“What?” she gasps.
I’m nodding aggressively. “I mean, he’s not completely awake, but he’s waking up.”
She lowers her voice. “Have you told him yet?”
I furrow my brows. “Told him what?”
She gives me a knowing look, glancing down to my stomach, then back up to my face where my jaw is dropped.
“How do you know?” I whisper yell.
“Mother’s intuition.” She smiles. “And you talk in your sleep.”
“Wha—I do not!”
“It’s probably from the stress. Or a symptom.” She winks.
“You haven’t told my mom, have you?” I ask, hopeful because I really want her to hear it from both Parker and me. But also, I know Jackie is best friends with my mom, and if I had to keep a secret from Sutton and Bailey I would struggle.
“Of course not, that’s your news to share when you’re ready.”
I pull her into a hug. I respect Jackie so much for raising Parker on her own and doing such an amazing job with him. I know how difficult it was for her; she’s always worked so hard to provide for him.
“Thank you so much for everything,” I tell her, fighting more tears because I’m done with crying. I’ve been done with crying, but now I really am.
I hope.
Parker is taken for more scans, and Jackie insists I go home for a little while. I made her promise to call me right away if something changes so I can come back.
I’m only going to go home to shower and change to feel fresh and clean and then come right back. Ethan was discharged yesterday, but I’ve been talking to my mom, and he’s still supposed to rest for a little while longer.
Walking into my house feels weird, but I’m greeted by Tulips. Kneeling down to let her run into my arms. She licks my face as I hug her. She follows me down to the basement where I start theshower, and continues to follow me to my room when I grab a change of clothes. I feel like I have a shadow, and I can’t help wondering if she knows.
I kneel down, taking her fluffy face in both my hands and whispering, “You’re going to have a little brother or sister.”
She opens her mouth, her tongue dropping out in a pant, and it looks like she’s smiling. I’m going to choose to believe she understands me and is happy about it. I just hope she’ll also be happy with moving into Parker’s house as soon as he’s released from the hospital. Because there’s not going to be a day we’re going to be apart, especially not now.
After I take a long, hot shower that makes me feel somewhat human, I change into clean, comfy clothes, and head upstairs to go back to the hospital.
My parents are in the living room; my mom is leaned against my dad’s shoulder, asleep while the TV is on, but the volume is so low I can’t hear it.
“How’s he doing?” I ask my dad quietly.
“He’s good. How’s Parker?”
“Starting to wake up,” I say proudly.
My dad nods. “Good. Hopefully he’ll be home soon as well.”
“I hope so. When he does, I’m going to move in with him,” I blurt because if I can’t tell them everything, I at least want to share something.
He gives me a small smile. “We figured as much.”
“Lily bug! Jizz!”Jerry Leesquawks.
“I hope Trish will be taking him back soon.” Dad sighs, and mom readjusts, but doesn’t fully wake up. Probably because she’s completely exhausted, and I don’t blame her.
“You’ll miss him,” I tease.