Page 116 of Bitter Arrangement

“Can you imagine?” I ask, gasping for breath. “We’d be psychotic. How could we ever explain that?”

“You’re a sick, sick woman.”

“You believed me! I should be deeply insulted!”

“I was willing to hear you out.”

“Aw, you’re so kind, but please, seriously, the next time I have an idea like naming our first child after a freak that would’ve happily cut our throats, please tell me I’m a fucking moron.”

“I’ll say it a little nicer than that.” He nuzzles against me. “What about a good Armenian name?”

“I was thinking Irish, since they’re taking Sarkissian as their surname.”

“Seamus Sarkissian?”

“That’s not terrible, actually.”

“Let’s think about it some more.” He grunts and kisses my neck. “You have me all fucked up right now.”

“Good. That’s how I like you.” I turn and kiss him, smiling like my face might forget how one day, and hold him tight.

Epilogue: Riley

Six Months Later

“You should’ve seenDad’s face.” Brenden laughs as he takes a long drink of wine. I join him, maybe overindulging a little bit, but it’s been a long pregnancy and I could use a freaking drink. “When I told him he’s not allowed to meet his grandchild. My god, he was livid.”

“Good,” I say, nodding to myself. I haven’t spoken to my father since the day I stood up to him and had Brenden break the bad news instead. “Not that he deserves even that much.”

“I think he’s finally starting to realize how fucked he is.” My brother’s face is hooded in shadow. It’s early evening, and the sun’s going down.

“Do you care?”

“I don’t hate him like you do. He was hard on me too, but not like he was on you.”

I tilt my head, studying my brother. “Shouldn’t that make you dislike him more?”

He considers that, swirling his glass. “Yes and no. I feel bad for him. I don’t go out of my way to have a relationship, but if he calls, I’ll pick up.”

“Good for you, I guess.” I finish my glass and sigh. “I want another, but I probably shouldn’t. I’ll have to pump and dump, and I hate doing that.”

His eyebrows raise. “I don’t even know what that means.”

“One day, you’ll figure it out. Maybe when you’re older.”

The back door slides open, and Alexan steps out. He’s in dark sweats and cradling little Connor in his arms. He’s bouncing slightly, and Connor’s fussing a little, but it seems like the little guy is sleepy. “I’m going to put the baby to bed. Cass insists on doing it.”

“Let me say goodnight.” I get up and go over. I bend down and kiss my little baby boy. My heart stretches and grows, and I have the sudden, crazy urge to grab my baby away and hold him tight to my chest, which is unreasonable because that’s all I’ve done for the past three months, and now I deserve a little break. “Love you, little guy,” I whisper and kiss him. “And I love you, big guy.” I kiss my husband.

He smiles back. “Let loose. We have plenty of milk frozen for a bottle. It’s my night anyway.”

“No, really?—”

Brenden’s already pouring. “She’ll have another,” he says.

“Good man.” Alexan kisses me again. “Be back soon.” He disappears inside, and I watch him go.

“Never would’ve guessed that man would turn out to be such a doting father,” Brenden admits as I sit back down and start in on that glass of wine. If Alexan’s getting up anyway, I might as well take him up on the offer.

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