“Kennedy?” I called softly as I walked into the kitchen. She turned to look at me before looking away, huffing gently, “I… I’m sorry.”
“Why? You did nothing wrong.”
“Well… I did seduce your brother before we were together really.”
“So? I’m not mad about that. I’m not even mad you’re pregnant. I’m mad that Thomas kept it from me. He tells me everything. Always. We’re best friends. He’s my baby. I’m so much older than him that people thought he was my son when I’d take him out when we were young. I stayed behind for him. Didn’t go to Japan until he was ten so I could watch him grow up. Now, he’s hiding not only a boyfriend but the fact that he got you pregnant. He didn’t tell me.”
“But why?” I tilted my head, “we told Callum. I have the same relationship with my brother. Violet and I aren’t close but I have always relied on Cal. He’s my best friend. I tell him everything too. So we called him as soon as we knew. But Tommy never once mentioned that we should call you.”
“Because I didn’t want to disappoint my sister,” Thomas called from the doorway and we both looked at him, “because I already knew you’d be disappointed that I was dropping out of college.”
“I’m not fucking disappointed, Thomas,” she slammed her fist into the counter making us both jump, “Goddammit that’s not the point! There is nothing you could have done that would have disappointed me. I just want you to be happy. I just… fuck. Why didn’t you trust me enough to tell me?”
“Kennedy,” Thomas sniffled, wiping a tear away, “I just didn’t know how.”
“Well, your boyfriend clearly has no problems with sharing. You could have just had him tell me. I’m not mad at you. I’m not disappointed. I’m happy to know that you’ve found love. That you’ll get to be a dad. I just want to be included in your life. Ever since you went to college you stopped calling. Stopped letting me in. I love you, Tommy. I gave up so much to be your sister because I knew you’d need me. Just… tell me things. Please. Keep me in your loop too. Okay?”
“I’m sorry,” Thomas rushed over and hugged her tightly, “I’m so sorry. I love you, Kennedy.”
“As I love you,” she kissed the top of his head and held one of her arms open to me, “if you’re comfortable of course.”
With a nervous smile, I went over and allowed Kennedy to hug me, her grip light but reassuring.
“Welcome to the family, Sparrow,” she whispered, “and tiny baby… Hartley or Williams?”
“Oh, we never even discussed that,” Thomas laughed, “whose last name will the baby have?”
“Williams I suppose. The Hartleys are too big. Less Hartley’s. Besides, Hannah and Cal’s baby will be a Hartley,” I smiled, still leaning into Kennedy.
“Is your brother also having a baby?” Kennedy laughed.
“Yeah, it was a shock. His girlfriend Hannah is like 7 and a half months now. It’s a little boy.”
“How sweet. Do they have a name?”
“Mhm. Elijah Wesley Hartley. After Hannah’s great-grandpas. Both of her great-grandfathers died a few years ago and it’s been really hard on everyone. So Cal wanted to make sure that they honored her family.”
“You have a really good brother.”
“He’s a fucking idiot,” I snorted, “but loving.”
“That’s all that matters.”
My stomach rolled and I pushed them from me, turning to the sink as I vomited again, gagging softly, “fuck me,” I groaned, “I hate you for doing this to me Tommy.”
“You literally told me it takes two people. You were involved. You asked me to be your first. Stop putting the blame on me,” Thomas laughed, gently rubbing my back under my shirt before stopping, “Sweetie.”
“Stop.”
“No, I’m dead serious. You need to take off your tape. Like now.”
“Why?” I groaned and Kennedy gasped when Thomas lifted my shirt higher, “What’s going on?”
“It's too tight. Way too tight and low. That’s probably part of why you keep vomiting. It’s pressing into your diaphragm. Also… how are you showing so much already?” Kennedy helped me stand up straight, “how were you even hiding it? Oh… you’re wearing stretchy pants.”
“Well, I can’t wear most of my clothes. They’re too tight on my stomach,” shrugging, I looked down at the obvious bump once my pants were moved down to my hips, “I’m also incredibly thin. It’s really not that surprising.”
“Yes, it is,” Cecilia came walking into the kitchen, “are you… have you had an ultrasound?”
“Once to make sure that the baby was okay,” I nodded.
“Hm… hey Theo?” Cecilia called out of the doorway and Theodore came jogging into the house, “I know you’re not a people doctor but,” she pointed to my stomach, “is that normal?”
“For one baby? No,” he shook his head, “hang on,” Theodore disappeared for a moment into a room off the kitchen before returning with a large bag in his hand, “can you lay on the couch for me, Sparrow?”
“Why?” I looked at him confused as we all followed him into the living room.
“I’m a vet and have my own ultrasound machine to check on animals. I’ll have to set it to ovine, but we used this on Cece when she was pregnant with Tommy to make sure things were okay between appointments. So, with your permission to touch you, we can see what’s going on. Why you’re already showing so much at 2 and a half months.”
