Page 113 of Theodore

“No, but Zane loves you. So much.” Nikolas sighed.

My eyes remain locked with Theo's, a warmth spreading through my chest.

“He has to accept how much I love Theo,” I whispered, and Nikolas turned to look at Theo before laughing to himself.

“He does. When are you telling Mom?”

“When we leave here.”

“Shall I stick a pizza in then? Keep you guys here a bit longer?”

I giggled, despite my anxiety. “Nah, I’m good. The worst is over.”

Nikolas glanced at me, furrowing his brow in confusion. “Ryan knows?”

“Argh,” I wailed, dropping my head into my hands. “Actually, could you be there for that?”

Nikolas closed his eyes and tilted his head. “Nope. I’ll be here, trying to talk Zane out of murdering your baby daddy.”

Great.

43

HANNAH

“Mom?” I called out as Theo dropped his keys onto the side behind me.

“In here!” Mom yelled from the belly of the kitchen.

I walked in to find her pouring flour into a large basin. She grinned as I took in the scene—my mother––Baking.

“What are you doing?” I asked, leaning against the counter as I watched her curiously.

“Hannah Elizabeth, if you’ve got something to say, say it before I crack these eggs. They’re fresh, and I don’t need them to go to waste.”

“What makes you think—” I babbled as she put the flour down, staring at me with exasperation.

“You can see that I’m baking. So that’s a question you don’t need an answer to. You’re standing here, looking pale and shaky, and your boyfriend here looks like he’s taken quite a beating. What’s going on?”

“Maybe you should sit down...” I mumbled as Mom frowned, looking from me to Theo, who was observing us both.

“Well?” she huffed, gesturing at the eggs. “Can one of you please tell me who died?”

“I’m pregnant,” I whispered, and the air in the room dissolved around us. Mom’s mouth dropped open as she moved her stare to my stomach.

“What?”

Astonishment floods Mom’s eyes, followed by the tears that spring into them automatically.

“How far?” she whispered, her knuckles turning white as she clung to the counter for dear life.

My heart ached that she didn’t have someone to comfort her right now, and my mind moved to my father, identity unknown.

“I don’t know. I need to see a physician...” I mumbled as she nodded slowly.

“Who hit you?” she asks Theo blankly as he shrugged.

“Your eldest. I’m good.”