Page 154 of Crimson Tears

“And the worst part is that now I am scared that if I don’t keep the baby, they’ll never forgive me.”

Covering my face in my hands, I curl in on myself. I can’t look at them right now.

“I think everything you’re feeling is normal, Ness,” Evie says.

“Yeah, I mean we’ve gone to pretty extreme lengths to not have kids,” Laney adds. “I can’t tell you what to do, but I can tell you that I’ll be here to help.”

I laugh, thinking about the schedule the guys made up that include Evie and Laney helping out every few weeks.

“Boris said you would say that.”

“I’m sure Alexi will want to know his sibling,” Evie says, nudging me.

I laugh but can actually picture it. Alexi holding the little baby with that crease in his brow that says he has no idea what to think about it.

“Thank you guys.” I sniffle and wipe my eyes with my shirt. “I think this really helped.” My friends are amazing. There’s a reason I call them my chosen family—they never let me down.

“I’m glad we could help, but please don’t put the pressure on yourself that they won’t forgive you. You don’t know what they’ll do, but you know that they love you,” Laney says.

“Also, don’t tell Akio until you know if you want to keep it. He’ll order so many clothes that the child will need two closets. Between him and my guys, my closet is so full I might have to start donating clothes.”

“I never thought I’d hear the day when Laney DeLuca complains about having too many clothes,” Evie jokes.

We laugh and spend the next two hours talking about life. I catch Laney up on everything happening here, and Evie tells us about how the island school is doing. We all offered to go back and teach some classes. As soon as we find these kids, we’re going to take a big family trip.

When Evie leaves and I say goodbye to Laney, I feel lighter than before. A new found contentment settles into my chest. Before I can overthink it, I dial a number. I know I won’t be able to go back after this call.

“Hello?”

“Hey, Doc. I think I need your help.”

???

I haul bags of groceries into the kitchen and get to work. Boris should be back in about an hour, and Cillian just went to the gym on the other side of the house, so I know I have a little bit of time.

I mix the batter carefully, but I still manage to make a mess of everything around me. Flour and eggs are all over the counter. I had a little bit too much fun creating this recipe and can’t wait to see what the guys think.

When I cook with Boris, he usually spends the whole time cleaning behind me. Based on the disaster the kitchen is right now, I think I might need him before I ever attempt to cook again.

Cillian comes in and glances at the mess with a chuckle just as I finish icing three cupcakes to perfection.

“What’s this, Love?”

I bite my lip and smile up at him. “I made you guys something.”

He looks from me to the cupcakes. It’s such a cheesy way to do things. But ever since I saw the idea online, I just felt like this was right for us.

Cillian reaches out to grab one, but I smack his hand away.

“Not until Boris gets home.”

Right on cue, I hear the door open.

“Is this what I think it is?” Cillian asks close to my ear. Unable to hide my smile, I nod.

Suddenly, I am lifted off of my feet and spun around in the air.

“Damn, I love you.”

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