said, and she held out the paper bag. She cocked her head and her coppery bob swished.
“But I’m on the pill…”
“I know, sis. But it hasn’t been that long ago since I referred you to someone for a prescription for birth control. If you didn’t begin your pill until after your period started, you had to wait seven days before having unprotected sex. Didn’t the doctor explain this to you?”
“I thought it immediately protected me was immediately protecte….” Bree sobbed, feeling trapped like a caged animal. What was she to do now? How could she ever tell Declan she’s pregnant after promising him she had been protected?
Kera joined Bree on one side of the bed and Gwenn on the other. Bree leaned with her head against Kera’s shoulder, and Gwenn laid her hand on top of Bree’s hand and squeezed.
“Take the test, Bree. Just to rule it out,” Kera said.
“Okay…”
Bree got up from the bed and grabbed the paper bag from the nightstand. She sat down on the closed toilet lid and peered into the bag. Her sister had gotten her two different pregnancy tests. Bree took a deep breath and went ahead.
“What’s taking you so long?” Gwenn shouted.
“I couldn’t pee, okay?” Bree raised her voice. “And I had to do both.”
She just knew that her sisters were rolling their eyes behind the closed doors.
“I’m coming in. Stand back,” Gwenn said.
“What did I say about treating this like a mission?” Bree said the moment Gwenn pushed the bathroom door open.
“Fuck that. This is a mission. You might not know it, but getting us all ready to be a mom and aunts is one hell of a mission,” Gwenn said.
“Don’t jump to conclusions. You don’t know if—”
Bree whirled around when Gwenn reached behind Bree to pick up the two sticks. She waved the sticks in front of Bree’s face.
“See!”
One white stick read ‘pregnant’ and the other showed a definite blue cross. Her heart skipped a beat and her chest tightened.
“I think I need to lay down,” Bree whispered. She wiped the new sheen of sweat from her forehead.
“Come, let’s get you back into bed.” Kera placed her arm around Bree’s shoulders and guided her back into the bedroom.
“Can you give us a moment, Gwenn?” Kera asked.
Their youngest sister nodded. “I’ll be in the kitchen, making us brunch.” At Bree’s scowl, Gwenn winced and said, “I’ll just make something for Kera then. Sorry.”
Bree settled in under the covers. She couldn’t believe there was a baby growing inside of her. A small child. With Declan’s DNA. Would the baby look like him?
Kera sat down upon the covers next to Bree and patted her thigh. “I’m sorry, Bree. I’ve been so busy with making things work at the hospital… this comes a bit out of left field. You know you can talk to me about anything, right?”
“I know you’re still finding your way in the ER. And I’m so proud of you, sis. I would never resent you for it. You know that.”
Bree sighed and pulled on a loose thread on top of her cover. “You must wonder what I’ve been up to…”
Kera giggled, and Bree jerked her head in her sister’s direction. Kera’s green eyes sparkled.
“Oh, I know all about the birds and the bees, sis. I’m pretty sure what you’ve been up to.” Kera winked.
Bree shifted on the bed and crossed her arms. “I mean with whom.”
“I have my suspicions. I’ll just let you talk whenever you’re ready.” Kera raked her hand through her strands of russet hair.
The person sitting next to Bree wasn’t her sister Kera. No, this was the professional field medic turned EMT talking. And because Kera reacted so cautiously, with an almost occupational distance, Bree blurted, “It’s Dec’s.”
Kera gave Bree a watery smile. “Oh, sis. I know this is far from an ideal situation. But I’m happy he’s the baby’s father.” Bree had a fluttery, empty feeling in her stomach. True, the good news is that Craig couldn’t be the father since they never had sex. That would have been even worse.
“I don’t know, Ker. We’re not even together, like… we’ve talked about seeing how things would go. And I made him promise to keep things a secret because I still wasn’t sure about him. About us.”
She pressed her trembling lips together.
“I’m screwed,” Bree said as she rested her head against the headrest.
“Yep. In a few months' time we’ll all see the proof of that.” Gwenn snickered. She stepped back into the bedroom and Bree glared at her sister.
Gwenn dipped her chin. “Sorry, I know I’m not helping. But this is how I cope with stressful situations.”
Bree waved her hands in the air and said, “It must have been all shits and giggles in Afghanistan, then.”
“Stop it. Both of you.” Kera said, and she narrowed her eyes.
“Let’s stop this bickering and think about your baby. Of course, Dec is also a factor in this. But since you’re just finding out, today is all about you and what you make of this huge bomb that fell into your lap.”
A sob escaped Bree’s lips and Kera held Bree close. She slid her arm over Bree’s shoulder, and Bree shifted so she could lean her head against Kera’s shoulder.
“I’m so stupid…”
Kera patted Bree’s back. “No sis. Don’t beat yourself up about it.”
“I feel like I’ve let myself down by getting pregnant with Declan’s child. He’s never going to love me for me now. The moment he hears I’m carrying his child, he’s going to chase me for the sake of this baby. But being with Declan would be on false grounds. Not because of his love for ME.”
