“No. When we had the first scare, we knew there was a risk that the worst would happen. We decided we don’t want to know until he or she is born. It’s selfish, but it makes it less real.”
“It’ll be real when it happens regardless,” Kannon says. “Find out and make plans. You’ll wish you had if you don’t.”
The only person here who has any idea what Zep could be facing is Kannon. And I really hate this for the both of them. If something terrible happens to Misty, the baby, or both, Zep may end up just like Kannon. His only saving grace would be Bernie.
“I can get Misty a button to wear,” I say. “Like those old people buttons if they fall down and can’t get up, but this will be a message sent to you if something happens. No call or typing out a text needed.”
“Really? That would be great, man. Thanks.”
“And Phoebe and I can work out a plan to help out, too, if you want. We’ll watch Bernie while you’re handling shit at the hospital.”
He fights back tears and can only nod. The fear of losing the woman I love is one I’m all too familiar with. It’s still veryfresh. And I lost my first love. Never a baby, though. I can’t even imagine that.
I hate that Zep’s going through this. He’s finally gotten what he’d wanted for so long with someone better than Chanel ever was. Now he might lose both his woman and his child.
“We’ll make it work,” Jethro assures. “You take care of your family, Zep. We got you.”
The meeting continues, but it’s hard to think about anything other than Zep and his family. It might not be the right time to propose to Phoebe. I don’t want to be gone if something terrible happens. My family needs me right now.
After Jethro bangs the gavel, Zep pulls me aside. “Don’t.”
“Don’t what?”
“Don’t put it off. Propose. I see the look on your face, and you need to do this. You deserve this.”
“Zep—”
“Misty’s going to be so pissed if she finds out you’re putting it off for us. I’m choosing to believe it’ll all be okay.”
I sigh and nod. “I don’t want to be gone if you need us.”
“We’ll figure it out. We appreciate everything you’ve done already.”
An idea comes to mind. “When Ryan took Phoebe, he broke the bracelet I made her. And the others were missing when we got to her. Any chance Bernie and Misty would be up for making new ones?”
He finally smiles. “I think they’d be happy to. Come on. Bernie will be so excited.”
“Is Misty… okay to do it?”
“She’s going stir crazy from bed rest. She needs something to do while being pretty much stationary.”
As long as she’s not putting herself at risk. And it gives me the perfect opportunity to do something special for Phoebe.
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Phoebe
Ijust finish frosting the carrot bars with cream cheese frosting when Tucker’s motorcycle exhaust catches my attention. He left before I woke up, and he didn’t wake me when he got home. If I hadn’t found his note—or woken up in bed—I wouldn’t even know he was back from Vegas.
“Hey, look who’s up,” Tucker says, and smiles at me as he steps into the kitchen.
He hasn’t taken off his boots, and I’m a little upset he’s leaving again. We haven’t had a chance to talk about everything that happened yesterday.
Or our confessions.
“Hey,” I say. “Are you leaving again? I just made you carrot bars.”
“How long will they keep?”
