“I’d rather lick my own arse than go back to work for Jim,” I finished for her.
Jamie started to laugh. “Is that even physically possible?”
“I’ll give it a red hot go if working for Jim is the only option,” I replied.
“And hospitality jobs don’t often have very good options when it comes to maternity leave,” Mum continued. “If you got a nice, safe, government job like I suggested…”
I let out a long sigh. We had been having this argument since I left school, but when I went to reply in the same way I always did, I stopped. Brent, standing there and asking me if I wanted to take over from Judy while Rhett stood at his shoulder. I’d dismissed it at the time, not wanting to spend another second at the station, but now…
Never show a moment’s weakness in front of Heather McDonald.
I caught the intent look in her eye. She saw that pause and was about to pounce, but I got in first.
“I’ll see what I can find. I’ve been doing some bartending work at a pub in the city. Plenty of government workers there. I’ll ask around.”
Seeing Mum deflate was somewhat alarming. When the fight went out of her, something else replaced it, something emotional.
“I just…” Oh shit. I shot a look at Jamie, and we both moved in closer as tears formed in my mother’s eyes. “I just…” Mum looked up at me, and the pain there had me pulling her in a hug. “I just want you looked after and safe. You’ll discover what that’s like when you have your child.”
I would. That thought threatened the artificial calm I was working with right now, because I could almost see them. A little boy with bright blond hair like Charlie. A girl with all of my attitude and some of Knox’s too. Or a child with Noah’s soulful eyes, staring straight up at me. That had me nodding slowly, understanding something Mum said often in a whole other light.
“I know and I appreciate it, but…” I pulled back, forcing myself to smile, because I couldn’t do this here. In the sanctity of my own place I’d scream, cry, rant, and then accept what was happening, where I wouldn’t have a very concerned audience. “Let’s stop talking aboutbabies.” I whispered the last word. “You’re gonna make Jamie start gagging.”
“Don’t worry about me.” The steady look my bestie gave me made clear I might not be alone when I lost my shit at my place. “Worry about you.”
“But you hate all this shit,” I said.
“The idea of me having kids? Gag.” She demonstrated that way too realistically, my already touchy stomach lurching. “But yours? I’m here for you, always, Mills. You know that, and anyway, I’ll be a killer auntie.”
“You will.” Jesus, Mum was starting to cry again, but this time I couldn’t seem to hold back. Neither could Jamie as she wiped them away as soon as they came. “Millie will be an amazing mother and I’ll be… I’ll be…”
“I’ll be what?”
Dad walked inside with a look of concern, toting a massive platter of cooked meat.
“I’ll be a silly sausage, getting all worked up over having the family together for Christmas,” Mum lied smoothly, visibly calming herself.
“Oh, love…”
What would it be like to have a guy who walked over, set his burdens down, and picked up yours? Because that’s what my dad did. He hugged her close, cradling her against his body, and for the first time ever, I was jealous of my own parents. She had a man to cling to, who told her he’d make everything alright, and he would. Dad would move heaven and earth for my mother, whereas I struggled to get a second date.
They just didn’t make guys like my dad anymore.
“Everything OK?” Brock came in and sized up the situation like he always did to work out what needed to be done.
“Mum’s just having a moment,” I explained. Hunter and Hayden strolled in afterwards, looking confused. “Now, how about you idiots put the prawns Jamie expertly deveined on the barbie?”
“Anything for you, babe.”
Hunter ignored me and went over to Jamie, kissing the top of her head before taking the bowl from her.
“What, including letting me touch you with raw prawn fingers?” she asked, wiggling them at him.
“Ew, no! What kind of savage woman did we saddle ourselves with, boys?”
“The best kind.”
Hayden went behind Jamie, cuddling her in close, and right when she relaxed, his hands wrapped around her wrists. She struggled, they fought as he dragged her over to the sink and forced her to wash up.