27. Peyton

PEYTON

S he didn't need a test. Peyton knew she was pregnant. Soon, Alex would know too, because if this pregnancy was anything like her other two, there'd be no hiding her morning sickness. Unlike other women, hers didn't typically start until after the first trimester.

She hadn't told Alex what happened with Brodie the night before he disappeared from her life, but eventually, she'd have to.

Where Brodie was concerned, Peyton was numb. She didn't look for him or expect to hear from him—she knew he was gone from her life. Part of her wondered if she'd ever see him again. She'd felt this way after Kade died too. She'd dream it was a mistake, that he hadn't really been killed, but inside, she felt the separation, the finality.

There was no question, though, that she'd have this baby. It was her baby, the same way Jamison and Finn were. Their father wasn't part of their lives, and this baby's father wouldn't be, either.

Alex accused her of caring too much about what people thought, but in this case, she didn't give a damn. She was pregnant, and she refused to hide it. If someone dared to ask about the baby's father, she already knew what she'd say. She'd tell them it was none of their fucking business.

She didn't know yet what she'd tell the boys, but her mom would help her through it. No matter what, she didn't doubt her parents' support. Their love for her was unconditional. Maybe without it, she wouldn't be able to be as brave.

When she walked into Stave, Alex was already there. She looked as though something heavy weighed on her.

Anxiety flooded her body. "What's up?" Peyton asked.

"It's Brodie, Peyton. I don't know how to tell you this."

Peyton's hand flew to her mouth, and she ran to the restroom, getting there right before she lost the contents of her stomach. When she returned, Alex was waiting and pulled her into a hug.

"Tell me."

"Maddox called this morning. Brodie was traveling to a remote vineyard in Argentina. The small plane he was in lost contact. He and Naughton are making arrangements to leave now."

Peyton rested her hands on her stomach and took several deep breaths. The tears she expected didn't come.

"Peyton, are you okay?"

"I don't know."

"Do you want to sit?"

"I better." She held onto Alex's arm, but when she tried to get her to the sofa near the fireplace, Peyton let go and moved to the other side of the room.

"You better sit too, Alex. I have something I need to tell you."

Her friend made the decision to close Stave indefinitely. The sign she put on the door said they were closed for remodeling, but only the tourists who visited Cambria were unaware of the real reason.

There were days when Peyton felt certain she was having a miscarriage. She'd gone to the emergency room twice because the cramping had gotten so bad she couldn't stand the pain. They kept her overnight both times, releasing her when the ultrasound showed the baby was fine. After her last trip, the doctor recommended temporary bed rest.

Peyton stayed with her parents, who took responsibility for getting the boys to and from school every day.

Communication from Maddox and Naughton was limited. The search for the plane wreckage was extensive, and that was all they knew at this point. Only Sorcha believed they'd find her son and bring him home.

"He's alive," she insisted. "A mother knows. I know my Brodie is alive, and nothing anyone says will change my mind."

According to Alex, Laird had given up hope, but kept his belief from his wife.

Her best friend visited Sorcha and Laird every few days, although neither knew yet of Peyton's pregnancy.

The worst part? She'd stopped dreaming. Neither Kade nor Brodie came to her when she slept. When she was asleep, she saw nothing but darkness.

"Do you want me to go to your doctor's appointment tomorrow?" Alex asked.

"Would you mind? I feel as though my parents never get a break."

"I don't mind, and I doubt they do, either. I'd like to be there."

"You're approximately fourteen weeks along," the doctor told her unnecessarily. Peyton knew exactly when she got pregnant.

"Can you tell if it's a boy or a girl?" Alex asked.

"Not yet. Closer to twenty weeks for us to know for sure."

Peyton didn't need the doctor to tell her that either. She was certain she was having a daughter.

After her appointment, Peyton waited out front in a wheelchair while Alex went to get her car. The sun felt warm on her face, and she let her eyes drift closed.

"Peyton?"

When she opened her eyes, Sorcha Butler stood in front of her. She knelt down, and Peyton's eyes filled with tears.

"Peyton, why are you here?"

Alex pulled up, saw Sorcha, and jumped out of the car.

"Ready, sweetie?" She wheeled Peyton toward the car, leaving Brodie's mom without an answer.

Alex closed Peyton's door and turned back. "We'll talk later, okay?"

"Alex?" Laird Butler approached and saw Peyton sitting in the car. "Is she okay?"

"She's okay, but I need to get her home. I'll stop by later."