“Damn, sis. You’re fucked in the head.”
“Gwenn!” Kera chastised.
“I’m right, though. She’s thinking about Mom and Rob’s shitastic relationship, and it ruins all her chances to be happy.”
Gwenn turned to Bree. “I know you love him. And even though he hadn’t said the words, that man is in love with you. With YOU and sure, the moment he hears you’re pregnant, he’s going full throttle. Because we all know that’s who Declan is. But don’t for a moment think he doesn’t love you. Because he does.” Gwenn stood a little taller and crossed her arms.
“Although Gwenn could work on her timing an
d deliverance,” Kera gave Gwenn a pointed look before she turned her eyes on Bree again, “She’s right, you know.”
“I’m still in shock… I’m going to be somebody’s mom. I don’t think I’m ready.”
“Bullshit.” Gwenn said and fisted her sides. Bree was about to pull the covers over her head to cut herself off from her sister. That, or she could evict Gwenn from her couch. At least then Joan would be happy.
“You take care of a class full of kids. Now if I’d said I’m not ready for a baby, everyone would agree with me. But not you, Bree. You were born ready to care for others. In a sick way, I’m secretly glad you’re preggers. Gives us a chance to see how it’s done by one of the best.”
Bree barely held in her laughter. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”
“As you should, sis. Now, scoot your ass over. Let aunti Gwenn snuggle with her niece or nephew.”
They watched a marathon of Friends episodes together and Bree tried her best for the rest of the day not to break down and cry. Her sisters might have taken this news rather well; she was dreading her upcoming talk with Dec.
Because if Dec couldn’t love her like she needed him to, they would have to end things. Romantically, that is, because this baby would bind them together forever.
She couldn’t be with him if Dec only stayed with her out of obligation. There was no ‘taking things slow’ now. The moment of truth was coming, and she had to face the music.
“I take it you haven’t had a talk with Bree yet?” Brennan said.
“Shit, man. We’ve talked all right. We…”
Declan moved in closer and he lowered his voice since they stood in Thomas Tavern, surrounded by family and friends. It was Errin’s farewell party, and he was there to say goodbye to Errin, but mostly to support his oldest brother.
Brennan was head over heels for the Walsh sister, but she was moving back to Jersey to follow her dream of becoming a famous dancer.
Although Brennan had enough on his plate with the love of his life leaving him after tonight, he still found the time to check up on his brother.
Growing up, Brennan had been there for all the Mills brothers. Their mother had died of breast cancer when Ronan and Declan were only six-years-old.
The fourteen-year-old Brennan had been the rock they all could depend on. Not their dad, Sean Jr., because he’d checked out, overwhelmed with grief.
Brennan never got to have the childhood like the rest of them. He was the young boy, acting like the man of the house. The tension between Sean Jr. and Brennan had been like another cancer, spreading its ugliness throughout their family.
Declan looked up to his big brother. Brennan was the one who’d successfully steered Declan’s twin Ronan in the right direction. Each Mills brother had dealt differently with the loss of his mother. Declan wanted to make his family proud. And help Brennan wherever he could.
His twin had always been the polar opposite. Ronan fought in school. And out of school. Wherever Ronan was, followed trouble. He picked on other kids. Knocked a boy’s tooth out for looking funny at him. Declan was certain it was solely because of Brennan’s guidance that Ronan finally turned away from the dark path he’d started.
Even though Bree wished to keep their hook-ups a secret, Declan felt like his big brother deserved to know the truth. Brennan stood by him when Declan was heartbroken because of the Bree situation. He’d talked with Declan about regretting letting Bree go. They had talked about the loss of Bree’s friendship. The least he could do was give Brennan a heads up about the recent developments.
Declan said, “We spend one night together at my place, and then again two weeks ago. Fuck, Bren. That first night was everything, man. But every time I think we can finally be together, she freaks out. She’s been ignoring me for the past weeks.”
“Why didn’t ye tell me something had happened between yous earlier?” Brennan said. He widened his stance and crossed his arms. His sudden Irish brogue let Dec know how upset he was with him.
“She’s spooked, and she wants to keep it between us. She doubts my feelings, but I’m going after what’s mine. Ever since I’ve first laid eyes on her dark curly head...” Dec shook his head, smiling.
“Damn, is it even possible to find the love of your life when you’re just eight?” Declan asked.
Brennan slapped Dec’s back. “I’m rooting for you, bro.”
“Thanks,” Declan said as they walked over to the booths where the rest of the Mills brothers and cousins sat. Errin’s sisters Kate and Kayla were there, and the three Ryan sisters: Fianna, Caitlin, and Bree.
He’d brought Bree home after she’d gotten sick at his place. At first, she’d told him she didn’t want to give him the same bug, so she didn’t want him to come over. Although a bit bummed out she wouldn’t let him in to take care of her, he gave her some space for a few days.
