I haven’t broached the subject with Juliet; we’ve only been together a year and we’ve been busy planning our wedding later this year, but I want nothing more than to start a family with her and Tinsley. We’re not in any rush, though, and I can’t be putting ideas into Tinsley’s head when I don’t even know if Juliet wants another child.
“What are you two talking about?”
I turn at the sound of Juliet’s voice, and my pulse skyrockets as I take in the tight purple dress that hugs her curves in all the right ways.
My thoughts immediately turn dirty.
I clear my throat, croaking out, “Nothing.”
At the same time, Tinsley sings, “My baby brother or sister.”
Juliet’s eyes go wide. “Your what?”
“Hypothetical,” I rush out. “We were actually talking about Jasper.”
“Oh,” she says, but her smile is tight.
Tinsley looks up at me, confused. “But you said?—”
“Are you ready to go?” I blurt out to stop her from finishing her sentence. The last thing I want is for Juliet to think I’m putting pressure on her to have a baby with me by using Tinsley.
“Actually,” Juliet says, smoothing a hand down the front of her dress. “I think you should both take a seat.”
Tinsley’s green eyes find mine. “Are we in trouble?”
Good question, kid.
Juliet laughs. “No, princess. I just need to talk to you about something.”
My stomach twists into knots as I follow Tinsley to the couch. “What’s going on?”
“You’re acting weird, Mama.”
“No, I’m not,” she says, but she remains standing, and Tinsley and I share another look.
“Yeah, you are,” I say, my knee bouncing. “Come on, pixie. Spill.”
She releases a shaky breath, her hands drifting over her stomach absentmindedly before she reaches up to tuck her hair behind her ears.
Something clicks into place, and my breath catches as I lean forward. “Juliet?”
Her eyes meet mine, and I see the swirl of emotions. Nerves. Hope. Fear.
“Tinsley’s baby brother or sister might not be hypothetical,” she admits.
My heart thuds against my ribs.
My vision blurs.
“You’re—?”
I can’t bring myself to say the word.
She nods, biting her lip. “I found out this morning?”
“What?” Tinsley asks impatiently, her gaze swinging between the two of us.
I stare at Juliet, trying to process her words while the surge in my chest threatens to overwhelm me.
