"Wildflowers" by Tom Petty

"Is it hot? I feel hot," I complained as I fanned myself.

"Nope, it's not hot," Connor replied, raising his eyebrows at me. "Having a heatflash are ye?"

I didn't have a good retort. "Shut up." He laughed. I was wearing a pair of Tyler's sweatpants. European men apparently don't wear them. And none of my jeans fit any more. I need to go get maternity clothes, but I've been putting it off. I donated all of the ones I had accumulated in Germany before moving here. Getting pregnant again hadn't been something I had prepared for.

"Are those my pants?" Tyler asked as he came in. I stopped fanning myself with my magazine and glared. "Oh, it's one of those mornings, huh?"

"You're an asshole," I grumbled, going back to fanning myself. "You aren't getting them back."

"They're probably why you're warm."

"You're still not getting them back."

"You need to buy actual maternity clothes."

"Haven't gotten there yet."

"What's wrong with today? It's a Saturday?"

"I'm hot."

"Probably hotter with proper clothes," Connor interrupted. "Grab yer toast. We're going shopping."

"You're up for that?"

"Ye always drag Murph with ye. I never get to leave this place. Let's leave him here for once?"

I contemplated it for a few seconds before slapping the magazine down on the table. "Deal." I grabbed my purse, following Connor to the door. "Going shopping with Connor, be back later!" I yelled up the stairs.

"What?" Murphy yelled, popping his head out of our bedroom door. I grinned, waving.

"I love you, be back soon," and left before he could reply.

Connor drove much more carefully than I was used to him driving. When he felt me staring, he pointed at my stomach. "Babies on board."

He then giggled to himself at his own joke. I rolled my eyes but smiled. I always thought Murphy would be good with kids. I didn't expect Connor to also enjoy them-or to even be good at them. But I guess it makes sense in the fact that Connor somehow managed to retain a lot of childlike innocence that Murphy didn't.

"What? Why are ye staring at me?"

"I was just thinking that it surprises me how good you are with Declan and Kelly," I said truthfully. "I expected as much from Murphy but you surprised me."

"It surprised me, too," he said honestly. "But I guess I'm just full of surprises, aye?"

"Yeah, a regular box of mystery," I laughed. Connor grinned. He's one of the most straightforward people I've ever known. You always know where you stand with Connor.

The rest of the car ride was pleasant and it wasn't too long until we got to the maternity store. It was a bit busier than I would've liked, but Connor wouldn't hear about coming back later. So I had no choice but to go inside and at least look.

"What about these?" Connor asked, trying to be helpful and holding up a pair of cheetah print pants. I stared at him blankly, trying to figure out if he was kidding or not. Oh, dear lord, he wasn't kidding. "That's a no?"

"That's a no," I scrunched up my face as I shook my head slightly. "Black. Look for black clothes. Or grey. Neutrals."

"Ye're no fun."

"I'm perfectly fine with that." I looked around. This was a very effeminate store. Bane of my existence.

"Can I help ye with anything?" a saleswoman asked politely, looking from Connor to me and then back again.

"Do you have these in black? Or grey? Or anything neutral?" Connor asked, holding up the pants.

"And without the pattern," I shook my head.

"Oh, yeah, we have a less colorful selection back here. How far along are ye?"

"About three months."

She looked surprised. "Oh! Ye're big for three months."

"Triplet," I laughed, patting my abdomen.

"Ye know how to shoot yer shot," she laughed at Connor. The words took a few seconds to register in his mind.

"No, no, no," he waved his hands. "I'm the uncle."

"You gonna add any more no's to that?" I tried not to laugh as I looked at him.

"I didnae mean it like that," he backtracked. "Just, ye and Murph-oh fuck. Ye got me into this mess, help me out here, lass."

"Sorry, usually only couples come in," the girl giggled.

"I just wanted outta the house," Connor grumbled. I snickered before elbowing him.

"You're way too easy to pick on sometimes." I smiled before throwing my arm around his side. He sighed, putting his arm around my shoulders.

"Ye're just like the sister I never wanted but would've loved all the same."

"Good."

"Ye two are funny," the saleswoman laughed. "Just let me know if you need anything else."

"Will do," Connor and I replied in unison. We began seriously searching through the racks. Eventually we found some stuff I didn't hate. It wasn't much, but it was enough to hold me over for now. Maternity clothes are all feminine and frilly. That's never been my style so I'm not going to wear it now. Not when my body gets all weird and barely feels like my regular body.

"Oh good, ye found some things," the saleswoman smiled as she checked us out. I paid for the items as Connor threw them into the reusable shopping bag we brought along. He even carried them out to the car for me.

"That was fun," I smiled cheekily as we started going back home.

"Ye just liked taking the piss out of me," Connor laughed.

"Yeah, I did." We both laughed as Connor ruffled my hair slightly. "I did enjoy hanging out with you though. We don't do this often enough."

"No, we don't."

"We should make it a point to do things together. I mean, you're going to be my official brother at some point. You're already unofficially one."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah!"

"Alright, we will then."

"Good."

We stopped and grabbed some sandwiches for lunch and headed back home. (I also grabbed some for Murphy and the kids.) It was late in the afternoon by the time we got back. Murphy and Tyler were outside with the kids. They were chasing the twins around, looking more winded than they would probably ever admit.

"Mom! Uncle Connor!" the twins said delightedly when they saw us. Declan and Kelly threw their arms around me for a big hug.

"I brought food," I wiggled the bag in my hands.

"We're hungry!"

"You're always hungry."

"Yeah, but we're extra hungry now."

"Uh huh," I laughed. "Well go inside and wash your hands and then you can eat."

"Okay!" they sang in unison before running inside. Murphy kissed me before peering into the bag.

"Yeah, I brought you food, too." He kissed the side of my head, taking the bag happily and heading inside. I rolled my eyes with a smile. Some things will never change.