Chapter 46

JAMES

Days are flying by, and Anna’s belly is growing at the same pace. Today is a big day—the day the entire Johnson family will gather and try to hash things out.

Anna expressed her desire to hear them out, to start this new chapter of our lives with no grudges. Peter has already said his sorry, and Ruby…well, she made an attempt to apologize.

Since we’re always in Sun Peaks, we asked them to come to us.

It’s not just because Olivia is too weak to travel after her treatment last week, but also because Anna has some last-minute graduation stuff to handle. If we went there, we’d lose precious time.

“Honey?!” Anna calls from upstairs. She’s getting ready, and I bet she’s struggling with her socks. Her belly has grown so much that she can’t even put them on by herself anymore.

She hates needing my help for such a simple task, but honestly, I love it.

It makes me feel involved in her pregnancy. She’s the one carrying our baby for all these months, and I don’t have much to feel like I’m part of it.

~I love it, shame on me.~

~

I get to experience the first kicks and the mood swings, all of that. But the fact that she needs me to help her makes me feel important. Sad, isn’t it?

“I’m coming!” I shout back, heading up the stairs to our bedroom. Anna is sitting on the bed with a sad look on her face. She holds up her socks and looks at me.

“I can’t reach my feet,” she says, her face a mix of sadness and annoyance. I can’t help but smile.

“It’s not funny,” she warns me, pointing her finger at me.

“I just love helping you with these things,” I tell her, shrugging my shoulders.

She relaxes instantly. “Well, I feel like a burden. A year ago, I would’ve worked a triple shift for a week without feeling any effects. Now I’m exhausted just walking to the bathroom!”

“Well, A, just a few more weeks and then we’ll meet him or her,” I tell her, cupping her face and kissing her forehead.

“I know. I was never this big with Olivia! What if I’m the one carrying twins? Mom doesn’t even look this big! I hate this,” she says, complaining about her weight again.

I don’t understand why she’s reacting like this. She’s absolutely stunning. Her hips have grown a bit wider, and by that, I mean more womanly.

Her boobs are to die for, and I must admit that her being horny all the time doesn’t bother me at all. She doesn’t even have stretch marks—what does she have to complain about?

“Stop that. You are beautiful. Here,” I put her comfy socks on her feet. We aren’t going anywhere today, so we decided to wear casual clothes.

I’m in jeans with a t-shirt and a hoodie, something the Johnsons have never seen me in because I always wanted to make a good impression.

And Anna is in a dress that she loves to wear around the house. It’s comfy and warm, but not too warm. With her fluffy socks and cozy dress on, we are both ready to head down.

“Don’t forget your slippers,” I remind her. She rolls her eyes at me, but it’s the doctor’s orders. Anna has been having a hard time walking and we don’t want her slipping at home when she’s alone.

As we head to the stairs, I take a quick peek into Liv’s room to make sure she’s still sleeping, and head back down.

Anna walks into the kitchen and takes out a cake she baked yesterday and some mugs for everyone. I made coffee and tea earlier, so we should be good to go. I really hope this conversation goes well.

I hope that there will be no name-calling with my pregnant wife and my little daughter sleeping upstairs.

~A guy can dream, right?~

Sure, Anna only has a few more weeks to go, but we don’t want her to go into premature labor.

We’re supposed to be in Sun Peaks when she goes into labor, or worst-case scenario, everyone will come to Seattle to get the stem cells for Liv.

But that’s not the plan—and the plan is the only stable thing we’ve got.

~If only babies could follow a plan.~

As I put everything on the table, I hear a knock on the door. That should be Jack and Becca. They know Liv naps at around this time, so they don’t ever ring the bell.

~Got to love structure.~

I head toward the door.

“I’ll go!” Anna whisper-yells to me. I raise my brow at her as I see her waddle toward me. Three steps and she’s completely out of breath. She places her hands on her knees, panting like crazy.

“Fine, you go.” She sighs and waves at me, trying to catch her breath.

I open the door with a big smile on my face and find Jack and a very pregnant Becca standing on the step.

