Page 64 of Cherished Union

“God,” Jade says in disgust as she stares at my mother, who’s currently sobbing her heart out and pleading with anyone who’ll listen to bring her husband back to her. “She’s laying it on thick.”

Elio comes to join us, his arm going around my shoulders. Our relationship has gotten better since he moved to Indianapolis too.

“She’s hoping for sympathy. She wants the attention moved from our father’s suicide to her, the grieving widow.”

I shake my head. It’s pathetic. “She’s just making things worse.”

“Come on,” Elio says as he takes my arm and steers me toward the front of the church. “We’ll take our seat. Dario’s waiting on us.”

Relief washes through me. Both Dario and Elio will be flanking me, well away from our crazy mother.

“Is there something you want to tell me, Ade?” Dario questions as we take our seats.

“I’m pregnant,” I whisper, so fucking glad that I’m able to tell them. I hit my twelve-week mark yesterday, and Hayden and I agreed that we’d share the news. “How did you know?”

Dario grins. “Your husband is even more protective of you. In fact, the entire Gallagher family are surrounding you, ready to take on anyone who tries to get to you.”

I laugh. “His dad and Hayes know. He told them. And Annemarie knows as she’s the one who told me I was pregnant.”

That has both of them laughing.

“No one else knows, so I’d appreciate it if you didn’t say anything,” I ask them. I know that Hayden and I plan on telling Jade and Rocco together.

Both of them hug me, promising they won’t say a word but offering me congratulations.

“I’ll be the baby’s favorite uncle,” Elio says, grinning at Dario.

“How did you work that out?” Dario demands, looking annoyed.

“I’m the one who lives closest to them. What do you think is going to happen?” he taunts, and I shake my head. Some things never change between these two.

“Bullshit,” Dario growls.

“Enough,” I say gently but firmly. “You’re not children so do not start acting like them. You are both going to be uncles and my baby will love you both very much.”

Thankfully, that seems to appease them both. It’s not long until Rocco joins us, our mother sitting at the end of the pew by herself, crying into her tissue like a grieving widow. She’s lost the man she’s loved for the best part of three decades, but the way she’s acting, she’s putting on a show, one that everyone in this church can see through.

I feel heat behind me, and I don’t even need to turn to know who it is. Hayden. My brothers were right, since finding out that I’m pregnant, Hayden has become more protective of me. He’s home a lot more, and whenever he’s traveling, I’m always with Annemarie in Chicago, where there’s loads of guards on the two of us. He’s going overboard, but I know this is what he needs to do, so I let him be. This isn’t my hill to die on, whereas it could well be his. I’ll fight another battle. This is something I can do for him to give him peace of mind.

In the past week, Annemarie and I have gotten even closer. She’s a little over a month ahead of me in our pregnancy journey and it’s fun to have someone I’ve grown close to be a part of this with me. Not to mention, I love going to the Gallagher Manor, because whenever she’s around Edwina, the woman always zeroes in on her stomach. It’s like she knows Anna’s pregnant but is too afraid to say something.

The funeral mass goes quickly. Our mother is still a sobbing mess, whereas Nonna is somber, her gaze firmly ahead of her. She’s heartbroken. We had a talk last night. She's saddened by the death of her son. As much as she despised what he did to us, he was still her child. I held her last night as she cried and wept for the loss of her son.

I hate that a lot of people are hurting because of his death, that he failed to be a good man to those who loved him deeply.

The air fills my lungs as I step outside, and before Hayden can come to my side, Jade’s pulling on my hand and dragging me away from the funeral procession.

“Are you ready?” she asks me.

I blink. “For what?”

She glares at me. “The thing you asked me about. It’s happening now. Are you ready?”

“Jade,” I whisper. “He’s not even buried yet.”

She nods. “I know, but Ade, this is our best time. I can go alone.”

“No, I’m coming,” I tell her. I’ve been waiting for this day. I need to be there for it.

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