Page 6 of Agony of Our Regret (Sorcerer’s Society #11)

SIX

Luca got the call. Noah and Skyler were at the airport, heading back home.

“Why didn’t they tell me?” I nibbled on the edge of a nearly black piece of toast. An accidental craving discovery. I burnt a slice three days ago, cried about it, and was so mad that I took a bite to prove a point. To the bread. As if it would feel my wrath and suffer.

But it was delicious.

And I kept it down.

So now that was my go-to meal.

“I’ve been talking to them, coordinating and stuff.” He took a sip of his coffee, watching me over the rim of the mug. “It was hard for them to get stable Wi-Fi. So, they asked me to book their flights.”

I nodded and took another small bite.

“Have you heard from Vince?” Gavin asked, echoing what I’d also wondered.

“Yeah, he’s in the middle of a big project and needed to wrap up a portion of it while they train a new employee to take over for him.”

I straightened. “He’s coming back for good?”

Luca stared into his cup. “I’m not sure. He just didn’t want to leave them in a bind if he ends up being out here for a while.”

That sounded more like he planned to leave again if he could.

He made his choice, and I made mine.

“When will they get here?” Gavin asked, as he made himself another coffee in a to-go mug.

“Tomorrow morning.”

Saturday. No using work as an excuse to keep me unavailable.

Not that they’d asked to see me yet. Gavin assured me he would handle that. They would be jet lagged and want to sleep for the day, maybe two. Hopefully, by the time they recovered, I could hide at the office.

“My parents offered to host a dinner on Sunday, nothing formal or sit down, but a chance for everyone to catch up.” Luca didn’t look up.

“Everyone?” I asked.

“Yeah, whoever’s in town.”

“So, Noah and Sky?”

“And Gwen. Her parents. I invited Tyson, but he’s in Phoenix,” Luca continued.

“CeeCee and Steph are staying in Florida,” Gavin added. He hadn’t mentioned that to me.

“When did you talk to them?”

“Just texting this week. Sean and Aaron are around, though, so you might want to let your parents know.” He told Luca, who nodded and pulled out his phone.

The more people, the better. After months apart, seeing Noah and Skyler again around a large group was ideal. They would keep things light and friendly, and I’d have plenty of distractions if needed. I could even get Tessa and Renae to keep an eye out for me and call me over if I get cornered while Luca and Gavin were busy.

This reunion could definitely be worse.

I glanced down at my stomach. A small bump started to show but looked more like bloating. How long before I couldn't hide it? I’d read stories of women popping overnight. Hopefully, that wouldn’t happen to me. Not yet. As long as I didn’t get sick at the party, they would have no reason to suspect anything.

“What is your team doing now that you’re grounded?” Gavin asked Luca, who hadn’t said where he’d been or what he’d been doing while he was gone.

The best I could guess was that it was dangerous and related to the AS.

“We set up remote surveillance in the area. We can still monitor that. I’ll be moving on to something else.” Luca sounded vague.

“Do you often have missions that take you away?” He didn’t tell me about them while I was abroad if they happened.

“Occasionally. We have teams with specialized training, but my ability is an asset they sometimes call on.” He lifted his chin toward Gavin. “Same with him.”

I turned. “You’ve left too?”

Gavin shrugged. “If there is somewhere we need to get into unseen, then they’ll call me.”

“As long as it isn’t too dangerous,” Luca quickly added. “Our abilities are too valuable for the Society to put us at much risk.”

The truth or just an attempt to make me feel better? I couldn’t tell.

“They can use me too. When I’m not getting hit by cars, I’m pretty good at protecting myself.”

The guys exchanged looks, and I forced down a smile. Watching them squirm would be my entertainment for the day.

“Um, well,” Gavin floundered.

“Maybe after you’ve had the baby,” Luca sounded just like his dad, diplomatic yet firm enough to limit argument. He’d be a great leader one day.

I smirked and took another bite of toast.

“Speaking of, when is your next appointment?” Gavin asked, easing us toward a new topic.

“Tuesday.”

“And we’ll be able to find out it’s gender?”

“Lemon,” I automatically corrected.

“Pardon?” Gavin raised a brow.

“I’m calling the baby Lemon, rather than it .”

“Why?” Luca asked.

“That’s what Lemon was when I told Gwen I was pregnant.”

“Huh?” He seemed more confused.

“There’s an app. It tells you how big your baby is each week,” I explained.

He blinked.

“Compared to a fruit or vegetable.” They looked at each other. “I was between twelve and thirteen weeks and she said it was between a lime and a lemon. She suggested Sprite but I vetoed that, and we settled with Lemon.”

“Gwen named our child?” Luca cringed.

“Nicknamed,” I corrected.

Gavin shrugged, “I do like Lemon better than it .”

