Page 76 of Resilient Rhythms
Mav sighs but he doesn’t try to change my mind. Instead, he pulls open the back door and offers me his hand. “After you, my lady.”
I roll my eyes but appreciate his playfulness. I welcome the lighthearted levity Mav reaches for after the seriousness of our meeting with the DA.
I slip onto the seat and greet Alfred and Drew. Staring out the window as we pull away from the courthouse, I can’t help but smile. No matter what happens next, I’m proud of myself for taking the next step, for willingly confronting Bran, for seeking closure and justice.
“I’m so happy to see you!” I gush, wrapping Allegra in a hug later that evening.
“We just landed in Boston two hours ago.” She hugs me back. “I’ve missed you, Kenny.”
“Me too.”
She pulls back to look at me, her eyes searching mine. “How’d today’s meeting go?”
“Better than I thought. With Bran behind bars, that unsettling feeling of looking over my shoulder is mostly gone. Instead, we were able to focus on the trial instead of safety precautions.”
“Good,” Allegra says, pulling me in for another hug. “You could use some good news, Kenny.”
Mav shadows my back, his fingers caressing the center of my spine. It takes me a second to realize he’s drawing a message on my back: B-A-B-Y.
Baby.
He’s letting me know he’s in if I want to spill the beans about our baby. Our best news. I don’t know how he sensed it, but he’s right.
After the step forward we took today at the DA’s office, I want to share happy news. I want something beautiful and hopeful to celebrate. And the fact that we are surrounded by friends, by Mav’s brother, by people who genuinely love us…well, is there a better time?
“We have to tell you something,” I blurt out, releasing Allegra.
Jameson’s head snaps in my direction and he nearly drops the bowling ball he’s testing on his foot.
“Shit,” he mutters, placing it back down.
Levi arches a questioning brow, folding his arms over his chest.
Concern washes over Allegra’s expression as she continues to watch me closely. It’s as if she knows something is amiss but she can’t put her finger on it.
“Are you okay, Kenny?” Derek prods, wrapping a comforting arm around Allegra.
Mav clears his throat and I thread my fingers with his. “Yes, I’m okay,” I say slowly.
“Don’t tell me you guys are going to throw some lavish wedding and expect us to fly—” Levi starts.
“Shh!” Allegra cuts him off.
“I’m pregnant,” I admit, squeezing Mav’s hand. “Mav and I are having a baby.”
I glance up at Mav to find him beaming at me, his expression exuding joy. I smile back before turning my attention to our friends.
Stunned silence greets me. Allegra’s eyebrows are pulled together in confusion, Derek’s mouth is ajar, Levi looks horrified, but Jameson…Jameson is grinning.
He’s the first person to move, closing the space between us and wrapping me in the biggest hug. He lifts me gently off my feet, pressing a kiss to my temple.
“You’re going to be one hell of a mama, Kenny,” he says.
A rush of emotion swells inside of me at the sincerity in his tone, at the happiness in his expression.
He places me back on my feet and Allegra throws her arms around me, hauling me into another hug. I grip her tightly and we rock back and forth, squealing. Over her shoulder, I watch Jameson envelop Mav, hugging him tightly and slapping his back.
Shouts of glee and warm congratulations ring out.
