When I checked the text, I saw Axel’s name and a phone number on my screen. “What is this?” I asked stupidly.

Beau’s lips were drawn into a tight line. “I never deleted his number from my phone. I blocked him so he couldn’t call or text, but I kept his info. I’m not sure if he still has the same number, but…” He gave a tight shrug of his shoulders.

I stared at my brother for a long while, green eyes to green eyes. “What am I supposed to do with this?”

He shrugged. “That’s up to you, Blaire. But maybe it would be the right thing to at least call and let him know he’s having a daughter.”

“I thought you hated him,” I said, chewing nervously on my bottom lip. I rarely brought up my ex to Beau because it only led to long-winded, curse-filled rants on the part of my brother.

“I do, but I hate seeing you like this even more,” he said with a sad smile. “I personally say, fuck him, but… you know… that’s just me. And I think we’re all aware I’m a bit of an asshole.” A soft smirk played across his lips as he reached for a tissue and dabbed at my face. “But honestly, if it were me, and someone was having my baby, I would want to know.”

My finger hovered over the button, and Beau got up to give me some privacy. Just then, a killer contraction ripped through me, and I dropped my phone on the bed and groaned. Beau was back by my side in an instant, holding my hand as I squeezed the shit out of his.

When it was over, my entire body was damp with perspiration. “Cloth,” I panted, and Beau grabbed a damp cloth and wiped my face. “Better get Evan,” I said, but as he started to go, I clung to his hand. “Will you come back and be with me when Carrie comes?”

The sides of my brother’s lips curled up, and I got to witness the biggest smile I had ever seen on his face. “You want me to be in here?”

“Yes, please. They will have me draped so you don’t have to see anything gross. I just need you.”

He kissed my head and said, “Then you’ve got me, sis. Be right back. I’ll get Evan.”

A little over an hour later, Carrie Cavanaugh made her grand entrance into the world and changed mine forever.

19. Blaire

Blaire

Five Years Ago, December

Tamara held my baby up and said, “Look what you did, Blaire.”