Chapter 23 Goof, what is going on with you? You look anxious." Lilly asked. I turned to see her, Merigold, and Pocket looking at me. Before I can say a word to explain I see Silvy's van pull up. Į relax my shoulders a little. Merigold caught it. She looked at me and then at the van Silvy was getting out of. She leans over and whispers" You and I are going to talk." I just nod knowing there is no way out of it. I see Silvy help a little guy that I figure is Xavier out of the van. I see her reach back in the van and I run over to help. I see her grabbing some bags. "Silvy, stop," I called out. Silvy turns just as I approach. I give her a quick kiss on the forehead and tell her "I'll grab your stuff. Just tell me what to get." Silvy looks like she is about to argue but the little man says "Let him help,sissy." He leans over and whispers "Think of the baby. You have to be careful, remember." I bite the inside of my lip to keep from laughing. Silvy sighs "Alright he can help." I needed to get him on my side. I hold my hand out to him "I'm Micheal, but my friends call me Goof. I'm a friend of Silvy's." He takes my hand, giving it two pumps. "I'm Xavier, Silvy's brother. Goof is a silly name." he giggles. "Now that you two have bonded, let's get the bags. I promised Xavier there would be kids for him to play with. " Silvy points to two bags but Xavier pipes in again "Don't forget sissy's snack bag." Silvy blushes as Xavier points to a smaller bag. I grab it and take a quick peek inside. There is a bag of carrot sticks, plain potato chips, a few granola bars, and six little bags of different kids' cereal. I look up at Silvy who points her finger at me "Not a word about my cereal." "I would never," I said. I think cravings have kicked in. I am a man of my word, I won't say anything. I know better than to make a pregnant woman upset. I walk with Silvy and Xavier over to the girls. Lilly walks up and hugs Silvy." Silvy, it is good to see you again. I didn't know you were coming." Lilly said. Silvy glared at me." Goof invited us . But if it is a problem we can go," she said. Merigold waves her hand " Of course it isn't a problem. You know you are always welcome. And who is this little guy you brought with you? " Merigold asked. Silvy smiles" This is Xavier. My soon-to-be brother. I hope it is alright I brought him. I thought it would be nice to meet the kids." "Absolutely. I'm Merigold, these are my sisters, Lilly and Sabine. It is nice to meet you, Xavier." Merigold said. Xavier looks at Sabine and then back at Silvy. "Sissy, you know Pixie," he says with awe. Silvy looks confused." She is one of the friends I was telling you about. How do you know her?" Silvy asks. "I want to learn to play hockey. Mommy took me to a practice once. She said when she saves enough money she will get me lessons with Pixie and Nixon. " Xavier said. I see Pocket mouth to Silvy "We will talk." "How about we go meet everyone else?" Silvy said. I took the bags to one of the tables while Merigold and Lilly took Xavier and Silvy around. After meeting all the guys, the rest of the ol'e ladies, and the kids, Xavier asks," Sissy , can I play in the water with Jace and Jax?" "Let's get your sunscreen on then you can," Silvy says. Xavier follows Silvy to the table while she digs through his bag. Xavier pulls off his shirt when Silvy finds the can of spray. He obediently twists and turns for Silvy to spray him down. She walks him to the water. "Remember to stay where I can see you. If you can't touch the bottom, you have gone too far.No jumping off the dock without a grownup with you. And be careful of the little ones." Silvy said. She already sounds like a mom. I love it. I'll be good. I promise." Xavier said as he took off to the water. Axel is in the water up to his knees, "I'll keep an eye on him." Silvy nods. "Babe, you can relax. We won't let anything happen to him." I said as I put my arm around her shoulder. Silvy lays her head on my shoulder. "I know Goof. That is why I brought him. But Gena is trusting me so I want to be careful." Silvy said. I ran and grabbed a blanket laying it on the sand on the bank a couple of feet from the water. "Sit, relax, and watch Xavier. I'll get you some water." I said, helping her sit down. Not that she needed it. I sat with her watching Xavier play . The girls came over and talked to Silvy, laughing at the kids' antics. I stayed with Silvy the entire time not caring about the looks I was given. I'll answer my brothers and sisters' questions later. After about thirty minutes Xavier calls out. "Sissy, come play with me. " "Sure buddy," she said. Silvy stands taking off her purple cover dress to reveal her purple bikini. Well, I call it a bikini but it looks more like small shorts and a sports bra. More covered than the last time but still showing more skin than I would like. That isn't the only thing she is showing. Looking at her stomach you can see that Silvy is starting to show. My baby is getting big enough to expand her mom's stomach. It is a sight to see. I'm not the only one who has noticed. Merigold who was sitting next to Silvy has her eyes glued to Silvy's stomach. "Hey, Silvy. Is there something you want to tell us? " Merigold asks. "Huh?" Silvy asks. Merigold points to Silvy's belly." You want to tell me about that," she says. Silvy looks down. "Oh," she says. Silvy grabs her dress to cover back up but I snatch it from her shaking my head. They have already seen it, covering it isn't going to stop the questions. Silvy looks at me as if asking my permission. She doesn't need it but it sends a thrill through me that she did. I nod slightly. Silvy looks at Merigold and says "I'm pregnant." Merigold squeals, and jumps up to hug Silvy. Merigold looks at me with a raised eyebrow. I mouth "Not now." Boy, am I going to have to face them later? All of the ol'e ladies. 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