Page 87 of Tragic (Lark Cove 3)

“He understands,” Thea said. “Trust me. He’d never push you to do something that made you uncomfortable.”

“Don’t tell him I told you this, but he really is the World’s Greatest Boss.”

She winked. “Your secret is safe with me.”

After Kaine had left, I’d gone down to the bar and told Thea everything. She knew all about Adam, our infertility and how Kaine had gotten me pregnant. She listened to my confession for hours between occasionally serving her customers. Maybe it was because she was a bartender and she was well practiced at lending an ear, but she was an incredible listener.

And a wonderful friend.

I was terrified about a miscarriage. Pregnancies were lost all the time and mine could be taken away. This dream might end. So I’d prepared myself for the worst, not wanting to get my hopes up. I hadn’t let my thoughts wander to nursery decor or baby names.

But then Thea and Logan had me over for a celebratory dinner. They were so excited about my pregnancy, it calmed my nerves exponentially. And I let myself be happy too.

I was keeping faith.

“Want some coffee?” I asked as we walked into the kitchen. “Or decaf tea that is supposed to help with nausea but tastes like tree bark?”

“The tree bark is tempting.” She smirked, dropping her purse on the island. “But I’ll pass. How are you feeling?”

I shrugged. “Good.”

That wasn’t entirely true, but I refused to complain about this pregnancy.

Sure, I was tired. I was going to bed before dark and waking up each morning with bags still under my eyes. The nausea hadn’t let up either. But I was so overjoyed to even be having these babies, I wouldn’t let the ill effects of pregnancy get me down.

Every moment I carried these twins was a moment I’d enjoy.

I’d gone in for an exam two days ago and my doctor had given me a vaginal ultrasound. She’d claimed it was because of my infertility history, but I think she’d been able to sense my fears and wanted to put them at ease.

Learning I was pregnant with twins was only slightly less shocking than learning I was pregnant in the first place.

Kaine’s sperm was magic.

It was difficult to pinpoint, but I think he got me pregnant the night we had sex in his shop after he’d surprised me with my table. Though, with how much we’d been together after that, I couldn’t be certain. But in my mind, I gave credit to that night. Because that was when I’d realized how I was falling for Kaine.

I liked the idea that my children were conceived in love.

By the time I reached my due date in March, I was going to look like a whale. I didn’t care. I was going to be exhausted caring for two newborns alone. I couldn’t wait. Life was going to get messy and chaotic and crazy. Bring it on.

“I brought you a present.” Thea smiled and dug into her purse. She pulled out two small woodpeckers and handed them over.

“Oh my god,” I gasped. “Did you make these?”

She nodded. “I thought they’d go with your woodland theme and were gender neutral.”

“They’re incredible.”

She’d sculpted the birds from old silverware. The feathers were made from fork tongs. The back was done with layered spoons. And the face and legs were made from the silverware’s etched handles.

“Those holes in the feet are for screws so you can hang them on the wall.”

“Okay.” I nodded, unable to tear my eyes away. I wasn’t sure where she got her inspiration, but Thea’s ability to make art from articles most would consider trash was truly a gift. “Where’d you get this idea?”

“I made a frog from some old forks a while back for Charlie. And before that I made a bird’s nest from old spoons. I hadn’t made anything from silverware for a while and had some still in my workshop, so I thought I’d give these a try. They turned out kind of cute.”

“Cute is an understatement. I can’t wait to get the nursery painted and hang them up.”

“How’s it coming along in there?”