“Alright,” I swallowed thickly, laying on the couch and pulling my shirt up enough. Thomas squatted down next to me, gently rubbing my forehead and I smiled at him, “Ah fuck that’s cold!” I shouted when Theodore placed ultrasound gel on my skin.
“Shh,” Thomas kissed my forehead softly, “Relax.”
“You be quiet,” I glared at him, my facade breaking when he kissed me, “Fine.”
Theodore pressed the ultrasound wand to my stomach and the sound filled the room, a small smile on my face, “heartbeat is good. Baby… oh,” he gasped, “Oh fuck.”
“Is everything okay?” I looked down at him and he turned the screen to Thomas and me.
“Let’s see,” he pressed a bit harder, “baby one,” he moved the wand to another point and there was a second sac, “baby two.”
“T…two?” I stuttered, “No. Absolutely not. You’re wrong.”
“I’m not. I have three separate heartbeat readings. This is yours,” he pointed to one on the screen that was 140 bpm, “and you need to try and relax a little bit. This is baby one and two,” he pointed to two separate recorded heartbeats before moving the wand to show again that there were absolutely two babies, “so… that explains why you’re showing so much. You’re having twins.”
I looked over at Thomas who was staring at the screen in shock, clearly trying not to panic, “Tommy?”
“Do twins run in your family?” he whispered.
“Yeah. You met Isaac and Shiloh. They’re identical. My grandma Joanna has a twin sister too. Lola.”
"Two… two babies," he swallowed, absent-mindedly rubbing my arm, "right. Okay. We uh… might need to change our plans. I have no idea how we'll travel around with two babies."
"I have a better idea," smiling, I took the towel that Theodore handed to me, "Thank you. Why don't we go back to Idaho until after the babies are born? When they're two, we spend a year traveling around with our toddlers. Then we come back. Take over the shops. We can stay in Aunt Juniper's old house. The babies will want to be together anyway. It only has two bedrooms but that'll be enough for a… our little family. We just work for my parents for now. I'll work in the bookstore as long as I can. You learn the in and out of the cafe from my dad. It'll be wonderful."
"Since when are you so sweet in front of others?" Thomas laughed, kissing me softly.
"When my… ugh… boyfriend looks like he's about to have a panic attack."
"Fair. So… twins and that's it?"
"Do you want more than two?" I slowly sat up, looking around as the rest of Thomas' family came into the living room, "do you want more than a set of twins?"
"No. Probably not. That's going to be stressful enough," Thomas laughed, laying his head in my lap and I slowly ran my fingers through his hair.
"You're going to want to get a c-section," Theodore gently patted the top of my head, "They'll be able to do your hysterectomy at the same time."
"That's what I figured. Then once that heals, top surgery. So baby care might be on you for a bit because I won't be able to walk," I poked Thomas' nose.
"Anything for you, Starlight," Thomas softly kissed my thigh.
We sat in silence for a while before my phone started to ring. Taking it from my pocket, I found it to be a video call from Shiloh.
“Hey Pa,” I smiled, setting the camera in a way that he wouldn’t see my stomach, “is everything okay?”
“Absolutely. You just didn’t let us know you and Tommy made it safe to Indiana. You promised.”
“Oh. Sorry. We’re clearly safe.”
“Have you met Tommy’s family yet?”
“Currently with them now. All but… who’s missing?” I looked down at Thomas confused.
“My uncle Elliot,” Thomas rubbed my stomach softly.
“Stop that,” I whispered.
“Stop what?” Shiloh called softly and I looked back at the screen before looking over at Cecilia who nodded, clearly telling me it was time.
“I… uh… alright. I’m pregnant…”
“Well yeah, we know,” Shiloh snorted, “I was just waiting for you to actually tell me.”
“What the fuck Pa!”
“Sparrow Jasper watch your mouth!”
“Shiloh Jasper no. I’m 20,” I rolled my eyes at him, “bet you didn’t know it was twins. According to the ultrasound Theo just gave me.”
“Well…” he gasped softly, “Kai!”
“Shi I’m trying to fix the sink! What!” I could hear Kai call from somewhere.
“We’re having three grandbabies!”
“Is Violet pregnant? I can’t emotionally handle that right now!”
“No! Sparrow is having twins.”
“Well fuck,” Kai sighed as he sat down next to Shiloh, “Hey kid.”
“Hey, Dad. I’m currently getting stared at by Thomas’ family because of this.”
“You’re the only one who feels weird because you’re shy. So… what’s the plan?”
“Well, instead of the travel thing, we’re just going to come home. The original plan. But we would like to be able to spend a year on the road with the kids when they’re two before we take over the shops.”
“Fair enough. That works for us. Do you want me to let everyone know?”
“Yeah. I can’t keep doing it.”
“Alright. Where’s Tommy?”
“Currently kneeling on the ground in front of me rubbing my stomach like a fucking weirdo.”
“Hey! I’m talking to the babies. You be quiet,” Thomas smiled before he gasped, “Oh! Kai and Shiloh!” he scrambled up next to me.
