My Brother’s Best Friend

Good News

ARELLA

AT THE Byrne’s, I was terrified. Skip just informed me earlier that my parents were here. At first, I just stared at him in horror for a good minute. I wanted to argue for not asking my opinion about this matter, but it was too late, and maybe this was the right moment I’d been waiting for.

How far did they know about Ry-Ry?

Minutes passed by so slow, and I was getting more nervous than being in the delivery room and during my divorce hearing. The fact that I kept this for six years, at this moment I didn’t know how my parents would react, and let alone they were about to meet their first granddaughter, and I was supposed to be the one watching Rynna grew up, and not the Byrnes, but nothing was going to change the past now.

“Relax, Are. Ferry and Skip are right, we can’t keep your parents in the dark for the rest of their lives, can we? And I know it has been so hard for you, so whatever is going to happen tonight consider it as a new chapter of your life.” Anna gripped my knee as we settled in their living room.

“They will understand you, Are. Trust me.” Alys gave me an assurance smile, and I had to smile back despite my stomach continued twisting as every minute went on, unaffected by their kind words.

Ferry and Skip were at the corner talking about a certain businessman.

“Skip!” Rynna ran towards him.

Skip’s eyes lit up the moment he spun to the beautiful girl calling his name. He lifted her, and she wrapped her arms around his neck like they knew each other for so long.

My feelings lightened at the beautiful sight. Never had I ever thought that Skip would take everything so easily. I gathered all my strength of how I would explain it to him because I saw how he reacted when he knew I was pregnant. I was scared and terrified of losing him again.

“Miss me, sweetheart?” He then planted a kiss on her forehead.

“Yeah, but Mom said you would be here, so I wear a pretty dress for you. We could have a tea party later, and I could braid your hair.” She giggled.

Skip’s brow cocked up at his daughter, smiling in amusement. “Really? How did I become so lucky, Rynna? And you look beautiful in your dress.”

“I know right? I told Dad and Mom you’re gonna like it. Thank you!”

“Don’t thank me, sweetheart. You definitely own the night.” Skip put her down.

She then curtsied like a princess before she ran to us. She kissed us after her dad. “I want to go to New York, Aunt Are. Mommy said there is a big apple there, and the central park is awesome.” She settled in between her Mom’s thighs.

We laughed when she mentioned the big apple.

I always felt jealous when I saw them in that position, but they gave her a beautiful life, and I was so thankful for that.

I suffered from post-partum depression, yet they never left me alone. I continued seeing Anna as my therapist. It was hard to admit my feelings when she was the reason why I felt that way, but somehow I overcame it.

During my first year in college, we did constant video calling and had arrangements to see Rynna as she grew up. Then I met Dominic. He was charming. He accepted my flawed life though he never knew about my child until we got engaged, and he promised me we could come to meet her.

But that never happened during our entire marriage, instead, I got my worse nightmare. He threatened me to tell my parents if I would try to come and see my child.

For three years, I saw Rynna in person only twice-only when Dominic was out of town and when I was finally a divorcée.

“We can take you there, Ry-Ry. Before you start your school, right Aunt Are?” Alys nudged me.

Seeing her face lit up was enough for me, and I could never say no to her. “I’d love to tour you around, Ry. I can show you some cool places.”

“Really? With Skip?” She beamed, and it just melted my heart.

“Did I just hear my name?” Skip and Ferry came to join us.

Before Rynna could answer, the doorbell suddenly rang.

“It’s okay, Reigh,” Skip whispered and kissed the top of my head.

“I hope you’re right.”

“Forgive me, love.”

I smiled. “If you are not so charming I would never forgive you.”

Skip chuckled. “Thank, God, I am.”

I was frozen to my place when my father’s figure was the first to come to view-it felt like the air in my lungs had been sucked out when our gazes met. The world around me stopped. Then Dad smiled and approached Anna and Ferry.

“Hey, honey.” Dad pulled me into a hug. “I’m so proud of you. I’m glad you made the biggest decisions of your life on divorcing that asshole, otherwise, we wouldn’t be here tonight.”

“Dave,” Mom chided Dad.

“What is an asshole, Mom?” I heard Rynna asked.

“Oh, sorry. Don’t ever say that, kiddo. You won’t get the sweetest chocolate from your oldie friend.” Dad winked.

“You, little angel are.” Brett stared at Rynna for a moment, focusing more on her eyes. “Beautiful, aren’t you?” And I swore I heard him chuckle, then he looked at me, nodding slowly as if it confirmed that Rynna was mine and Skip.

Rynna just stared at her without blinking. “I think I saw you before.” Then tapped her tiny finger on her chin as if thinking seriously.

“Ry-Ry,” Alys warned.

“Oh, I know now.” Her eyes widened. “You have a picture at Aunt Alys’. Yes! It’s you.”

I turned my head at Alys and shot her an inquisitive looked.

