Page 30 of Fall

“Yes, and I believe you dated my sister, Izzy? I remember her saying your name,” I reply as we shake hands.

“You’re one of the new brothers,” Devon comments, but I doubt he wants an answer as a baby’s cry fills the room.

Tilly moves away from me and walks into the lounge. We all follow, watching her walk over to the baby, who is in the Moses basket.

“Whose baby is that?” Devon asks, stopping by the door in shock, and their mum is just standing, staring at Tilly, who rocks her baby gently. I’m pretty sure the red hair and the way Tilly holds her baby are all the answer he needs, but they both seem to stay quiet, waiting for Tilly to actually say the words.

“My baby,” Tilly says quietly, and Linda makes a small, sobbing sound.

She walks over and stands next to Tilly, looking down at the baby. I watch as she lifts a shaky hand and touches the side of the baby’s face gently. Linda reaches into her pocket, pulling out a tissue and wiping her face.

“Is the baby Daniel’s? I mean, he should know!” Devon says, and a look of panic fills Tilly’s face as she glances at me. I can actually see her thinking about running away already, and I can’t let her do that. I won’t let her leave.

“The baby girl is mine,” I say and walk over to Tilly, wrapping an arm around her waist as she tries to hide the shock she is clearly feeling.

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I don’t know. I’m sorry I didn’t, but I would appreciate it if you don’t tell my ex about where I am. It would only upset him, Devon,” she says, and Devon nods, looking between us.

I don’t know if he believes what we are telling him, but something seems to change as he looks at me. I stand firm as we stare at each other, wondering if he is going to attempt to punch me, or do something else stupid.

“Fine. He is still not over you, but as long as you’re happy,” Devon eventually says, and some part of me is furious that he is sticking up for that asshole. But I know he doesn’t know what Daniel is really like; what he tried to do to his sister.

“I am.”

“Well, I want to hold my niece then, what’s her name?” Devon asks, but Linda doesn’t say a word as she stares at me for a long time. Her stare seems to be figuring something out, and I doubt she is as quick to believe our story as Devon is. I’m just wondering if she is going to say something now, or later.

“Can I have a moment alone with my daughter?” Linda asks, and Tilly nods. Devon takes the baby from Tilly, and I lead him out of the room, shutting the door behind us.

“Fair warning, I promise to shove your head up your arse if you hurt her,” Devon says, his voice low as he speaks so he doesn’t upset the baby, but the protectiveness makes me like him already.

“Funny, I said the same thing to the guy dating Izzy now,” I say, and he chuckles.

“She happy?” he asks me just as the door opens.

Izzy and Blake walk in, and Izzy stops in her tracks when she sees Devon.

“I wondered when you lot would turn up,” Izzy says, and Devon laughs.

Blake doesn’t look happy as Devon walks over and slides an arm around Izzy's waist, giving her a side hug.

“Blake, this is Devon, one of Tilly’s brothers,” Izzy introduces them, and Blake just nods.

“Nice to meet you. Izzy, you could have called to let us know about, well . . .” He looks down at the sleeping baby in his arms.

“It wasn’t my secret to tell, Dev,” she replies.

“It’s still a big one. Dad is going to go mad when he finds out. So will Ace and Grayson,” he comments, and I guess they must be Tilly’s other brothers.

“How is Grayson? I heard he got married and had a kid,” Izzy asks.

“Yep and divorced. He has full custody of my nephew now and is moving here soon,” he says. It looks like the Foxes are moving into town. I hope they realise how much of a fucked-up town this place is. They may regret moving here after all.

“And Ace? Is he, what . . . fifteen now?” she asks.

“Yeah, and an asshole,” Devon replies, making Izzy laugh.

“He was always like that, even as a kid,” Izzy replies.

---