Twenty weeks later…
Being almost thirty-seven weeks pregnant with twins was absolute misery. Everywhere ached, everywhere was swollen, and I hadn’t seen my feet in so long I was desperate to be reacquainted with the visual of my toes. I groaned then followed up with a sigh.
“They’ll be here soon, Bran.”
I rolled my eyes at my sister’s comment. “It’s easy for you to say. You’re not the beached whale who can barely move without needin’ help.”
“I was in your shoes before.” Bronagh smiled. “I know how miserable you’re feelin’.”
“Times that misery by two and you’ll get how I’m feelin’,” I grumbled.
Bronagh was silent for a moment then said, “Do you want a back or foot rub?”
“No,” I said. “I’ll only get sleepy but won’t be able to fall asleep.”
“What do you want to do then?” she asked.
I heaved myself up from my sitting position.
“I’m goin’ to have a cuppa.”
I left my newly furnished sitting room—Ryder decided it was time we had an actual sitting room and moved the gym upstairs—and headed into the kitchen. I smiled at Alannah, who was sitting at the kitchen table, tapping on the screen of her phone. She excused herself from the sitting room minutes ago to take a call.
“Is everything okay?” I asked as I made myself tea and headed over to the kitchen table.
“Yep, just confirmin’ work stuff.”
I nodded as I took the seat across from her, but the second I sat down, I tensed up when I saw the cup Alannah now had in her grasp.
“Alannah,” I said with wide eyes. “That’s Alec’s favourite cup.”
It was a silly cup that revealed a quote about being up to no good from the Harry Potter books when a hot liquid was poured inside. Alec loved the damn thing.
“He can use another one.” She yawned then took a sip of tea. “God ‘imself couldn’t take this cup of tea away from me right now; it’s needed.”
“No, seriously,” I pressed. “He has some sort of weird claim on it.”
“It’ll be fine.” She chuckled. “It’s not like he is goin’ to—”
“Are you using my cup?”
I looked to my right and began laughing when I saw Alec standing at the kitchen doorway.
“For God’s sake,” Alannah groaned. “Did we just unknowingly summon you or somethin’?”
His gaze hardened.
“Ryan,” he bit out. “Is. That. My. Cup?”
Alannah innocently smiled. “Could be, could not be.”
“You’re going to answer the damn question before I lose my freaking mind.”
The glare Alec shot Alannah caused me to smother a smile behind my own cup of tea.
“Yep,” she replied, smacking her lips together. “I am.”
“That’s my cup,” Alec said through gritted teeth. “Nobody uses my cup.”
“Until today, Sheldon Cooper.”
Alec set his jaw when Alannah tipped the cup in his direction.
“You’re being difficult,” he said, his frustration not going amiss. “You’re never difficult. What is wrong with you?”
Alannah shrugged. “I don’t feel like being a pushover today.”
“I’m about to push you over if you don’t give me back my cup.”
“What if I let the cup fall when you push me?” she asked, a brow raised.
“I’ve never hit a female, Alannah, but keep talking about breaking my cup and that will change. Your ass will be set aflame, woman.”
Alannah stuck out her tongue, placed it on the rim of the cup, and with her eyes locked on Alec’s, she slid it around the rim. When she was finished, she held the cootie-infected cup out to Alec, but he didn’t move a muscle.
“You evil... bitch.”
Alannah devilishly smiled. “Does this mean I can finish me tea in peace?”
Alec narrowed his eyes to slits. “You have won the battle, Ryan, but you will not win the war.”
He turned and left the room, his weird threat lingering like a bad smell.
I looked at Alannah and said, “You know Keela is goin’ to kill you for the impendin’ headache you’ve just set up for ‘er, right?”
“It was so worth it.” Alannah snickered. “Did you see his face?”
I laughed. “I thought he was goin’ to bite a chunk out of you. He loves that damn cup.”
“I can understand why,” she mused. “My hands fit around it just right.”
“You’re a weirdo,” I teased. “You know that, right?”
“Since the day I started school.” She nodded.
I smiled, sipping my own tea.
“How are you feelin’?” she asked me. “I still can’t believe you’re carryin’ twins.”
“I know.” I exhaled a deep breath. “It’s so excitin’ but honestly? I just want them to get out.”
Alannah nodded in understanding.
“Twin identical boys, though,” she continued. “You’re goin’ to have a bunch of daddies and brothers knockin’ at your door in the future if they’re anythin’ like Dominic and Damien and how they were with girls.”
I blessed myself.
“Don’t even mention anythin’ like that,” I said to her. “I’d smack their arses red raw.”
Alannah laughed. “I believe you.”
I eyed her. “How are you?”
“Me?” She forced a smile. “I’m great.”