So fucking sick of being treated like a child.
I’m twenty-two years old.
A grown woman.
A successful businesswoman.
Yes, this is a curveball I didn’t expect, but I am dealing with it—my way.
I’ll be the best damn mother that ever was, because pregnant or not, I’m still an overachiever and Iwillmake sure my baby willwant for nothing.
If I don’t stand up for myself right now, they’ll be babying me when I’m forty-two.
‘Who is he?’ James asks cooly.
‘Where’s he from?’ Caelon chips in.
‘What does he do?’ Killian adds. ‘Where does he live?’
A rush of rage surges through my blood like molten lava.
‘None of your goddamn business, boys.’ I stand again, my hand automatically palming my stomach. ‘Yes, I fucked up.’ My mother inhales sharply, but I’m on a roll now. ‘I got pregnant by accident, by an American I only know as California. We spent ten glorious days in Punta Cana together, and I don’t regret a single one of them.’ Killian’s expression is positively murderous, but I refuse to be deterred. ‘We agreed not to stay in touch. I don’t have time in my life for a boyfriend, and quite frankly, it’s fucking bad enough having to answer to you lot already, without adding another man into the mix. It’s true, I don’t know a thing about him in the real world, but I do know that he’s a decent man, a kind man, a hardworking man, and a man, who if I had any way of contacting him, I would.’
‘I have no problem hunting him down for you,’ Killian growls.
‘I don’t want you to. I’m doing this my way.’ I place my hand on my hip, and meet my family’s gaze one by one, watching as the finality of the situation sinks in.
‘Congratulations.’ Scarlett is the first to stand. She rounds the table and wraps her arms around me. ‘You’re going to make one hell of a Mama Bear.’ Her silver eyes sparkle with genuine joy.
The rest of my sisters-in-law get up, one by one, and hug me. My parents remain seated, staring at each other like they’re trying to work out where they went so wrong. Rian and Sean rise next, both of them sauntering over sheepishly.
Sean rubs my bicep while Rian drops a kiss to my cheek. ‘You’re not doing this alone, sis.’ His earnest eyes bore into mine. ‘You’ve got us.’ His kindness makes me want to cry, but I point blank refuse to reveal any sign of weakness.
‘It’s going to take me a while to get my head around this.’ My father finally stands, my mother flanking his side. While his embrace isn’t exactly warm, his tone is weighted with a begrudging respect.
‘We’ll help you, darling,’ my mother coos. ‘Of course we will. It’s just such a shock.’ I try not to gag on her Chanel perfume.
‘Believe me, it was a shock for me too.’ I sigh, eyeing James, Killian and Caelon across the table.
Finally, one by one they reluctantly round the room to hug me.
‘I’m going to hunt the bastard down.’ Killian presses a kiss to my temple.
‘I told you, I’m doing this alone.’ I squeeze his arm.
‘Oh, there’s no disputing that.’ His nostrils flare. ‘I’m going to hunt him down and murder him for putting you inthis situation, but not before I tear his limbs off one by one, starting with his dick.’
Avery rolls her eyes. ‘Don’t be so dramatic, darling,’ she cups his face, and he instantly softens towards her. ‘Zara will never see her baby daddy again, while we’re getting another baby Beckett to add to the family. It would be much worse if California turned up in Dublin, demanding to be a part of the baby’s life.’
‘Your sister is a woman,’ Ivy adds. ‘Let her do what we do best—raise strong children.’
‘I don’t know how I didn’t see it.’ My mother leans in, studying my face, then my stomach. ‘You haven’t made the spa the past couple of months.’
For years we had a Friday afternoon spa date at Eden, with whichever of the Beckett women were free. ‘Apart from the fact I was terrified of being seen in a bikini with these gigantic boobs, I’m not allowed in the hot tub.’ I shrug.
My family slowly return to their seats, exchanging “who would have guessed” glances. It’s going to take a while for them to process, and I don’t need to be here while they do.
‘I’m beat. I’m going home.’ I bid them all goodbye and head out to the hallway. My mother escorts me, while my father offers the rest of the family a whiskey. If I wasn’t pregnant, I’d take one myself.