“Yeah, Tommy?” Shiloh laughed softly.
“Sparrow finally asked me to be his boyfriend.”
“Oh wow! That took forever,” Shiloh smiled, “congrats guys. On everything.”
“Thank you,” Thomas smiled and I rolled my eyes, “Sparrow is so grumpy right now.”
“I’ve been throwing up all morning of course I am. I just want to take a nap now,” I huffed.
“Go ahead. We’ll see you in a week okay? We love you!”
“Yeah love you too,” I yawned, hanging up and dropping my phone in my lap.
“We set up one of the spare rooms for you two,” Killian called softly, “Sparrow needs his rest. Why don’t you go lay down for a bit and we’ll let you know when lunch is?”
“Thank you, Mr. Williams,” I nodded, getting to my feet.
“Just call me Ian. Too many Mr. Williams in this family.”
“Fair enough.”
Thomas led me to the guestroom and I immediately climbed into bed, laying on my side. He climbed in behind me, pulling me close and I yawned softly, cuddling into him.
“Are you okay?” he whispered, kissing behind my ear.
“I’m just tired. It makes more sense now why I can barely eat and want to sleep all the time. It’s not just one tiny thing taking all my energy. It’s two.”
“I wonder what we’re having.”
“Does it really matter?”
“Well no,” he tilted my head and kissed me softly, his hand once again finding my stomach, “not at all. But we should find gender-neutral names. Like yours.”
“True. But not right now. I’m so tired.”
“Okay,” he rubbed our noses together and I smiled, “Sleep starlight. I’m going to see if my parents need anything. We’ll probably be in the backyard when you get up.”
“Mhm,” I yawned, closing my eyes.
“I love you,” he whispered.
“I know you do, Sunbeam. Me too.”
Thomas softly kissed my jaw and left the bedroom and I drifted off to sleep. My dreams were confusing, a blur of colors until it finally settled on Thomas and me sitting on the beach as two little boys ran around. One had nearly white hair, the other a deep auburn like Thomas.
They’re adorable.
“Phoenix! Hyacinth!” Thomas called softly in my dream and both of them came running over, flopping on top of us, “are you ready to have lunch?”
“Mhm,” the white-haired toddler nodded and that’s when I realized he had no eye on the right side.
What happened to you?
“Papa made sandwiches,” Thomas smiled at me and I leaned over to kiss him.
“I love you,” I whispered against his lips.
“I love you too. Are you ready for our wedding?”
“Never,” I laughed softly, picking up the auburn-haired child, “Papa loves you, Nix.”
“I love Papa!” Phoenix giggled.
I shot up in bed, my heart racing and I placed my hand over my stomach, trying my best to deny how wonderful my dream had been.
Grabbing my sweater, I slowly made my way to the backyard where I found all of Thomas’ family sitting around including a new person who shocked me. He was massively tall, taller than both Theodore and Jace, with soft brown hair and a lazy smile on his face.
Elliot.
“Oh, Sparrow,” Killian smiled, coming over to me before a flash of concern went across his face, “are you okay?”
“I just had a strange dream. I’m fine. W…where’s Tommy?”
“He took Papa Addi home,” Killian gently tucked my hair behind my ear, “are you sure you’re okay?”
“Mhm,” nodding, I wiped my nose and realized that I had started to cry, “Oh.”
“Do you need a hug?”
“Um… okay.”
Killian wrapped me in a gentle hug, his prosthetic cold against my back but helping to relax me as it reminded me of my Uncle Isaac. I clung to him, crying softly before another person joined us and I looked over to find Kennedy, a concerned look on her face.
“Hey,” she whispered, “can I borrow you?”
“Okay.”
After squeezing Killian one more time, I followed Kennedy inside. She had me take a seat at the dining table as she made tea and once it was done she sat across from me, handing me a teacup.
“It’s green tea with mint. It helps nausea,” she smiled, “talk to me.”
“I… I had a strange dream. Well maybe not strange but… I never believed in love, Kennedy. Or well… I did but I refused to accept that it could happen to me after I was assaulted. I figured no one would want to be with me after that happened. Casey didn’t. Not truly. I was cute is all. That’s all Casey cared about. But Tommy… Tommy looks past my appearance and… he doesn’t care that I’m a dick to most people. He thinks it’s funny. Plus I’m honest with how I feel for him when we’re alone. I just… had a dream about,” I pointed to my stomach, “we were on the beach and the kids were running around. We were talking about our wedding I guess. I just… I’m overwhelmed.”
“Have you ever told Tommy that you love him too?”
“No. I can’t bring myself to. I just say me too or I do. I spent three years with Casey telling him I did and…”
“You didn’t.”
“Nope,” I shrugged, taking a sip of my tea, “but I do… um… do love, Tommy. It’s just hard to say to him.”
“You just did,” she whispered, gesturing over my shoulder and I turned, gasping softly.
“Tommy.”
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