4. Cara

Chapter four

Cara

T he soft cotton onesie slips through my fingers, a whisper of a future I can barely comprehend. It's tiny, impossibly so, and for a moment I'm overwhelmed by the thought of something so small, so pure, growing inside me.

"Earth to Cara," Sonya's voice cuts through my reverie, tinged with amusement and concern. "You've been staring at that onesie for five minutes straight. You okay?"

I blink, forcing a smile as I look up at my sister. "Yeah, sorry. Just... lost in thought, I guess."

Sonya's eyes soften, and she reaches out to squeeze my hand. "It's a lot, isn't it? But hey, that's why you've got us. Your own personal pregnancy posse."

As if on cue, Song and Louis round the corner, arms laden with a truly ridiculous amount of stuffed animals. My brother's face is lit up with childlike glee, while Louis looks exasperated and hopelessly endeared.

"Look what we found!" Song exclaims, practically bouncing on his toes. "They've got a whole jungle theme going on. Little nephew's gonna have his own personal zoo."

I can't help but laugh, the sound bubbling up from somewhere deep inside me. It feels good, like a release of tension I didn't even know I was holding. "Song, honey, I appreciate the enthusiasm, but I think the baby might be a bit overwhelmed by all that."

Louis nods sagely, though his eyes are twinkling with mirth. "I tried to tell him, but you know how he gets. Like a kid in a candy store."

"Hey!" Song protests, but there's no real heat behind it. He leans into Louis's side, a casual intimacy that makes my heart ache with a bittersweet mix of joy for them and longing for June.

God, June. He should be here, picking out ridiculous stuffed animals and debating the merits of various strollers. He should be holding my hand, whispering excited plans for the future in my ear.

But he's not. He's locked away in some godforsaken facility, and I'm here, trying to piece together a life without him.

The thought sends a wave of nausea rolling through me, and I have to grip the edge of the nearby shelf to steady myself. Sonya's at my side in an instant, her arm around my waist.

"Whoa, easy there," she murmurs, concern etched into every line of her face. "Maybe we should take a break, get some air?"

I shake my head, forcing down the bile rising in my throat. "No, I'm fine. Just a little dizzy spell. Pregnancy stuff, you know?"

But even as the words leave my mouth, I know it's more than that. It's the weight of everything - the fear, the uncertainty, the gnawing ache of June's absence.

Louis steps forward, his brow furrowed with worry. "Cara, love, there's no shame in taking it slow. We've got all the time in the world to shop for the little one."

I open my mouth to protest, but the words die on my tongue as a familiar, cutting voice slices through the air.

"My, my. What do we have here?"

My blood runs cold, every muscle in my body tensing as I turn to face the source of that honeyed venom.

Elaine Deveaux stands before us, resplendent in a tailored Chanel suit that probably costs more than my entire wardrobe. At her side is Amethyst, her hand resting protectively over the swell of her belly.

My stomach lurches at the sight, a toxic cocktail of jealousy and disbelief churning in my gut.

Elaine's lips curve into a predatory smile as her gaze rakes over me, taking in every imperfection, every sign of my less-than-stellar pedigree. "Doing a bit of shopping, are we? How... quaint."

I straighten my spine, refusing to cower under her scrutiny. "Mrs. Deveaux. What a surprise to see you here. Slumming it with the commoners?"

Her eyes narrow, a flash of anger breaking through her perfectly composed mask. "Hardly. We're here overseeing the charity drive. Amethyst insisted on making a personal appearance, didn't you, dear?"

Amethyst nods, her smile so saccharine it makes my teeth ache. "It's important to give back to the community," she simpers, every word dripping with false sincerity. "Especially now that we're expecting our little bundle of joy."

The words hit me like a physical blow, and I have to fight to keep my expression neutral. Our little bundle of joy. As if June had any say in the matter, as if this whole thing isn't just some sick, twisted scheme cooked up by Elaine and her cronies.

"How generous of you," I manage, the words tasting like ash on my tongue. "I'm sure the less fortunate are eternally grateful for your magnanimity."

Elaine's smile sharpens, taking on a cruel edge. "Oh, I'm sure they are. After all, not everyone can afford the best for their child. It must be so... difficult, trying to make ends meet on an artist's salary."

The implication is clear, the threat barely veiled. She's reminding me of my place, of the vast chasm that separates our worlds.

But before I can respond, Song steps forward, his eyes blazing with protective fury. "You know what? I think we're done here. Come on, Cara. Let's go somewhere with better company and less bullshit."

