“Actually, before you go, we have something we want to tell you,” Sia says, and the group stills slightly.
There’s a subtle shift in the air. The tone. The way she says it. My stomach tightens.
We all glance at her, and I feel it, that sharp twist of worry in my gut.
Why would she choose tonight to tell us what’s wrong?
“Okaaay?” Anna says, but it comes out more like a question.
We stop dancing, our eyes turning to Dingo, who now holds Sia protectively from behind.
“We know why I’ve been puking and feeling so sick lately,” she says.
My stomach lurches.
My chest constricts.
It’s cancer.
I know it is.
“You okay?” Colt asks gently, and Sia’s smile blooms bright and unexpected.
“We wanted to tell you all together,” she says, resting her hands over Dingo’s. “And we wanted to wait three months before saying anything… just to be sure.”
I frown, confused, but Anna suddenly gasps and lifts her hand to her mouth, eyes wide with realization.
“Why three months?” I ask, my voice cautious.
Dingo’s grin spreads as he looks down at Sia with nothing but adoration.
“Because I’m pregnant, Dee.”
Tears spring to my eyes.
“We wanted to wait until the first trimester passed before telling anyone,” she continues, her voice full of hope. “We’ve been trying for years, but I’ve had four miscarriages. This is the furthest we’ve ever made it. The doctors say everything looks good.”
Anna lunges forward and pulls them into a tight embrace, and I smile through the sudden sting behind my eyes.
I’m so damn happy for them.
But beneath that joy, a familiar ache pulses quietly.
A flicker of envy.
I smother it quickly and step forward to hug my friends.
“Oh, Sia… I’m so happy for you. We didn’t even know you were trying, or that you’d been through so much. We honestly had no idea. But congratulations. Another baby,” I say with genuine warmth, even as Colt tightens his hands around mine, sensing the shift in me.
He knows.
Of course he does.
“Wait,” Colt says suddenly. “Hux isn’t here to hear this.”
Dingo chuckles. “He knows. Found the pregnancy test three months ago.”
“Cheeky bugger. Not telling us,” Johnny adds, shaking his head as we all laugh.
