Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 100661 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 503(@200wpm)___ 403(@250wpm)___ 336(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 100661 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 503(@200wpm)___ 403(@250wpm)___ 336(@300wpm)
I put my hamburger down without ever taking a bite from it. “So I have some news,” I said.
Nobody stopped eating. Xander asked Veronica to pass him the mustard. Dashiel told Devlin to stop elbowing him.
“I’m not doing it on purpose, I’m just a lefty,” Devlin said.
“Can someone pass the potato salad?” my dad asked.
“What’s the news, Mabel?” Ari asked loudly.
“I’m pregnant.”
Silence. Suddenly ten pairs of eyes were on me. The bowl of potato salad hovered above the table in my dad’s hand.
“You’re what now?” Veronica asked.
“I’m pregnant.” I touched my stomach. “I know it’s a bit of a surprise. It wasn’t, um, planned.”
No one spoke. I looked helplessly at Ari.
“Well, I love surprises,” she said brightly. “And if you have a boy, he and Truman will be cousins and best friends! Even if it’s a girl, I bet they’ll be best friends!”
I gave her a grateful smile.
“But—who—I mean—well!” My dad laughed nervously, setting the potato salad down. “This is certainly an interesting turn of events.”
“Who’s the father?” demanded Devlin, always one to get down to business.
“The father is someone I met at a wedding in July. We sort of . . . hung out together that night, but we’re not dating. He lives in Chicago.”
“What’s his name?” Kelly asked.
This was the part I’d been dreading. “Joe Lupo.”
“Joe Lupo?” Austin repeated.
“Not Joe Lupo, the hockey player,” said Dashiel, his head cocked and his eyes narrowed.
“Yes. That Joe Lupo.”
More silence. Someone growled—I think it was Austin. Xander cracked his knuckles.
“There’s no need to be upset,” I said calmly. “I’ve spoken to Joe, and we have an understanding.”
“He’s gonna understand my fist in his—”
“Xander, that’s not going to be necessary.” I met his dark, angry eyes. “We’re good.”
Veronica’s jaw was still hanging open, but when I met her eyes, she understood the silent plea for help. “Wow! Congratulations, Mabel! You’re going to be an amazing mom.”
“Thanks.” I smiled at her. “Now that the shock is wearing off, I’m getting a little more excited.”
“So you’re due in, what, April?” asked Lexi.
“Yes.” Then I looked at Kelly, who was also pregnant, due in a couple months. “I’m sure I’ll be coming to all of you for advice.”
Kelly smiled warmly. “We’ll be here to give it. I’m happy for you, Mabel.”
“Well, I think this is wonderful,” Julia said. “There’s certainly nothing George and I love more than grandchildren, so adding one more to the bunch is the best gift anyone could give us.”
My father recovered enough to nod. “That’s right. I feel like the luckiest guy in the world right now. Congratulations, honey.”
I smiled at him, my eyes filling with grateful tears. “Thanks, Dad.”
By evening, the text thread I had with my sisters-in-law had blown up.
Veronica
OMFG JOE LUPO
Kelly
I KNOW!!!!
Lexi
MABEL! GET IN HERE AND TELL US EVERYTHING.
Kelly
Ari, did you know about this?
Ari
Yes, but I was sworn to secrecy.
Veronica
Austin keeps growling.
Kelly
Xander still wants to beat him up.
Lexi
Devlin is trying very hard to be happy about it, but I know he looks at Mabel and sees a kid in pigtails.
Ari
Dash is taking it pretty well. He says the Lupo family is really great.
Veronica
Have you met them yet, Mabel?
No. I’m not sure when that’s going to happen. He needs to tell them first.
Kelly
And you need to tell us ALL THE THINGS.
Honestly, it’s a tale as old as time, you guys. I went to a wedding, got a little tipsy on champagne, and hooked up with a hot groomsman.
Lexi
Who happens to be a hotshot in the NHL.
Kelly
He shoots, he scores!
Veronica
He’s got that high stick action!
Hahaha.
Veronica
Sorry, Mabel! We shouldn’t make jokes. Are you feeling okay?
Yes. I’m fine, just a little morning sickness, and I don’t even mind the jokes. If I couldn’t laugh about this, I’d lose my mind.
Lexi
So he was supportive when you told him?
Yes. Shocked and upset, but supportive.
I just hope my brothers don’t take his head off when they meet him.
Kelly
Your brothers will come around. Xander loves hockey. Once he gets over the stupid NO ONE PUTS HIS HANDS ON MY LITTLE SISTER thing, I’m sure he’ll be fine.
Veronica
Austin has NO ROOM to talk. The same thing happened to him with the twins. And everything was fine.
Ari
I keep telling her she’s going to be a great mom. And she’s not alone.
Kelly
^^^THIS
Lexi
100%
Veronica
Buckley women FTW
Thanks, guys. Love you.
Later that evening, I also got a text from Julia.
Hello, sweetie. I have been thinking about you nonstop. I know you have your dad and your brothers and all your wonderful sisters-in-law, but if I can be a comfort to you, don’t hesitate to reach out. I know I am not your mom, but please know that I am here for you, should you need anything. A hand to hold, a shoulder to cry on, a cheerleader to tell you you’re doing great. Because there’s no doubt in my mind that you will. You are smart, strong, caring, and patient. We love you.