Page 44 of Embers in Our Past

River snaps out of it and stands, quickly moving toward Clay and pulling him into a tight hug. The two hold each other for a long moment. It’s during this stretch of time I let my mind wander to the fact that they must be thinking of their father. They have little memories to share of the man who molded a small portion of their lives, but so much of who they are today comes from the legacy he left behind. It’s hard to have these big moments without thinking of their father and the milestones he would have loved to be a part of.

When the brothers pull apart, I hear them clear their throats, and it’s hard to hold back the tears that break free from my own eyes. They both shake it off as if they weren’t emotional.

“I’m going to love the hell out of that little one. They will think I’m the best, and you know it might even call me ‘Dada’ before you,” River says.

“The fuck they will.” Clay socks River in the shoulder, making him laugh.

There’s a lightness in the room until River looks at me, and the moment settles a bit.

“Congratulations, Abby. I know this must bring a mix of emotions for you,” River says. I see a bit of confusion cross Kennedy’s face. I don’t know how much of my relationship with Clay he has shared with his girlfriend, but he must have kept a lot of it close to the chest because she doesn’t seem too privy to it at the moment. I decide to fill her in because there’s no sense keeping her in the dark.

“It’s no secret to anyone in this room that it’s been difficult for me to get pregnant. It’s sort of a miracle I was able to conceive, so this is sort of a shock right now,” I say, and Kennedy simply gives me a small nod. I appreciate her letting that settle things and not asking for me to elaborate further.

River cuts in, “So who’s going to tell Collette, and can I be there when you do?” The smile that stretches across his face is one of pure giddiness.

I see Clay throw his head back and close his eyes, and my shoulders slump. In the chaos of finding out about my pregnancy and telling Clay, I sort of let the rest of the announcements slip away. I haven’t even let my mind go to the thought of having to inform my parents.

“Damnit. How long can we go without telling your parents, Abby?” Clay asks.

I glare at him, knowing full well my mom will sniff this out of me within one video call. I’m a terrible liar.

“What’s wrong with your parents?” Kennedy asks, not quite understanding the issue.

“Oh, I think they’re great. Her dad loves all of us, but Collette, you see, doesn’t quite love Clay here. She does love her some River, though, doesn’t she, Clay?” River pats Clay on the shoulder and smiles. “She absolutely wishes Abby picked me in the brother pool. She’s always doting on me and asking if I’ve gotten enough to eat and everything.” He sits down and leans back in his seat, crossing his arms behind his head, letting that big head of his rest in his hands.

“I’m amazed your chair doesn’t fall back, seeing that your head is as heavy as a bowling ball with that ego of yours weighing so much,” Kennedy says, rolling her eyes as she sits down next to him.

I can’t help but chuckle, but the nerves have settled back in, thinking about how we will tell my parents about the baby.

“What if you just ask them to come visit? That way, it gives you more time to figure out how to break the news. I bet they’ll be thrilled and supportive,” Clay says, grabbing my hand. “Plus, the whole grandbaby thing will cloud any other emotion anyway.”

“Hold on, are you two back together?” Kennedy asks, while River swings his chair upright and points his finger to where Clay’s grasping my hand.

“No,” I say, confusion lacing my features. “Why?”

“Well, you can’t get all handsy like that and expect it not to raise questions,” River says.

Clay keeps looking at River with a confused expression, then realization seems to dawn on him when he looks at Kennedy. “You dicks. No, don’t come at us asking about our relationship status so you can go and get your payout. Stop with your stupid bet!”

“You’re no fun, Clay!” Kennedy pipes in.

“You’re becoming as bad as him,” Clay says.

“Well, I hate when he wins, so you could help a girl out!” she yells back.

I watch them volley back and forth, my eyes pinging from left to right across the table as they continue to throw jabs at one another.

“Enough, you two! Can we please focus on the matter at hand? I need to figure out how to tell my parents because I do not want to be stressed right now. It’s not good for the baby or for me.” I look at Clay, and he rubs my back.

Right then, River points at us because of the signs of affection, and Clay gives him the bird. I hold back a laugh because the two of them might be nearing thirty, but their maturity is closer to sixteen.

“Okay, what if you invite them for a visit and you simply do a little lunch—which I can go grab for you—and just tell them? Nothing fancy or crazy extravagant, and that’s it. Done. Then it’s out in the open, and you can feel supported, and I’m here for you to have reinforcements. Your mom can yell at me if she wants. I can handle it. No problem. Then River can swing by so your mom can dote on him for a bit. It’s perfect.” Clay smiles, and River smirks because he’s all about being doted on.

As he finishes, Kennedy gets a call—“I’m so sorry, I have to answer this for work,”—and picks up her phone and walks into the kitchen.

“I think it’s a great idea. May as well do it in person. If you go out there, your mom will try to make you move back to California, and Collette is sort of all about getting her way. That way, you’re where you’re most comfortable and can say what needs to be said,” River explains.

“You don’t mind doing that? Like being available to grab the food and even be tormented by her if she gets a bit difficult?” I ask Clay.

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