“I agree. Do you want me to stick around while you tell them or would you rather it just be the three of you?”
I thought about it for a moment before answering. “Thanks for offering, but I think it would be better if it was just me and the kids. That way, they can talk to you about it if they need to without feeling like you are on my side.”
“I am on your side, sweetie.”
“I know, Mom. And I’m so grateful for everything you’ve done to help me over the last few years. I wouldn’t have gotten through this without you.”
“Yes, you would have. You’re a strong woman, but I’m glad I was able to make a bad situation a little more bearable for you.”
I cleared my throat and shifted uncomfortably. “I, um, I told Kellan about Ian today.” When her forehead wrinkled, I added, “About us being separated.”
“What made you decide to do that?”
“We were talking and he said something like, ‘I know I wouldn’t be standing here with you if he was still here.’ So, I told him there was a very good chance he would be because things weren’t what they seemed.”
Mom nodded. “Are you glad you told him?”
“Yes, I am, surprisingly. Of all people, I think he deserved to know. He’s still carrying around a lot of guilt about the accident, and I felt like it was wrong to allow him to continue believing a misconception. He’s been so careful of my feelings, about everything, and I just wanted him to know the truth. It doesn’t change anything, but I don’t know, maybe that knowledge will help him, at least where I’m concerned.”
Mom exhaled slowly. “Avery Grace, I love you, honey, but I don’t know how in the hell you get yourself into situations like this.”
I shook my head. “I don’t know either. It’s definitely not something I did on purpose.”
“Well, I’ll go make the kids a snack and get them started on their homework before I start cooking dinner. Do you need anything right now?”
I shook my head. “No, I’m fine right now. I’m going to try to finish a few things for work.”
I didn’t get any more work completed. Within minutes after my mother went into the kitchen, I was fast asleep on the couch.
“Avery. Wake up, dear.”
I reluctantly opened my eyes and blinked up at my mother hovering over me. “Sorry,” I croaked. “I guess I fell asleep. Is it time for dinner?”
She smoothed her hand over my hair and shook her head. “No, honey. I’ve already fed the kids and gave Braxton a bath. They’re upstairs playing before bed. Do you want me to stay tonight?”
“No,” I said and put my laptop on the coffee table. “I can get them in the bed.”
“Are you sure? I really don’t mind staying,” she said worriedly.
“I’m sure. I promise I’ll call if it’s too much.”
“Okay,” she sighed. “I’ll see you in the morning.”
After she left, I took a few minutes to find the courage to go upstairs and face my children. Once I found it, I got to my feet and slowly climbed the stairs. By the time I reached the top, I was ready to fall to the floor, but I forced myself to make it down the hall to my room.
“Riley! Braxton! Y’all come in here for a minute,” I called down the hall.
I had just flopped down in the middle of the bed when they came running in excitedly. Both bounded onto the bed and dropped down with a bounce.
“What do you want, Mommy?” Riley asked with wide eyes full of excitement.
“I want to talk to you both about why I’ve been sick,” I said slowly and cleared my throat. “As it turns out, there are two things that are making me sick right now. One is my gallbladder that I have to have a doctor work on—”
“What’s the other thing?” Riley interrupted.
“Well, when the doctor was looking for what was making me sick, they found out that I’m going to have a baby,” I said carefully and braced for their reactions.
Riley squealed excitedly. “Oooh, I’m going to be a big sister again!”
