Rise: Populations Crumble, Book 2 by Gandy, A. (read book .txt) 📕

“Congratulations, Faith, I’m so happy for you,” I say with sincerity. “For both of you,” I add. Teddy pulls me in for a bear hug, and lifts my feet clean off the floor in the process.

“You’ll be next, baby sister, and then our kids will grow up best friends,” he whispers in my ear, and my eyes start to water. He puts me down, and I punch him in the arm.

“Don’t make me cry, you idiot!” I hastily wipe at my eyes, willing the tears to go away before they start. “I can’t believe you two didn’t tell us!” I give him an accusing glare.

“We didn’t know!” Faith cuts in. “Every day they collect a urine sample to test, and then your results load to your device later that evening. We weren’t due for results for another hour.” She looks up at Teddy, and gratefulness washes over her features. “Teddy, I can’t tell you how much this means to me, after so long. I—” Her voice cuts off, and she’s crying again.

This time it’s Faith he wraps in a gentle bear hug. “I know, Faith. I know,” he says soothingly.

Jared taps his fluted glass again to cut through the din of conversations around the room. “In celebration of this new life, we’ll be throwing a banquet this evening for the entire property! Dinner will be served in half an hour, so feel free to mingle until then.” He turns to Melissa, who’s been at his side, beaming throughout his announcement. They have a short but intense conversation before breaking apart.

Melissa scans the room, and her determined look lands on us. She makes her way through the crowded room like a bullet. “Hey, you two, I need an appointment with you at the medical facility. How does tomorrow around 9:30 sound?” Her voice is syrupy sweet, with a no-nonsense undertone.

Patrick cuts right to the chase. “What is this about?”

“Let’s not interrupt the celebration. I’ll see you both promptly at 9:30.” She turns and walks away without further room for argument.

I look at Patrick, worried. There’s no way that’s good.

The Principal’s Office

The celebratory dinner passes in a blur. Faith looks like she’s walking on a cloud, and Teddy looks elated the whole time. My heart clenches again, but this time with happiness. Faith deserves this. Not that anyone else doesn’t. I think of all the girls we left behind at the NLC. I have to put them out of mind for now, as this celebration is all about Teddy and Faith, and the new little life she’s growing. We sit directly across from them at dinner, and family-style trays of entrees, brought out in waves, cover the table in front of us at all times. The mood overall is jovial, and it’s easy to pretend that the other shoe isn’t going to drop tomorrow morning.

The wait staff keeps the sparkling cider flowing all evening, and before we know it, the dessert plates are empty and it’s time to walk back to our cottages. Faith and I link arms for the long walk down the beach, and she presses her other hand gently against her lower abdomen.

“I can’t believe there’s a baby in there, after all this time,” she says softly. “I don’t feel any different. Shouldn’t I feel different?” She looks at me, concern etched into her lovely moonlit features.

“I don’t know for sure, but I think that part comes later. I’m sure you can talk to the medical director about what to expect.”

She nods, appeased for now. “Just think, Sadie. You’ll probably be right behind us in a month or two! Isn’t it exciting to imagine our kids growing up together? They’ll each have a built-in best friend. I would have killed for that when I was growing up.”

My stomach rolls at the idea of being pregnant in a month. Or two months. I know it’s likely, assuming Patrick and I are ready to take our physical relationship to the next level soon. But, a baby? A living, breathing human to take care of? I’m not ready.

Thankfully we arrive at their cabin, and Teddy steals Faith from my arm to lead her up to their front door. She throws one last wave over her shoulder at me, before leaning her head on his shoulder as he unlocks their front door.

Teddy is going to be a great father. Sure, he’s a major goofball, and he’s still young. But he’s got a loyal streak a mile wide, and he’s already fallen hook, line, and sinker for Faith. I can’t imagine their baby will be any different.

“Penny for your thoughts?” Patrick says as we make our way down the last stretch of beach to the next cabin, ours.

I shake my head, unsure where to begin. Staring out at the moonlight reflected over the crashing waves, it feels like I could will it all away—the expectations, the oversight. Will away the forced urgency on our relationship. But, our relationship . . . I wouldn’t wish that away. The lies and the distance between us, yes. But him? The man at my side? No. He’s already burrowed into the very center of my soul, and I know deep down that I’ve been forever changed by even our brief time together.

We make our way up the front steps, and he lets me keep my thoughts to myself. With a small smile, he goes to the hall bathroom and I hear the rush of the shower turning on, the start of his nightly routine. It’s funny how I know that small detail about him already, even though we haven’t been living together long. And yet, it’s impossible for me to not know that he’s a morning person who loves the thrill of running before the sun’s up. He’s permanently kind and treats everyone he meets well, despite who his father is; despite who he might be. But also, he really, really sucks at playing Scrabble. The