Page 32 of Agony of Our Regret

The guys chuckled with each other while I glared.

“Are you going to make the big announcement tonight?” he asked me.

I shook my head. “No. Absolutely not.”

“But Chris and Wes know. Don’t you think they’ve shared the news?”

“I asked them not to.” Of course, that didn’t mean they honored my wishes.

“It’s one thing for them to keep it from their sons while they were abroad. It will be a lot harder now that they’re back.”

I sat my glass on the counter. “I’m not ready to tell Noah and Sky.”

“And that’s your decision to make.” Renae appeared in the kitchen and swept me into a hug. I squeezed her tight before stepping back. She gave me a warm smile. “I spoke with Chris and Wes yesterday. Neither of them told anyone else. They agree it’s your choice, but both wished that you would tell the boys sooner rather than later.”

I sighed and nodded. “I just don’t want it to be the first thing I say to them. They might be here now, but it's by force. They didn’t return to be with us.”

Bruce tilted his head, studying me.

“We understand.” Renae squeezed my arm, then went to Luca and kissed his cheek. “Tonight is a chance to reunite and catch up. Not just for you three, but for everyone. We’ve all been off in a million directions. We haven’t seen anyone other than Tessa and Daniel in quite a while.”

That reminder lightened the load tensing my neck. Just because I carried a huge secret didn’t mean tonight was about that.

Catching up with some of the parents for the first time since moving back would be nice.

“So, what did you need to see Renae so urgently about?” Bruce asked, reminding me of my primary task.

I turned to her, then glanced back at Bruce. “I could use your help too.”

They both nodded.

“If you see me cornered with Noah or Sky, or both of them,” I began, cringing at the thought, “rescue me?”

Renae offered an understanding smile. “I will.”

Bruce didn’t immediately respond, so I waited. “You will tell them eventually? As I understand it, there’s a chance the baby is biologically one of theirs as well.”

“Yes and yes.”

“Then I’ll keep an eye on you.”

I exhaled, feeling some of the weight slip off me. “Thank you.”

Dropping a bomb like this on the guys the first time we were all together felt more than a little wrong. Not only was my pride bruised since they weren’t coming back for me and Luca and Gavin, but I simply wasn’t ready.

I’d only had a couple of weeks to soak in the news, and while the morning sickness kicking in certainly made it feel more real, I wasn’t ready to share. Too many people knew as it was. People I hadn’t chosen to tell. I couldn’t hold it against Wes, Chris, and Tessa that they worried about me and my health. Having so many care about me was a blessing, but I was still getting used to that, even after all these years.

Growing up with a cold, distant mother and a workaholic dad meant I only had my brother, Spencer, and best friend, Becca. Losing them devastated me. Then leaving the only home I knew and learning the woman who raised me, barely, wasn’t my biological mother only made the isolation I felt worse.

I might spend the rest of my life adjusting to having a such a large family, but knowing my child would never grow up like I did was an immense comfort. They would be surrounded by amazing, supportive people with more love than they could ever want.

“What can I help with?” Luca asked his mom, leaning against the counter.

“I ordered several trays. They’re in the outside fridge.” She directed him outside with a pointed finger.

Gavin leaned in. “Hopefully, they aren’t all the fancy kind.”

Bruce ducked in between us. “I slipped in one with nachos and another with deli sandwiches.”

---