“You’re fuckingnaïve. Do you think he’s going to stick around? When you’re all fat and pregnant—do you think he’ll want you then? What about when the baby is screaming all night? Imagine being alone, Hannah. Because that’s what having a baby is going to be like for you.”
Theo narrowed his eyes.
Thankfully, he was calm and collected because I wanted to gut my brother like a fish for articulating my insecurities so perfectly.
“I’m going to stick around, Zane. She willneverbe alone, as long as I have breath left in my body. We aren’t here to ask for your permission. We’retellingyou what we are doing. So, if you don’t like it, fine. I don’t give a fuck. But don’t sit there and insult me like I’m not fucking here. Be there for your sister instead of pushing her away.”
Theo’s jaw clenched, and I closed my eyes, convinced Zane was going to punch Theo again.
To my surprise, Zane shook his head, still glowering at Theo as he strode towards the door. “It’s your funeral, Hannah. I don’t support any of this, and if you change your mind, I’ll pay for you to have this dealt with privately.”
Zane almost ripped the door off its hinges as Theo jumped up, his body shaking with anger.
Nikolas sighed as Amy rubbed his back softly.
“Nik, talk to me,” I begged, my voice quivering as he dragged his fingers down his face.
Nikolas walked over, squatting beside me as he took my hand.
A sob left my throat when he spoke, glancing at Amy as he did.
“Zane is Zane. You couldn’t have expected any different from him,” Nikolas whispered, rubbing my hand reassuringly. “But this isyourlife, Hannah. Yours too, Theo. Whatever choice you make is yours alone to make. Only you two will have to deal with everything.”
“We’ve made our choice,” I responded, as Theo nodded, his fingers lacing through mine as he lifted my hand to his lips.
“We need to tell Ryan and Mom. I’m panicking about where we will live when the baby is born,” I admitted.
“We’ll sort it, baby. We’ll speak to our parents, and if they can’t help us, then we are in it together. It’s okay,” Theo murmured, and I leaned into his chest, inhaling his scent gratefully.
“I’m thrilled for you,” murmured Amy, speaking for the first time since I’d broken the news. “We fully support you. It won’t be easy, but we will help you in any way we can, right, babe?”
I smile at her admiringly.
“Are you any good at dealing with broken cheekbones?” Theo chuckled, motioning to his cheek. The swelling and bruising was already taking form as Amy cringed.
“I’ll get you some ice?”
“As long as you’ve got whiskey to go with it. We have to see our parents next.” He snickered, following her into the kitchen.
I swallowed, not caring as much about telling Mom as I did about telling my brothers.
Nikolas rubbed my back, tugging me into his arms.
“I’m happy it’s with Theo. I know how much he loves you.”
I nodded against him, my tears falling as he sighed.
“I hope it’s a boy. Girls are too damn stressful,” Nikolas said, as he made a face.
“All that testosterone? No thanks.”
I wrinkled my nose up as he chuckled against me.
“Zane will come around, you know. Just don’t expect him to babysit.”
“He’s adick. He’snotmy dad.” I scowled, sitting up as I smoothed my hair into a ponytail.
Theo winced when Amy pressed an ice pack against his face, but he caught my eye and winked.
