“She won’t think I’m a slut, or what does she say,puta?” I grimaced and leaned against Nick’s shoulder.
Nick laughed. “No. Never.” He wrapped his arms tighter around me. “She loves you, and I think she’ll be thrilled for us.”
I used to get excited before I told my parents good news, especially my dad. I wasn’t sure how either of them would take this.
“I need to go see my parents, maybe tomorrow.” I pursed my lips as I leaned into Nick’s chest. “Last time I told them I was pregnant, it didn’t go so well.”
Nick’s brow furrowed as he gazed down at me. “They weren’t happy when you were pregnant?”
I let out a long sigh. “You could say that. You know that we planned to have a baby while Jack was dying. My parents were very upset when I told them we were pregnant. My mother came around, but my father never did; he and I haven’t been the same since.”
Nick frowned as he pulled me closer. “If I were your father, I probably wouldn’t have liked it either. I’d have been more worried about you than anything.”
I rolled my eyes. “I knew what I was doing. Or I thought I did. The nights I felt the most alone, I heard his voice in my head.”
“You’re an amazing mother. You just don’t think you have any limits. It’s sexy but frustrating.” Nick arched an eyebrow.
“My mom and I made up, but it’s been almost seven years, and my dad and I still can’t talk to each other. He tries to speak to me, but I could never forgive him for upsetting Jack like that. You may have noticed a little tension when I brought you over.”
“That actually makes a lot of sense. Every time I’ve been there, your dad pulls me aside and asks about you. Are you taking care of yourself? Are you happy?”
My lip quivered. I missed my dad. Before that day, we were always so close.
“What do you tell him?”
“I say that I’m making sure of both. And I am.” Nick kissed my lips and swatted my thigh. “Up. I need to feed my girls.”
“You don’t know if it’s a girl.” I giggled as I rose from his lap and plopped into a chair.
“Yes, I do.” Nick winked before strutting toward the refrigerator.
If we were having a girl, her daddy would ruin her for all other men because he’d spoil her rotten. I hoped they wouldn’t lose each other the way my father and I did. Maybe this baby was a second chance for all of us, in more ways than one.
“You still look too thin, Ella-Jane. That virus did a number on you.” Shetsked and shook her head. “I’m just glad you’re better.”
Dad sat in his usual spot. His brown, oversized recliner had been replaced a few times over the years because of wear and tear, but he somehow always managed to find the same model. I loved laying across the arms as a kid when I plopped into his lap to watch TV.
I gazed at Nick, sitting on the other side of me and leaning our joined hands on his thigh. As I looked between my parents, nerves caused my knee to bob. My chest heaved as I prepared to rip off the Band-Aid.
“Well, Mom, it turns out I didn’t have a virus after all.” I looked at her and Dad. He sat straightened as his face twisted in concern.
“Are you sick, EJ? What’s wrong?” he growled, making an unexpected smile spread across my lips. I’d gladly take growling if it meant we were talking again.
“I was . . . I had a severe case of morning sickness. I needed to spend the night in the hospital with anti-nausea meds to get it under control. I’m pregnant.”
My parents’ faces were frozen as they gawked at me. Mom was the first to blink. Dad dropped his eyes to the floor and let out a long breath.
“Was this . . .” Mom fidgeted with a stray hair behind her ear as she tried to find her words. “Was this plan—”
“No,” I cut her off. “Definitely not planned.” I laughed as I turned to Nick. The warm smile on his face made me relax. He draped his other hand over mine and gave it an encouraging squeeze.
“Mr. and Mrs. Campbell, I love your daughter . . . She’s . . . She’s everything to me. And so is Jack. I intend to take care of all of us, even though this one doesn’t make it so easy.”
Nick nudged my knee with his.
“Good luck with that.” My father laughed. Actually laughed! My gut ached with how much I missed that sound.
He rose from his favorite chair to crouch in front of me. A smile tugged at his lips as the seven years of ice between us finally began to melt.
