“I’ll walk you down.”
“I think I can ma–”
The shake of Chemistry’s head let me know I didn’t have a choice in the matter. I stepped around the table, understanding how this pregnancy would progress.
“Helicopters all around me, huh?”
“You’re carrying twins, Range. How could you blame us?” Royce asked.
Shrugging, I pulled the fabric of my dress toward my body, making sure it wasn’t caught up on my chair before moving toward the door.
“No. I can’t, I guess.”
Egypt waited near the foyer, hands collapsed by her side.
Muah.
Muah.
Muah.
Muah.
I kissed every cheek around the table.
Muah.
Muah.
Teddy tried freeing himself from my wrath. He didn’t get far. With his sleeping son in his hand, the one he’d promised our father, I pulled his face toward me. Even with scrunched skin and a low grunt of protest, I managed to plant a big one on the side of his face.
“Muah!”
“Goodnight, Range,” he forced out.
“Goodnight, Teddy.”
I loosened my grip and headed in the opposite direction. It was as frightening as it was fascinating, watching my transition unfold. It was obvious that I wouldn’t be the same woman anymore. And though I loved who I’d been, I was deeply rooted in who I was to become.
The sea swayed calmlyin the background. I would never get enough of nature’s stereo. St. Catana had been mysoundtrack for two summers. I held my hand out, catching the breeze through my fingers.
“You’re almost there,” Egypt said to me, barely above a whisper.
“Almost where?”
“To the point of happiness that is accompanied by sweet oblivion. To the point of no return. To the point of life that you will always fight for. To the place where nothing and no one else matters but the things and people you’ve created. You’re almost there. I can feel it. Your energy is different. The shift is happening. And that makes me so happy for you.”
“How’d you do it?” I blurted, chest inflated and heart on the tips of my fingers.
“How’d I do what?”
“How’d you wait? On him? During his incarceration?”
Tittering, Egypt shook her head.
“Who said I waited, Range?”
“You had to. You had to have known he’d return. You know my brother well.”