He moves to guide me away, but Elaine's voice stops us in our tracks. "Oh, leaving so soon? But we've only just begun to catch up. Tell me, Cara dear, how are you feeling? Pregnancy can be so taxing, especially when one is... unprepared."

"That's enough." Louis's voice cuts through the tension like a knife, calm but steely. "I think it's time we left. Cara doesn't need this stress, and frankly, neither do we."

He wraps an arm around my waist, steadying me as another wave of dizziness washes over me. Song flanks my other side, while Sonya steps between us and the Deveaux woman, a human shield of fierce protection.

"This isn't over," Elaine calls after us as we make our way to the exit. "You're playing a dangerous game, Cara. One you can't possibly hope to win."

I pause at the door, turning back to meet her gaze one last time. "Maybe not," I say, my voice low but steady. "But I'll be damned if I don't try."

And then we're out in the sunlight, the fresh air hitting my lungs like a shock to the system. I sag against Louis, suddenly exhausted, the weight of the confrontation settling over me like a heavy blanket.

"You okay, bella?" he murmurs, his hand rubbing soothing circles on my back.

I nod, not trusting myself to speak just yet. The adrenaline is wearing off, leaving me shaky and nauseous.

Song's voice breaks through the fog of my thoughts, tight with barely contained anger. "What the actual fuck was that? Who does that bougie bitch think she is?"

"Song," Sonya warns, but there's no real heat behind it. She looks as shaken as I feel, her usual easy confidence replaced by a tense wariness.

"No, he's right," I say, finally finding my voice. "That was... God, I don't even know what that was. A warning? A threat?"

Louis guides me to a nearby bench, his brow furrowed with concern. "Both, probably. Elaine Deveaux isn't known for her subtlety."

I sink onto the bench, one hand coming to rest protectively over my stomach. The baby flutters inside me, as if sensing my distress, and I have to blink back sudden tears.

"What am I going to do?" I whisper, the words barely audible. "How am I supposed to protect this baby when I can't even stand up to Elaine without falling apart?"

Sonya kneels in front of me, taking my hands in hers. "Hey, none of that. You're not alone in this, Cara. We're all here for you, every step of the way."

Song nods emphatically, his earlier anger softening into fierce determination. "Damn straight. That old hag doesn't know who she's messing with. We Briers stick together."

A watery laugh escapes me, and I squeeze Sonya's hands gratefully. "God, what would I do without you guys?"

"Crash and burn, probably," Louis teases, but his eyes are soft with affection. "Good thing you're stuck with us."

For a moment, we sit in companionable silence, the warmth of their love and support washing over me like a balm. But then Song clears his throat, his expression turning serious.

"So, uh, about Amethyst," he begins, fidgeting nervously. "…she might not really be pregnant..."

I tense, my heart rate picking up. "What?"

He runs a hand through his hair, a habit he's had since childhood when he's trying to work out a particularly tricky problem. "I don't know, it's just... something felt off, you know? The way she was standing, the way her hand kept moving to her stomach like she had to remind herself it was there."

Louis nods slowly, his brow furrowed in thought. "Now that you mention it, I noticed that too. And did you see how she froze? That wasn't poise. That was panic."

A spark of something - hope? fear? - ignites in my chest. "You really think she might be faking it?"

Sonya shrugs, but her eyes are sharp, calculating. "It's not unheard of. Especially in circles like the Deveauxs', where appearances are everything."

"But why?" I ask, my mind racing to keep up with the implications. "What could they possibly gain from pretending Amethyst is pregnant?"

"Control," Louis says grimly. "Over June, over you, over the whole damn situation. If they can convince everyone that June's moved on, that he's starting a family with Amethyst..."

"Then they can keep him locked away without anyone asking too many questions," I finish, the realization hitting me like a punch to the gut. "Oh my God."

The baby kicks, a sharp reminder of what's really at stake here. I press a hand to my stomach, trying to calm the sudden surge of protective fury that wells up inside me.

"We need proof," I say, my voice steadier than I feel. "If we're going to accuse Elaine Deveaux of something like this, we need rock-solid evidence."

Song nods, his expression set with determination. "Leave that to me. I've got some contacts in the medical field who might be able to help. Discreetly, of course."

Louis raises an eyebrow, a hint of a smirk playing at his lips. "Do I want to know how you've acquired these contacts?"

