Just a Positive Pregnancy Test - London Casey Page 0,7
eyes.
Zeke put his finger to his lips and winked.
If Ma found out he snuck a roll before dinner… watch out.
I moved my attention to Edith and hugged her.
“I haven’t seen you in a few days,” she said to me. “I thought maybe you skipped town to meet up with Silas.”
“No, I’m still here,” I said. “Just… you know…”
“You miss him, don’t you?” Edith asked.
I nodded.
“Poor thing,” she said. “Give it time. You know? Just give it a little time.”
I hugged Thomas. I hugged Zeke.
And then I realized I hadn’t seen my other two favorite family members.
Layla and Lola were in the living room, each curled up in a dog bed, with big puppy eyes. I swore no matter how old they got, when it came to knowing there was food available, they would turn right back into puppies, begging for a little treat.
I casually strolled back to the table and swiped a dinner roll.
Zeke spotted me and I lifted an eyebrow at him.
We’re in this together, Zeke. You rat me out, I’ll rat you out. Deal?
He smiled.
I snuck back to the living room and crouched down, dividing the dinner roll into two pieces.
Layla and Lola both ate quickly, knowing what was at stake.
Behind me, someone cleared their throat.
I turned my head and Michael was there.
“Hey,” I said.
I felt dumb for forgetting about him.
“Dinner is ready,” he said.
“Perfect. I’m starving.”
“I guess the dogs were too,” he smiled.
“Michael…”
“Yeah, yeah,” he said. “I won’t say a word. Come on, Mila.”
We walked to the table together where my family was waiting.
I looked around the table, feeling so full, happy and lucky for the family I had.
But there was still a piece missing.
“I caught that fish and brought it right up to the shore and then… pop… the line gives out…”
“You are so full of it,” Zeke said to Thomas.
“What?” Thomas snapped.
“You never caught that fish. That’s a made-up story. There’s no giant catfish in that lake.”
“Oh, yes there is,” Thomas said. “I caught it.”
“Nonsense.”
“Then what did I catch that day? Huh?”
“A log,” Zeke said. “You were drunk, you old fool.”
“Told you not to tell that story,” Edith said as she patted Thomas’s shoulder.
Everyone started to laugh.
Tyler and Olivia looked at each other, smiling. Tyler was nodding.
“I have something to say,” Olivia said.
“Me too!” Lucy announced. She stood up on her chair. “I won a goldfish!”
“You did?” Ma asked.
“At a carnival!” Lucy said. “I named the goldfish Theo. He’s my best friend.”
“That’s really cool, Lucy,” Michael said.
“Oh, and Olivia is having a baby,” Lucy said. “Daddy stuck it in there and it’s growing.”
The entire table fell silent.
Ma’s jaw dropped.
Tyler couldn’t help himself as he started to grin.
He gave one nod and the table erupted with cheers.
“A baby?” Ma yelled over and over.
“Hey, that’s great news!” Zeke roared.
“Oh, Tyler, I’m so happy for you,” Edith said.
“Wow, I was never really sure if Olivia would sleep with you,” Crosby said to Tyler.
Tyler snuck waving his middle finger at Crosby.
My eyes filled with tears.
I hurried to Olivia and hugged her.
“Congrats,” I whispered.
“Thanks,” Olivia said. “I’m a little shocked. Not really planned, you know?”
I looked at Olivia through blurry eyes. “Trust me, I know.”
I stood in the hallway near the downstairs bathroom to catch my breath.
I thought about everyone’s reaction to Olivia’s news.
What’s going to be the reaction when I have to tell them?
Fear rippled through me.
I touched my stomach.
“Shoot,” I whispered.
“Hey, are you okay?”
I spun around and Olivia walked toward me.
“I’m fine,” I said.
“You don’t look fine. What’s going on?”
“Nothing.”
“Hey, don’t lie to me,” Olivia said. “We’re close, Mila. Right? We’ve always been close.”
I shook my head.
“Is it because of what I said tonight? The pregnancy? Are you… mad or something?”
“No,” I said. “I’m happy for you, Olivia.”
“Okay. I know you miss Silas. It’s going to work out. I’ll always be on your side.”
“Olivia…” I felt it moving through me. “I… I’m…”
“What?”
“I’m pregnant too,” I said.
Olivia gasped. She covered her mouth.
I felt like I could cry again.
“I’m pregnant,” I said.
Olivia moved her hands from her face and grabbed for my shoulders. “Mila. This is amazing. We’re pregnant together?”
“Yeah, I guess so,” I said. “But, Silas isn’t here… and…”
“Who cares? You’re having a baby.”
The bathroom door opened and Crosby stepped out.
My heart sank.
He stood like a giant towering over me.
“You’re knocked up?” he asked me.
I swallowed hard. “Yeah.”
“Silas?”
“Of course,” I said. “I haven’t been with anyone but him. Trust me.”
“So my almost sister-in-law and my sister are knocked up at the same time,” Crosby said. “Wow.”