Page 63 of Britain

“Thirteen weeks. It’s been so hard to hide it from you all, but after the miscarriage I wanted to get past the first trimester,” Beth says quietly.

Mom hugs her again. “Oh beautiful girl, I’m so happy for you.”

The men and kids come in and I immediately go to my big brother, wrapping my arms around his waist. “What’s this for?” he asks, wrapping his arms around me.

“Beth got sick, and we figured it out.” I lean back and smile at him. “I’m so happy for you.”

“Thank you, sweetheart.” My brother does the formal announcement and Silas comes to me, wrapping his arm around my shoulders.

During dinner it’s loud and multiple conversations going on. Annie insisted that she sit between me and Silas. I watch her happily chattering away with him, and the smile on his face as he listens to her makes me feel warm inside.

I look up and my mom is looking at us; she gives me a smile that I return.

After dessert, Silas and I take our leave. He’s got a meeting in the morning and has some work he needs to do to prepare for it. We’re both quiet on the way home, and I want to ask him about having kids. We honestly have never talked about kids and whether either one of us wants them.

I’m afraid to bring it up though, because when I had told him I loved him he freaked out. We get home and while he gets on his computer, I curl up on the couch to read.

An unknown amount of time passes when I get up to go to the bathroom. When I come back downstairs, I come up behind Silas and wrap my arms around him. He places his hands over mine. I kiss his neck and nip his ear—it’s because he’s wearing those damn dark-framed glasses of his. They make him look like a hot nerd…well, not a nerd, but he does look hot.

“I love your glasses,” I say against his neck.

I squeal when he snatches me around the waist, pulling me down. It’s his turn to kiss my neck until I squirm and squeal in his lap. Maybe now since the mood is lightened it would be a good time to ask him about his thoughts on children.

I curl up sideways so I can see his face. “Can I ask you something?”

“Of course, baby, ask away.” Silas gives me all of his attention.

Fuck, I’m nervous. My heart starts beating wildly in my chest. I take a deep breath, letting it out slowly. “I just wondered if you’ve thought about having k-kids.”

He looks thoughtful, but he’s not saying anything, which worries me. Silas rubs his hand up and down my thigh. “I don’t know. I’ve never been remotely serious with anyone until you. If this keeps staying as good as it has been and we’re both ready, I’d love to have a baby with you.”

I smile and rest my head on his shoulder, sighing. I’m so happy right now and feel like things are only going to get better.

***

Keith

“Silas is here to take me to lunch. I’ll be back in an hour,” my sister calls out as she walks through the garage and out of the bay doors. Silas gives me a chin lift before opening the passenger door for my sister.

I love seeing my sister so happy. I’d been leery of Silas at first and only because he seemed so much more experienced than Britain. She’d been through a traumatic ordeal when she was little and that had some long-lasting effects on her.

Yes, I know for a long time we coddled her, but as her big brothers it was our job to take care of her. We miss her around the house, but she still helps with the girls, which we’re so thankful for. I know my girls love their auntie and miss climbing in bed with her when she was still sleeping downstairs.

She and Silas have had them at his place, or I should say their place. Hell, even Marcus and Heather have gotten into the habit of keeping the girls all night for us too. I just can’t believe that my commitment-phobic brother is getting married, but she’s perfect for him.

Things are just so fucking great right now. Beth’s pregnant and is doing so great, even though she’s still sick all of the time. She swears this baby is a boy, but after the miscarriage I just want this baby to be healthy. Plus, I figure it’s my lot in life to be surrounded by beautiful women.

“Keith?” I turn to look at Paul, who’s manning the counter while my sister is at lunch. “There’s a lady out there and she says she needs to talk to you, Marcus, and Kurt.”

“Okay, we’ll be right out.” I turn to Marcus. “I need you to come with me for a minute.” I wipe my hands off and step into the store front. A woman with dark hair carrying an iPad comes walking toward me. “Can I help you?”

“Yes, I’m sorry to come to your work, but I have something very urgent and important to discuss with you. It’s about your sister and the man she’s with.”

My stomach sinks. This can’t be good, but what on earth could it be? “Follow us to our father’s office.”

She does that and Dad looks up when we enter. “Hey, what’s going on?”

The woman walks past us to stand in front of Dad’s desk. “Sir, my name is Dorie and I used to date Silas. I need to warn you that he’s a violent man.”

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