“Hey, guys,” I greet them, pulling both of them in a hug.

“Hi, son,” Jack says, hugging me and patting me on the back.

Becca shuffles into the house and goes over to Anna. She’s gotten bigger since we last saw her. Like much bigger—you can clearly tell that she’s carrying twins. See, Anna is overreacting!

Becca and Jack immediately go to the sink and wash their hands, knowing we need to keep the house as germ-free as possible. They have the same system when we are there, so they are used to it.

“Hi, baby,” Becca sniffs, hugging her daughter, who is now sitting on the chair, with all the love she has in her.

The way Becca has changed, it’s indescribable. I met Becca before, and she practically loathed Anna and anything to do with her. But all that hate—or hurt—has turned to love.

It’s wild, but it’s all water under the bridge now. Becca’s support over the past few months has been a lifeline for us.

She was there for Anna when she needed a mother figure, and she defended her when the situation called for it.

Looking at them now, you can see the similarities. They could pass for twins, if not for their differing hair and eye colors.

When Jack looks at Anna, you can see the pride in his eyes. He looks at Anna the way I look at Olivia.

No matter the time or the distance, if she needs me, I’ll hop in my car and drive to her, regardless of what obstacles I might encounter.

“Daddy!” Anna cries, tears streaming down her face as she throws herself into Jack’s arms.

“Anna, you’ve grown,” he observes.

Her sniffles grow louder and I let out a sigh.

Jack glances at me.

“She thinks she’s fat because she can’t see her feet anymore,” I explain, rolling my eyes.

“I was never this big with Olivia. I can’t even put on my own socks—I hate it.” Her sobs intensify.

“Just a few more weeks, baby girl,” Jack reassures her, dropping to one knee and pulling her into a comforting hug. Anna loves that. She instantly calms down when he does that.

Suddenly, there’s another knock at the door. I take a deep breath, close my eyes, and brace myself.

I glance at Anna and see her doing the same. She gives me a nod. “I have Lizzy on speed dial if things get out of hand,” she says, holding up her phone.

“Smart move,” I commend her.

“She’s in the loop—they live just two minutes away.”

“Alright, let’s get this ball rolling,” I announce, rubbing my hands together and heading for the door.

I open it to find Peter looking surprised.

“James?”

~Seriously, dude, I live here~…

“Hi, Peter. Hi, Ruby. Come in,” I invite them, stepping aside to let them in.

They cautiously step into our humble abode, their eyes scanning the room judgmentally. Everywhere you look, there are photos of the three of us.

There are also some of Liv when she was younger, with a visibly exhausted Anna. But she made it work—that’s what counts.

“Everyone’s in the kitchen,” I inform them, gesturing towards the kitchen.

“Nice place,” Ruby comments sarcastically. I roll my eyes at her disdainful tone.

~This is going to be a long day.~

“Thanks. But you should be thanking Anna. I had nothing to do with this house. It’s all her,” I retort.

Ruby swallows hard as she heads towards the kitchen. Peter looks around with wide, awestruck eyes. He’s practically salivating.

“Hey, Jack, Becca? Peter and Ruby are here,” I announce as we enter the kitchen.

Becca takes a seat next to Jack, and I sit next to Anna, taking her hand in case she needs me.

Ruby and Peter sit together, looking around.

“So—” I begin, glancing at everyone. Ruby and Peter meet my gaze.

“Before we start, I have a few ground rules,” I inform them, folding my hands.

“Rules?” Ruby questions, raising an eyebrow.

“Yes, rules. Rule number one, no yelling. Liv is asleep.”

Peter nods while Ruby rolls her eyes.

“Rule number two, if I see that Anna or Becca are getting too stressed, we’re ending this conversation immediately. We don’t need three premature babies being born in this kitchen.”

Peter nods again, and Ruby rolls her eyes once more.

“If you can’t abide by these rules, I suggest you leave,” I tell Ruby, looking her straight in the eye. “You’re in our home, our rules apply.”