Page 296 of As The Shifter World Turns

“No.” That was a definite no. “We’re very happy. Honestly.” Judging by the smile which lit up his eyes for the first time this evening, I believed him.

“Good. You deserve all the happiness, my friend.”

“Thanks.” The light had disappeared from his eyes so while it wasn’t his relationship with Martin that was bothering him. If he didn’t want to tell me, I wouldn’t force him. But Neil and I were buddies from school. We shared secrets.

He studied his tea and I waited. “But you’ve already guessed that I have some other news.”

“Yeah.”

“I love you, Daire. We’ve shared good times and bad, and we’re still friends. But I was worried about announcing my news, thinking you might be upset.”

He was leaving. He and Martin needed a fresh start away from the manor family. That had to be it. And while I’d miss them, perhaps it was a good idea. We’d all witnessed Martin’s bad behavior when he almost lost Neil and Charlie, and perhaps the fox shifter resented that.

“As long as we’re still in one another’s lives, I’ll never be upset with you, my friend.”

Neil chewed a nail and took a big gulp of tea. “Martin and I are so happy. We've told Toby and he’s excited. Charlie’s too young to understand, though we have explained it to him.” He snuck a glance at me. “But he knows something’s up and he toddles over and puts his head on my belly.”

Backtrack. Why would the little guy be doing that? But then I grasped what Neil was trying to say and I sat back in my chair as though I’d been delivered a punch in the gut. I had, but it was emotional, notsomeone’s fist. Tears welled in my eyes and I fixed my gaze at a point on the wall, willing them to disappear.

And while the news had delivered me a blow, I had to consider my friend. He'd been worried about my reaction. I couldn’t make this about me. It was his happiness I was holding in my hand and I had to be pleased for him. I was genuinely excited for my friend despite my own pain at not having a baby in my arms.

“You’re pregnant.” The words hung in the air separating us. He nodded while his eyes searched mine. “Congratulations.” I stood and opened my arms. He fell into them and we hugged while I closed my eyes and thought of Neil, not my and Nate’s situation.

Neil had demonstrated that he was a great dad. First to Toby and then Charlie. He would be an amazing father to his third child. “Will the little one call you TD?” As that was how Toby referred to Neil, Charlie was trying to copy him. He hadn’t mastered the T sound yet but he adored his big brother and wanted to do everything Toby did.

“I’ve been wanting to share the news with you for days but didn’t know how to broach the subject.”

“Am I the last to find out?”

“The first, after my family.” He explained he couldn’t risk any of the other manor family members accidentally spilling the deets to me. “I had to tell you before the others, much as I love them.”

If I got pregnant, Neil and I would go through our pregnancies together. How cool would that be? But as there was no sign I had a baby in my belly, Neil would be far ahead when I finally… if I ever… got pregnant.

“I’m being honest when I say I’m so happy for you Neil.”

Our tea had gone cold and he got up and made another pot. “It’ll be a big change in our lives and we’re not a hundred percent certain what’s happening with Martin’s job, but…” His voice trailed away and I wondered if he was aware he had a hand on his belly.

“What about Charlie? How do you think he’ll cope with not being the baby any more?”

“We’ve discussed that.” Neil had been talking about putting the little boy in a big boy bed for a while. But had put it off, fearing it was too traumatizing for him. He bought one and Charlie played on it but refused to sleep in it. “And I’ve been reading up on how to prepare him.” He sighed. “We’re going to the bookstore tomorrow and help Charlie pick out books on being a big brother.”

There wasn’t much space for a new baby. Charlie and the little one would have to share a room.

“If there’s anything I can do to help, let me know.”

“I will.”

“But right now you need to get on the phone and call Ivor and Archer.” I got up and gave him another hug. “I’ll leave you to share the news.” Much as Iwas excited for Neil, my tears were threatening to fall and I needed to go home. To my empty apartment because my mate was away.

“Love you,” I called as I made my way down the stairs.

“Love you too.” Neil closing the door had me sink onto the step.I can do this. I can be happy for him.

I collapsed into bed, phone in hand, and dialed Nate.

“You must have had a long day.” My mate’s face popped up on the screen. “ Or are we about to have phone sex.”

“Neil’s pregnant” I blurted out.

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