Page 114 of Angels and Skulls
“How did she know?” I whisper. I mean, I knew, but only because Dan confided in me one night when we were drinking together.
This shows me just how close the two women were.
Dan turns to the group. “I guess the cat’s out of the bag. Um,” he scratches his head, “yeah, so, Lily and I are having a baby.”
Dirk whistles low. “Hoe-lee fuck.”
“We were going to announce it this weekend.”
“That’s … a lot,” Jesse says quietly. “How are neither of you freaking out?”
“We have been, but we’re slowly coming around to the idea. I mean, we always wanted more kids. It just didn’t happen, you know?”
“Until now,” Jesse jokes, a bubble of laughter coming out of her. She covers her mouth. “I’m sorry. I just … oh my god, a baby?”
He nods.
She walks over and hugs him. “This kid is going to be the luckiest. You’ve got this. You’re an old pro at this parenting stuff.”
He taps the end of her nose. “Stop. I may be old, but at least I’m not a grandpa yet.”
“Hey, I’m a grandpa,” I say.
“Me too,” Dirk tells him.
Jackson laughs. “You’re all fucking old. This is great. Finally I know something before Elijah does.”
Soft cries float over our heads, and we all look up. Jenny and Lily have fallen to the ground in an embrace.
“Lily’s been having a hard time with this, so I’d appreciate it if you all could give her as much encouragement as you can.” He looks away from the pair. “And I want her resting as much as possible. Doc says she’s healthy, but I know the risks at her age.”
Jackson walks over and shakes his hand. “Looks like we’re going to get to be new daddies together. Congratulations, brother.” He pulls him in for a hug, patting him on the back. “When’s she due?”
“December,” Dan answers, wiping his eyes. “I’ve been so fucking stressed.”
“You’ve got the club, brother. You’ll all be fine,” Jackson assures him.
I’m proud of my son. He knows how to comfort his friends and family.
My gaze goes back to the two women still hugging.
There’s a part of me that’s still angry at Rachel for keeping all of us apart, but maybe this is how it was supposed to be. It doesn’t matter now, because this is how it is, and it feels pretty darn good.
Chapter Forty-One
Jenny
Lily brushes my hair out of my face. “Look at us,” she says, hardly able to speak because she’s so overcome with emotion. “We made it. We made it.” Our wet cheeks press together.
“Jackson is so handsome. Just like we knew he’d be,” I whisper, choking on every other word. “I love him so much. Thank you. Thank you for finding him and staying by his side.” I press my hand over her stomach. “I’m going to help you, Lily. Just like you did for me when I was pregnant with Jackson. I couldn’t have done it without you.”
We hold onto each other, cry, then we stare at each other, and then we cry some more.
“I’m so glad you’re here,” Lily tells me. “Come on, I can’t wait to show you your room.”
The two of us laugh as we struggle to get up off the ground. Dan and Raffe join us at the top of the stairs, followed by Jackson, Dirk, and Jesse.
Jesse hugs Lily. “Congratulations.”
