“What? I’m allowed to be excited about having three new grandbabies by the end of the year. I understand everyone’s boundaries. If you have an issue with a woman being happy that her boys are finding love and starting families of their own, well, then I guess the issue is in you more than me,” Ma said. She moved closer to Duncan. “It’s good to know you’re feeling a bit better, sweetheart. Please let me know if you’re feeling up to a day of lunch and shopping when we get back. If not, I do understand.” Ma gave Duncan another hug and then stood.
“I will, Joyce. And I hope you enjoy your cruise. I can’t imagine spending so much time out on the ocean, but I know everyone has different things they love,” Duncan said. I looked between my mate and my mother, a bit surprised at how comfortable Duncan seemed to be with her. Not that I didn’t want that. I desired nothing more than for Duncan to feel comfortable with my family.
“Are you leaving already?” I asked. “You’ve only been here five minutes.”
“Duncan is tired, he needs his snack and a nap, and your father and I have a few more things to do before we leave for our cruise.” Ma gave me a quick hug, then walked over to where Dad was waiting. “That’s it? Just like that, you’re leaving already?”
My parents looked confused. “Yes,” Dad said. “Your mother wanted to see Duncan and wish him well before we left. That’s it. We didn’t wish to intrude more than that.”
I watched, completely dumbfounded, while my parents walked toward the door. It took entirely too long for me to spring into action. I was up and chasing after them, only catching up when they were already at the door.
“Uh, have a nice trip,” I said.
Ma turned and smiled at me. “We will. We enjoy spending time with others our age on these cruises. We don’t always havethat here anymore. A lot of our friends have moved away. Some are joining us on the cruise. Others are new.”
Oh. I hadn’t realized that. “That sounds nice. I do hope the two of you enjoy your trip.”
My parents smiled at me. “We always do,” Dad said. “It’s nice to have a change of scenery every so often.”
Ma and Dad waved as they walked away from the front door toward Dad’s SUV. I watched until they pulled away from the curb and closed the door quietly. I locked it, a habit I’d always had, and then went back to Duncan.
I found him with an almost empty plate. Gone were the crackers and all of the fruit except for the grapes. “I thought you liked grapes.”
Duncan smiled up at me. “I do. They can be a bit much for my stomach right now though, so I just don’t eat them.”
I felt terrible for my mate. His pregnancy had been nothing but one thing after another for him. He was starting to feel better though, and that was reassuring. I picked up the plate and ate the grapes left on it as I took it to the kitchen and tossed it. I grabbed a cup of water for myself, realizing that Dad had managed to distract me from my mate by mentioning making tea—something we didn’t do.
“Sweetie? How are you feeling?” I asked as I walked back to the living room.
“Better. I hate to admit it, but I think the stay in the hospital with all of the fluids and meds has really helped me get ahead on things when it comes to my stomach. I never really knew that being dehydrated could make you so nauseous.”
I reached out and ran my fingers through his messy hair. I loved it when it looked like it did now. I know that the only reason was because he’d been sleeping and hadn’t brushed it. It didn’t truly matter because we weren’t leaving the house today.
“I’m happy to hear you’re feeling better, sweetheart. I don’t like that being pregnant is so rough on you though.”
Duncan placed his hand on my arm and smiled. “It’s okay. Just think about it this way. In the end, we get an incredible little one.”
He wasn’t wrong. “Very true,” I said, agreeing with him. “I’m glad that you and Ma seem to be getting along. I don’t want her to get to the point that she’s overstepping.”
Duncan shook his head. “Would you sit?” he asked, pointing to the other end of the couch. He pulled his feet up, and after I sat somewhat close to him, he placed his legs across my lap. I started gently rubbing them up and down. “I’ve talked to Charlie. I know what happened with Joyce with everything. I understand that she overstepped majorly.”
I nodded. “She signed Silver up for Mate Match without telling him and was just going to leave Silver to deal with the outcome of all of that. She did.”
“Yes, I know. And she’s paid for that,” Duncan said. “I like your mom. A lot. She’s sweet. She’s excited about grandbabies. About your brothers finding mates and starting families.” I rolled my eyes and shook my head. “No, hear me out.”
“I am,” I told him.
“Yes, but you’ve already decided that things will be a certain way. Without even asking me if I’m okay with it. I’m the one who is pregnant. I’m the one throwing up every few hours. Sometimes several times an hour. This is my baby too.”
“I know that,” I told him. “I never said you didn’t have a say in things, sweetie.”
“Good. Because I want grandparents involved. I don’t have parents, Clay.” Duncan shrugged. “They might be out there somewhere, but I wouldn’t know because they threw me away. Not literally, but they abandoned me at a fire station. The only chance of having grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins for thechildren I carry…all of that comes from your side. I like your mom. She’s been kind to me. She’s been welcoming. Your whole family has.” Duncan made a face. “Well, except for Flint, but he did apologize.”
“I agree completely,” I told him. “I’m happy that you’re getting along with my parents. But I do want them to understand that there are boundaries that need to be understood. I don’t want them to just drop in unannounced.” That was exactly what they’d done today, and although they didn’t stay but a few minutes, still. They’d just dropped in.
“You’re thinking about today. It’s my fault that you didn’t know, and I apologize. Your mom actually asked me if they could stop by for a few minutes before they finished packing for their trip. I just didn’t have time to tell you.”
“She asked you? Not me?”
