“Well, that is interesting,” Mom said, kissing Charlotte’s head. “What didyoutell her when she said that? About having lots of kids.”
“I don’t know. Something… nothing… I’m not sure.” What was Mom onto?
“Think, dear. It might be very important.”
“Mom, come on. I don’t remember.”
“Did you ever tell her that you’d love to have several kids with her?”
“No.”
“Hmm… I’m trying to put myself in Piper’s shoes.”
I looked at Mom intently. This was important. She was good at figuring out people’s feelings and situations.
“She probably fears that your relationship is too fresh. Considering you only found out about Charlotte recently, she might wonder if you’re willing to do this.”
My brows flew up my forehead. “What the hell? I never gave her reason to doubt me.”
Mom shook her head, her voice gentle. “I’m not implying you did, Beckett. But when a woman becomes pregnant, her priorities shift. The hormones aren’t helping either, especially in the first trimester.”
“What’s that got to do with anything? She’s usually very outspoken and honest, always says what’s on her mind.”
“Yeah, it’s why you two fit so well together. But this is a delicate topic. You know what I mean?”
I nodded. “I need to talk to her.”
Mom pressed her lips together. “And tell her what, exactly?”
“That I love her and I’m going to take care of her and the baby. And that I don’t understand why she would even question that.”
Mom’s expression immediately changed. She beamed. “I’m so proud of you, Beckett.”
“Can you watch Charlotte this evening?”
“Of course. And just putting it out there, in case you need to stay overnight, I’m more than happy to stay here.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
I nodded. “Okay, I’m going to leave right now.”
“Don’t you worry about us. We’re going to have a lot of fun, baby girl,” she told Charlotte as they walked back into the living room. “I’m so glad it wasn’t a mouse, right, Charlotte?”
My daughter cooed at Mom, and I couldn’t help but smile. I was going to listen to Piper first. I appreciated Mom’s advice, but I wanted to hear it from Piper herself. I wanted to know what she feared and why, and what I could do to take all of that away.
A few minutes later, I left the penthouse. On the way to Piper’s home, I tried to recall how I’d reacted whenever she mentioned that she wanted a lot of kids. I truly couldn’t remember. How was that even possible?
I’d put the test in the cupholder between the driver and passenger seats and kept looking at it. I was going to be a father again. Charlotte was going to have a brother or sister.
The first time I’d found out I was a father, I’d been too shocked to feel anything else. But now I was going to have a child with Piper, and I was fucking thrilled!
I didn’t have a good plan by the time I pulled in front of her house, but that was fine. I never was one to follow plans very closely; I was simply going to tell her how I felt, that was all. I jogged up her front porch steps and knocked at the door, listening intently. When I didn’t hear footsteps, I knocked again.
“I’m coming!”
Fuck yes.I was thankful that she was home.
