Page 44 of When You're Broken
"He's not stubborn," Finn said."He's just slow.I mean, he really should have jumped out of the way of that bullet."
“Maybe if Finn had landed on his head when he fell through that floor,” Rob retorted.“He’d finally get into triple IQ points.”
As Rob eased into the chair with a soft grunt, Brendan looked on, curiosity shining.“So, are Finn and Rob always like this?”he asked, directing the question to the two women.
Amelia and Eleanor exchanged a glance, then in unison said, “Always.”Their immediate synchronization drew laughter around the table.
Finn stepped in to place the glasses, glancing at the battered bottle.“So this is the fancy vintage, huh?The question is, does it taste as good as it’s built up to be?”
Eleanor gently removed the bottle from Finn’s hand.“It will, I promise.Here, let me open it.”
Rob attempted to pour a bit for Amelia, but she held up her hand, refusing.“Not for me, thanks.”
Finn’s brow furrowed in confusion.“Since when do you turn down a drink?I mean, after all this, we could use it.We can get a cab home...”
Eleanor snorted lightly, covering her mouth with her hand to hide a smile.“Perfect,” she murmured, earning a quick look from Finn.
He glanced at her, then at Amelia, feeling the pieces shift.“Wait, what am I missing?”
Amelia, who had been quiet, turned to him, reaching out to take his hand in hers.She guided it gently onto her stomach, letting him feel the subtle warmth there.A surge of realization rippled through him, emotions tangling in a rush: confusion, disbelief, then overwhelming joy.“You… you’re...”he whispered, voice rough.
“I’m going to be an uncle!?”Brendan said with glee.
Finn’s heart soared in the span of a heartbeat.He was barely aware of Rob’s and Eleanor’s excited exclamations or how Brendan’s jaw dropped in astonished delight.All he could see was Amelia’s face, softened by both vulnerability and strength.Suddenly, the future felt vast and bright, a place where nightmares ended and new life began.
He squeezed Amelia’s hand, tears stinging his eyes as he said, “We’re going to need a bigger cottage.”
