Page 44 of Belonging to Them

“Sure,” I say, not entirely certain what’s going on.I have Kingston on one side, doubting the baby is even Tommy’s, and Detective Marchand on the other, saying it’s Tommy’s and it scared Tommy away.For fuck’s sake, does everything have to be some kind of devious plot?

“Good luck, Miss Marchand.”

Wait, he’s ending the conversation?“Hold on?—”

But the phone call is over.He’s gone.

* * *

Ella

When I reach the medical building at two, Gianna’s sitting on a bench out front, waiting for me.She looks alarmed when she sees Squid and Cora following me.

“Do you know them?”she whispers.

“Long story, but yes,” I say.Turning to Squid and Cora, I say, “Can you two wait out here?There are probably rules about who can go in…”

“Let’s see if there’s a waiting area inside,” Cora says.

I nod.“Is that okay with you, Gianna?”

“Sure,” she says, looking puzzled.“Are you going to explain who they are, though?”

“Bodyguards.”

“Ah.”She bites her lip.“Um…why?”

“That’s the long story,” I say with a laugh.“Maybe I’ll tell you about it later, but we don’t want to be late for your appointment.”

“Okay,” she says with a smile.“Let’s go in.”

The appointment goes by quickly, with a nurse taking Gianna’s blood pressure, weighing her, and checking her temperature.The obstetrician measures Gianna’s belly and does a pelvic exam.She lets us listen to the heartbeat, and my eyes fill with tears.That little baby is my brother’s and Gianna’s, and I’m going to get to be a part of their life.

“Everything sounds good,” the doctor says, smiling at Gianna.“Are you still working?”

“Yes—is that okay?”

“It is,” the doctor says, “but try not to overdo it.Take plenty of breaks.You wait tables, right?”

“Yes.”

“Okay.If you don’t need to stand, sit.You’re healthy and the baby’s healthy, and you’re perfectly capable of being on your feet, but again, if you feel tired, take a break.”

“All right, thanks,” Gianna says.

As Gianna and I leave the exam room and return to the waiting area where Squid and Cora are hanging out, I say to Gianna, “Thank you so much for letting me come to the appointment with you.”

“Of course.”She gives me a sad smile.“I really appreciate the support.I’m worried about Tom, and it’s just…this is kind of an overwhelming time.”

“I bet your family’s excited about the baby,” I say.

“Uh, no, unfortunately.”Gianna looks down.“My cousin is happy for me, I guess, but my aunt wanted me to terminate the pregnancy.She says I don’t have enough money or enough of a support system for bringing a child into the world.At the time, I disagreed, because Tom was a hundred percent excited and made all these promises.”

My brother and his stupid-ass promises.

An unhappy support system, my brother unreachable…how is Gianna going to do this all on her own?Has anyone even celebrated this pregnancy and the baby?

“Hey,” I say.“Have you had a baby shower?Do you need things for the baby?”