How Things Change
I don't want to know how they managed it. I really, honestly, from the depths of my heart don't. He can't touch her. He can't even touch anything that she makes for him, which you'd think would put a stop to this kind of thing. I know they haven't found a cure, or he'd be all over her right now. I can see it in the way he keeps glancing at her when he thinks neither of us are looking.
It's a very small party. Thomas doesn't have many friends, and I don't know anything about Justine's past. She never talks about it, but from what I can guess at it must have been pretty bad, for Thomas to be able to take her in like that. If she'd had money or standing on her own, it wouldn't have happened. Or, at least, not that way.
Actually, it's a tiny party. It's me and Thomas and Justine. And their child, if that counts. She's just now starting to show, so I'd have to say he-she-it doesn't. Thomas had rather shyly invited Murphy, but she had to work. She sent a present, though; a very nice old knit quilt that looks like it's been well-used in the past. Rather then feeling like a re-gifter, though, it seems well-cared for. Well-loved. Murphy's sensitive to these things, even if she claims otherwise.
Justine goes to make sandwiches in the kitchen, just far enough away in Thomas's apartment to give us the illusion of privacy. I take a sip of my beer and avoid catching my brother's eye. I'm happy for them! Please, don't get me wrong. Justine's the happiest she's been since her deal spying on Lara went sour, and Thomas has got more of a glow then she does. The smugness around him is nearly unbearable at times.
But things have to change now between my brother and me. He won't like it, and will claim it's not necessary, but it is. I can't keep dragging him off to watch my back every time things get a little sticky. It was fine when he was single. It was even okay once Justine came in, and he officially married her. Justine may look like a fragile doe, but I've seen the iron inside.
Thomas is a father now.
I know what it's like to grow up without one of those⦠And I wouldn't wish that on anyone, much less on my own niece or nephew. I can't let him risk his life anymore.
