Delaney

I bolted upright, having heard a shriek from beside me. My eyes frantically searched for some sign of danger.

My wide blue eyes landed on Scott in standing beside my dresser. He was staring at me intensely. His gauze moved to something in his hands, then back to my eyes. It felt like he was shooting lasers through my skull.

I felt Xavier stir beside me, but he didn't wake up. That boy could sleep through a tornado.

I smiled adoringly at his sleepy face. His face looked peaceful with a smile hinting at the corner of his lips.

A throat clearing brought my attention back to Scott.

"Care to explain?" He said reluctantly.

I was confused what he was talking about until I finally saw what he was holding.

The pregnancy test.

I gulped nervously at the heated look he gave me. It was enough to make me cry on the spot. Probably hormones.

"Umm-I-ah...." I muttered, trying to come up with a response. My eyes lit up with an idea.

"OH MY! CONGRATULATIONS I'M SO HAPPY FOR YOU SCOTT!!" I screamed, making Scott jump in the air, as well as a previously sleeping Xavier.

I gave an innocent smile to Scott, hoping he was really stupid or pitied me enough. Apparently, that wasn't the case.

Scott gave me a deadpanned look. He rolled his eyes and shook his head slowly. Then turned serious.

"Does he know?" He asked me, gesturing behind me to Xavier.

I looked around the room for an escape plan. When I saw that I wouldn't make it, I reluctantly nodded at him.

Scott took a deep breath before letting it out. He sat down beside me and Xavier on my bed.

"You know your holding my pee on a stick, right?" I whispered, trying to ease the tension.

Xavier chuckled as Scott dropped the test back onto the floor.

"So... Umm, what's your plan, Delaney?" He asked, looking as lost as me.

"I want to keep this baby. I know it sounds stupid but I've been without anyone who was related to me for too long. I know that you guys are my family, but this baby is a tiny me and Xavier. Who's any cuter than us?" I asked, smiling up at him nervously. He could make us homeless, and it wouldn't just be me in danger anymore.

"Honey, that's your decision to make. I'm not ever going to take that right away from you. It's your baby. Just make sure you're ready to raise this kid. And if you decide you are, I'll be here to help. You're an amazing girl and this baby will be lucky to have you looking out for her. I've seen how great you are with my boys, and I know you'll be a great parent." He tried to hold back his tears, but a few escaped.

"T-thank you so much!" I squeezed him into an unexpected hug, knocking him back slightly.

He chuckled and hugged me back just as tight.

"No need to thank me. Your my little girl. Always will be. Hope you don't plan on trying to get rid of me anytime soon." He muttered at me, jokingly.

I rolled my eyes.

"Course not, old man. You're gonna a grandpa." I teased him, earning a playful shove and a loud laugh from Xavier.

"Take care of her, or your ass is as good as mine." He threatened my boy.

Xavier grinned at him, not worried at all. I trusted him completely.

"Yes sir." Xavier nodded respectfully.

He scooped me up into his arms and sat with me on his lap. His giant arms cocooned me into his warmth. I snuggled farther in.

Both guys chuckled at my actions. Scott rubbed my head then walked out, shaking his head.

I felt Xavier kiss my head softly. That, combined with his warmth and safety, was enough to put me back to sleep.

My peace was disrupted but a familiar feeling in my stomach. I held a hand over my mouth and shoved my way out of Xavier's arms. He seemed confused at my stumbling form, but once he saw me aiming for the toilet, he rushed to help.

•••

When the toilet party was over with, Xavier helped me brush my teeth and face. He showered with me to clean everything off.

I promised, it was innocent—mostly.

His hands kept wandering down to my stomach. He rubbed circles on my tummy subconsciously.

I wanted to cry over the cuteness every time, but I held it together.

We got all of the boys gathered into the backyard later that evening, after Xavier went home. Scott suggested to not tell everyone so soon. Lots of things could go wrong—we just didn't know.

So I spent the night around a campfire in the backyard. Ben sat in my lap. The other boys fought over who got to sit beside me. It was sweet. Luke and Nathan ended up winning because they were the biggest. That's code for 'they threw their brothers on the ground and took their seats'.

I laughed loudly at the cute child in my arms. His face was covered in marshmallow and chocolate. I finished my s'mores and passed the messy kid to his dad for bedtime.

The rest of us sat up unstill the sun rose the next morning. Nobody made a move to leave. We all enjoyed being around each other.

The twins hadn't apologized, and I wasn't sure if they would. Did I deserve an apology? I didn't have the answers but I wasn't going to let my life be put on hold waiting.

They seemed to ignore my presence rather than taunt me, which I preferred. I could handle their naive ways of grieving over their loss.

I did a lot of stupid things when I first lost my Dad. The system taught me to grow up quick, though. That's something I was glad these boys didn't have to deal with. They could grieve their own way and on their own time, unlike young Delaney, who was forced to burry her hurting heart to survive in a world to dark for a child.

Everyone deserved nights of campfires and s'mores to brighten a gloomy sky.