Chapter 114-1 We spent the rest of the morning changing the plan for how we would get to and from the meeting. There was a short break as Matilda insisted I needed a snack. After we were done and had lunch, Finlay and I settled down in our office. We were going to call my brother. Just because I insisted on going to the meeting didnât mean I didnât see the risks. It definitely didnât mean I wouldnât do anything I could to mitigate those risks. The new travel plan was one way of doing it. My brother was another, he would probably be the biggest mitigation of them all. We called him and he answered and I saw his smile.
âLittle sister, Finlay. Itâs nice to hear from you. I hope nothing has happened that has you calling unexpectedly this close to the meeting. We hadnât planned this call, right? It has been a lot to do these past weeks, but I think I wouldnât forget a call with the two of you,â he said. I smiled at him.
âYou are right. Itâs an unplanned meeting, but nothing bad has happened,â I reassured him.
âBut we do have something we want to talk to you about,â Finlay added.
âRight, and what is that?â Elder asked.
âBefore we come to that, I need you to swear on your life that what we tell you in this call, you wonât repeat to mom and dad,â I demanded.
âUm, why?â
âYou will understand when I tell you. But you must swear first. Not even under the threat of mom never cooking her special chili ever again,â I insisted. His eyes grew bigger.
âThat is a tall order, sis.â
âItâs a big secret. I promise you wonât have to keep it for long.â He hesitated for a moment. âIâm just going to say purple dress.â
Elderâs eyes grew even bigger if that was possible.
âThis must be one juicy secret. Fuck, now Iâm curious. Have I told you I hate you?â Elder muttered.
âNot today.â
1/3 Chapter 114-1 âWell, I do. But I will swear not to not tell our parents what you are telling me, not even if it means I will never eat momâs chilli again,â he told me. I smiled and looked up at Finlay. He smiled back and kissed me.
âI think itâs safe to tell him,â my mate said. I turned to face the phone again.
âWe are going to have a pup,â I said. Elder just looked back at us and blinked, for a long time.
âA pup?â he finally asked.
âYes,â Finlay said.
âMy baby sister is having a pup?â
âHow is this not registering?â I asked. Elder laughed.
âCongratulations! This is amazing news. Iâm going to be an uncle. Mom is going to be ecstatic, and dad is going to lose his mind,â he told us, excitedly. âWait. Why are you telling me this now? We will see each other next week. I get that you may be eager to share good news, but it could have waited.â
âI need you to do me a favour,â I said.
âSure. I will do anything for you, you know that.â
âYou are sweet. I need you to tell James before the meeting. This will sound extremely selfâcentred, and I know he has been seeing Carol, but I canât have him doing something stupid out of surprise. Finn is having a hard time letting me come as it is. If James does something without thinking it through...â
âI will put an end to it without hesitation,â Finlay ended the sentence.
âAh, yes. I didnât think of it from that aspect. Smart move. I think itâs in all our best interests for James to have some time to get used to the idea before seeing you,â my brother agreed.
âIâm sorry to ask you to keep it a secret from our parents, but I want to be there in person when they find out. Feel free to tell Becky,â I said.
âNo sweat. I can be good for a week. Iâll make sure James keeps quiet as well. Iâm so 2/3 Chapter 114-1 happy for you Amie, and for you as well Finlay.â
âThank you. We are over the moon,â Finlay told him and placed a hand on my stomach.
âAnd the pack must be happy as well?â Elder asked. I giggled.
âThey are. Iâm being spoiled rotten by everyone,â I told him.
âAs you should be,â Finlay added.
âTrue,â Elder agreed. We talked for a little while longer and hung up.
âFeeling better?â I asked Finlay.