“Yes.” My voice goes up three octaves.
“First, we’ll see if we can capture the fetus on an abdominal ultrasound. If we can’t pick it up, we’ll do a transvaginal one, if you want to.”
I nod as she lays the exam chair back, lifts my shirt, and squirts jelly on my belly. Cold. Matt holds my hand while the doctor checks for a heartbeat. She moves it around until I hear it. My baby’s heartbeat.
“It’s so fast,” I blurt out.
Matt calmly asks, “Is that normal?”
A smile slides onto the doctor’s face. “Very normal. It’s perfect.”
By the time we get to the pizza place, I’m clinging to that truth like a lifeline.
Greyson rented the entire place out for Witley’s first time at a restaurant, which feels both ridiculous and completely on-brand for the O’Ryans. The neon sign glows in the windows, and inside it’s loud, warm, and chaotic—exactly what I expect when this many people who share blood and volume gather in one place.
Parker flags the waitress down, sitting back with his long legs stretched out, his hands behind his head. “I needsomething special… cheese,” he says, flashing her a megawatt smile and a wink.
She rolls her eyes, and I admit he’s become quite cocky over the last year. Working out with the Armadillos gave him a little too much swagger. “Special, non-dairy cheese? Chemically altered cheese? Because we are a local pizza joint that carries regular cheese.”
“Just extra.”
“Extra what?” She pops her hip.
“Extra cheese,” he says seriously. “It’s a lifestyle.”
“Got it. Lots of cheese for the cheesy guy.”
J.D. grins from across the table. “The waitress isn’t taking any shit from Parker. I like it.”
Birdie rolls her eyes. “I’m positive that he’s your mini-me.”
“Was. I left that all behind when I met you,” he says, lifting a brow.
I slap Parker on the leg. “Are you flirting with her?”
“God, no. Did you see her? She’s not my type.”
“Because her skirt is too long and you can’t see her vagina? She’s not slutty enough?” This time it’s me who lets my eyes roll back as far as they can go. “Men.”
Matt squeezes my knee under the table. “Don’t lump us all in together. Not fair.”
Then Witt chimes in. “Oh, it’s fair in this family.”
Greyson chimes in. “Not anymore.”
I know that hormones are flooding my body and I’m overly sensitive, but it reminds me of the way Brooks would flirt with me right beside him.
The waitress brings out the first round of food. Sutton sits with Witley tucked against her chest, eyes half-closedbut glowing. “These fries are mine. If anyone touches them I’ll… I’ll… Well, I’ll do something. I need some sleep.”
Parker raises his hands. “Your fries are sacred. We know.”
Dad clinks his glass. “I raised you all better than this.”
Matt brushes my knee under the table. I feel him there—steady, warm, grounding me when the noise starts to feel too big. Maybe it’s the baby. Maybe it’s the pizza. Maybe it’s the way Matt looks at me.
“I have something to say,” I blurt.
Everyone goes quiet.