Peyton rolled down the window and motioned for Alex to come closer. "Invite them to the house, if Mrs. Butler feels up to it."

"Are you sure?"

Peyton nodded and rolled the window up.

Neither spoke on the ride back. Alex came around to help Peyton out of the car, and she swatted her.

"I'm fine, Alex. I'm having a baby. I'm not paralyzed, for God's sake."

Alex had her hand over her mouth, and Peyton expected her to bitch at her or cry, as she was prone to do lately. Instead, Alex laughed.

"What?" Peyton laughed too.

"It's good to see Peyton-the-bitch again. I hate the milquetoast version of you."

"Milquetoast? What the hell is milquetoast? Although it sounds kind of good. Like toast and warm milk?"

"Hungry too? I'm so happy right now."

"What possessed me to invite Brodie's parents over?"

"You did what?" Peyton's mom came out the front door of the house.

"I need to tell them, Mom. Seriously, they deserve to know."

"I wondered."

Peyton looked at Alex. "But she didn't say anything. She never says anything."

"Don't complain. Spend a week with my mom, and you'll realize how good you have it."

"Yeah!" Her mom fist-pumped the air, which only made Alex and Peyton laugh harder. "Did I hear you say you're hungry?" her mom asked.

"Starving. Can you make me some toast? And add warm milk?"

"Good Lord, Peyton. Where did you come up with that craving?"

"Blame her." Peyton pointed at Alex, who shrugged.

"Thank you for inviting us to your home, Mrs. Wolf."

"Sorcha, please call me August. You know my husband, Jamison?"

"Laird, Sorcha," Peyton's father greeted Brodie's mother and father. "Can I bring something to drink?"

"Whatever's open, Jamison."

Her dad returned with an unmarked bottle of red, and poured everyone but Peyton a glass.

Her head throbbed with their formality. Soon, no one would be so cordial.

"I have something to tell you," she began.

When Laird's phone pinged, he apologized and took it from his pocket.

"I'm sorry," he said. "I have to take this."

Peyton took a deep breath when he left the room, then leaned forward and held Sorcha's hands.

"Oh, thank the Lord," they heard Laird shout from the kitchen. He rushed into the living room, where his wife waited with Peyton, her parents, and Alex. "They've found him. He's alive! Sorcha! He's alive!"

Hearing Brodie's father's news, Peyton felt the darkness pull her under.

"Peyton?" Alex tapped her face. "Peyton!"

She opened her eyes and looked over at Brodie's parents, who were handing the phone back and forth.

"They're talking to someone with the search party. Apparently, Maddox radioed that they've located the crash site, and by some miracle, Brodie is still alive. They're trying to determine his condition now."

A few minutes later, Sorcha wiped her happy tears and sat down next to Peyton. "What did you have to tell us, lass?"

She looked at her mom, who nodded through her own tears. "Go ahead, Peyton. Tell them your news."

She took a deep breath, not convinced this was the right time. However, if she didn't tell them now, when would she? "Sorcha, Laird. I'm pregnant. And Brodie is the father."

At first, Peyton thought Sorcha might faint, as she herself had only a few minutes earlier. She didn't, but she didn't say anything either. Instead, she reached for Laird's hand and gripped it hard enough that he winced.

"I told you," she whispered before standing and leaving the room.

Laird sat down next to Peyton and hugged her.

"Is she okay?"

"Oh, yes, she's fine. Overwhelmed, of course. You see, she told me that Maddox and Naughton were going to find Brodie. That when they did, you would tell him he was going to be a father."

Peyton felt light-headed again, which Alex noticed. "What do you need, Peyton?"

"I'm okay."

"You sure?"

"I should lie down."

"I'll help you upstairs."

When Peyton started to protest, Alex put her hands together. "Please," she mouthed.

"Seriously, are you okay?" Alex asked.

All Peyton wanted to do was sleep. "Can you close the door?"

"Sure, of course, sorry. God, this is crazy, isn't it? He's okay! They found him. He's coming home."

"Alex…"

"What? Jesus, this is a fucking miracle!"

"Alex."

She sat at the end of Peyton's bed. "What? I'm sorry. Go ahead. Talk. Say whatever you need to say."

"He left me long before he was in a plane crash."

"Don't you think this changes things?"

"Why would it?"

"Peyton, how could it not?"

"He left me. Are you not hearing me?"

"I hear you, but I don't understand."

"I'd like to be alone for a while. Let my mom know it's okay for them to tell the boys about Brodie."

"Peyton—"

"Leave me alone, Alex."