Page 70 of Connected

“Yeah, too right, that was shitty. Don’t you dare let Kat hear you say that cos if she does, then I can guarantee this will be the last pup you ever father. Wait… why are you smilin’ and not bein’ funny, but you don’t seem overly concerned about this? What… Oh hell, you’re pleased about it, aren’t you?”

“No. Well, maybe. Maybe it’s not so bad, right? Why is it wrong that I feel like that; that I feel a little excited. And knowin’ it’s gonna be a boy… after four girls and another on the way, well that’s kinda amazin’ don’t you think. Another little wolf. Zak, I finally get a little Digby. So yeah, yeah, if I’m honest, I am a little excited. Actually, more than a little, hell, I feel like I could howl the fuckin’ roof down.”

“Oh geez… Well, trust me, don’t do that. So, have you told Darius yet? What did he say?”

“No. No, he doesn’t know. Kat made me promise not to tell anyone—especially not him. She wants to tell everyone when she’s ready. I’m hopin’ that’ll be sooner rather than later, but that’s why you can’t say nothin’. I promised her—swore to her. I wouldn’t and I won’t break my word, not like before. So that’s why you have to swear you won’t say anythin’ either.”

“We won’t. But she’s surely not thinkin’ of carryin’ on operatin’ is she?”

“Yeah well… we’re gonna be grounded for a coupla weeks while they trawl over the reports on the Alvarez op, I figured then you could buy us a bit more time—play on the trauma for a while. Should delay us gettin’ spun up, just long enough for her to come around to the idea of quittin’. Right, I need to go get his book back before she notices it’s gone, and you two need to—get back to it.”

“Yeah, well I think that moments passed now. QT, I’m so sorry. I really will make this up to you. Hey, I’ll book a hotel and dinner, we’ll do it properly.”

QT smiles and standing up he kisses Zak on the lips. “It’s o- okay”

“Right… well, I’ll get outta ya hair.” Digby coughs. Zak follows him to the door, and he steps outside onto the path. “You two have fun. Oh shit—” he gasps. Staring down the street, he watches as a woman gets out of a car on the other side. “What the fuck is she doin’ here?”

They watch as she crosses and heads towards Digby’s house. “That’s Rosie. What the hell is she doin’ here and more to the point, where the hell’s she goin’?”

“I don’t know,” Zak frowns in concern as QT joins them at the door.

“Hell… she can’t go in there, Kat’s home and if she sees her, she’ll… Here hold this.”

Digby shoves the large leather book at Zak and sprints down the sidewalk. “Hey… Hey Rosie… Rosie hold up! What the hell are you doin’ here?”

“Diggs… I was just comin’ to see ya. I need to talk.”

“Yeah well, you can’t do that—not right now. You need to go. I’ll call you. Soon I promise.”

“No. No, I need to talk right now. Can we go inside the house?”

“No. Um, no… Kat’s home and err… she’s sick. So, uh, uh, we can’t do that. Please you need to go.”

“But Ireallyneed to talk to you, it’s about the pup—the baby. Please?”

“What, you um, you need some stuff? Do you need money? Then sure. Just let me know whatever you need, just text me a list or let me know how much you need, and I’ll wire it over. Get anythin’ you want. It’s not a problem, just let me know.”

“No, that’s not it. I need to talk to you, ab—”

“All right, you wanna talk then, um, go back to the commune and I’ll come find you. Yeah, you do that. I promise, soon as I can I’ll come.”

“Diggs, please… Digby listen.” Rosie takes a deep breath and stands firm and doesn’t move. “I lost the pup—I miscarried.”

“Oh. Oh, holy shit. Rosie, I’m so sorry, honey. I um… I don’t really know what to say, but is there somethin’ you want me to do?”

“Yeah. Yeah, there is.” She swallows nervously. “I… I need you to get me pregnant again.”

“What?” Digby gasps, cocking an eyebrow. He coughs, clearing his throat, “You need me to what?”

“You heard me. Papa’s so angry that I think he’s goin’ mad. So, I need to—”

“Rosie, hey… I’m sorry an’ all, but I can’t do that. Not now I um… well things, things are more complicated now.”

“Please Digby, can we just go inside and talk? I need to explain. I need you to help me.”

“No… I’m sorry, but you really need to go. I’ve got a few things goin’ on right now and this is not a good time.”

“No. Please. Papa’s furious, and so I need you to do this for me. Please Digby help me.”

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