Maybe she could catch a little shut-eye during her shift tonight if the radio stayed quiet. That was, after she took a ride down Copperhead Road to check for any suspicious activity. She wouldn’t put it past the bikers, or the Shirleys, to be up to something, even on a holiday.
Her gaze circled her family again and landed on her boss. Max was holding Devlyn, the newest Bryson born earlier this year to Marc and Leah. The chief had a soft smile on his face as he bounced his niece gently.
At this point, her Uncle Ron’s side of the family was done reproducing. There were now six grandchildren on their side, not including Max’s wife Amanda’s special needs brother Greg, who Ron and Mary Ann also considered their grandchild.
Now the pressure was on for Jet and her brother Adam to give their parents grandchildren, too. Hopefully, they weren’t expecting six. Adam wanted at least one. Being gay, he and his husband Teddy would have to bring children into the world by adoption or using a surrogate.
And Jet?
She grimaced.
She had no desire to have children at this point. Even if she had a partner to have them with. Doing her time in the Marines, then joining another male-dominated career, law enforcement, the mothering instinct seemed to have been beaten out of her. Maybe for good reason.
But then, she had time yet. She only turned twenty-nine two months ago. A lot of people were having kids later in life nowadays. Like her cousins.
“Don’t get any ideas,” Adam murmured behind her.
She turned to face her brother. “On having kids?”
“Yes. Teddy and I are next.”
“You have at it, brother. I’d rather be an auntie than a mommy.”
“For now.”
Jet lifted one shoulder sloppily and let it drop.
“You’ll break Mom and Dad’s heart if they don’t get as many grandchildren as Ron and Mary Ann. They act like it’s a competition. And if it is, they’re already losing big time.”
She bugged her eyes out at her older brother. “Then you and Teddy better get cracking. And by cracking, I mean cracking some surrogate eggs with your sperm. Because they better not rely on me to pop out five or six grandkids.”
“Only one is the plan for us right now.”
“You could line up six surrogates. Three for you, three for Teddy.” She grinned and nudged him playfully. “Raising six babies at the same time would be a blast.”
Adam looked at his husband across the room chatting animatedly with Amanda, the hairdresser’s best friend. “Let’s see how Teddy does with one first.”
“He’ll do fine.”
“With one. Six... Probably not.”
“Would you want six?” Jet asked in surprise since she’d only been joking.
Adam snorted. “Fuck no.”
Jet laughed.
He also laughed softly when he said, “That’s why Mom and Dad are relying on you.”
She shoved him. “Eat shit, brother.”
He patted his very flat stomach. “I don’t think I can eat anything else after that meal, so I’ll pass on your sweet offer, sis. By the way, good luck staying awake on your shift tonight after all the turkey and carbs.”
“When do you work next?”
“I’ll be there bright and early tomorrow morning to relieve you.”
“Good. Don’t be late,” she teased.
“Like I’m ever late,” he scoffed.
He never was. In fact, Adam arrived on station for his shift way too early. You can take the man out of the Marines, but not the Marines out of the man.
Or woman.
She was just as punctual. For most of the Brysons, arriving on time was considered being late.
“Speaking of work, I need to talk to Max.”
Her brother frowned. “Today?”
“Why not?”
“Uh, because it’s Thanksgiving, dumbass. He’s in a good mood right now and I’d rather you not get him cranky.”
“I won’t get him cranky. Promise.” She made sure he noticed her fingers crossed behind her back.
“Yeah, right.” He sighed, then suddenly his whole demeanor changed, he almost went electric. “So... speaking of reproducing...” Adam grabbed her arm and dragged her into the kitchen.
She frowned. “What?”
He leaned close and whispered, “We’re pregnant.”
“What?” she yelled. That was the last news she expected.
Adam clamped a hand over her mouth. “Quiet!” He released her but gave her a warning look.
“Oh. My. God. Adam!” Not only was that exciting news for Adam and Teddy but that took some of the pressure off Jet to “find herself a good husband and settle down.”
He scowled at her. “Don’t make me regret telling you.”
“You found a surrogate?”
“Yes. But we were keeping our search hush hush for good reason.”
Jet didn’t blame him. Being gay didn’t relieve Adam of any of the same pressures to procreate that their parents put on Jet. In fact, now that Adam was married, those pressures had increased.
“Is she pregnant by you or Teddy?”
“Does it matter?”
“No!” She tried not to squeal. “Adam, I’m so happy for you both.”
“This stays between us for now. It’s early in the pregnancy yet and we don’t want to get everyone excited only to have something go wrong.”
“Nothing will go wrong. But you haven’t even told Mom and Dad?”
“No.”
“Do we get to meet her?”
“No!” Adam almost yelled and his blue eyes went wide. “I’m not subjecting her to this family.”
Jet laughed. “She’d be adopted in no time.”
“That’s my worry. It would be like having a baby with a family member.”
“Yeah.” Jet wrinkled her nose. “But wait... Did you...”
“No!” Adam made a “yuck” face that made Jet snort. “We both,” he jerked his fist back and forth, “into a cup and they,” he swirled his finger around, “so we don’t know...”
“Okay.” Jet raised a hand to stop him, pretending to gag. “Thank you for that visual, brother. One I didn’t need.”
“Well, you asked.”
“My mistake. How the hell is Teddy not bouncing all over the room, screaming the news at the top of his lungs, tossing confetti and doing pirouettes?”
“I threatened to divorce him if he did.”
“No, you didn’t.”
Adam laughed. “Okay, truth? I threatened him with no sex.”
Jet sighed. “More TMI.”
“You asked.”
“You could’ve made up a lie.”
“I did and you didn’t believe me.”
She laughed. “True.”
“Anyway, keep your mouth shut.”
“Can I at least meet her?” Jet asked. She was dying to meet the woman willing to give the gift of a child to her brother and brother-in-law. She knew they had been struggling to find the right surrogate, not only one similar in looks to either Adam or Teddy but one who was willing to carry the baby of a gay couple.
“No.”
“C’mon, Adam.”