Light in Mourning

11

“So then she hauls back and lands a kick right to his gut,” I gushed as Gavin and I sat in the living room, drinking beer. The Disney Christmas Day Parade played on the TV screen in front of us—something Georgia insisted on watching. While I teased her about it relentlessly, secretly I thought it was utterly adorable.

“Fuck, that’s hot.”

“Really fucking hot.” I agreed with him. He knew all about the power of anger when it came to sex. All that passion and rage bottled up? Really fucking hot.

“You kicked him, Georgia?” Drew squealed from the kitchen. Georgia only shrugged, but the grin spread wide across her face told me she was proud of herself.

“I always knew you were a superwoman,” Silas, Georgia's gay best friend, chimed in from the dining room. He and his boyfriend Justin were setting the table for Christmas dinner. The house smelled delicious, like ham and mashed potatoes and pies. Heaven. Especially because Georgia was there, my girl, cooking us a feast. I’d helped however I could: opening the wine, making the mashed potatoes, goosing her when she'd bent to take the ham out of the oven.

“Charlie, out of the kitchen.” I pointed and the old dog gave me a sidelong glance, trotting back to the living room. Diva curled around Georgia's feet, a loud meow releasing from her throat. She was begging for scraps just as much as Charlie'd been, but her name was Diva for a reason; that cat got away with everything. When we'd brought her home last week Charlie had stuck his big nose in her face, she'd given him one fierce swat, and their relationship had been established—Diva ruled the roost.

“Time to eat,” Georgia sang from the kitchen as she carried the ham to the table. “Come slice, babe.” She looked at me and I was drawn to her like a moth to a flame. I set my beer on the counter and went to her without another thought. I wrapped an arm around her waist, so fucking thankful to share Christmas together—with her and our friends. I landed a kiss on the top of her head and she returned the sentiment with a peck on my lips.

“You look beautiful,” I muttered into her hair.

“Thanks.” She tucked her head under my chin with a smile.

“Cut the sloppy shit; I’m starving.” Gavin plopped on a chair. I chuckled and then took the electric knife in hand and prepared to slice the ham.

“We’ve got an announcement.” Drew leaned into Gavin’s chest, her hand splayed across his leg after we'd finished eating, our bellies stretched to the max, with half empty wine glasses in front of us.

“So do we.” Georgia chanced a glance at me and I gave her neck a soft squeeze.

“Us first.”

“Okay.” Georgia laughed.

“We’re pregnant.”

“What?” Georgia choked on her wine.

“Seriously?” I shot a glance to Gavin. The wide grin on his face confirmed what Drew had said. Also that he was happy about it. Really fucking happy. “Congrats, man.” I grinned.

“Drew, aren’t you on birth control?” This clearly hadn’t yet sunk in for Georgia.

“I was. I was so busy catching up on work after summer, I forgot to refill my prescription.” Drew shrugged.

“Wait, after summer? How far along are you?”

“Thirteen weeks. We’re due May 28.” The grin split across her face.

“In spring? Jesus, Drew. How come you didn’t tell me?”

“I didn’t find out until I was almost ten weeks along. I was so caught up in everything, I sorta forgot that I hadn’t had my period.”

“God, TMI,” Silas whined from across the table.

“Wow. Congratulations,” Georgia murmured.

“I can’t believe you’re going to be a parent. What kind of world is this?” Silas teased. “Congrats, Daddy. Hopefully, he or she takes after you.” He winked at Gavin.

“Be nice.” Justin shouldered Silas.

“Yeah, be nice to me while I’m with child.”

“Oh my God, and so it starts,” Silas muttered.

“When do we find out if it’s a boy or girl?” The excitement in Georgia's voice grew.

“We have an early ultrasound scheduled in a few weeks. I hope it’s a girl. Imagine all the little dresses and headbands.”

“A girl, man?” I cocked an eyebrow at Gavin. “You’re in trouble if you have a girl.”

“A mini-Drew? Christ, can you imagine?” Silas jibed.

“Hey.” Drew glared at him.

“I don’t care what it is, as long as it’s healthy.” Gavin leaned into Drew and rubbed her tummy. It was the sweetest thing I'd ever seen. I glanced over at Georgia and watched her watching them. Her features had softened as a thoughtful look crossed her face.

“Wait, you have an announcement too, right?” Drew perked up and glanced at Georgia. “Oh my God. Are you pregnant too? That would be amazing! Our kids could grow up together.”

My eyes widened in surprise.

Georgia? Pregnant?

“No, I’m not pregnant,” she said as she looked over at me, a sheepish look on her face. “We’re moving in together,” she finished.

“That’s great.” Drew beamed.

“Really?” Silas frowned.

“Yeah, after the new year, we’re going to start moving my stuff in. I need to rent the beach house next summer, so it just made the most sense.”

“You make it sound like a business arrangement.” Drew frowned.

“No, it’s just convenient.”

My jaw ticked at her words. I was convenient?

Irritation flared in my stomach. I didn’t like the sound of that at all.