Page 135 of Mommy

Ivory shrugs.

“Twins run in my family, but we’ll see.”

Chapter Sixty eight

Derek

I do invite Ez and Rose over again. Not even two weeks later actually.

I do it for Ivy though. And she looks so happy setting the table for four.

Four.

Fuck, I really hope she’ll be setting it for four every day in a few months.

If I was bad at saying no to her before, it’s become impossible now. She’s not showing yet, but I know, and it makes it impossible for me to stay chill.

I told the boys immediately, even when I really tried not to. Ivory wanted us to wait until the first trimester was through and everything was good, and I swear I tried to not say something, but when Ez saw me that first time and tilted his head sideways in question it burst out of me.

And he was vivid. He really was, jumping up and down and clapping me on the back hard enough to make me stumble.

He’ll be the godfather.

He doesn’t know it yet, but he will. There’s no other way.

I don’t think Ivory is really on board with that, so when she asked to invite them over again obviously I said yes. What better way to make her approve of Ezekiel than having him around?

She’ll get used to his nervous energy, and then she’ll accept what I know needs to happen.

Ezekiel might be a mess at times, but he’s never truly out of control. He loves fiercely, is loyal to a fault, and he would go to war to protect his family. What better Dad could there be? A Pitbull Dad.

The doorbell rings and Ivory’s face lights up like it’s Christmas, even though that’ll be a few more weeks.

“I’ll get them.” She yells playfully, darting past me.

“Perfect, Honey.” I say into the empty room she leaves in her wake. I wasn’t going to move—both hands busy with chopping the veggies for our salad—and we both know it. I can hear her giggle in the hallway, and the sound makes my heart swell with affection.

Shit, who would’ve thought I’d ever be this mushy.

“Ivy!” I can hear Ez from where I’m at in the kitchen, and I know he’s pulling her into a bear hug. He didn’t used to do that, because he only ever had eyes for Rosemary. But now that Rosemary is his and Ivory is mine, it’s like she’s family. Which means she gets the same treatment I get, and that doesn’t include boundaries or personal space.

Yeah, he’s going to convince her at some point. And even if he won’t, I still got Rosemary up my sleeve. Coming from a healthy family? An actually healthy family with both parents still alive and around? Nobody could turn that down.

The two return to the living room with Ivory, and Ez rounds the kitchen island to hug me next. I try to fend him off with my knife, but of course that doesn’t do anything except making him laugh as he throws his arms around me.

Ez is the brother I always wanted. And I’m the same. I’m the older brother he would’ve wanted growing up. We fit that way.

I finish dinner while the girls get glasses and Rosemary presents Ivory with a bottle of grape juice. I guess Ezekiel was as good at keeping this a secret as I was.

Chapter Sixty nine

Derek

We’re halfway through our dinner, when my phone rings. It’s Sam and I listen while he talks fast.

“Okay. Thanks for letting me know.” I end the phone call, and find Ezekiel already staring at me.

“Who was that?”