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“Oh, and hey, just for the record, we haven’t told anyone I’m pregnant yet. So, let’s not bring that up, huh?” Tempest said, turning around to look at him.

“Too late. I kind of told Hellen. But that was before I met any of you. It wasn’t intentional, just a statement.”

“What?! How?” Tempest asked, clearly put out.

“I saw Brandt hugging you and scented the baby a couple of days before I finally saw Hellen, and he was hugging her, too.”

“Which is how you knew to congratulate me on the baby this morning when you brought the jacket back.”

“That’s it,”Lucien answered.

“What did you tell Hellen?”

“That the male hanging all over her already had a pregnant female at home. I didn’t know the relationship prior. Just trying to push him out of the picture. Sorry.”

“You just like, say shit. Whatever comes to mind, don’t you?” Brandt asked.

“Sometimes. But don’t think I can’t keep shit to myself if I think it’s to my benefit. And don’t think I don’t see everything.”

“I have no doubt,” Brandt said,

“Let’s not tell anyone else about my condition today, though,” Tempest said.

“Understood,” Lucien said, sighing as he sat back against the seat and rested his head against the head rest.

“You alright, there?” Brandt asked.

“Just dealing with some long healing injuries. I’m alright, though,” Lucien answered.

“I could help you heal if you’d like,” Tempest asked.

Lucien lifted his head and looked at Tempest, who’d turned halfway in her seat to see him better. “You could, couldn’t you?”

“It’s not a problem,” she assured him. “Won’t take a second.”

He shook his head. “Appreciate it, but I’m making do. You need your energy for your baby. And for the record, I’m your friend.”

Tempest laughed. “Where’d that come from?”

“I just feel the need to make sure you know I’m not your enemy.”

Brandt laughed. “You have no idea, my friend. No idea at all.”

~~~

The bell jingled above the door in the coffee shop and Bailey lifted her head, smile in place, to greet whoever the customer was. Her smile faded, but she still managed to politely greet the woman. “Good morning. What can I get for you today?”

“Oh, it’s you!” Cristie said. “I didn’t know you worked here.”

“It’s my family’s place. My parents rarely come in anymore. It’s up to me to keep it running smoothly.”

“I’m Cristie, do you remember meeting me at the wedding?”

Bailey flashed a brief smile. “I do. I’m Bailey.”

“I remember. You’re Remi’s girlfriend. It was really nice meeting you after hearing so much about you. The family really loves you,” Cristie said, her smile genuine.

Bailey nodded, not quite willing to admit that they weren’t together to the very person who was the reason they weren’t together. “Thank you for saying so. Did you come in for something in particular?”

“I did! Remi brought coffee and raspberry scones. I had to fight off the family. So, in order to make amends, I’m here for more,” Cristie said on another smile.

Bailey took a deep breath, letting it out slowly. She’d known Remi was going to take the extra coffee and scone to Cristie, even though he’d denied it. And that was fine, but why the lie? It wasn’t necessary. “How many are you feeding?” she forced herself to ask while remaining polite.

“I guess about a dozen. Unless there are more by the time I get back.”

“Tell you what, I’ll make you a few boxes of donuts and pastries to take back with you, and get you a gallon of the coffee to go.”

“That would be perfect!”

“Why don’t you take a look at the pastry counter while I get the coffee and let me know if there’s anything in particular you want included.”

“Thank you, Bailey. I appreciate it. But, do you know which coffee it is? I see you have different flavors.”

Bailey smiled at Cristie. “Remi always gets just regular old black. Would you like a flavored, too? I can give you a half gallon of each.”

“Yes! Can I have something vanilla, or caramel?”

“I’ve got you. I’ll get it together for you.

” Bailey walked away, heading into the kitchen, letting the double doors swing behind her as she went.

She took two plastic half-gallon jugs from their storage shelves and filled one with vanilla coffee, the other with Americana — the strong black coffee Remi preferred.

She capped them both, then carried them back out to the front counter.

“Do you want any creamers or sweeteners?”

“Yes, please. Just an array of whatever you know everybody usually asks for.”

“Got it,” Bailey said. She took out an old fashioned brown paper bag and put several handfuls of prepackaged creamer and sweetener into it, along with white and turbinado sugar.

Then she loaded three boxes with donuts, scones, eclairs, muffins.

She took out a fourth box and packed it with as many cherry and blueberry turnovers as she could get into it.

She handed that particular box to Cristie and smiled at her.

“You’ll want to give this box to Uncle Bam. ”

“I will. And I’ll tell him that you sent it special for him.”

“Oh! Hold on, one more thing,” Bailey said. She took a large to go cup and filled it with hot herbal tea, added honey, then put a lid on it and handed it to Cristie. “This is for Tempest. She won’t drink any of the coffee.”

“Thank you. If she doesn’t come, I’ll take it to her later.”

“I’m sure if it’s a family thing she’ll arrive at some point. Give her a hug for me.”

“I will. How much do I owe you?”

Bailey rang everything up and gave her a total.

Cristie paid her, then dropped a twenty into the tip jar. “Thanks, Bailey. I really appreciate your help.”

“No problem. Have a great day.”

“I will. You, too.” Cristie made two trips to get everything out to her dad’s truck, then waved as she backed out and drove away.

Bailey went into the kitchen and allowed herself to have a good cry.

She heard the bell above the door jingle, but couldn’t seem to make herself cry.

It wasn’t until she felt someone hugging her from behind, that she realized she wasn’t alone.

She turned quickly and found Shaun standing there with his arms around her loosely as he allowed her to turn and look at him.

“You came back,” she said.

“And it’s still not for the coffee,” he said with a soft smile.

Her lips trembled as she tried to keep from crying.

“It’s going to be okay,” he promised.

“I really thought I’d be part of that family one day. But now it seems ever clearer that I won’t be. And I can’t even be angry with her. She has no clue what’s happening. She’s nice. And she’s beautiful, and she’s pleasant and kind. How do you hate somebody like that?”

“You don’t. You just realize that your future isn’t where you thought it was, and you remember that you’re not alone.”

“But I am,” she said through tears. “Even my best friend is part of that family.”

“You’re only alone if you want to be,” he said, holding his arms out again to give her the choice to be held or not.

Bailey sniffled again and walked into his arms.

Shaun kissed the top of her head and just held her. He didn’t try to tell her she shouldn’t be crying. He didn’t try to convince her he could make it better. All he did was hold her and allow her to express some of what she was feeling through her tears.

And that was exactly what she needed.