Mila.
And I knew right where she was.
It was simple.
I was going home to see Mila.
Chapter Seven
MILA
I walked into the restaurant and both dogs hurried to greet me.
Tails wagging, both of them sitting so they could offer me their paws.
They were much more attentive to me and Olivia.
Ma said it was because they could sense the pregnancies and they wanted to make sure Olivia and I felt safe.
I wasn’t sure how true that was, but the way the dogs were acting, I could believe it.
As I moved toward the counter, I saw Zeke jump up from his seat and hurry my way.
“Mila,” he said, reaching for my hand.
“Everything okay?”
“Perfect,” Zeke said. “How do you feel? Can I get you anything?”
“I’m fine,” I said, smiling. “Thanks for worrying about me.”
“Okay,” Zeke said. “I’ll be right over there.”
“Oh, I know,” I said.
Edith came from the kitchen and she clapped her hands when she saw me.
“You too?” I asked.
“I’m so happy,” she said. “New babies.”
“Not for a long time,” I said as I touched my stomach.
“I know, but still. Let me get you some tea.”
“No coffee?” I asked.
“No caffeine on my watch,” Edith said.
“Oh, and you never drank coffee while pregnant?”
“Things are different now. Sit. Have some tea. How’s your appetite? Morning sickness? When I was pregnant with Anna, I felt fine up until the last month. With Claire, I was sick every morning at the same time until noon. That lasted for three months.”
“Edith,” I said. “I’m okay.”
“I’m overbearing,” she said. “Dammit.”
“It’s fine,” I said.
Edith went to get me some tea and Ma exited the kitchen.
She had a nasty scowl on her face until she saw me. Then her face lit up.
She ran from around the counter, I stood up and she hugged me like she had never done so before.
Then her hand was on my stomach. “How’s our new baby?”
“Ma…”
“I know,” she said. “I’m…”
“You’re all going to stress me out. Where’s Olivia?”
“Right here,” a voice called out.
I turned my head and Olivia appeared, carrying a small stack of folders.
“Do they do this to you too?” I asked.
“Oh, yeah,” Olivia said. “Just wait until they start talking to your stomach.”
I looked at Ma. “Don’t you dare talk to my stomach right now.”
Ma smiled. Then she looked down.
And she started to talk to my stomach.
Soon the restaurant was full of family.
Lucy was in a corner booth, coloring.
Zeke, Thomas, and Arthur sat together, arguing over the usual stuff.
Today’s topic was who could cut better lines in the grass.
Ma and Edith were behind the counter.
Olivia and Claire were talking about the coffee business.
Next to me I felt Anna staring at me.
I looked at her. “What?”
“How’s it going?”
“It’s going.”
“You feel okay?”
“I feel nothing.”
“You will soon,” Anna said. “Looks like things are going to get exciting real soon.”
Just like that, the door to the restaurant flew open and in came Tyler and Crosby.
They both looked pissed.
“I’m going to walk away from you,” Tyler said to Crosby.
“That’s because you know I’ll kick your ass,” Crosby said.
“That’s what you want to say to me?” Tyler asked.
Olivia jumped into action, rushing toward Tyler.
I sighed and took it upon myself to go after Crosby.
Olivia pulled Tyler away and I patted Crosby’s chest. “Rough day, brother?”
“He’s a miserable asshole,” Crosby said.
“Just like you.”
Crosby looked at me. “How are you feeling?”
“I feel fine. Why does everyone keep asking me that?”
“You’re pregnant, Mila.”
“Nobody is bothering Olivia like this,” I said. “Don’t say they are. They aren’t. Ma and Edith did their excitement thing to both of us. Since then, everyone is approaching me like I grew a second head or something. Yet Olivia is just settled right in.”
I looked back and saw Tyler with his hands around Olivia.
Duh… that’s what it was.
Olivia had Tyler.
I had…
Crosby grabbed my shoulder. “We care, Mila. We all care.”
“I’m not alone in this,” I said. I looked at Crosby. “I haven’t even said anything yet.”
“Why not?”
“That’s my business. Not yours. And speaking of alone or whatever, what’s your deal lately? You’ve been quiet and distant.”
“It’s called being busy.”
“No, it’s not. What’s going on? Are you jealous?”
“Jealous of what?” Crosby laughed.
“Well, Tyler and I… we kind of have the spotlight here.”
“You can have the spotlight,” Crosby said. “I’m good with being Uncle Crosby. I don’t need anything else but that.”
“Whatever is going on with you and Tyler, cut the shit,” I said. “This family needs positivity for once.”
I walked away before Crosby could make some smart-ass comment.
Olivia walked from the counter back to the table to talk to Claire about numbers.
I