Page 88 of Power Move

The elevator doors opened, shaking us awake.

“It’s okay. I wish America had more trains. Also, I’d rather see you be good to your mother and sisters than be an asshole, David.” I squeezed his hand tight in mine while leading the way. “It’s nice that you care so much.”

“I think we have that in common,” Davey said. “Our families mean a lot to us.”

“That may be all.”

“Nah,” Davey said. “We’ve got a company and two babies that also tie us together. That is not nothing.”

“Also, our shared desire to have the Cubs shatter our dreams annually.”

“This is the year. I swear,” Davey chuckled, turning and meeting my gaze. “I love you, Eva. I really, really do.”

Davey

“She really cleans up well,” Mum said. “She’s glowing.”

Mum’s eyes watched as Eva crossed the room, greeting Lanie as she came downstairs.

“She’s wonderful,” I said. “And the babies are doing great.”

“Perfect.”

“I am not pleased. I’m still very angry with you,” Mum said. “But I refuse to take that out on your children. I would suggest you do the right thing and marry her?—”

“I’m not doing that right now. That is not a conversation even on the table,” I said. “I do not want to rush things.”

“You’d have children with her, but notmarryher?”

“Mum, I never said that. Today, I’m not talking about this. If I proposed, she’d say no. She’s too smart for that. She’d want an earnest proposal, not an invitation to be my bride at a shotgun wedding.”

“Well, the priest?—”

“We’re not discussing this,” I said. “And no priest would marry us right now. Don’t be ridiculous.”

“I am sure we could?—”

“No,” I said sternly as Eva’s gaze turned to me.

I smiled and beckoned her. I said a silent prayer that Mum left her alone.

“Eva, you look beautiful,” Mum said warmly. “David says the babies are doing well.”

“They’re great,” Eva agreed. “Measuring well. Everything is going according to plan.”

“You don’t have pictures?” Mum asked.

Eva looked to me.

“They’re at home,” I said.

“Why on earth would you have another scan and not bring me pictures?” Mum smacked my arm. “David, that’s cruel.”

“What?” I asked, confused.

“Did you not think I would want to see them?”

Eva pulled out her phone, scrolling through the pictures of the scan. She even played the video of both heartbeats. Mum fawned over it in a way I never expected. Whowasthis woman? She was supposedly angry with me about everything but now cooed at an ultrasound picture.