Page 89 of Love Thief

“Errr, yes. Who else would it be?” I throw my hands up at them. “And it happened in France. I’m sixteen plus weeks, seventeen on Wednesday. Oh, and it’s twins, and boys.” I’m going for gold now.

They sit in silence for ages. I look at Jude. “You looked like that, to be fair,” I tell him. “Tommy went a bit paler.”

“Fucking twins.” Jonno starts to laugh. “He can’t cope with two eighteen-year-old men, he’s got no chance with twin boys.” He’s really laughing now. “He is going to die. Xan might be a better bet, Evie. I’d divorce Kell and go for Xan.” I roll my eyes.

“Are you alright, Kitten?” Jackson asks.

Kitten. He must be in shock. He never calls me that unless it’s a nightmare.

“Yeah, I feel fine. Look, I need to tell you about Kellen. It’s really serious, so please listen.”

I tell them about his marriage and all the other babies. Jonno knew, but not the sentiment behind it. He didn’t know the level of terrified each phone call heaped on Kellen. They look really worried when I’ve finished my tale.

“Which is why we came away. I wanted to be beyond that point before I told him. I don’t actually think it will help. And it may make it worse because he’ll get his hopes up and then be waiting for the sword of Damocles to swing. I’m so terrified he’ll be upset, but I didn’t do this on purpose. How could I know? I went as usual for my shots as dictated, nothing new.” I feel like I’m practising my speech to Kellen.

“Evie thinks he’ll freak out and leave her,” Jude tells them. “I think even if he does run, he’ll calm down eventually, come to his senses and come back. But I think we need to make sure Xan is there, just in case.”

“Do you think the boys should be there?” Jackson asks.

I shake my head. “I don’t, I don’t want them to see him if he goes apeshit. He might say stuff he doesn’t mean. I know where it’s coming from, but they may not forgive him.”

“Will you?” Jonno asks, studying me closely through the phone.

“I hope so, but I know it’s going to be bad. It was hard when he told me, and he was a mess even then, so many years after the event. But I can’t change it. I won’t, anyway. If all goes well, I’ll have these babies and have to get on with it. Just as we did with James, and then Bucky.” I’m trying to be positive, but know I’m failing as they trade looks.

“You were eighteen years old then. No offence, but you’re a lot older now.”

“Thanks for the reminder, Jonno. I will be thirty-seven when I have them. My due date is sixth December. I can’t change my age either. But I can get help, I have enough money. I don’t need Kellen, if it comes to it. I’ll do it on my own, again, with you lot hopefully with me again.”

Tears begin to gather in my eyes, and I hear Jackson make a noise in his throat. “Sorry, my hormones have kicked in. I’m as horny as hell and keep crying. So, whatever happens, I need Kellen. Hopefully he’ll fuck me before he fucks off.” I try to make a joke, and they smile but don’t laugh.

“Are you telling James before you tell him?” asks Jonno. “He’s on it, he knows you’re up to no good. He’ll hack your records if you don’t tell him. He was already halfway in when I said I was investigating, so he stopped.”

“Honestly, Jonno,” I shake my head at him and half-stifle a giggle, “you’ve made my son a criminal. I’ll have to phone him after you lot, otherwise he’ll be texting Kell to find out his story and it might trigger him. No bloody privacy in this family.”

“Fucking twins, and boys,” says Jackson in awe.

“Identical ones,” I add, and they all grin. They actually look happy. Maybe it won’t be as bad as I think.

Iring James and get him to get Bucky. “Are you somewhere really secure and no one can hear you?” I ask them both.

“Yes, we’re on Dad’s bus. He let us take it as he’s flown to Scotland. Then he says he’s coming to get you in London. No one else on it, just me and Buck.”

“Right then,” I start.

“Oh God, Mum, are you okay?” Bucky asks, his voice wobbling with nerves.

“Yes, Bucky. I’m fine, but I’m pregnant.”

They sit like statues, especially James. I can see he’s put things together, clever boy.

“How far?” he asks.

“Sixteen weeks, now, today actually. So by the time your Dad comes back, I’ll be nearly seventeen weeks.”

He nods. He knows the significance of that.

“I’ll tell Bucky about Dad’s other kids. I’ve not before, but…”

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