Sweet Hope (Sweet Home 3)

“Rome, you forgot one. There’s only two here.”

Rome stiffened beside me, and when I looked up, his eyes were facing the direction Molly had gone. My eyes narrowed, and I nudged him with my elbow. “Hey, cuz! You with me?”

Rome flicked his head to me and ran his hand through his hair. “Yeah, sorry, Al.”

“What’s up?” I asked. “‘Cause y’all are acting real strange.”

I stared down at the two champagne glasses and I let out an excited gasp. “Why isn’t she drinking?”

Rome opened his mouth, but...

“I’m pregnant.” Molly’s quiet voice carried from the entranceway to where I stood. Both Rome and I quickly turned our heads to face her. She was pale, and I could tell she’d just vomited.

The air whooshed from my lungs and my hand flew over my mouth. Molly edged forward, and her lip curled in happiness. “I’m sixteen weeks gone…” She looked at Rome and tears of happiness filled her eyes. “Can you believe it? We’re pregnant again!”

Tears then spilled down her cheeks. Mine did exactly the same as I ran to my best friend, her hands now shaping the small round bump under her flowing dress. I took her into my arms.

“I’m so happy for you, darlin’,” I whispered as I felt Molly grip me tightly.

She was shaking.

I pulled back and wiped her tears with my thumbs. “I’m so damn happy for you.”

“Thank you, Ally,” she said with an excited laugh. Her whole face shone with excitement. But that expression faltered when her eyes drifted to Rome, who still hadn’t moved from his hunched-over position by the countertop. He was watching us closely, but there was pain in his dark stare.

Molly walked away from me, gently squeezing my arm in thanks before she let go and made her way to her husband. Dipping her head, she placed her fingers under his lowered chin and lifted Rome’s head before pressing a kiss to his lips.

“I’ll be fine,” she hushed soothingly.

Rome stared at her for what felt like an age before pulling her onto his lap and wrapping her in his arms. Molly saw me watching in confusion and explained, “I have Preeclampsia, Ally. The pregnancy could be tough, since I shouldn’t have developed Preeclampsia this early. Our doctor has given me a list of things I have to do to help myself, but this one here is terrified.” She ran her hand through Rome’s long hair to emphasize her point. “It’s the reason we haven’t told anyone sooner. You know, just incase something went wrong again. Lexi and Austin know, but I wanted to wait and tell you to your face. Of course Rome can’t stop worrying.”

That twist in my gut was back again.

“I’m terrified of losing you,” Rome’s deep, rough voice said quietly. “No baby is worth that.”

Molly’s head tilted slowly to the side as she watched him. “You won’t lose me. It’s all going to be okay. We’re going to have a baby and everything will be fine.”

They stared into each other’s eyes and seemed to speak to each other simply through their connection.

I rocked awkwardly on my feet and moved toward my cases. Molly saw me from the corner of her eye and stood up from Rome’s lap.

“Rome, show Ally to her room, baby. I’m going to go and lie down.” She rolled her eyes at me. “Doctor’s orders. Lots of rest and no stress.”

I smiled at her and watched as she headed out of the room. Molly then stopped and turned round. “Oh, I nearly forgot. We’ve organized a celebration dinner for you tonight, sweetie. Everyone’s coming. A big hello to you and your arrival in the Emerald City.”

“Molls, I—” I went to argue, worried it was pushing her too far.

“Not you too, Ally! I have enough from my brooding hulking Football stud there, treating me like I’m a fragile doll.” Molly pointed at Rome and playfully gave him a scowl. Rome’s eyes tightened, being playful back. “I’m fine.” Her hand went to her stomach. “We’re both fine, and I won’t have everyone stepping on eggshells around me for the next several months!”

“Yes, ma’am,” I said and mock-saluted her.

Molly laughed and shook her head. “And later I want to hear all about this new gallery you’re designing at my school, okay?”

“Sure thing,” I replied, amused.

Molly nodded in triumph, then carefully walked up the stairs, leaving me alone with Rome. Rome picked up my luggage and quickly headed for the stairs, and I followed.

He led me to a room at the end of a long hallway. When he opened the door, my mouth fell open. It was beautiful; light and airy, an all-white room with a huge en suite featuring the biggest tub I’d ever seen.

“Rome… this is…” I whispered and turned to my cousin, who was leaning against the doorframe, arms folded across his chest.

“Now you stay for as long as you want, you hear? Molly loves having you around. And I don’t find it too shabby either.”

I stared at my cousin, hearing the catch in his voice as he tried to cover his apprehension over his wife with a joke. I walked over to his tall frame and took hold of his tense arms. “She’ll be okay, you know. This baby is a good thing. It’s a blessing.”

Rome looked down at the floor. “I know it is, Al, and I am happy. We’ve wanted a baby for so long. You know we have. But, Christ, Al, listening to that doctor talk through the risks again and being constantly reminded that her momma died from the same thing Mols has… and…” Rome stopped speaking, and I squeezed my hand on his arm. His nostrils flared and he went on. “And remembering my girl in that damn hospital bed, broken and lost, just kills me. It could happen again. Or it could be worse.”