𝗔 𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗬 𝗥𝗜𝗦𝗞𝗬 𝗚𝗔𝗠𝗕𝗟𝗘

14 | pregnant

"Ave, this is the biggest secret I've ever had to keep."

I lifted myself up onto the counter of her cupcake truck. Although stationed beside a busy street, she'd temporarily closed it for this conversation.

Clearly, it was serious.

"What about being engaged?"

"Bigger than that." Libby sighed, pressing a hand to her temples. "Because Nash doesn't know."

Suspicious, I eyed her.

Nash and Libby had only been married for a few months. I figured their marriage wasn't quite at the point of keeping secrets from one another.

My sister had woken me up this morning with the equivalent of a Hawthorne Brother's 911 call - meaning that ignorance wasn't an option.

"What could have possibly happened that would make you tell me before him?"

Uneasily, Libby's eyes traveled downward.

Initially, I thought she was just looking at the floor as to not meet my eyes.

But then I realized that her gaze was fixed on her body - more specifically, her torso.

"Lib," I murmured, wondering if my suspicions were true. "You can tell me anything."

"It's not you I'm scared of telling. It's Nash."

I swore beneath my breath. I knew it.

Libby was pregnant.

"How long have you known?" I squeaked.

"A week." Her eyes traveled to the small window showcasing the busy street. Fighting back tears, she whispered, "We both wanted kids, but we were planning to wait a couple years . . ."

And it had only been a few months.

Fall drawing to a close, and they'd only been married in late May.

"I can't imagine he'd be upset," I assured her.

Libby met my eyes. Hers were scared.

I hopped off the counter and pulled her into a hug. "I seem to recall a certain car ride with Nash," I said, "where he mentioned that he could see you with a little girl."

"It might not be a girl," was all she could manage. A hand gently moved over her stomach.

Although she wasn't showing, I couldn't help but picture a mini Libby. Or a mini Nash.

"You're right," I agree. "But from what he's implied, Nash definitely wants to be a dad."

"But now?"

I shrugged, smiling softly. "He doesn't have a choice."

Libby returned my smile but couldn't meet my eyes.

I studied her for a moment before I reached for her hand. "Lib, is something else bothering you?"

Tears slid down her cheeks before she whispered, "I don't know if I can."

"Can what?"

"Be a mom."

I smile before I realize she's serious. If anyone I knew could be a mother, it's Libby. For several years, she filled in as my mother. "Of course you can."

My sister met my eyes. "Ave, you and I have had bad experiences with parents." Breathing deeply, she added, "How do I know that history won't repeat itself?"

"Because you're Libby Hawthorne," I said. "And you won't let it."

My sister grinned at the mention of her new last name.

"And Nash?" she whispered, glancing up to my eyes.

"He'll be the best dad," I said. "I know he will."

Libby's eyes softened at the thought of her husband being a father. "Yeah," she lamented. "You're right."

"Of course I am," I teased.

She smiled. Actually smiled. "How would I live without you, Ave?"

"You couldn't," I say.

Hugging me tightly, she said, "Good thing I don't have to, then."