“Sure,” Luca gave a small shake of his head, “So can we really find out what Lemon is this soon?”

“If the baby is in a good position, then they can,” I replied. Or we could do a blood test, but I wasn’t sure if I wanted to know.

“Can we be there?” Gavin asked.

I didn’t want to go alone. I was nervous. This would be the first appointment since we found out about the pregnancy. I’d accepted the news. After all, it was hard to ignore when I was sick so often, but this appointment made it all so real.

It wouldn’t be in the emergency room. I was going to an OB. There would be other pregnant women with posters of babies, developmental stages, and the female reproductive system. At least, that’s what I assumed based on movies and shows. I’d never been to one since my primary care doctor prescribed my birth control and did my annual pap smears.

This was a whole new experience.

I didn’t feel ready. It was too adult. Too grown up.

We all might be twenty-one, but I rarely felt it.

Shit. I hadn’t even told my dad yet.

We’d need to make an announcement soon. Right? That’s what people did when they were having a baby.

But those people had social media and friends and family who they didn’t see or speak to regularly.

My circle was pretty small. It would only take a few phone calls to tell everyone in my life who didn’t already know.

“I need to tell my dad and Audrey.”

“About the appointment?” Gavin asked, and I realized I’d never answered his question.

“Yes, you both can be there. Obviously.” I smiled, then got back to what I was thinking. “I haven’t told my dad I’m pregnant.”

Luca glanced at his watch. “We can call him after work tonight.”

Great. Now the prospect of that conversation would hang over my head all day, stressing me out.

Gavin smiled. “You know you’ve done nothing wrong. He won’t get mad at you.”

I grimaced. “I know. We’re all adults who can support and provide for this baby. In my head, I know that, but I still feel weird about telling him.”

Luca chuckled. “Is he going to demand we put a ring on your finger?”

I nearly dropped the last bite of my toast, which would have been a travesty. “You think we should get married?”

He and Gavin shared a look. “Eventually, we will, but I was kidding, though. You know, the whole shotgun wedding thing?”

My heart rate slowed. The idea of marriage shouldn’t completely shock me. We were having a baby together. I loved them and wanted to be with them forever. Marriage usually went along with that. I just thought it would happen in the future. Years from now.

“I don’t think he’ll push for that.” I cracked a smile. “If he does, I’ll remind him I’m the product of an affair. He doesn’t have much of a leg to stand on.”

Granted, he loved my birth mother and was only staying with his wife to have a relationship with her son, but it was still not an ideal situation.

Gavin laughed, covering his mouth. “Fair point.”

Work went by too quickly.

Throughout my meetings and calls, the weight of talking to my dad never left. Despite what I told the guys, I was still nervous.

Dad wouldn’t disown me or even be disappointed in me. He wasn’t that type. He was supportive, in his own way. We’d come so far in the last few years, and his wife was incredible. Audrey didn’t bat an eye when she found out I had multiple boyfriends, just told me they better treat me right or they’d have to answer to her and my dad.

They’d both be excited.

“Ready?” Gavin handed me my phone.

When we got home, we changed into comfy clothes. Luca ordered pizza, and it was time.

“Yeah.”

They sat on either side of me while I debated if I should do a video call or just voice. Luca reached out and tapped the screen, choosing for me.

A moment later, Dad’s face appeared. “Hi, sweetie. Oh, all three of you. Hey Luca. Gavin. How are you guys?”

“Good.” My voice cracked, but he was distracted, looking beyond his phone.

“Audrey, it’s Avalon.”

“Coming!” Her footsteps sounded before she appeared, smiling and resting her chin on his shoulder. “Hi, guys.”

“Hi,” we all echoed.

Thankfully, Luca took the lead. “How’s New York?”

“Grey. Busy,” Dad chuckled. “As good as ever.”

“We just saw the new play everyone’s talking about.” Audrey rolled her eyes at my dad. “I loved it, but I don’t think you did.”

Dad scrunched his nose. “I never thought I’d say this, but I prefer musicals. Plays are boring.” He whispered the last word as if the actors and writers were in the room with them.

Gavin laughed. “Next time we visit, I’ll go to a play with you, Audrey, and they can all go to a musical.”

Audrey beamed. “Sounds good.”

Dad kissed her cheek, then focused back on us. “How are you guys doing? Nothing better to do on a Friday night than call us?”

“Says the man who answered,” I countered.

Audrey laughed. “She has us there, but this time it’s my fault. I’m beat after this week. I was in court, and I just needed a night in with takeout from our favorite Indian place.”

Gavin held up a slice of pizza. “We feel you there.”

“Oh, Chicago pizza,” Dad groaned. “I miss it so much.”

Audrey huffed. “Excuse me. You have three amazing options on this block alone.”

