Nowhere in our conversation on the roof did Kait tell me she still has feelings for me, but I have hope that she does.
I hear the sound of the lock on the front door flipping before it opens and shuts. Javi doesn’t move next to me, the sound of quiet snores still escaping him when Mirabelle walks into the room.
Her face visibly softens from a scowl when her eyes land on us. “Hey, just the two boys I was hoping to find,” she says, taking a seat next to me.
“You okay?” I ask, keeping my voice quiet. Javi’s not a light sleeper, but I still don’t want to wake him up if I don’t have to.
“Yeah.” She sighs, trying to muster a smile, but clearly, she’s not okay. I give it less than a minute before she cracks and starts telling me anyway—or at least that’s how it used to be. Usually JJ is the brother she goes to, especially when I was the one she’d probably get into a fight with. “Actually, I’m not,” Mira corrects herself a moment later, dragging her hands over her face.
“Do you want to talk about it?”
“I had an appointment with my OBGYN this morning, and I told Henry I was fine to go by myself because he had a meeting he couldn’t miss. I thought it would be fine, but Iguess someone posted a picture of me. So when I walked out to my car, there were some people hanging out in front of the building. They started taking pictures, and asked how much weight I’ve gained, how many babies I’m having because I’m so big apparently, and what names we’re going to use,” she says, wiping at the tears slipping from the corners of her eyes. Online hate is one thing, but to actively seek her out in public is insane. “I feel awful because I’m supposed to be enjoying this, but instead I just want to stay inside forever.”
I have no idea what to say. Are people really asking how much weight she’s gained? Why the hell does it matter?
“I’m sorry, I’m literally fine. I’m just hormonal and stressed, but I can’t tell Henry because then he’ll insist on hiring Tom again,” she says, looking away while twisting her hair back.
“You don’t have to say you’re fine if you’re not, Mira. I’m sorry that happened. It must really suck.”
She smiles as more tears fall. “You’re right. It really does suck. Honestly, I came over because it’s a lot harder to be upset when I’m around Javi than when I’m by myself,” Mirabelle says, looking at him next to me.
I understand exactly what she means.
“I’m sure you already know, but he carries that monkey with him everywhere.”
“Yeah?” she asks, and a smile pulls at the corners of her mouth.
It feels like I said the right thing, and it’s a relief to know I’m not totally fucking this up. In the past, we’ve spent more time fighting than not, but I’d really like a chance to do things differently this time. I think part of it is because we’re so similar, even if I never would have admitted it before.
“Do you want to watch a movie with me until he wakes up?” I ask, trying not to let my nerves get the better of me.
“I’d love that, B,” she says, smiling wide as she scoots closer to me, so she can turn to put her feet up on the couch.
“You can pick whatever movie you want. It doesn’t matter to me,” I say, and she grabs the remote.
“Don’t worry, I’ll pick a good one.”
And she does.The Land Before Timewas one of my favorites growing up. It’s been years since I’ve seen it, and I forgot how much I used to love it.
After a little bit, Mirabelle rests her head on my shoulder, and it feels like a lost puzzle piece finally being put into place.
“I love you. Thank you for listening,” she whispers, and a lump forms in my throat that I do my best to swallow away.
“I love you too, sis. I can’t imagine how hard it must be to deal with those fuckers, but you’re creating life, and it’s more important than whatever bullshit they say.”
“You’re right. Fuck them,” she echoes, and I smile, wrapping my arm around her.
It’s really nice sitting here with Mirabelle and Javi. The only thing I think I would change is having Kaitlyn here with us.
I’m helping Mom set the table for dinner when I hear the sound of Javi’s quiet laughter. “You better hold tight so I don’t drop you,” Dad teases, walking into the kitchen cradling Javi in his arms the way the doctors and nurses showed us to before we were discharged.
Mirabelle’s been fluttering around the house for the last hour, acting like she’s crawling out of her skin. It’s driving me nuts, but I’m assuming it’s because of the pictures that ended up online earlier. She said she was worried about Henry wanting to hire her old bodyguard again, so that must be it.
“Dad,” Mira warns, and it makes my anxiety settle to know I’m not the only one looking out for him anymore.
Mom’s head snaps up to find them, her eyes narrowing. “Bash, you better be the one holding on tight. If you drop him, I’ll lock you out of the house.”
“I’m holding on,” Javi chimes in, a happy smile on his face. It’s nice to see after how terrifying it was watching him lie so still in the hospital bed. “What’s for dinner?”
