Read Online Penelope by Bernadette Marie - Free Book Online Page B

should be kicking quite this hard yet.”
    Emma hurried over to her. “Is it a boy?”
    “I don’t know. I just use the terms loosely. Tomorrow I might say her.”
    “I want a sister,” Ava added.
    “You have a sister, goober,” Emma retorted as Penelope rubbed her stomach again. “Can I feel?”
    Penelope nodded and took Emma’s hand and rested it where the baby had kicked. “I don’t know if he’ll…”
    “Wow!” Emma’s eyes grew wide. “I felt that.”
    “Me. Me.” Ava held out her hand.
    Penelope placed it on her stomach and held it flat. Ava’s face crinkled up as if she were concentrating hard to make the baby move.
    “Where is he?” she asked.
    “Well honey, maybe he went back to sleep.”
    “Does he have a bedroom in there?”
    Penelope laughed. “Sorta.”
    “And pillows?”
    “No. I’m his pillow. He’s just in there.” The baby kicked again. “Oh, there. He’s trying to get comfy. Did you feel that?”
    Ava pulled back her hand. “Ewww.”
    That caused everyone to laugh and when Penelope looked up toward Vivian even her eyes held humor. That eased Penelope’s heart. She loved Vivian’s girls and they were excited that the baby would be their baby sister or brother. She wanted to keep that enthusiasm.
    When they all made it back to the kitchen, Vivian began to pick up the iPad and store it in her bag. “It looks like they’ll start the demo on the house next week.”
    “Will you rebuild there?” Penelope asked.
    “I don’t know. I never liked it out there anyway. I have a choice now,” she said softly. “I can have what I want. Live where I want. Have a front door that works—if I want.”
    Penelope couldn’t believe the same man she’d married was the one who had married Vivian and all but forgot her in the small run down house on the edge of town.
    “Would anyone like to see the picture I got today?” Penelope said softly as everyone gathered their things.
    “Picture?” Amelia hoisted her bag over her shoulder.
    “Of the baby.”
    Amelia and Vivian exchanged looks.
    Vivian’s shoulders dropped. “We really let you down.”
    “It’s okay. Really.” Penelope pulled the picture out of her bag on the table. “Here.”
    She handed Vivian the picture and Amelia and Sam looked over her shoulder.
    “These never cease to amaze me,” Vivian said softly. “Look at his little nose and fingers.”
    “I think it looks like a girl,” Amelia added.
    Sam snorted out a laugh. “I can’t tell anything.”
    “Penelope, he’s gorgeous. And he’s healthy?” Vivian looked up and asked.
    Penelope nodded. “He’s doing great. No concerns.”
    Amelia moved to her and gave her a hug. “I’ll be there for the next one, okay?”
    Penelope nodded and Sam moved in and kissed her on the cheek. “I’ll try not to pull her away.” Penelope smiled and Sam leaned in to her ear. “I bought more of those candies you like too, for the board room.” He kissed her cheek again and left with his arm around Amelia.
    Penelope could feel her face flush. He did know she’d been eating all the snacks.
    “I guess I should get the girls home.” Vivian handed her back the picture after gazing at it one more time. “You’ll be okay here?”
    “This is my home now.”
    “I’m a phone call away if you need me.” She hugged Penelope and then gathered the girls and they walked out of the house.
    Penelope sat at the table and thought for a moment. What would people really think if they knew why and how these women were thrust into each other’s lives?
    She rubbed her stomach and looked down at her ankles that were swelling and could use an ice pack and some elevation.
    The thought became crystal clear though. She’d been mildly upset that they weren’t there with her for her ultra sound. After all, they were all she had now. But never, from the moment she’d found out she was pregnant, had she considered Adam’s role in her child’s life. That was odd, wasn’t it? When she’d