Apollo picked up the first dish and started washing it. And the funny thing was he didn’t mind. When he’d been off on his adventures, he’d learned to clean his own dishes, and in definitely more harsh terrain.
See, big brother, my travels weren’t all a waste of time. I’ve learned to be a real human being and not just a spoiled brat.
The pain of loss engulfed him. It was so hard to believe that Nile was gone. He kept expecting him to walk through the door, slap him on the back and give him some verbal jab about his latest expedition. And then he’d tell Apollo all about his upcoming baby and how he was anxious to know him or her. Sadly, that was never to be—
“Sorry about that,” Popi said, cutting through his painful and sorrowful thoughts. “That was the moving crew.”
He placed the last of the dishes in the cupboard and turned to her. “That must be who you mistook me for yesterday.”
She nodded. “Sorry about that.” She got to her feet. “The ferry to the mainland will be here shortly. You can head down to the dock to wait for it.” Popi started for the bedroom.
“Thank you for breakfast,” he called out. “It was delicious and a nice reminder of the past.”
Did she really think things were settled between them? Was that why she’d been so nice to him with the blanket and feeding him? Did she think he’d just quietly disappear?
He’d wait until she changed out of that flirty little pink robe and then they’d talk. He would tell her that there was no way he was giving away his own flesh and blood. And it doesn’t matter how nice she is to him or how her smile lights up her eyes and causes a warm feeling within his chest. He was immune to her charms—if he wanted to be.
CHAPTER SEVEN
TOOT-TOOT.
The ferry was pulling into the dock. The work crew had arrived. It was time to get to work.
Popi tried to put socks on her feet, but her feet now seemed so far away. After a couple attempts, she tossed aside the socks. Flip-flops would have to suffice. Besides, with the swelling in her feet, she wasn’t even sure she could get shoes on her feet.
She definitely didn’t know about all of these discomforts when she’d signed on to be a surrogate. Not that it would have changed her mind. She would have done anything for her sister.
Like the time when they were young and her sister had strep throat. They were supposed to go with friends on a trip to the beach. They’d been waiting months to go and then Andrina had gotten sick. Popi could have gone without her big sister, but she knew how disappointed Andrina was about missing the trip. So Popi stayed home and they had a movie marathon instead. Their parents had promised them a trip to the beach when Andrina was better.
The memory brought a smile to her face, but it was fleeting, as the guilt over Andrina’s death came back to her. Unlike when they were kids, Popi had let her sister down in the worst way. Popi never understood the true power of words until that moment.
And sometimes the lack of words was just as important.
The breakfast preparation had definitely paid off. There had been no arguing, and now Apollo was on his way to the dock and then on to the mainland. Oh, she had no doubt that their paths would cross again. And she also realized their attorneys would be hashing out the custody arrangement. But that didn’t mean she had to deal with him one-on-one.
She pressed a hand to her lower back. With her stomach pushed so far to the front, it was really putting a strain on her back. And nothing she did would ease the pain. The only thing she could do was try to ignore it—like that was possible.
Popi changed into some work clothes, which was a challenge all its own. She was so far along now that barely any of her clothes fit comfortably.
When she at last slipped on some flip-flops, she headed for the door. Once she coordinated the transfer of everyone’s belongings to the warehouses, she would be on her way to her parents’ house. She was anxious to put her feet up and wait for this little one to make an appearance. In another couple of weeks, it’d be her due date.
Having her parents around would be a comfort. Her parents’ home wasn’t the place she’d originally envisioned waiting for the baby—that had been with her sister and her brother-in-law. It was amazing how fast life could change—with the flip of a coin. Her grieving parents were cheered with the prospect of becoming grandparents for the very first time.