“Okay,” Roe said.
But I knew he didn’t believe me.
He was right not to believe me. I was lying and while I could be a good liar, Rowan had always known the truth. The question now was whether he’d call me out in front of Finn, which was more problematic.
Finn rarely pulled the big brother card, and usually only in the instances when me or Roe were about to completely fuck something up and our mother would be blaming Finn for not keeping an eye on us.
I looked at him, seeing finer lines around his eyes and a couple of flecks of grey in his hair, which he’d inevitably say had been caused by Elias and Elsie.
He shrugged and sat back, looking over at his kids, Elias sprawled across his lap, Elsie crashing two toy cars into each other and laughing curiously.
“Why’s she asked you?” He sat up on the sofa, catching Elias’ foot before he could get kicked in the face by it. “I’m not asking that to wind you up. I just want to know why you and not an anonymous donation or wait until she’s in a relationship.”
“Why do you want to know that?”
Finn shrugged, shifting his son into a more comfortable position for both of them. Elias was about to fall asleep,currently trying to force his eyes to stay open so he didn’t miss anything.
“Not saying your genes aren’t the best ones for her to pick, but I’m interested in why this as an option.” He shrugged again. “Is she hoping for something financial from you?”
I shook my head. “She’s inherited Ivy’s estate and royalties, and everything from her parents. I’ll be paying my share. I’m making this my decision as much as it is hers.” I glanced over at Calla, now in a chair where she was fast asleep, her dark hair identical to how Elsie’s had been.
“And you’re having everything drawn up by a solicitor in terms of rights etcetera? Iris isn’t going to leave the country and live in Australia or anything like that?” Finn looked concerned.
“She’s looking to buy a house here. Although I’m going to suggest she lives with me for the first year. I’ve seen the state of you two when you have two parents doing the night shifts. I don’t want to do that by myself and neither does Iris. Or at least I don’t think she does.” I hadn’t asked too much about what she expected being a parent to a newborn was like. I didn’t have first-hand experience, but I had been around for the early days of my nephew and nieces and it was hard.
Finn nodded. “Okay, you’re not stupid and you’ve been friends for years. Why now? Why her?”
I shrugged. “I want a family. I haven’t met anyone I want to settle down with, and even if I had there’s always the chance that it wouldn’t be forever. We’re going into this as co-parents and friends, with a history.”
Finn’s face clouded. He’d been friends with Ivy too. She’d been at his and Ruby’s pretend wedding, one of the few people there. He’d been there the night she died.
“I get it. It’s different. It isn’t conventional, but I get it. You have my support.” He stroked his son’s head, the dark hair that was already thick and glossy. “And your kid will have these threereprobates as cousins. Not sure if that’s a selling point.” Elsie scrambled onto the sofa and bulldozed her way onto Finn’s lap. Elias stayed asleep, used to being shifted around by his sister.
“It’s a selling point. Iris doesn’t have any family left, not really. There are aunts, but no one close. I think she’s looking for family for herself too.” I watched Roe bend over and sniff his daughter.
“You need the practice,” my twin said. “I’ll help you out with this multiple time offer.”
I shook my head. “No. I’m practiced at that already.”
Calla’s big eyes opened and flicked onto me. She chuckled, all sorts of cute, and lifted her arms for me to take her.
“She definitely needs a new nappy. Thanks, Uncle Gully.” Roe sat back, eyes on the screen as one of the players scored. “Yesss! Get in there!”
I picked up Calla, clocking that Elsie and Elias were still asleep. Uncle Roe shouting was something they’d learned to sleep through.
“Get me a beer while I clean up your daughter.” I sighed, shaking my head. “Your daddy is an idiot sometimes.”
He didn’t hear me, which was definitely a shame.
Iris
From the jetty at the bottom of Gully’s garden there was a clear view of the lighthouse, known informally as Thane’s lighthouse, although Thane didn’t live there anymore and hadn’t for some time. I’d taken photos of it in many different lights and in many different weathers, even though I’d only been here for three weeks. Four seasons happened regularly in one day, usually a gentle rotation, although there was occasionally a dramatic change when a storm rolled in.
Those were the nights when Gully and I stayed up late talking. We’d watch the storm, or even head down to the jetty if it was safe, sheltering in a covered area that Gully had manufactured with Finn to keep me dry if I was being stupid enough to take photos when it rained.
It was known now that Gully and I were planning to have a baby. Known within the circles of his brothers and their wives, and the friends that came as part of the package.
There had been questions, a couple of very direct ones from Ruby, clearly protective over her brother-in-law. Amelie had greeted me with a big hug and the words, “I know and I wish you all the love and luck,” and that had been it.
