Their last argument had been different, though, and they knew it. His dad had gone too far, or perhaps not far enough if Ciar were to hold more accountability for his actions.
Regardless of who was right or wrong, Ciar should have reached out to his father before now. Especially when he found out Gray was carrying his child, which still blew his mind, but in the best way possible.
His dad would know about the baby by now since he was the one who’d taken Tina to Ciar’s home from the hospital. Hedecided to give him a call even though his dad and Uncle Cormac would be gearing up for the pub’s dinner hour. He needed to start smoothing things over before we went to sleep for a few more hours. Ciaran Murphy’s subdued voice answered on the second ring.
“Son.”
“Gray’s pregnant.” Ciar sighed at himself. His father already knew.
“Came as quite a shock,” his dad replied evenly.
“I only found out,” Ciar defended.
“Gray told me. Makes sense now why I’ve not seen her around.”
His dad was going to make him work for it, then. “I should have called before now.”
A beat of silence passed before he said anything. “I should have too. You know, Ciar, I would never break your trust. It’s only that I see your fears running you ragged, and it’s almost impossible not to speak up.”
Ciar gritted his teeth at the reminder of what was coming his way. In a week’s time, he would be spilling every one of his fears on Gray.
Shaking that disquieting thought from his brain, he focused on his dad again. “I understand. I overreacted.” He gritted his teeth against the feeling of being scolded as a child and cataloging his bad behavior.
“I pushed,” his dad reluctantly admitted. “So, a boy, huh?”
Ciar huffed a laugh at his father, the argument over and back to normal. “Imogen will have a little brother.”
“You and Gray?”
“I’m not letting her go again.”
He and his dad spoke for another five minutes until his Uncle Cormac hollered at his brother, “Get your ass off the phone and help me.”
As soon as he hung up with his dad, he stripped out of his clothes and lay down to call Gray. It was strange to feel exhausted and euphoric at the same time. She was back in his life and allowed him to call her.
She’d allowed him into her life and body again.
She picked up immediately. “How are my girls doing?” he asked.
“If you mean Imogen and Tina, they’re doing great.”
“I did not mean Tina, and you know it,” he growled back. “I miss you.” That was a huge understatement. He was desperate to be by her side again.
He heard her sigh and then, “I miss you too. You picked a good week to be gone from Imogen, though. Tina and I think the little stinker has three teeth coming in, and she is grouchy, but we’ve ordered all the binkies and chewies that can be frozen so she can gnaw on them for relief. Tina thinks that’ll be enough.”
“Tina thinks? I hope she’s being respectful of your opinions. She was warned not to pull any of her bullshit on you. I swear, Gray, if she makes you feel uncomfortable, I’ll find a new nanny. I left you in charge of our home and Imogen.” He would hate firing Tina, because he’d come to, if not appreciate, then certainly respect, her no-nonsense manner.
Gray was quick to defend the woman. “Tina and I have come to an understanding. You don’t need to worry yourself over that.”
In other words, Gray wanted him to stay in his lane and out of theirs. He grinned. That was not a problem.
“How’s our boy?” He was still strangled with guilt that he hadn’t been by Gray’s side from the beginning.
Her warm chuckle made him smile in return. “A shit like his father. Kicks me nonstop, and most of them are aimed at my bladder.”
“He’ll be a rugby star. Just you wait and see,” he announced proudly. “Our fathers would be pleased with that.”
“Oh, they’d be pleased until the time comes for the poor boy to choose between Scotland and Ireland.”
