Double Daddy Trouble

And there the word was, blinking over and over on the digital screen.

I dried off and pulled on Isaac’s Warriors T-shirt. I slipped into a pair of Dylan’s boxers. I padded back to the kitchen where Dylan was making lunch. He had grilled cheeses lined up on the gourmet broiler.

The stick was behind my back. I didn’t know if this was the right way to tell them or not. Was there a right way to say something like this? I was scared to death things would change. That everything would be different.

Dylan hummed as he flipped the sandwiches over.

Isaac had his leg propped on an empty bar stool with a bag of frozen peas over his knee. I stared at him.

“Did I hurt you? Oh God, I was trying to be careful.”

“I’m fine. I have to do ice twice a day. Thought I’d get it over with while I’m waiting on my lunch.” He cracked a funny smile.

I sighed. “Oh good. Because if we have to hold off on sex…”

“Hell no. Don’t ever say those words.”

I twisted my lips together. It was on the tip of my tongue. I had to say it. I had to tell them, but the room started to feel fuzzy. I saw spots and I reached for the counter. Dylan must have seen me. He dropped the spatula and scooped me up before my knees buckled. The test fell from my hands and hit the floor.

“Darlin’, you ok?”

I nodded, but it was there at my feet. The three of us stared at it.

“What is that?” Dylan asked.

Isaac leaned over, collecting it from the floor. He read the stick. The room was still spinning, but they were mesmerized by the stick. Dylan’s hand was around my waist, steadying me.

“You’re pregnant?” Isaac’s eyes lifted to mine.

“Pregnant?” Dylan almost choked.

I nodded. “I am.”

Isaac let the bag of peas slide from his knee. He stood and walked toward me. I looked in his eyes. He knew. He knew exactly when it happened.

“It’s mine, isn’t it?”

I nodded. “How did you know?”

“The night you showed us your art. Damn it, Vanessa. I don’t know what to say. I know you probably think I fucked everything up…but…” he placed his hands on my stomach. “But I love you, and I want this baby with you.” He eyed Dylan and took a big breath. “You can say something, brother.”

Dylan’s hands circled the other side of my belly. I didn’t know if he would be jealous, or angry. I only didn’t want the baby to come between them, or us. My eyes stung with tears.

“Dylan?” I searched his face for some kind of reaction.

“You’re so damn beautiful pregnant, Vanessa.”

I choked back a sob. “You’re ok with it?”

He nodded. “We’ve been doing exactly what we wanted the past few months. And it doesn’t matter to me that this baby has Isaac’s DNA, we made this kid.”

I nodded in total agreement. “Oh my God.” My knees finally buckled and they caught me. Dylan offered to carry me to the couch while Isaac filled a tall glass with ice and water.

“I need to talk to both of you.” I sipped the water. The room felt less woozy. Vertigo was a bitch.

“Just give yourself a few minutes. We can talk later,” Isaac suggested.

“No.” I shook my head. “It’s important. There’s a press conference tonight.”