They were five minutes off, but Kiara was determined to keep things as civil as possible.
"How are you, Mama?"
"What do you think?" Stepping aside, she allowed them to enter, shutting the door as soon as they stepped over the threshold.
"I made some tea." She led the way into a small but elegantly appointed kitchen. Going straight to the stove, she turned on the kettle.
"We'll sit out on the patio," she decided.
"Is there anything I can do to help?"
"I'm just making tea." The woman snapped. "It's not like I'm preparing an entire meal. And even so, I never knew you to lift a finger when it comes to the kitchen."
Pressing his hand over hers, Oscar shook his head. "She's improved. Kiara is now cooking up a storm every now and again. Not that I want her slaving behind a stove."
He got a cool glance for his trouble.
"Want me to take that?" Determined not to be put out, Oscar moved towards her and plucked the tray away. "Smells nice."
"Jasmine. I need the calm." Victoria sailed ahead of him and slid open the glass doors.
"It's so relaxing out here." Kiara took a deep breath and took in the gladiolas and freesias blooming and rioting in pots. The patio was neat as a pin, not even a single leaf falling to the cut stones as if not even daring to cross her mother.
Placing the tray on a wrought iron table in front of matching green cushioned chairs, Oscar took his place next to Kiara, forming an obvious bond, something that did not escape Victoria's notice.
It was bitterness and envy that spurted and gushed through her body as she stared at the couple. She had predicted that he would leave her daughter, dropping her for some rich socialite, but the man was sticking.
She also did not want to acknowledge that he was obviously in love with her. That will fade soon, she decided spitefully as she poured tea into delicate Meissen cups and handed them out.
"Now, what is this news you wanted to tell me?"
Oscar anticipated her reaching for his hand but could not stop the wince as Kiara pressed hard enough to rub bone against bone.
"We're pregnant with twins." She figured it was easier to just jump right in.
Her mother stared at her for a few seconds before carefully putting the cup on the matching saucer. Cold eyes swept over her daughter's face and settled on her still flat stomach.
"Twins."
"Yes." Kiara hated the fact that her stomach was jumping nervously or that her throat felt dry. She who was not afraid of anything was terrified of the woman seated across from her.
"We found out a few days ago. Oscar's paternal grandfather was a twin who died when he was a child. Padric told us that..."
"You told them before you told me. They're living all the way in another country, and they received the news ahead of me." Victoria shot an accusatory look at Oscar.
"They had business in town..."
"A simple phone call would have sufficed." Her mother cut into the argument with a voice that had a sharp edge. Kiara felt it cutting into her body.
"I wanted to tell you face to face and see your reaction. Why can't you be happy for me?"
"Happy?" Her mother laughed harshly. "I'm supposed to be happy that you were knocked up by a man who has thereputation of being a player? A pub owner? One who hasn't placed a ring on your finger? What's there to be happy about?"
Kiara felt the fury and pain of rejection rip through her like a sharp jagged knife and wondered dimly what she had expected. Anticipating her man's reaction, she pressed his hand to stop him from verbalizing his feelings.
"He's offered. Several times in fact. He wants to marry me. I've turned him down several times. And it's because of you, Mama."
"You're cold, unfeeling, and bitter. I've lived with you and seen the way you treated Daddy, a gentle soul who wanted nothing more than to be a husband to you. I've lived with that for years and it formed me."
