It was time to call his mom.
Hawk’s cheeks ballooned as he pushed all the air out of his lungs.
His mom picked up on the second ring.
“Hawk, sweetheart. I wasn’t expecting a call from you today. Is everything okay?”
“Yeah, Mom. Everything’s good here.”
“Well, don’t leave an old woman waiting. It’s not my birthday, or your dad’s. And it’s not a major holiday, so?—”
“I call more than that.”
“What. You’re mom can’t tease you?”
“You can. But you’re right. I’m calling for a reason.”
“Oh my god. It’s finally happened. You met someone!”
Hawk stood from behind his desk, walking to the window as he ran his hand over his jaw. “Yeah. I have.”
“And it sounds like it’s serious?”
“Very. She’s my person, Mom. I think I’ve known it from the day I met her, I was just scared to let myself act on it.”
“Why would you be scared, honey?”
“She’s fourteen years younger than me.”
He waited for a gasp from his mother, but it never came. Instead, a soft chuckle filled the silence.
“Why are you laughing?”
“That means she’s what? Twenty-six, Hawk? I’d already been married to your father for three years by the time I was that age. There’s nothing to be ashamed of.”She gasped.“Is that what you’re calling to tell me, then? That you’re going to ask her to marry you?”
“I’ve tried to ask her about a dozen times already. She just keeps telling me not to.”
“Why would she say that?”
“Probably because she wants to make sure I’m not just feeling tied to her because of the baby.”
“Hawk Elijah Morgan.What baby?!”
“She’s pregnant, Mom. Surprise! You’re going to be a Grandma.”
“Oh lord, I need to sit down. I’m so happy I’m fixin’ to faint!”
“Where’s Dad? Do you need me to call him?”
“Hush, I’m fine! I’m just over here about to pee my pants! What on Earth do you mean I’m gonna be a Mimi!! How far along is she? How is she feeling? When can we come out and meet her? You better tell me her name right now before I hop on my laptop and buy my ticket out there!”
“Her name is Jessie and?—”
“Jessie Ford! Oh my god… does your sister know?”
Hawk’s mind spun. “Uh, yeah. Mae was the first person I told. I didn’t know how she would take the news with what happened last year, but I knew I couldn’t hide it from her. How… How do you know about Jessie?”
“Mae and I talked while she was home. She was holding out hope for the two of you, and it sounds like she was spot on about everything! Oh, I can’t wait to call her!”He pulled the phone away from his ear as his mother squealed.“Tell me everything. Please.”
