I’d told my mom she was coming, and Mom was ecstatic to meet her. I hadn’t yet mentioned the pregnancy, but Nellie was showing more. Charlotte was getting suspicious, although Damien had kept it a secret from his fiancée, since his stance on the whole thing was ‘it’s not my place’.
I was hoping to tell them soon, but I could understand Nellie wanting to meet them first as my girlfriend.
Once Nellie dropped off her overnight bag, we walked out to my truck to make the short drive over. I could tell she was nervous. She kept fiddling with her zipper, zipping it up to her chin and back down again.
“Are you nervous?” I asked.
“A little. I’ve never done this before; met the family of a guy I was seeing,” Nellie admitted.
“I promise, my family’s pretty cool. You already know Easton, Damien, and Charlotte,” I reminded her. “Besides, technically, you’ve met them briefly already. Before Christmas, at the park.”
“Yeah, that’s true.” She let out a breath. “I didn’t meet them as your girlfriend. Your pregnant girlfriend.”
“We don’t have to tell them that second part yet,” I replied, turning onto my parents’ driveway.
“I was thinking maybe we should. It’s getting harder and harder to conceal this baby bump, and frankly, I’m tired of keeping it a secret from everyone. Word is going to get out soon, and I would hate for your family to find out from someone else.”
“It’s totally up to you,” I assured her. “If you want to wait, we can wait. If you want to tell them tonight, we can tell them. No pressure at all.”
“Except some pressure, because I’m meeting your family, and what if they hate me?”
“They could never hate you.”
“My own parents barely tolerate me,” Nellie muttered, looking out the window to hide her face. I could hear the heartache in her voice.
“Nell.” My heart broke for her, and I put my hand on her knee as I slowed down and put my truck in park. We only had a few minutes until we arrived at my parents’ house, and I knew they’d be watching from the front window. “I’m sure that’s not true,” I added, turning to her.
“I told them about the baby. My mom lectured me, and we ended the conversation on the ‘well it’s your life and you’re a grown woman’ note, but I could tell they weren’t thrilled with me,” Nellie admitted, blinking away the tears that had formed. “My dad didn’t say anything to me directly, but I could hear him ranting in the background.”
“They’ll come around,” I said, putting my arms around her. “And even if they don’t, well, that’s their loss. This baby of ours is already so loved and wanted, she will never feel their absence.” I could promise her that much.
“But I will,” Nellie whispered, looking at me. The hurt in her eyes gutted me. I couldn’t think of a single thing to say in response. I held her close.
“We don’t have to do this right now; I can tell my parents something came up. We can order a pizza and stay in.”
“No, I’m fine. It’s pregnancy hormones, I swear.” Nellie pulled away, drying her eyes, and giving me a brave smile. “It’s probably better I let them out now than at your parents place.”
I opened my mouth, about to argue with her, when honking sounded behind me. Glancing over my shoulder, I saw Easton pulling up behind me in his beat-up pick-up truck.
“I’m fine, I swear,” Nellie repeated. “Let’s get this over with.”
“Gee, don’t sound so excited,” I said, trying to lighten the mood.
We finished driving up the driveway. I hopped out, going to open Nellie’s door while Easton parked beside me.
“Hope I didn’t interrupt anything,” Easton said, walking over to us as I helped Nellie out of the truck.
“Nope,” Nellie responded. “Just a bit of pre-meet-the-parents nerves.”
“Ah, those are the worst.” Easton nodded with understanding, his eyes sympathetic.
“Whose parents have you met?” I retorted, and my younger brother laughed and shook his head.
“None, actually. I haven’t found a girl I’d be willing to meet her parents for,” Easton answered, walking ahead of us up the front steps. Before we reached the door, it swung open, revealing my mom.
“Hey, Mom!” Easton said, slipping inside and giving her a kiss. Nellie and I stepped in after him.
“Hello boys, hello Nellie! So nice to officially meet you!” Mom said, pulling Nellie in for a hug immediately.
