Fallon sat at the counter, eating breakfast as she stared out the window. Brody felt her emotions churning, as if through him in a dark tide. He tried to start a conversation, but she was so lost in thought, she must not have heard.
Finally, she put her fork down.
He scooted his chair closer and caressed her face. “Fallon, what’s wrong? Are you sick again?”
The corners of her mouth lifted. “I’m good. That usually comes later.” Her smile brightened even more. “I was thinking about baby names last night while you were gone.”
He grinned. “You were?”
Her eyes sparkled. “Ryan and Rhiannon.”
His brows drew together. “What if they’re both boys or both girls?”
She shrugged. “I have a feeling we have one of each. But, what are your choices?”
“I like Ryan and Rhiannon, but if we have two boys, why not Braden and Ryan, and Rhiannon and Alexis if we have two girls?”
Fallon threaded her fingers into his hair, scooting closer. “And if it’s a boy and girl, Ryan and Rhiannon?”
“Definitely.” He leaned in to taste her lips. Her fingers tangled in his hair, pulling him closer. He broke away, panting. “Sugar, I have to go to work.”
“I know. And I have a couple errands to run. I’ll bring you lunch later.”
“No appointments today?”
She shook her head. “Nope. So I’m not going in. But I can come visit you.”
“Yes, please.” Happiness swelled within Brody, imagining Ryan and Rhiannon. “I hope they look like you.”
She giggled. “I’d rather they look like you. Now go. I’ll be by later.”
He dipped his head. “See you this afternoon.”
Fallon sucked his bottom lip before releasing him. “Go. Otherwise, I may tie you to the table and take advantage of you.”
“I’m never surviving the next seven months.” He backed away with a grin. “Doubt I can keep up with your pregnancy hormones.”
Her eyes trailed down his body, a grin spreading on her face. “You can. I have faith. Now go, before you tempt me further.”
He ducked his head and slipped through the door. As he pulled out of the driveway, he realized she’d sidestepped him about what was bothering her.
Well, shit.
* * * *
Fallon pushed her plate away and dropped her head onto her arms on the counter. Lying sucked. Okay, not lying, but omitting the truth. After freaking out the night before, she didn’t want to put Brody in that position again, not until she had answers and could figure out what she wanted to do with them.
Forcing herself into motion, she cleaned up breakfast and grabbed her phone. She dialed while checking outside the window.
Tremaine answered after a single ring. “Good morning, Fallon.”
“About last night?” she blurted out.
“Mind coming over? I don’t leave for the bookstore for an hour. And I have time if you do. I’ll tell you everything I know.”
“I’ll be there soon.”
Fallon grabbed her keys and headed to his house. Leaving her helmet on the bike, she walked to the porch and rang the bell.
Tremaine answered the door with a smirk. “Glad Brody didn’t distract you.”
“Ha, very funny,” she griped.
“I made tea.” He nodded toward the hall and turned that way.
She sighed. “Thanks.” Drawing a deep breath, she stepped inside and shut the door. Fallon followed him, finally taking a seat at the kitchen island.
Playing with the hem of her shirt, she asked, “How did you know about the baby?”
“Sensed the difference. Took a while to pinpoint because it had been years since I last saw Marla and Lisa.”
“Well, I believe. My stomach unclenched the second I shifted. This isn’t supposed to be possible. How high is the risk? Should I be worried?”
“It’s possible. Extremely rare, though you’re proof, it is possible.” He motioned to a stool. “I realize last night I scared you, but in all fairness, I tried to warn you early enough to avoid the fear and pain.”
“Vaguely. You didn’t tell me I could lose my twins if I didn’t call. Brody distracted me, and I forgot. Until the pain started.”
Tremaine snorted, and his mouth pursed. “You haven’t changed at all.”
She shrugged. “Is that a bad thing?”
“No. I’m sure Brody won’t complain about your appetite.” He waggled his brows.
Fallon allowed a laugh to escape, but she redirected their conversation back to the problem. “So, about the pain. What caused it?”
“One wanted to shift,” Tremaine answered, his expression serious.
Fallon sighed. “Got it.”
He nodded. “You can’t forget to shift from here on out. I mean it, Fallon. You have to remember, or you’re likely to lose both babies. This isn’t a game, and it isn’t a maybe. It’s a definite. Okay?”
“I’ll remember. For now, I have to find an excuse why I need to run with the pack. I don’t want Brody to worry.”
“Tell him. You’ll feel better.”
“No. I overheard him talking to Adam yesterday. He’s already scared he could lose me or the twins. Why scare him if it’s as simple as shifting?”
“That’s hardly fair. Talk to him. Put his mind at ease.”
She shook her head. “I’ll think about it. Tell me more about your friend who had this same problem.”
Tremaine sighed and brought her a steaming cup, hoping she’d relax. “When your stomach ties in knots, shift. Every single time. To wolf, only to wolf from here on out. Marla had to shift often. Sometimes for a bit, sometimes for a whole day. Go with it.”
“Her baby was okay?”
He smiled. “Yes. Lisa wound up strong and fast, but her magic is weaker. She has a little of both worlds.”
“As long as this one will be healthy.”
“If you shift, they both will be. You need to tell Brody.”
“After Sarah, he’s only going to worry.”
“He didn’t argue when you went after DeMarco.”
She looked away. “That fucker would have come for me eventually. Brody had little choice in the matter.”
“Keeping secrets from your husband is never wise. Even if it’s to protect him. What’s he gonna do if something happens to you?”
“I’ll think about it. Full moon isn’t for another month. Things are finally calm right now. Can’t we have a little happy without all the extra bullshit?”
“Soon, Fallon. He’s going to wonder why you suddenly want to shift to a wolf on a whim. And talking about it will ease the burden of carrying this kind of secret.”
Fallon sipped her tea and stared out the window.
Tremaine leaned against the counter and moved into her line of sight to capture her gaze. “If something endangered Brody, you’d want to know, right?”
“Yes. But I’ve never lost anybody I love. Someone who was already pregnant. If I tell him, he’s going to freak.”
“He’ll settle down. I can talk to him too. This doesn’t make you high risk. Just means you need to be cautious.”
“Told you, I’ll think about it. I need some time before I jump in with the news. Is there anything else I should know?”
“Not off the top of my head. I’ll call if I think of something.”
“I’ll answer. Thanks, Trem.”
“Don’t wait too long. If you end up in trouble, I will tell him everything.”
She rolled her eyes. “Nothing is going to happen to me. Thanks for the chat. Besides, things are finally calm now. I want to enjoy some normal for a while instead of all this crazy.”
“Won’t stay crazy. He’ll understand.”
“I need to figure out how.”
Shaking his head, he sighed. “Come by the shop when you get a chance. I have a couple books that might help you find a way to tell him. Better yet, let him read them.”
After overhearing Brody’s conversation, Fallon was scared to tell him anything that might give him cause to worry.