Of course he’d kept in touch with Gwenn. But it wasn’t the same. He wanted to be there for her. But Bree refused.
She had shot even his offer to drive her tonight down. He leaned in over the table and watched how Bree laughed at some joke from Errin. Bree turned her head from him the moment their eyes met.
He scooted from the booth and walked over to the bar. After ordering himself a beer, Declan had the feeling he was being watched. Goosebumps traveled over his spine. He looked up and in the mirror's reflection behind the bartender; he held Bree’s eyes.
He saluted Bree with his beer bottle, and she gave him a half smile. Not wanting to look too eager and talk to her in front of all their family and friends, he stayed put. He looked down to his beer bottle and peeled on the label.
“Hi,” Bree said as she placed her hand on Dec’s shoulder.
“Hey, Love.”
“Since when do you call me that?” Bree asked as she took the stool next to Declan.
He turned on his stool. “Since you told me to never call you Squirt ever again,” he said. “So I won’t.” He peered into her eyes and she blushed.
“Dec, I know I’ve come off like a crazy person these last couple months. Gwenn said it’s been unfair of me to not return any of your calls. And she’s right. I know she is. It’s just that—”
“Well, if it isn’t G.I. Joe and his Squirt. Are we finally getting to see some action, G.I. Joe?” Ronan said in his loud voice. Bree winced before she narrowed her eyes at Declan’s twin. He knew she could handle Ro. But Declan wouldn’t let things slide.
“We’re in the middle of something here, Ro.”
Ronan bumped his shoulder to Dec’s as he wormed himself in between Declan and Bree. He turned his back to Dec. “So, Bree. Are ye still in love with my brother?”
Before Bree could answer him, Declan stood from his stool and pushed his twin out of Bree’s way.
“Back the fuck off, Ro.”
Ronan whirled around and held himself steady by gripping the bar. He almost accidently pushed Bree from her stool, but she’d jumped before he could do so. She stood with a hand on her stomach and one against her chest.
Before Declan could ask her if she was okay, Ronan spat at him, “Always letting her come between us. I’m sick of it, bro.”
Never once had Ronan hinted about his feelings. His sneer blindsided Declan. When they were kids, it had always been Ro, Dec and Bree hanging out.
Sure, when they got older, they hadn’t been the three Musketeers anymore. Ro hung out with a different crowd. He was on a warpath all the time. Fighting, smoking, and underage drinking. Not the people Dec wanted to sniff around Bree.
So they kept their distance whenever Ro was with those other people. Declan always thought that Ro hadn’t mind. That he broke up the three Musketeers because they hadn’t been cool enough, anyway.
After Ro’s dark period, he grew closer again with his twin. But Dec never knew about Ro’s feelings. He wished Ro had said something to him.
Bree laid a hand on Ro’s arm. “I’m sorry you feel this way, Ro. I really am. We could have all been friends. You
and I were friends for a long time.”
Ro swallowed his first response.
“Yes,” he said, after a beat. “Before the whole Fi situation.”
“Well, she’s my sister, Ro. I don’t expect you to choose me over your brother. Not if I ever hurt your brother. I’m sorry, but you hurt our friendship by cheating on Fi. I was so damn angry with you.”
Ronan’s shoulders slumped, and he looked over at Declan. They shared a long look, and it let Ro know he was in the wrong.
“Shit. I’m sorry, Bree. I’m an arsehole.”
“Yes, you are,” Bree said as she grinned from ear to ear.
“Couldn’t you at least pretend to think about me being an arsehole? You just throw me under the bus like that?”
He gave her shoulder a soft bump with his bicep and again, Bree held her abdomen. She smiled at Ronan but took a tentative step back.
“I really am sorry, Squirt. Seeing you two together at the bar took me down memory lane. Thinking about yer sister always rattles my cage.”
Declan felt for Ro. He really did. But Ro had to deal with his feelings and not lash out like this.
“It’s okay,” Bree said.
“It’s not okay,” Declan said. “But we’ll let ye off the hook if ye let me and Bree be. You get what I’m throwing down here?”
Ronan smirked. “Loud and clear. Go get her, G.I. Joe.” He saluted Declan and turned on his heel.
Declan took Bree by the hand and steered her in between his thighs as he sat down again on his stool. She placed her hands on his shoulders and he tugged her even closer by bringing his hands upon her arse.
“Why are you running from me, Love? Why are you still fighting this?” Declan asked.
He squeezed her to him a little tighter.
“We need to talk, Dec.”
His heart lodged in his throat as he stared into Bree’s eyes. There was an uncertainty there, a feeling in her eyes he wished he could take from her. He would do anything to get the chance to do so.
Declan leaned in and let her scent of fresh flowers roll into his senses. He couldn’t stop himself as he kissed her. She parted her lips on a gasp. His tongue invaded her mouth while his fingers dug into her warm flesh through her black dress. He could spend a lifetime kissing Bree.