Vaughn’s eyes strike mine with a hint of a smile on his lips that twitch when his sight sidelines to the machine next to me that unfairly informs everyone that my pulse is picking up. Finally, his eyes drop to my belly that I’m cradling in my hands, with his smile now dispersing into history.
He blinks a few times. Is his brain registering?
“What the fuck is he doing here?” Briggs nearly hisses.
Right, because my brother is present. Nearly forgot that, as I think there are bigger problems right now.
“You’re pregnant?” The words faintly escape Vaughn’s lips.
“Uhm… in my third trimester, actually.” My tone is neutral as I can’t tear my eyes away from him.
Is it possible that I can see inside of his mind as he counts back the months?
An unusual silence takes over the room.
“There is some odd tension happening or something,” Connor comments, and Hadley instantly elbows into his ribs to shut him up, and he yelps yet gets the clue.
“Tell me now if what I’m thinking is correct?” Vaughn grits out.
Fresh tears pool in my eyes, and all I can do is nod.
Vaughn nearly falls back as though I just knocked all the air out of his lungs and scrubs a hand across his jaw.
In the corner of my eye, Briggs is whipping his vision between me and Vaughn with everything registering. “Oh no… fuck no… tell me it’s not him.”
“Briggs, now isn’t the time.” My voice is shaking during my plea.
“Whoa, him?” Connor points his thumb at Vaughn and grins like this is great news. “Wait, when did this happen?”
I give him an unimpressed look. “A hurricane. Now can we skip the specifics?”
Connor’s face turns blank. “Huh… Vaughn,” he reflects. "Well, now this just got really fucking awkward."
Hadley swats him and glares at him, unamused. “Now is the time to stay quiet.”
Briggs stomps forward to the middle of the room and directs his attention to Vaughn. “You’re the guy who knocked up my sister?” He glances over his shoulder back to me. “It’s him? How the hell?”
“Jesus, calm down. She doesn’t need to explain the birds and the bees to you,” Hadley chides.
Vaughn remains in shock.
“I’m going to rip your head off.” Briggs begins to charge at Vaughn.
Vaughn is snapped out of his daze when my brother grips his shirt.
“Briggs,” I screech. He only stops for a second. “Can we stop? The baby has ears now and can hear everything.”
“Fuck off, Briggs.” Vaughn yanks my brother’s arms away.
But my brother only pushes him, not ready to give up. “Watch the language, the baby has ears now.” He isn’t even mocking; he’s taking his uncle duty far too seriously. “So you just get my sister pregnant and leave her to do this alone? I knew I had a reason to hate you.” He pushes Vaughn again who is visibly annoyed at him.
“Connor, do somethingright now,” Hadley gravels out to her husband. He is quick to tend to the scuffle happening in my hospital room.
“Just great, I have a hockey fight in my hospital room minus the skates.” My shoulders slump down when I mutter to myself.
“You know I can take you down in no time, so back the fuck off,” Vaughn growls.
Connor steps between them again to keep them apart by holding his arms out. “Will you two knock it off?”
