Caroline lets out a watery laugh, placing her hand over mine. “Quiet and sweet?”
I can’t promise that, but I can promise… “She’ll be adorable, and we’re gonna love her so much.”
She sniffs and starts to nod before wincing. “And if it’s a boy?”
“We’re gonna love him too.” I grin. “We’ll have three little musketeers on our hands. It’s gonna be great no matter what.” Her lip starts to shake again, and I brush my thumb across it. “You can do this, baby.”
Pulling her back into my arms, I start dancing around the kitchen, singing “Don’t Worry Baby.” I don’t even know how I know that Beach Boys song, and I only remember the chorus, but I sing that over and over again, spinning Caroline around and swaying with her against me until she’s laughing into my shoulder and the boys are clapping and giggling from their highchairs.
JANUARY
CHAPTER4
LEILANI
“You’re pregnant? Again? You know how birth control works, right?” I can’t help teasing my best friend as I stare at her through my phone and shake my head. Tammy, who’s also on the call, stifles a laugh by covering her mouth.
I wink at her, then glance over my shoulder when I hear someone walk past my alcove. I’ve found a quiet corner of the library to take this call because the office space I share with three other postgrads is too far away. Plus, I don’t want them overhearing my conversation. I doubt Caroline wants this news spread across the Nolan U campus, even though most of the student body won’t even know who she is. She graduated three years ago.
“Okay, shut up. We did use protection, and it failed.” She rolls her eyes “Again!”
“Ouch.” Tammy winces. “No wonder you’re reeling.”
Caroline and Tammy share understanding smiles while I interject. “I bet Casey’s excited, though.”
“He’s over the moon. Of course he is. He loves being a dad more than anything. He also doesn’t have to grow anything in his stomach and then push it out, so he’s got that going for him.”
Tammy laughs. “Hopefully your parents can help out a little more while you’re pregnant… and after the baby’s born.”
“Yeah, I’m sure they will.” Caroline cringes. “They’re thrilled, and possibly worried that Casey and I have way too much sex. If there is such a thing.” She smirks, wriggling her eyebrows.
I bite my lips together, trying not to laugh. She and Casey have always had a very physical relationship. It’s what brought them together in the first place.
“So, are you going to find out the gender or—” The phone beeps, and I grin, adding Mikayla to the call. “Hey, Mick.”
She waves at me, looking slightly distracted as she shuffles papers on her desk. “Hey, guys, I’ve only got a sec. What’s the big news?”
Caroline blows a curl off her cheek and tells her, “I’m pregnant.”
“Again? What, are you birthing an army?”
“Shut up.” Caroline laughs, then whines, “You guys! Why am I even telling you?”
“Because we’re your besties and you love us.” Mikayla gives her a pointed look, her left eyebrow arching.
Tammy giggles. “How far along are you?”
“I found out in November but wanted to wait and tell you guys once I got through the first trimester.”
I frown. “Why’d you wait so long? I’ve been talking to you almost every week, and you’ve been sitting silent on this thing?”
“I’m sorry.” She cringes. “I don’t know… maybe I wanted to make sure it stuck.” She shrugs, then looks all pained again. “Or maybe I was a little embarrassed that once again I’m accidentally pregnant. None of my babies have been planned. It’s like the universe is giving me no say in how my life is gonna work out.”
“I know.” My voices softens as I feel her pain. I totally understand not having control of your life and how unsettling that can be. “I thought you wanted more than two kids, though.”
“I did, but not all squished together this way.” Caroline bulges her eyes. “I just wanted a year to breathe and not have a newborn or be pregnant. I have no idea how I’m supposed to manage three kids under four. Two takes nearly everything out of me, and the pregnancy exhaustion is next level. I’m freaking out.”
“Maybe the universe knows that deep in your heart, you want to be a mama.” Tammy’s voice is gentle and kind.