Connor affectionately touches his wife’s elbow to usher her away. “Come on, I think you need to give the guy some space.”
She glares at me as her body turns away. “Fine. But she has a craving for ice cream sandwiches, just so you know.”
Connor rolls his eyes while his wife nearly stomps away. “Sorry. She’s protective of Isla who is like family to all of us. We’ll get out your way and do takeout, it’s safer for all of us.” He begins to turn but pauses. “For what it’s worth, I doubt Isla did this to be cruel or spiteful. That’s just not her.”
As he walks away, I do my best to take in their words, but that livid feeling of betrayal still lingers.
“See? Maybe you should put your feelings aside and hear her out, focus on the one thing that is important. Is it being angry at Isla or preparing for this little girl?” My brother is challenging me, getting my brain to rewire, that’s what he is trying to do.
I sigh. “You’re right. I should cool off a little more then go to see Isla.”
The corners of his mouth twitch with a comforting look. “That right there is what real dads do.”
A feeling of hope begins to creep inside of me near my chest. I can do this, the father thing. It’s not what I have to do, it’s what Ichooseto do.
“I’m doing this. I’m going to become a dad,” I confirm before I blow out a breath in an attempt to chill the fuck out.
“I’m proud of you.” He avoids getting too sentimental and holds up a menu. “Now, let’s fuel you up.”
It’s a half-hour later when our food arrives, yet I only manage a few bites, instead opting for a coffee.
“Eat,” my brother demands as he throws a fry into his mouth.
I take a bite of my egg salad sandwich to keep him at bay. “Sorry, my mind is still a little distracted.”
“That’s cool, I get it. As much as I don’t want to get the wheels turning in your head again, but… could you see a future with Isla, not just as co-parents?”
Harsh. He’s going for the deep questions to make my mind stir.
“I really can’t say. We’ve only seen one another a handful of times, not talked much more than that, but somehow, I feel more linked than most.” I’m being honest. As much as I felt a spark and connection with Isla, it’s hard to determine what the future will bring when I’ve always been adamant that a future with someone wasn’t for me at this moment in time.
“Do you want to find out?”
“Stone, right now, we just need to figure out the logistics of having a kid.”
He takes a sip from his beer. “Right, babies need things and a roof over their head. Silly me for thinking a bowl of water and a ball would suffice.”
I snort a laugh at his attempt to lighten the mood. But his mention of a roof gets me thinking about living arrangements. I vaguely remember Connor mentioning in the car that Isla has been searching for a new place; I can only imagine that she needs more space for the baby.
“Got it,” I say confidently. “Isla is going to move in with me.”
Yep, that’s the answer for now. I may be slightly pissed still, but I’m not going to miss more moments of this pregnancy, and I’m sure as hell not missing the first weeks of a newborn.
My brother looks at me in doubt. “Surely, you need to ask her first.”
“Nope. She doesn’t have a choice in the matter,” I say, adamant.
13
ISLA
I’ve barely slept, I lack coffee, and I’m doing my best to check the graphics for work, as I wanted to send a few more notes even though I'm on leave. The banana peel and crumbs on my dining room table from my toasted waffle are just a bonus in my life that is now in chaos.
The sound of the doorbell already has me dreading my wobble to the door. It’s an array of options who could be on the other end, and I’ve done my best not to be hopeful that Vaughn would be so quick to talk.
When I reach the door and look out the side glass, I’m confused. The woman appears to be holding a sign, but she looks normal enough to avoid stranger danger.
I open the door. “Can I help you?”
