Page 9 of A Brooklet Dreams Christmas

“What crumbs,” Julian asks.

“Um,” she wipes, stops, then wipes again.

“Please tell me that you and Terrance didn’t get busy on that counter.” Gretchen says with a laugh. “I swear you two have some type of goal to get naked on every single surface you can find in this place.”

“Grace?” This time it's Chloe who makes an attempt. She remains seated at the end of the table closest to Grace, fighting a smile. “Is there a reason why you’ve refused to look at any of us longer than two-seconds and you’ve been exceptionally quiet tonight?”

Now everyone is quietly awaiting Grace’s response, as we all watch.

“I noticed that Terrance has been doing the hosting,” Chloe adds.

“Am I missing something?” Kyra is sweet, and still fairly new to all our crazy asks. She is so incredibly sweet and the poor girl has no idea the second she marries Garrett, she is committing to a life of uncontrollable chaos and a nosy, nosy family.

“Our sweet Grace can’t keep a secret from us, isn’t that right Gracie?” Julian pokes a little more.

We are all coming at her, knowing she’s about to burst, but that is what we want. Secrets do not go over well in this family. The need to know overtakes all common sense and we will go to extremes to reveal that ugly little hush hush, right out of whoever is trying to betray us by keeping it.

“Gracie,” Gretchen taunts, standing from the table and tiptoeing toward her. When she gets close Grace tries to escape and I go to move to block the other side, but Kyra of all people beats me to the punch. She moves in quickly, skidding to a stop as her socks slide along the tile floor. She holds out her hands to her side, blocking Grace and we all stare. Kyra is small, smaller than any of us, in fact, she could pass I swear as a teenager, barely five feet tall. She has the features of a China doll, and seems so quiet but this is a whole new side that none of us have really seen.

“Spill,” she says, staring ahead at Grace. I laugh, but quickly cover my mouth with my hand.

“Oh I love this girl,” Julian whispers at my side.

“She is totally going to be a perfect addition to this group.” Chloe agrees, leaning back seemingly pleased with the outcome.

With Gretchen on one side, and Kyra, staring down Grace at the other, there is no escape. She is pinned in behind the island in the center of the kitchen.

“Terrance,” she yells and we all laugh simultaneously, besides Kyra who is still boring holes through poor Grace.

“What are you hiding?” Kyra taunts, taking a step toward Grace. “I may not know you extremely well, but what I do know, is that you can’t lie.”

Grace nods, biting her lip.

“When are you due?” Kyra asks and Grace’s mouth falls open. Hers isn’t the only one.

“Oh my God!” Gretchen squeals behind Grace making her jerk in response and spin around to face the rest of us.

Her eyes fill with tears and suddenly she is nodding her head in agreement.

“You’re pregnant?” I ask and again she nods.

“My job here is done,” Kyra brushes her hands together and steps back rejoining us at the table.

“Who are you?” I ask when she sits down and she laughs.

“I think Garrett is wearing off on me, I was never this diabolical before I met him.”

Squeals of excitement erupt and suddenly the guys are all hurrying into the kitchen to join us. The word quickly spreads and it's Rhett who moves in to give his sister a congratulatory hug. It's sweet really, as he pulls Terrance in to join them.

“How did you know?” Chloe leans in to ask Kyra.

“She’s the only one that hasn’t had even a sip of alcohol all night. Not to mention she’s continuously covered her nose when smelling things that don't agree with her.”

“Observant.” Julian holds out his hand offering her a fist bump that she accepts.

“Plus, there was a pregnancy test box in the bathroom garbage when I used theirs because the other one was occupied.”

Julian and I look at each other, before bursting out in laughter.

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