The Girl Who Always Wins (Soulless 13)

“No. You’re literally winning a Nobel Prize.”

Her eyebrows furrowed.

“I asked your dad if we could include you as the third person on the paper.”

“Why?”

“Because you’re the one who figured it out.”

“I suggested the markers—”

“You were my sounding board. You worked this out with me. If you hadn’t, I’m not sure when I would have made that conclusion…if ever.”

“That doesn’t mean I’ve contributed to your research the way you two have. You’ve been working on this for years. You’ve been in the lab, at the hospital, doing all the work—”

“Which would have meant nothing if we didn’t understand this crucial piece. You saved lives, Daisy. Without you, over half of the patients in this set of trials would have passed away. You deserve this.”

“I…” Overwhelmed, she didn’t know what to say.

“It’s done.”

“That’s not why I helped you—”

“I know.”

“That’s not why any doctor helps another doctor—”

“I know, baby. But you found something we both missed. You deserve this.”

When she reached six months, she started to get uncomfortable.

Really uncomfortable.

She was such a petite woman that it made it that much harder. She was in flats all the time, took naps when she came home from work, had a bigger appetite, and knocked out at night much earlier than she used to. Whenever her back hurt, I would rub it. I did whatever I could to make it easier for her.

When we went to her parents’ place, we all shared hugs and embraces, and both of her parents felt her belly with their hands, so excited to be grandparents to another little person.

I was forgotten most of the time, which was fine. I didn’t glow the way she did. I helped myself to the kitchen and got her some water and apple cider before I set it on the coffee table. Then I helped her out of her jacket before I hung it up by the door. It was still winter, and the cold made her handle the extra heat of her body a little better. There were some mini burritos on the table, so I grabbed those for her too.

When I sat beside her, I handed her the plate of burritos.

“Oh, thanks. I’m freakin’ starving.” She took a bite and scarfed it down, continuing her conversation with her parents.

Her dad made eye contact with me, a slight smile on his lips. Then he gave me a thumbs-up.

I smiled back, warmed by his approval.

Dex took the seat beside me. “Congratulations on everything, man. Your research, your baby, your Nobel—”

“We won’t know until next year. Our findings were made too late for this year.”

“But come on,” he said. “You know you’ve got it in the bag.” He patted me on the back. “And then Daisy’s going to get one…like she wasn’t already the favorite. You’d think Derek or I would get this so Dad would like us more.”

I chuckled because I knew he was only teasing.

“So, you know what you’re having yet?”

“We do.”

“Really?” He smacked my arm. “Tell me.”

I liked that he treated me like a brother, that both he and Derek accepted me with open arms, even though I’d knocked up his sister and dumped her at one point. There was no older-brother grilling. No interrogation. “I’ll let Daisy do the honors.”

“Oh my god,” Cleo said. “You guys know?”

Daisy nodded, still eating. “Yep.”

Deacon sat on the armrest, his hand on his wife’s back. “Well, how long are you going to torture us?”

She held up a finger and continued to eat her burrito.

Dex got frustrated and smacked it on the floor.

“Hey!” Daisy turned to him, immediately looking like a little girl about to punch her brother.

Bear came over and snatched it up.

“Bear!” Daisy threw her arms down. “I thought you had my back.”

“Baby, I’ll get you more, alright?” I chuckled as I left to retrieve more.

Daisy continued to fight with her brother. “I’m pregnant, you asshole.”

“You can’t stop stuffing your mouth for two seconds to tell me if I’m having a niece or a nephew?” Dex asked incredulously. “You stuff your face all day. And you’re still hungry?”

Daisy looked like she was going to punch him now.

I got between them, holding the plate of burritos. “Here, baby. Ignore him.”

“Punch him for me.”

I turned to Dex and gave him a gentle fist bump in the shoulder. “Done.”

“Please tell us.” Cleo clutched her hands together.

Daisy took a bite of her burrito.

Dex dropped his head into his chest and sighed.

Daisy grinned as she chewed.

Deacon looked amused, even when his kids didn’t get along.

“Alright. I’m ready.” Daisy wiped her mouth with a napkin. “We’re having…”

Every member of her family listened attentively, even the kids.

Daisy moved her hands over her stomach. “A sweet and fierce…little girl.”

“You’re going to be a great dad.” Deacon sat with me at the dining table, everyone else talking amongst themselves throughout the living room. He drank his beer and set it on the table.