He shrugged. “New York pizza is not the same. Sometimes, I crave something other than paper thin––”

Audrey swatted his chest. “You stop right there.”

We laughed, and I relaxed as they teased each other. Dad hadn’t looked this happy in... maybe ever. I loved that he had someone so amazing in his life now.

“Speaking of coming to visit,” Dad pivoted, “when is that going to happen?”

“I was there a few months ago.”

He nodded. “Yes, a few months ago. And I haven’t seen the guys in nearly a year.” His attempted glare had little effect.

“Soon,” Gavin promised. “Work is hectic right now, but we’ll come soon.”

Good deflection. Dad knew plenty about the AS thanks to his previous assistant turned girlfriend turned attempted murderer, but Audrey didn’t know about my ability or the Society. We wanted to keep it that way.

“We’ll hold you to that.” She grinned.

We all went quiet for a minute, and I could feel my dad watching me. We called them after all, and it was rare for us to chit-chat without a reason. At least with Gavin and Luca here too.

It was time.

I needed to say it.

I’m pregnant.

Okay, now out loud.

I opened my mouth, but no sound came out.

Luca rubbed my leg.

Gavin glanced at me and then jumped in. “Noah and Sky are coming back.”

Dad’s brows shot up. “They are?” I felt his eyes on me, but I kept mine locked on Luca’s hand. “At this point, I didn’t expect Noah would ever come back to the States.”

He knew everything. I told him about Noah leaving first to find answers and help with his visions, then simply not coming back. About Sky choosing to stay with him. Vince’s rejection.

We didn’t have the closest relationship when I was younger, but we’d grown closer, even with the distance while I was in Europe. He understood how much they hurt me and how much I missed them.

If anyone should fear his reaction, it was them. Announcing a pregnancy was nothing compared to telling him they left me.

Doing that math in my head strangely eased my nerves.

“Yeah, Noah agreed it was time,” Gavin explained, leaving out the reason for his sudden change.

“Good. I’m glad he’s figured that out. Maybe Sky persuaded him.”

“I’m sure he did.” Luca smiled.

“Those boys have a lot of begging and groveling to do before they’re back in my good graces, let alone my daughter’s. And yours.” His words were a warning. “You two watch out for her. Make sure they don’t break her heart again.”

It wasn’t a request, and they both quickly agreed.

“And remember, forgiving is something you can do for yourself without welcoming them back into your life,” Audrey told us. “Letting it go takes the burden off you, but that doesn’t mean you have to forget.”

“Great advice, counselor,” Gavin teased.

She grinned. “Years of experience, dear.”

Dad sighed, and I realized he probably assumed that was the news we wanted to share.

I could get out of this.

Luca squeezed my leg as if he could hear my thoughts. Damn him.

“There is one other thing,” I said finally, deciding to blurt it out before I chickened out again. “I’m pregnant.”

They didn’t move. Didn’t speak.

I tapped the screen. Were they frozen?

“Dad?”

He snapped out of it with a small headshake, and his eyes glistened.

Oh, no.

“You’re pregnant?” he repeated in an indecipherable tone. “Yes.”

Audrey squealed. “Oh, my goodness!” She wrapped her arms around Dad. “You’re going to be a grandpa!”

“And you’re going to be a grandma.” I wanted her to know that was how I thought of her. She was my family now.

She covered her mouth as she and Dad stared at each other. He blinked away his tears and turned back to the camera.

“Wow, Avalon. You guys…” He rubbed the stubble on his jaw. “I can’t tell you how happy this makes me.”

What? He was happy?

Not mad?

Disappointed?

“You three are going to be amazing parents.”

A small sob escaped from somewhere deep inside, and I immediately burst into tears.

“Oh, honey!” Audrey called, as I ducked my head into Gavin’s shoulder.

He rubbed my back while Luca squeezed my leg, reminding me he was there.

“She was really nervous about telling you guys,” Luca explained.

“Sweetie,” Dad’s voice made me cry harder. “This is great news. It’s big and scary, but you have all the support you could want or need. Bruce, Renae, Tessa, and Daniel will be with you, and Audrey and I are only a short flight away.”

“You are more capable than you know, but yes. We will be there whenever you need or want us,” Audrey promised.

They were amazing. Telling me things I didn’t know I desperately needed to hear.

I wiped my eyes. “Thank you, guys.”

“I love you so much. You’re going to be an incredible mother.” Dad smiled. “I’m proud of you.”

My lip wobbled, but I pulled myself together. Those were the very last words I expected.

“How far along are you?” Audrey asked.

Luca answered while I took deep breaths to compose myself and let their reaction settle in.

Their enthusiastic support unlocked something inside me, and suddenly, I believed I could do this—have a baby and my own family. It wasn’t a scary, bad thing, but something to celebrate.

I hoped everyone we told was this supportive.