“What? That was our picture in your home back in Ravenhill.” She rolled her eyes with a little defensive tone.

“Okay. This is getting weird,” Anna announced with amusement on her face. “Dave, Suzanne, and Brett thank you for coming over. And well, Skip and Are, too.”

Her husband snaked his arm around her waist and said, “Let’s head to the dining.”

My parents followed, and I felt a hand on my lower back. “Alright?”

I let out a deep sigh. “Never been better. I’ve never been able to breathe for about seven years until tonight. How about you? I’ve never been able to ask you this, but how are you feeling?”

His lips curved up in a smile, and it took my breath away. “Perfect.”

“You’re not in the hotel room, so you two behave like adults,” Brett cut in unabashedly.

“Jealous, aren’t we, mate? Why don’t you go and talk to Alys.” Skip scoffed.

My brows met together as I asked my brother, “What did I miss?” Then I snapped my gaze to my ever gorgeous man. “What do you mean?”

“Don’t tell me you don’t know?”

“Know about what?”

“One more word, Linton,” Brett warned, and I turned to look at him. “Don’t.”

“Fine, I won’t say a thing, but just so you know. She’s been single for as long as I can remember.” I rolled my eyes. And I swore I saw his eyes twinkle.

Really, Brett? If he allowed me to date his best friend, why couldn’t I let him if that made him happy? Once in my life, I wanted to see him seriously dating someone, and if it would be my best friend, I couldn’t be any happier. Besides, Alys was the kindest person I’d ever met.

The meal was delicious. Anna made homemade pistachio and cinnamon ice cream.

While we were savoring our dessert, Rynna blurted out of the blue,” I’m gonna be a big sister!”

“What?” Alys and I asked in unison. Our eyes nearly pop out from each socket, staring at Anna in disbelief.

“I thought you two can’t,” Alys said, looking gleeful.

“That’s what we thought, but we had some thorough tests and did a treatment. And last week it was confirmed that I indeed six weeks pregnant,” Anna said in teary eyes.

“Wow! That’s wonderful news, Anna. I’m so happy for both of you. Congratulations!” I stood up and pulled her into a hug. “You both deserve this.”

“I know right? Thanks so much, Are!”

* * *

Dad and Mom stood beside me as we watched Brett and Skip having a tea party with Rynna. They looked gigantic sitting on her pink glittery princess chairs.

“Is it true the queen does drink only tea?” Rynna asked Brett.

“You should probably ask your fa-”

My heart nearly jumped out of my chest, and I could see Skip stiffened on his seat.

“I mean your friend here, Skip, pretty girl.”

“You’re my friend, too, right?

“Of course.”

“So, can I ask you something?” She gave Brett a side-glance.

Oh, no!

“Ask away. And I also want to ask you something.” Brett grinned at her.

My brows furrowed when they whispered as if Skip wasn’t around.

“No way, Rogue. Leave Rynna alone. If you want to know something, ask it directly from the source.”

“You’re no fun.”

Rynna just giggled as she placed a cup for Skip who flashed her a dimpled grin. Rynna stood at Skip’s back and started pulling off his ponytail.

Is she really gonna braid his hair?

I couldn’t help but smile that it seemed nothing serious revelation had happened earlier.

Dad cleared his throat. “Couldn’t be more proud of you, honey. You can finally breathe. And please, no more secrets, Arella. I mean it.”

I launched into his arms as emotions shook me over. “I’m so sorry, Dad. I don’t want to be a disappointment to our family. Brett always came with flying colors while I had nothing. And he was always the center of attention, then things happened-”

“Hush, honey. It’s been ages, and you have to be proud of yourself. Deciding and standing at what you believed? That made you the stronger person, and you should give yourself credits for that.” Dad pulled away and looked me in the eyes.

“Arella Reighan, you may fell and thought that the world had turned against you when your life crumbled down, but you made to stand up all by yourself and get back to your life. A life that is even better. Then you decided to follow your heart, that’s the most amazing thing, honey. Despite that someone had broken it once, you still believe that love is sweeter the second time around.”

“Did you just say that, Dave?” Mom asked in amusement.

“Yes, dear. And what’s wrong with that?”

Mom just laughed at him. “Are, we love you. And whatever happened in the past is already in the past. How I wished I was there. We were there for you, but that was your decision, and I respect that. I’m sorry if we didn’t even know what you’d been through. You are stronger than you thought you are, honey. You should be proud of yourself.”

“It’s alright, Mom. It’s all my fault, and I thought I was nothing but a disappointment. I barely passed my grades, and then another thing I thought I was so irresponsible.” Before I could continue, Mom pulled me into a hug.

“It’s alright, Are. Enough of that drama. We’re family, and we always have each others’ back when a time like this. That’s what a real family does. And you are scaring this beautiful creature beside me,” Brett said.

When I looked at them, they were smiling at me, including Rynna.