Nathan and Barron run by, and a horrible thought enters my mind.
“The boys,” I whisper. “They’re all he cares about, Logan. I bet if they were at risk—”
“No.” It comes out rough and unapologetically angry. “We’re not going to harm a hair on their heads.”
“Maybe not, but that doesn’t mean the virus won’t. If Gage sees that his boys are susceptible… Logan, if Gage thinks they’re in harm’s way—”
“Then he will give them the vaccine he developed. He is their father. They are exempt from the bullshit he’s embroiled in. The boys aren’t the key in getting Gage to wake up. It’s that damn book. It’s you.” He softens as he says that last part.
“Fine. We’ll get Coop to bring the damn book over to Gage’s place.”
“Hey?” He lands a kiss just shy of my lips, and my rage ticks up a notch because he missed, or worse yet, he’s teasing me. “It’s going to be okay.”
“How can you say that? We’re about as far away as okay as you can get. Please, Logan. Don’t ever feel the need to placate me. It’s going to be hell. We’re in hell. In fact, Gage has plunged the world into its depths, and he’s taking our sons with him.” I land a simple kiss over Jaxson’s forehead, and he squeals with delight.
Logan touches his forehead to mine. “I’m not placating you, Skyla. I can promise you that. How about we give this little bear to one of your sisters and we step out and get some fresh air? I’ll help haul in the toilet paper. Consider it date night.”
A small laugh trembles through me. “Fine.”
Mia graciously takes Jaxson from Logan.
“Ooh.” Mia blows gently in his face. “Aren’t you the cutest? How can I love you so much?” She bounces him up and down, and he gives a husky laugh. “Skyla, can’t you give this one to me? You have two already. Don’t be greedy.”
“Now you’re thinking,” Tad harps as he carries in a few more packages of toilet paper. “We’ll throw a party and give the rugrats out as parting gifts. That’s one way to get ’em out the door before they turn eighteen.”
“Good luck with that,” Melissa snips. “If you haven’t noticed, most people who live here are way past eighteen. You’ll be lucky if they’re gone by the time they’reeighty.”
“She’s right, Lizbeth,” Tad grouses. “I demand once this virus is over, we toss the entire lot of them out on their ear. For God’s sake, Skyla has her own house—two of them—and we still can’t get rid of her.”
Logan’s chest bounces with a laugh. “He’s not wrong.”
“Very funny.” I bump my shoulder to his. “I think this might be a good time to, you know, share the news.”
Logan closes his eyes a moment too long.
“You’re right. Let’s do this. Like ripping off a Band-Aid. Do you want to do the honors?”
I nod, still unsure myself.
“Mom, Tad, everyone”—I call out—“Logan and I have some big news we’d like to share.”
Nathan and Barron run over, and I pull them both in as they each hug one of my legs.
“We’re going to have another baby!” I shout with all the enthusiasm I can muster as I give the boys each a scratch on the head.
“Anotherdinosaur?” Barron screams with delight.
“That’s right.” Logan gives him a tap with his foot. “Jaxson’s going to be a big brother just like you guys.”
Nathan shakes his head. “He gonna still be little.”
Brielle screams and whoops as if it was the best news ever, and it is.
“Congrats, guys!” She pats us both on the back. “I knew you’d knock her up sooner than later. How many are you having this time, Skyla?”
I make a face at my best friend. “I haven’t seen the doctor yet, but I’m pretty sure it’s just the one.”
“A baby!” Mom claps with her hands up over her head. “Oh, this is wonderful! Oh, Skyla, I just know you’re going to have your little girl at last. Isn’t this amazing, Tad?”
