This whole dinner went exactly how I’d expect an epic disaster to go.
“If you think you’re ready to be a wife, then you’re clearly ready to be a mother.” Catrina leans down and kisses Zeke’s cheek. “I’ll retrieve the car seat so that you can take him home with you.”
“I’m taking him back to the dorms?” Harper’s voice catches in throat. “Mom, I can’t do that.”
“Perhaps your boyfriend’s parents can help. If you’re getting married, then you don’t need our support,” Catrina says.
“But that’s exactly what I need,” Harper whispers. “It’s why we told you and didn’t get married behind your back.”
Jack scowls at me. “And we’re ever so grateful for your honesty. But we raised you better, Harper. At least we thought we did. First, you get pregnant in high school. We tried to be understanding. We thought sending you to college would help both you and Zeke. And now this? It’s like a slap in the face to us. If you want to be married, then it’s time you step up and be your son’s mother. We’re done raising him.”
Jack escorts his wife down the hallway, back toward the front door.
Harper is hurrying after them, Zeke in her arms. I’m right on her heel, whether they want me to follow or not.
“Mom, please, at least give us some time,” Harper is begging her mom for help and I’m just standing there, unsure how to make any of this right.
It’s not like we want to get married, but the fake relationship seems to have just backfired in our faces.
And honesty won’t save us.
I can’t tell her parents we’re doing this because I’m protecting their daughter.
“I love Harper,” I say, trying to find the right words to fix this as best I can. “I realize you don’t know me yet. I’m sure this all seems sudden, but I want to be a father to Zeke, a husband to Harper, and I vow to protect them until the day I die.”
Jack pauses at the front door. I think for a moment I might be getting through to him, and then I realize he’s getting his shoes on, and then he helps Catrina with her shoes and coat.
“You kids are jumping headfirst into a lifelong commitment. If you invited us to dinner for our blessing or our approval, you’re not getting it,” Jack says.
Catrina buttons her coat, and the frown at the corner of her lips is pale compared to her watery eyes. She leans down, kissing Zeke’s cheek. “Be good for your mama,” Catrina says to her grandson.
“Hate me all you want, but don’t do this to your daughter. Don’t freeze her out of your life,” I say.
“You don’t have to worry about us pretending, Luca. We don’t like you,” Jack says, making his opinion quite clear. “We would never disown our daughter, but we won’t be attending the wedding. If you both decide to go through with marrying one another, you’re on your own.”
“Mom, please. I’ll take Zeke as soon as I’m in the new place in January. But I can’t just bring him into the dorms, can you help?” Harper is practically begging, and I rest a hand on her back.
“It’s okay. We’ll figure something out,” I say.
Catrina stalls by the door and holds out her arms to Zeke. “Until you move in together. Unless you both come to your senses.”
Harper grabs Zeke’s shoes and coat, bundling him up before walking him outside to their car and putting him into the back, in his car seat.
I hold the umbrella over Harper, keeping her dry while I watch her say goodbye to Zeke, but at least I know the goodbye isn’t forever.
We head back into the house, Harper looking dejected, and I wrap my arms around her, embracing her in a hug.
She buries her face in my neck, and I can feel the soft sobs wrack her body. Soothingly, I rub her back, trying to comfort her as I feel my father’s stern gaze on me.
“Luca, a word,” Dante says.
“I’ll be right back. Stay here,” I warn her as I untangle from her embrace and leave her in the foyer.
She doesn’t move as I approach Dante. He keeps me out of earshot, but we’re still in sight of Harper. Can’t say I’m surprised that he doesn’t trust her.
Trust has to be earned.
Those are his words that ruminate through my head, a phrase he repeatedly told me throughout my youth.