My brother grins, some of his usual mischief returning. "Probably not. Plausible deniability and all that."

Despite everything, I feel a smile tugging at my lips. "You two are ridiculous, you know that?"

"Yeah, but you love us anyway," Song says, reaching out to ruffle my hair affectionately.

I swat his hand away, but there's no real annoyance behind the gesture. "God help me, I do."

Sonya stands, brushing off her jeans with a determined air. "Alright, enough moping. We came here to shop for my future niece or nephew, and that's exactly what we're going to do. Elaine Deveaux and her schemes be damned."

I hesitate, the memory of our confrontation still fresh and raw. "I don't know, Sonya. Maybe we should call it a day. I'm not sure I'm up for--"

"Nope," she cuts me off, pulling me to my feet with gentle insistence. "We are not letting that woman ruin this for you. For us. This is supposed to be a happy time, dammit, and I'll be damned if I let Elaine fucking Deveaux steal that joy."

I look around at their faces - Sonya's fierce determination, Song's protective loyalty, Louis's unwavering support - and feel something inside me settle. They're right. I can't let Elaine win, can't let her poison this precious time.

"Okay," I say, squaring my shoulders. "Let's do this."

We head back into the store, a united front against whatever the world - or Elaine Deveaux - might throw at us. And as we browse through tiny clothes and impossibly small shoes, I feel a spark of something I haven't felt in far too long.

Hope.

It's fragile, barely more than a whisper in the back of my mind. But it's there, growing stronger with each shared laugh, each excited exclamation over a particularly cute onesie or cleverly designed toy.

I don't know what the future holds. I don't know if we'll be able to prove Amethyst's deception, or if we'll ever be able to bring June home.

But I do know this: I am not alone. I have a family, a support system that will move heaven and earth to protect me and this baby. And maybe, we just might be strong enough to take on Elaine Deveaux and her whole damn empire.

As we leave the store, arms laden with bags full of tiny clothes and impossibly soft blankets, I feel a sense of purpose settling over me. A steely resolve that straightens my spine and lifts my chin.

Watch out, Elaine. You might think you've won, but you have no idea what you're up against. Because I'm not just fighting for myself anymore. I'm fighting for my child, for June, for the future we deserve.

And I will not rest until we're all free from your poisonous influence, once and for all.

The sun is setting as we make our way back to my apartment, casting long shadows across the bustling city streets. I'm exhausted, emotionally and physically drained, but there's an undercurrent of excitement thrumming through me.

We've taken the first step. We've refused to be cowed by Elaine's threats, refused to let her steal the joy of this pregnancy. It's a small victory, but it feels monumental.

As we pile into my modest living room, dropping bags and collapsing onto various surfaces with exaggerated groans, I can't help but smile. This is my family. My weird, wonderful, fiercely loyal family.

"Alright," Sonya announces, clapping her hands together. "I say we order in, crack open a bottle of sparkling cider for the mama-to-be, and start sorting through all this loot. Who's with me?"

There's a chorus of enthusiastic agreement, and soon we're sprawled across the floor, surrounded by tiny clothes and impossibly soft stuffed animals. Louis is on the phone ordering enough Chinese food to feed a small army, while Song entertains us with increasingly ridiculous baby name suggestions.

"Ooh, how about Bartholomew?" he says, grinning wickedly. "Barty for short. It's got a real sophisticated ring to it, don't you think?"

I roll my eyes, chucking a stuffed giraffe at his head. "Absolutely not. I'm not saddling my kid with a name like Bartholomew. They'll never forgive me."

"Spoilsport," he pouts, but his eyes are dancing with mirth. "Fine, what about... Persephone? It's got that whole mythological vibe going for it."

"Song, honey," Louis interjects, hanging up the phone and rejoining our circle. "Maybe we should let Cara have some input on her own child's name, hmm?"

My brother sighs dramatically, flopping back onto the carpet. "You're no fun. All of you."

Sonya snorts, reaching over to pat his head condescendingly. "There, there. I'm sure your future children will appreciate your... creative naming skills."

The laughter dies on my lips as Sonya's words hit me. Future children. June's face flashes through my mind, his deep baritone filled with awe as I told him about the baby. The memory of his voice, trembling with emotion, echoes in my ears.

"Cara?" Louis's gentle voice pulls me back to the present. "You okay, love? You went somewhere else for a minute there."

I blink, realizing my hand has drifted to my stomach, cradling the barely-there bump. "I... yeah. I was just thinking about June. About when I told him..."

