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

I take his hand, and he leads me out of the cabin, and out of my uncertainties. In my heart, I know I’d follow this man anywhere.

✽✽✽

Breakfast is uneventful, but tasty. Afterward, we are scheduled to go sailing in the harbor with Teddy and Faith, so we grab jackets from the cabin and head to meet them at the front of the guest house.

“I think we need to tell your brother and Faith who I am. I know we got interrupted last time on the hike, but, if the informant who leaked our marriage news is able to find my identity or location, we wouldn’t be safe here. I would not be able to forgive myself if they were caught up in my own personal maelstrom.” His hands are in his pockets, and his eyes are downcast to the small grassy path.

“I agree, we should tell them today if we can. But, Patrick, there’s nothing you can do if someone finds out we’re here. Frankly, there’s nothing Teddy and Faith can do, either. They’re stuck here for at least her first trimester.” I can’t help but shudder remembering the day we toured the medical facility, and the medical director said that going home wasn’t guaranteed, even then. My knee still hasn’t completely healed from the cuts I got from the beach stones in my hasty escape from that particular dose of reality.

“I’ve been thinking that over, ever since we saw the news report yesterday. One of your brothers is in the NAA Police force, right? Maybe Teddy could call him and have him pull some strings. Make up a family emergency? Anything to get them back in Georada, and out of the line of crossfire.” He grows silent as we continue around the side of the building.

“Yeah, Peter is. But, I don’t think he’d be able to do anything. I’m not even sure what he does other than travel around on official business and look intimidating in camo.”

Patrick snorts at my description. “Really? Well, hopefully Teddy has some ideas. But as soon as we’ve got a moment alone, we need to tell them. Warn them.”

I hate the sadness that’s creeped into his tone, as if he’s some kind of pariah. “It’ll be fine, Patrick. You’re not in charge of everyone else, even if you are some fancy politician’s kid.” I give him my best saucy wink, and he shakes his head at my shenanigans.

We round the corner, and Faith gives us an excited wave from the front walk. “There you two are! I’ve been dying to tell you all about the test results!”

“I’d ask what held you two up, but I really don’t want the details,” Teddy drawls as he arches an eyebrow suggestively.

“Get your mind out of the gutter, Teddy. We went back for our jackets. And you know I hate mornings, so hush.” I give him my best scolding look in response. I’ve really perfected it over the years of dealing with six brothers.

“Poor Todd-from-Mairmont here has been waiting for ten minutes!” He waves his hands as if it’s the end of the world. “He’s probably out of coffee by now, and everything.” Teddy gives me a wink.

“Don’t you worry, Mrs. O’Roarke, I’m a-okay,” Todd cuts in helpfully. “Are you all ready to head to the harbor? It’s beautiful weather today for sailing.”

Faith latches onto my arm and drags me towards the shuttle door. “Ignore your brother, he wants to get a rise out of you. Now, about my tests yesterday. It’s too early to actually see anything going on in there, but they ran a whole blood panel, and they said everything is GREAT!” Her excitement really brings out her latent New Texas twang, and I can’t help but smile.

“Also, the medical director said it’s perfectly normal to not feel much of anything yet, and I was so relieved to hear that. Oh! And, she gave me an entire bundle of expectant mothers’ ebooks to read on my mini-tablet!”

Teddy cuts in, an urgent tone in his voice, “For the love of mama’s biscuits, DON’T let her show you the pictures!”

The face he pulls makes me bust out laughing. I don’t even ask, just give Faith a fist bump. “Didn’t know you were such a weenie, Teddy!”

He shakes his head and makes a disgusted face. “Fine, don’t listen. But don’t blame me when you can never eat spaghetti sauce again.”

I look to Patrick in confusion, but he shrugs. Faith and I take the front loveseat, and Patrick and Teddy settle at opposite ends of the one behind us.

She squeezes my hand so hard in her enthusiasm that the little bones in my hand grind together. “It’s so amazing, Sadie. After all this time, it’s like my own invisible miracle.” Her other hand flutters down to rest on her still-flat stomach.

“I’m so happy for you, Faith. You are going to be an amazing mother. Are an amazing mother, already.” I amend my statement, because the change in her was instantaneous.

“Oh Sadie, you just wait. It’s the best feeling, really. You’ll see!” She throws her arms around me, and I hug her back carefully.

“Okay, time to get you folks sailing. We should be there in about fifteen minutes, but let me know if you need anything in the meantime!” Todd says, upbeat.

Faith continues excitedly telling me all about HCG and beta indicators the entire drive to the small harbor where a gorgeous white sailboat awaits us. It bobs in the gentle waves, and the wind makes snapping sounds against the tightly rolled fabric of the sails as we walk down the dock and over to the gangplank.

“Have you ever been sailing before?” I ask.

She shakes her head. “No, but it sounded fun in the brochure. Oh, and we asked and they’ll cater lunch for us, too! This is definitely my favorite honeymoon location so far.”

“Only your favorite location, huh? Not your favorite honeymoon?” Teddy waggles his eyebrows at her.

Faith’s laugh is instantaneous and bright. “Hmm,