Deidre doesn’t seem bothered that Titus stole me away. “I heard you two had some excitement a few days ago.”
My eyes shoot to where Tobias stands at the island, looking…
Normal. He’s not giving me a weird stare or acting strange now that he knows about my pregnancy. He’s just chatting with his brothers, shoving food in his mouth. After a few seconds, he notices Titus and I have arrived, and when he looks my way, a smile splits his face. “You look like you feel a hell of a lot better.”
“Umm…” I don’t know how to reply. I was prepared for everyone to be pissed. I wasn’t excited about it, but at least I knew that would be coming.
I’m not prepared for whatever is happening right now.
“Don’t put her on the spot like that, Toby.” Deidre shoots her son a glare before turning back to me. “We’re just glad you were able to make it tonight.”
She says that now…
“Mariah’s pregnant.” Titus just blurts it out, and I slowly turn my head to stare at him in disbelief.
I thought we were going to work up to it. Maybe wait for some sort of lead-in to the conversation. Instead, he just starts putting everything out there.
“She’s partway through her second trimester with a set of twins.” His eyes move around the room, voice sharp when he adds on, “Mytwins.” It’s almost like he’s daring someone to argue with him. Waiting for one of them to point out that timeline doesn’t add up.
One of Deidre’s brows lifts, but that’s her only noticeable reaction. The rest of the room falls silent. Every set of eyes is glued to where I stand, most of them wide in shock.
Not Tobias. He’s grinning at me like an idiot. Like he’s thrilled at my shame.
Trevor blows out a loud, relieved sounding sigh. “Thank fucking God.” He tips back some of the drink in his hand. “Now maybe she’ll shut up about grandkids for a minute.”
Deidre is still staring at me, and the urge to back up—to put some distance between us before she unleashes on me—is strong. I flinch as she starts to move, expecting glares and shouted insults.
Instead, she grabs me, squeezing me tight as she sniffs against my shoulder. I look at Titus, not understanding what’s happening. Years of trying to act the way other people want has me automatically hugging her back, even though I’m not sure why.
Her grip loosens, but she doesn’t let go, just leans back, a watery smile illuminating her face. “Twins?”
I nod numbly, unable to fully digest the reaction in front of me.
Deidre laughs, the sound sharp and loud as she hauls me back into the embrace. “I can’t believe I’m finally going to be a gran.”
“Breathing room, Mother.” Titus's reminder is gentle but stern.
“Yes.” Deidre releases me, hands coming to wipe at her face as she continues to smile. “So sorry. I got a little overwhelmed.”
“It’s okay.” I say it for her, but the words hit me as they leave my lips.
It’s okay. Everything is okay. Deidre isn’t mad. Not even close. She actually looks thrilled. I know she’s smart enough to understand her son is not biologically linked to the babies I’m carrying, but she doesn’t seem to care.
Actually, no one does. Titus’s brothers are congratulating him with handshakes and back slaps, each one looking happy over the news. And also a little relieved. From the sound of it, I might be taking a little pressure off them. So it’s possible they all see this as a good thing. A positive development in their lives.
Not a disappointment. Not a betrayal. Not a lie or a secret.
They want Peanut—Peanuts—here.
It’s more than I could have imagined. More than I would have hoped for. Not only acceptance, but excitement.
And it has me a little misty.
Before a single tear can fall, Titus has my hand in his. Announcing that we’ll be back, he leads me out of the room, gently tugging me through the house before urging me into the closest bathroom.
“Deep breaths.” He lifts me up, depositing my butt onto the wide counter of the double sink basin before reaching into a cabinet to pull out a washcloth. “Just relax.” He runs the cloth under the tap, wringing it out before resting the cool dampness against my forehead. “You did so good.”
“I thought I was going to pass out or throw up.” I manage a little bit of a smile. “Probably both.”