The room goes quiet, the earlier levity evaporating like mist in the morning sun. Sonya scoots closer, wrapping an arm around my shoulders.

"Do you want to talk about it?" she asks softly.

I take a shaky breath, fighting back the tears that threaten to fall. "He sounded so scared," I whisper, the words catching in my throat. "So... lost. God, you should have heard him. It was like he couldn't believe it was real."

Song sits up, his earlier joking manner replaced by solemn concern. "But he was happy, right? About the baby?"

A watery laugh escapes me. "Happy? He was... God, I don't even know how to describe it. Terrified, excited, overwhelmed. All at once. He kept saying he was going to get out, that he'd come back to us."

Louis reaches out, taking my free hand in his. "And he will, Cara. We'll make sure of it."

I nod, but the doubt gnaws at me, insidious and relentless. "But what if we can't? What if Elaine's too powerful, what if we can't prove anything? I hate this. I hate that he's missing everything. The first ultrasound, the shopping trips, the late-night cravings..."

My voice breaks, and suddenly I'm crying in earnest, great heaving sobs that shake my entire body. "I miss him so much," I choke out between gasps. "It's not fair. He should be here. He should be a part of this."

Sonya pulls me closer, rocking me gently as she strokes my hair. "I know, honey. I know it's not fair. But we're going to fix this, okay? We're going to bring June home."

Song nods emphatically, his jaw set in a sharp line "Damn straight we are. That bougie bitch Elaine doesn't know who she's messing with."

"Language," Louis chides half-heartedly, but there's a fierce glint in his eyes that matches Song's resolve.

I hiccup, the sobs slowly subsiding into sniffles. "I'm sorry," I mumble, wiping my eyes with the back of my hand. "I didn't mean to fall apart like that."

"Hey, none of that," Sonya says firmly. "You're allowed to fall apart, Cara. You're pregnant, your baby's father is locked away in some facility, and you've got Elaine Deveaux breathing down your neck. I'd be more worried if you weren't having moments like this."

Louis nods, squeezing my hand. "Sonya's right. You don't have to be strong all the time. That's what we're here for."

A fresh wave of tears threatens, but this time they're born of gratitude rather than despair. "God, what did I do to deserve you guys?"

"You were born awesome," Song declares with a grin. "It's a Briers family trait."

That startles a laugh out of me, watery but genuine. "You're ridiculous," I tell him, but there's no heat behind the words.

"Yeah, but you love me anyway," he retorts, sticking out his tongue.

The tension in the room eases, the earlier playfulness slowly seeping back in. But there's an undercurrent of something more now, a shared resolve that seems to crackle in the air between us.

"So," Louis says, his tone deceptively casual. "What's our next move? Because I don't know about you, but I'm not content to sit back and wait for Elaine's next power play."

I take a deep breath, centering myself. "You're right. We need a plan. Something concrete."

Sonya nods, her expression turning thoughtful. "Well, we've got Song working on getting proof about Amethyst's supposed pregnancy. That's a start."

"But it's not enough," I say, surprising myself with the steel in my voice. "We need more. We need to find out where they're keeping June, what kind of treatment he's receiving. And we need leverage."

Song's eyebrows shoot up. "Leverage? Like, blackmail?"

I hesitate for a moment, then nod. "If that's what it takes, yeah. Elaine's not playing by the rules here. Why should we?"

There's a beat of silence as they all stare at me, expressions ranging from shock to grudging admiration. Then Louis lets out a low whistle.

"Aye dios!" he says, a slow smile spreading across his face. "Looks like Mama Bear's coming out to play."

I feel my cheeks heat, but I don't back down. "I'm done being pushed around. Done being scared. This is my family we're talking about. Mine and June's. And I'll be damned if I let Elaine Deveaux take that away from us."

Sonya grins, fierce and proud. "That's my girl. So, where do we start?"

As we begin to brainstorm, throwing out ideas and strategies, I feel something settle in my chest. A calm certainty that, somehow puts me at ease.

June's voice echoes in my mind, a promise and a prayer. "I'm coming home to you, to both of you. I promise."

I press a hand to my stomach, feeling the flutter of movement beneath my palm. "We'll be waiting," I whisper, too soft for the others to hear. "Just hold on, June. We're coming for you."

And for the first time in what feels like forever, I allow myself to truly believe it. We're going to bring June home. We're going to be a family.

Elaine Deveaux and her schemes don't stand a chance.