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Joel ▷
It was pretty easy to see that Esther Ruth was clearly nervous. Only Luke, Courtney, Moriah and I knew of the divorce and pregnancy, and maybe Adriana, but I wasn't sure.
Mum and Dad looked up as Esther sighed and stood up, watching as she walked to the front of the house as the doorbell rang. It was silent between all of us. Moriah was trying to be supportive of Esther and help her in anyway, and mum and dad knew nothing about what was going on.
"Excuse me, I'm going to speak to Esther Ruth." I muttered. Moriah smiled softly at me, and gently rubbed my arm as I stood.
I exited Esther's kitchen, and went into her front room. She was talking to Luke and Courtney while Phoenix on her hip.
"Babies?" Jude asked. Esther smiled an laughed.
She nodded, "Yes, Jude. There's two babies, not one."
"Um. Excuse me?" I coughed, gaining the attention from my siblings. "May I speak with Esther real quick?"
Courtney smiled, "Of course." Then she looked down to Jude, "C'mon, baby, let's go see grandma and grandpa."
Jude nodded happily, and ran off into the other room. Courtney and Luke followed, after taking Phoenix back from Esther.
Esther sighed, turning to me and crossing her arms. "Yes, Joel?" She asked.
"Are you okay?" I questioned, raising an eyebrow.
"Yeah." She answered, giving a false smile.
"Are you really okay?" I pushed, crossing my own arms.
Esther sighed, shaking her head and looking down at her feet. Briefly, she looked up at my face, with a frown.
"I'm scared, Joel." She whimpered, "I'm having twins by myself, and I'm scared that I can't give my babies the life they deserve. Mum and Dad loved Cameron, and I'm terrified to tell them that he left me. I'm scared to resign from the force and that I won't find another career to support my family all by myself."
By the time that Esther Ruth had looked up at me, she had tears streaming down her cheeks. I swallowed, then cleared my throat.
It hurt me to see her like this, in pain.
"Come here," I whispered.
Esther took tiny steps towards me until she was close enough for me to wrap her in a hug. She had secured her arms around me as she sniffled.
"I am so scared." She murmured.
"That's okay. You'll be a great mum, Esther. You're a great aunt. Luke and I will help find a new job, and mum and dad will support you endlessly during this." I reassured, "We've got you, Esther Ruth."
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After I had got Esther Ruth calmed down, supper was almost ready. Not long after that, were the rest our siblings arriving. Libby, then Ben and Paige with their two boys, Asher and Hayden. Then Daniel and Brooke came shortly after.
Once everyone was here, Esther began serving dinner and sat down. In just a few moments, she had even started grace, which she hated doing as a kid, terrified to mess up.
"Amen," we whispered.
"What's on your mind, darling?" Dad asked, eating a forkful of the lasagna.
Esther smiled sadly, "I was waiting to announce, but I'm pregnant. With twins."
Libby grinned, "That's amazing!"
"Yeah," Esther nodded, sighing softly. At that cue, the rest of us looked up to Esther. She looked down, ashamed and couldn't meet anyone's eyes. She inhaled sharply, "But I'm now a single mum. Cameron left me last week, while I was in the hospital."
"Oh, honey." Mum whispered.
That's when Luke looked up, and spoke. "She's been staying with me and Courtney for the last couple of days. Joel and I have offered to help."
"But," Esther started, causing everyone to look back to her. "I've come up with a plan, since Cameron left everything to me. I'm selling the house, getting a smaller and cheaper one. In a few weeks, I'm resigning and looking for a safer job. And hopefully, be as good as a mum I can be."
For our brothers, they looked up as the information had processed in their minds. Esther swallowed as she looked back up at everyone, a frown coming to her face. Emotions were written on her face in a multitude; sadness, worry, and shame.
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Luke and I stood back as our wives chatted with Esther once the rest of our family left. I sighed, crossing my arms as I watched Esther wipe away a couple of tears.
"We've got to help her find a job, mate." Luke stated, leaning up against the wall.
I nodded, "What if she came on tour with us? Once she has the twins, we could find someone on tour to watch them, and she could do various things."
Luke shrugged, picking up Phoenix as he ran to his father. "I dunno. Depends if she likes the idea."
I slowly grew a grin as an idea came to my mind. Luke laughed and rolled his eyes at me, and dodged away from his son's hands as they reached for his hair.
"What if we could convince her to be a motivational speaker? She could have her speeches during intermission. That could work for her." I suggested, raising an eyebrow.
Luke simply shrugged once more. I looked back to Esther Ruth, hearing her sniffle. Despite the tears flowing down her cheeks, she smiled at Moriah and Courtney. Then my wife wrapped her arms around my sister.
