The sky was a curtain of ice, clouds moving across in navy blue like the morning throng of downtown professionals.
“Did you know that in the seventeenth century, a woman named Ann Hibbins was executed in the Boston Common on charges of witchcraft?” Sailor asked as she pushed the stroller with Xander. “They hanged her for all to see.”
“Christ, Sailor.” Aisling did a sign of the cross, side-eyeing our friend. “What a fun-fact to start the day with.”
Persy laughed. A stab of melancholy pierced through me. Devon would have appreciated that jab. But I couldn’t just text him willy-nilly. We weren’t supposed to talk about non-baby related stuff. My rule, which I stood behind. It just sucked.
“Anyway!” Persephone exclaimed. “As much as I’d love to hear about women being hung for witchcraft, Belle has something to tell us.”
“Thanks for the subtle transition, Sis.”
Since I was the only one who didn’t have a stroller to push, I held Rooney, Sailor’s toddler daughter, on one of those leashes while she tried chasing pigeons off the paved walkway. She looked like a tiny drunk man trying to pick a fight. I was here for it.
“It’s still early, but I wanted to let you know that there’s a bun in this oven.” I pointed at my stomach.
The girls stopped pushing their strollers and jumped on me with hugs and squeals of delight. Rooney and Astor, who had no idea what was going on but sensed the excitement, pushed between our legs and hugged me too, squealing, “Auntie Belle! Auntie Belle!”
I gathered everyone into my arms and laughed, a little embarrassed. I was going to tell my parents on the phone later this evening. They weren’t going to be super happy about my having a child out of wedlock, but I knew they’d come to expect nothing better from me. They knew I wasn’t the marrying kind. They had no illusions about me following in my younger sister’s footsteps.
“Did you and Devon basically lock yourselves in the bedroom for an entire month? That was fast!” Sailor reached back for her stroller, mirth still dancing in her green eyes.
“Not sure I want to have this conversation when the average age of this group is about two and a half.” I waved a hand toward the strollers and kids.
“The kids have no idea what we’re talking about,” Aisling said primly. “To be honest, mine is still color-blind, he’s so young.”
“There’s Rooney and Astor,” Persy reminded her with a smile. “Let’s save it for our weekly takeout night.”
“In which Belle won’t be drinking any wine.” Sailor beamed triumphantly. “More for us.”
“She won’t be going clubbing anytime soon either.” Persy seemed particularly happy by that turn of events. “Which means no one can slip anything into her drink.”
Not that it ever happened, but my sister was a worrier.
“Anyway, I hope you know we’re here for you. Whatever you need, just say the word. Although I think Devon wants to play a huge part in the pregnancy.” Persephone tilted her chin downward, inspecting me.
“Devon can screw right off. He knew the score. Wait …” I said as we resumed our walk. “How do you know that?”
“Devon couldn’t help himself. He called Cillian last night to break the good news.” Persy’s face almost splits from her huge grin. “Cillian told me.”
I made a mental note to maim Devon with the pregnancy test for his lack of discretion.
“That’s total bull. Isn’t there some lawyer code or whatever?” I complained, even though it didn’t feel half bad knowing Devon was informing the Western world he was going to be a great dad. Especially after his frigid reaction when I told him I was knocked up.
“He’s not your lawyer, dum dum.” Sailor pretended to knock on my temple. “Although, I’m pretty sure he’ll have to be at some point with the shenanigans you get yourself into.”
“Besides, he probably told Cillian not to tell, and Cillian just couldn’t help himself. My brother would give away national secrets and the state of Texas without blinking to meet his wife’s approval.” Aisling swung her gaze at Persephone with a smile.
Persy’s cheeks colored. She ducked her head. Aisling had a point. Cillian was defenseless against his wife. Hunter and Sam weren’t too good about saying no to their respective wives either.
I shook my head. “It doesn’t matter. I’m just glad it didn’t take a bunch of time. I mean, the real risk is to keep the pregnancy. Getting pregnant was the easy part. But still.”