Happier With You | ✓

Chapter 9

I forced a smile as I sat down.

Dinner proceeded with the usual chatter, but I couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. Cody was unusually quiet, and my mom seemed preoccupied, barely touching her food.

After a few minutes of silence, my dad tried to lighten the mood. "So, Cody, how's school going?"

"It's alright." Cody replied, swirling his pasta around his fork. "Same old, same old."

I exchanged a glance with Iris, who looked equally puzzled. Something was definitely up, but now wasn't the time to pry.

After dinner, as we cleared the table, Cody helped me with the dishes.

"Thanks for having me over." He said quietly. "I really needed this."

"Anytime." I smiled. "We'll figure things out, okay?"

He nodded, though his smile didn't quite reach his eyes. "Yeah, we will."

After a pause, he added, "I have to go. My friend's here to pick me up."

I jutted out my bottom lip. "Okay. Love you."

He kissed the top of my head. "Love you more."

"Never." I scrunched my nose playfully.

He chuckled before heading out the door.

Once he was gone, I turned to my mom. "Mom, is everything okay? You've been acting strange all evening."

She sighed, finally looking at me. "There's something I need to tell you all. But let's wait until your father and Iris get back."

I felt my stomach tighten. My dad and Iris had left to grab dessert ten minutes ago. Whatever she was about to say-it wasn't good.

-

The knot in my stomach tightened as we gathered in the living room. Whatever it was, I knew it was serious.

My mom sat down, looking more serious than I'd ever seen her.

"I know you've all noticed that I've been a bit off since we got back from Utah," she began, taking a deep breath. "I've been feeling sick and tired, so I went to the doctor today."

Iris and I exchanged worried glances.

My dad reached out and took my mom's hand. "And?" he prompted gently.

Mom hesitated, her fingers tightening around his. "I'm pregnant."

The room fell silent.

Iris blinked. "Wait... how far along are you?"

"Two months," Mom said softly, watching our reactions.

I let out a breath I hadn't realized I was holding. "Wow. I mean... wow."

Iris shook her head in disbelief before a small smile crept onto her face. "I didn't think I'd ever have a little sibling."

Mom let out a quiet laugh, her eyes glistening. "Me neither, honestly."

Dad chuckled, rubbing his thumb over her knuckles. "Life has a way of surprising us."

For a moment, none of us spoke. It was a lot to take in, but as I looked around at my family, I felt something shift-like we were all quietly making space in our hearts for whoever was about to join us.

Iris suddenly scooted closer to Mom and wrapped her arms around her. I followed, hugging them both as Dad leaned in, pulling us all together.

"This is crazy," I mumbled into Mom's shoulder.