Yes.“No. I’m fine.” Didn’t want my parents being thrown in that dungeon, after all.
He scowled, stating quietly, “You lie horribly.”
“She always has,” my mom stated softly, staring at us wide-eyed while falling into a black leather chair just opposite the desk, her arms hanging over the arms of the chair, appearing completely shocked…and even a little scared.
Daniil stiffened even more, his muscles bulging, as he stood straight, turning to face my parents, but I interrupted, saying, “You think you can find a shirt to put on?” His body was going to be a distraction to everyone.
My dad snorted. “A little late for that, sweetie, don’t you think?” He rubbed his face where he stood on the opposite side of the desk before placing his hands it, head down and eyes closed. “Elizabeth, how could you do something so foolish?”
Daniil started that little growly noise again, and I quickly put a hand on his chest, keeping him from doing anything to my dad. “It wasn’t exactly planned, Dad.”
“Let me guess. It just happened?” Dad asked sarcastically, not really looking for an answer, glancing up and giving his full penetrating glare to Daniil. “How could you let this occur? She’s young and makes mistakes, but you’re old enough to know better.”
Daniil sucked in a large breath and took my hand from his chest, holding it at his side. “Yes. Of course, I know better, but Beth is right. We didn’t plan this, but it did happen.” He shook his head. “You don’t really want to know the details, do you?” His eyebrows rose, as he seemed to get control over himself finally, resting his hip directly between my legs hanging over the table, showing blatantly that we were together now, even if we hadn’t planned this.
My dad stared silently at our close positioning, and my mom snorted this time, waving a hand. “Beth is a short name of Elizabeth…,” she shook her head. “You tricked me. And I should have known better.”
Daniil nodded once. “I did trick you. Beth and I didn’t want you knowing then.” No apology.
“It’s not as bad as you think,” I tried placating them. “It’s not like it’s the end of the world.” I might have thought that at first, but now…well, it wasn’t so bad a thought. “It’s a baby. Your grandchild.”
“Elizabeth,” Dad said softly. “You can’t stay in this relationship.”
Immediately, Daniil countered, his voice fierce even if he wore a bored expression, “She can. And she will.”
My mom stood, glaring now. “That’s my daughter’s decision. Not yours.”
Quietly, into the tense silence I stated, “I want to be with him.”
Mom crossed her arms, turning her rigid back to us, and dad’s eyes closed even as he asked, “Sweetie. Do you love him,”I stilled, “because as much as it pains me to say this, you shouldn’t be with him just because he’s the father of your baby? We can help you raise this child without him.” His eyes opened, staring hard into mine. “His world is no place for you or a child.”
Truth time. My parents deserved that at least. “I don’t know him well enough to love him. We’re only in the beginning stages of our relationship.” Although, yes, I was already pregnant. We were doing things backward, but doing them nonetheless.
My mom turned around and opened her mouth, but Daniil cut over her, stating, “I agree with Beth. Our relationship is too new for love, but I do care a great deal for your daughter. I won’t let anyone harm her…including her parents. She’s stated that she wants to be with me. Let her be without the arguments. Let us get to know one another better. As you said, I’m old enough to know better, and I know as well as you that arguing with your child, who’s an adult, gets you nowhere. They tend to do what they want, anyway.”
I bit my lip because I agreed wholeheartedly and just about spouted something off very childish like “Duh. Like they could hold me back.” I would do what I wanted. But, I got the feeling Daniil—even though he agreed with what he had said—found ways around that little flaw stubborn children tended to have. I didn’t think there was much that he didn’t get when he wanted it.
My dad shook his head. “I can’t agree with her being with you.” He walked a few steps, coming to stand next to us, staring up at Daniil, but somehow, Dad didn’t seem so small with the intensity of his conviction so obvious on his face. “Put yourself in my shoes, Daniil. If you were me, with my beliefs and standing before a man like you in this situation, what would you do?”
Daniil’s lips twitched. “Run.”
Sighing, I slapped his chest lightly. He wasn’t helping. “Daniil, stop it.” Staring at my dad’s furious face, I said, “Dad, Daniil has explained his world to me. I know the risks of being with him. And I still choose him.”
Dad got right in my face, somehow maneuvering between Daniil and me. “Elizabeth, there’s knowing and then there’sknowing. You have never experienced his world. And Lord save you from ever doing that.” He paused, his gaze straight on mine. He blinked slowly. “Oh, sweetie. You don’t think you can actually change him, do you?”
I felt my irritation rise over being freaked that I was having this conversation with my parents. “Maybe.” When my dad sighed, I stated, “What do you think you were doing today? Every day, every Sunday, you try to change people to God’s ways. Educate them. You invited Daniil to service with that exactly in mind. What makes me different than you?”
Dad opened his mouth and shut it slowly, his lips pinching.
He leaned back, and I nodded. “See. We’re not so different after all.”
In a lazy, bored tone, Daniil drawled, “Beth, my sweet. I’ve already told you I’m not changing my ways.”
I smiled at him sweetly, still irritated. “Yes, you did say that.”Didn’t mean it wasn’t going to happen.
And Daniil actually chuckled, turning between my legs, staring down at me. Lightly, he gripped my cheeks as I scowled at him—damn man thought I was cute—and lightly kissed my lips while still laughing softly. “I adore your conviction, but you’re not going to change me.”
Ignoring how my parents went mute at our chaste kiss, I grumbled, “It’s worth a shot.” I paused, and then stated honestly, “You’re worth a shot.”
