Her frown is now morphed into confusion. “Tenant? Are you moving again?”
“No. I’ll be moving someone in.”
“Oh, really?” I see her mommy brain calculating ways to find out and meet the woman in my life. So I take her out of suspense.
“Yes.” I open the folder on the table next to me and pass her the ultrasound photos. “I need a nursery for the penthouse and the beach house.”
I’ve never known my mom to be speechless, but she stares at the ultrasound while her brain tries to process what I’m telling her. When she gets it, her glossy brown bob shakes when she jumps up and loses all poise.
“Beauford Huron Scott, don’t play with me right now! Are you telling me I’m about to be a grandmother?”
Smiling, I stand and show her the keychain Celeste had made for me. “That’s right. I’ll be a dad in less than four months. Her eyes bulge as she sputters.
“But...how...when?”
“I’ll tell you and Dad over dinner if that’s okay?”
Tears line her eyes as she pulls me into a hug. “I don’t know how or why, but we’ll be there seven sharp and this miracle woman better be there too.”
I laugh as I’m smothered in ‘mommy kisses’ as she used to call them. “Yes, ma’am. Hold onto your design ideas; we have a few of our own to run by you.”
“Of course!” I can tell she’s still shocked because she just stares at me with questions she cannot form yet.
I don’t know if she’s thinking it, but this is a conversation I’d never thought I’d have, and I’m not sure if she was losing hope. There is an age gap between me and my younger siblings but part of us still felt that I’m responsible for bringing the first grandchild, and unless I’m out of the loop, it looks like I will be.
My mom practically floats out of the office after another hug with the ultrasound pictures still clutched in her hand. I’m happy it’s a copy.
Grinning, I pull out my phone and call my woman. “Hello?” I can hear her smiling.
“We have dinner plans at seven.”
“Like in public?” Her nerves wobble her voice
“No, baby. We’re having dinner with my parents.”
I’m greeted with silence. After a few moments, I check the phone to make sure we’re still connected.
“Um…” She starts but doesn’t say anything else.
“It’s okay. My parents are good people. I’m not talking in a delusional child sense. I’m telling you as a person who was once a nosy, young lawyer bold enough to run background checks on his own parents.”
“Okay. Do I need to cook?” She’s still not at ease but at least she’s cooperating.
“No. I’ll have something catered.”
Normally, I’d just hire a chef for the night, but I don’t trust any strangers to be alone with Celeste.
“Good. I’d be too nervous for the food to taste good.”
“Do you want to invite your parents?”
“No, my dad told me he knows Wes is having him followed. We’ll talk to them when I figure out what to do with that asshole.”
“We. Whenwefigure it out.”
“Sorry,” she apologizes. “Habit.”
“I know. That’s why I keep reminding you. Do you need more clothes with your belly extending?”
