Page 27 of Life

“Gigi?” I glance down at her belly and then at Kat, and back to her belly, and then again at Kat.

She crinkles her nose in that cute, innocent way she does. “What?”

“Something you want to tell Kat about”—I hold up two fingers—“two big surprises.” I nudge her shoulder.

Her eyes go wide. “Oh my, yes.” She clasps Kat’s hand in hers and focuses all her attention on our friend. Poor thing looks like hell warmed over. Her normal blond curls are lifeless against her shoulders, her light brown eyes sunken in. Even her skin tone seems to lack the normal tanned luster she usually has. Then again, she’s been cooped up behind the walls of a hospital for over a month.

Gigi sits up straight and looks at Kat. “Well, you know Chase and I got married while we were in Ireland.”

Kat glowers. “Yes, I’m still mad about that, but I understand why you did it. What’s that have to do with whatever news you have now?”

“News? What news?” Bree bustles in, belly first, carrying a huge bouquet of sunflowers. She sets them down and then turns around. If I hadn’t seen her the other day, I would have thought her belly had grown another inch or two.

“Gigi apparently has some news,” Kat says.

“Yeah, the bitch got married without her best friends. Old, irritating news.” She offers a fake smile. “We’re still going to have a party or something to celebrate when Kat’s healed. There is no way we’re not going to be a part of our best friend getting married,” she complains.

“Cara bonita…” I remind Gigi to spill the beans.

“How about instead of a wedding party, we plan a baby shower?” Gigi offers.

“Well, duh, this baby is going to need a lot of shit, and since you’re best friends with both Phillip and me, you have to throw it!” She grins and rubs her giant bump.

Bree’s rounded belly is like a homing beacon calling me to it. I walk around the bed and put both of my hands on her belly. Bree puts up with it as usual. She knows she can’t keep any of us away from the bump. It’s fascinating. I can’t wait to see Gigi and her belly swelling with twins. I wonder if we’ll be able to feel each baby independently.

Gigi giggles. “No, I meant a baby shower for me and the twins I’m carrying, but I’d be happy to throw your shower… Ouch!” Gigi tugs her hand away from Kat and waves.

“You’re pregnant? Twins?” Kat’s lower lip shakes, and her eyes water.

I glance over at Bree, and the girl is already a puddle of tears. They’re coming so fast and furious they are wetting her shirt.

Gigi nods. “We found out shortly after the fire and then…well, you guys know.”

Bree practically tackle-hugs Gigi. “Our babies are going to grow up together and be best friends!” she declares, tears clogging her voice. “I’m so happy!” she cries, as more tears fall.

I wrap my arms around my girls. The four of us huddle as best we can, taking comfort in the one thing that’s going to give us the strength to carry on. New life.

Once Gigiand Bree leave to go get some lunch at the cafeteria, I sit in the chair next to Kat’s bed and grab her good hand. “What’s going on with Carson?”

She groans and turns her head away. “I don’t know.”

“Don’t play that card with me. I invented it.” I smirk, but it falls flat on my friend.

Kat turns her head back, leaning her left, unburned side into the pillow and bed, bringing her body position to face me more fully. “You promise not to be mad?” she whispers.

I shake my head. “No.”

She gives a bitter attempt at a weak smile. “I can’t have him here going through this with me.”

“Why?” I ask, not even a hint of accusation in my tone.

“He doesn’t love me.” Her response is simple and absolute.

Now that was not what I expected to hear. “What makes you say that?”

She blinks and sniffs while her eyes tear up again. I lift my hand and trace her face, trying to comfort her while she shares what’s obviously hard for her to say.

“In all these months, he’s never told me. I’ve said those words to him countless times, yet he’s never once told me he loved me.”

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