“Uhm…I guess so.” She had thought she’d be the one dishing out the surprises today by telling everyone about her pregnancy. She smoothed her gown more snugly across her middle and turned sideways. “Apparently, you already know?”
Lilias laughed, then tipped a nod at Gryffe. “Of course we know, lass. That one’s pride roared the news of yer wee ones across the realities.”
Emily gave Gryffe a look she knew he would understand. “You couldn’t let me tell a few people?”
“Ye get to tell yer parents during whatever that magic is ye spoke of. I merely told everyone else.”
“About that,” Lilias said as she looped her arm through Emily’s. “We’ve set up what ye need for yer call right here in the pub. The signal’s better and all.”
“I thought you said your signal was worse?”
“We got a new provider…uh…service for the internet. ’Tis much better. Even Keeva thinks so.”
“That’ll be nice,” Emily said even though she wasn’t all that keen on getting scolded in public. She felt certain her mother would have a great deal to say, and she deserved every bit of her parents’ angst. “Is it okay if Grimalkin comes inside? She’s well-behaved.”
Lilias leaned to one side and eyed the Fae panther quietly sitting behind Emily. “She knows not to attack unless ye give the order, aye? Even if someone makes sudden moves?”
“Sudden moves? What sudden moves?” Emily turned and looked at the pub. Near as she could tell, there was very little going on inside, so there couldn’t be that many customers at this hour. The breakfast folks should already be gone, and the lunch crowd wouldn’t arrive for an hour or so. “I promise Grimalkin won’t react unless I’m threatened.”
Lilias’s smile seemed a little strained—which was unusual, but Emily shrugged it off. The large Fae panther tended to have that effect on some people.
“Come, my own. Time to speak with yer parents.” Gryffe rested a protective arm around her. “Dinna be afraid,” he whispered. “All will be well.”
“I hope so.” She knew they’d be so relieved but also angry, confused, and frustrated. She loved them so very much and prayed she could make them understand that she was truly happy.
As they entered the cozy pub, she waved at Lilias’s brother Lyal behind the bar. With a small teapot, a plate of shortbreads, and a cup neatly arranged on a tray, he met them at their table, set the items down, and gave her a big hug. “Welcome back, Lady MacStrath. I’ve yer favorite tea ready.”
“Thank you, Lyal.” She thought about switching seats, since she’d ended up with her back to the door and facing the window, but the laptop was already at her spot, so she stayed put.
“I’ll fetch ye a whisky, Grand Chieftain,” Lyal said.
“Good man.” Gryffe kept his gaze locked on Emily, and she couldn’t figure out why.
“What’s wrong?” she quietly asked when Lilias went back behind the bar with Lyal.
Both of his sleek, dark brows arched higher. “Wrong?”
“Yes. Wrong. You’re on edge.”
“I am about to meet me wife’s parents. Is that not enough to put a man on edge?”
“I suppose you have a point.” She powered up the laptop, signed on, and clicked the link to make the video call. It jingled and jangled like it always did while attempting to connect, but her mother never picked up. “I know it’s early there, but she’s always up by six. She thinks sleeping in is one of the seven deadly sins.”
“Does she now?” Gryffe said, sounding distracted. He kept craning his neck as if trying to see behind the bar.
“What are you doing? Trying to admire yourself in the mirror back there?” She couldn’t resist teasing him. It helped allay her own nervousness.
“Excuse me, m’love. Lyal needs something.” He rose and hurried away, disappearing through the door behind the counter.
Emily tried to wave Lilias over, but she disappeared through the door after him. “Well, good heavens, is something on fire back there or something?” Shaking her head at their strangeness, she turned back to the laptop and tried to get the call to go through again. Disappointment and frustration filled her. Had her mother had an early meeting or something? Had she missed her? “Where are you, Mama?”
“Right behind you, dear.”
Emily held tight to the table and tried to remember how to breathe. “Mama?” she repeated ever so softly.
“Turn around and see, Emily.”
After a deep breath and a hard swallow, Emily pushed back her chair, slowly rose, then whirled about and split the air with a scream. “You’re here!” She pulled her much shorter mother into an enormous hug and gave in to the happy sobs that refused to be denied. “I missed you so much. It’s so wonderful to see you.”
