“She’s almost twenty weeks. We don’t know if the baby is a boy or a girl yet, but I think we’re going to find out in a few weeks at her next scan.”
“Oh, twenty weeks. She’s almost halfway!”
Guilt punched him right in the gut at the sadness in his mother’s voice. “I’m sorry for not telling you before now. It’s just that Jessie was really sick at first. She asked me to not tell anyone until she was out of her first trimester, and then we were waiting to tell her family,” Hawks' voice deepened as he thought about how disastrous that meal had been.
“Why do you sound upset?”
“Her dad was less than thrilled about the baby. Jess… she’s been struggling with his reaction. I’m trying to get her settled into the apartment, but I just don’t know how to make things better. I made it clear to him where I stood with Jessie and the baby. They are my family, Mom. Forever. I’ll protect them from everything, including him if I need to.”
“Oh, honey.”
“I just need to know what else I can be doing. I’ve joined every due date group I can find online. I’ve registered us for some new age birthing class that she wants to take. I’ve stocked the kitchen with all her safe foods and removed everything that she even slightly frowns at, and I’m trying to sneak onto her shopping account to see what books she has saved away because she loves to read. But she’s stopped working, and isn’t speaking to half of her family, and I can see how much it’s hurting her.”
“You know, there are just some things that you can’t fix or protect her from. It sounds like you are doing everything you can to make sure she’s taken care of. And that’s all you can do. If her dad approaches you to talk things out, go into it with an open heart. And encourage Jessie to do the same. But if not, you’ve already said it. You’re her family now. And you’ll make sure she knows how much you love her and how precious she is to you, because she’s the mother of your child, but also because you love her for who she is deep down inside, and that will be enough. You’re enough, Hawk. God, I’m so proud of you I could cry.”
A knock on the door frame to his office had Hawk clearing his throat and spinning to see who needed him.Nash.
“Hey, Mom, I have to run, but thank you for the advice. And for being excited.”
“You let me know when we can come out for a visit and I’ll be there in a heartbeat, honey. And you give Jessie and my grand-baby a kiss from me, you hear?”
“Yes, ma’am. I promise I will.”
“Good boy. Now, I’m off to find out what the heck yourfather is up to. I’m about to make his whole year telling him he’s gonna be a Papaw!”
“Love you, Mom.”
“Love you too, sweetheart.”
Hawk ended the call with his mom, blowing out a breath as he made his way back to his desk. Nash walked in with a package in his hands, sliding it onto the desk before sitting in the chair across from Hawk.
“What’s this?” Hawk asked.
“Dunno. It’s addressed to Jessie. Just figured she probably ordered something and forgot to put the apartment info in.”
“Oh, yeah. I told her to order whatever she needed to feel more settled. This is probably something for that.”
Hawk took the package, puzzled at how light it was, but set it down next to his phone and keys so he wouldn’t forget to take it up when he left for the day.
“You know, Lacy mentioned to me something about having you two over soon so Jessie could borrow some maternity clothes. I think Lace actually borrowed a bunch of it from Lily to begin with.”
“That sounds great. She’s being stubborn about letting me pay for her to get new clothes.”
“Lacy mentioned the girls were thinking of maybe taking her shopping one day. Trying to get her out of the apartment.”
Hawk shook his head. “It’s fucking killing me to see her so sad. I’m just thankful you guys have embraced Jessie with open arms.”
Nash’s brows pulled together. “Of course we would. She’s your person, isn’t she?”
“Yeah.”
“And we’re your family. So, we love her. And we protect her. And we include her. That’s what families do.”
“I wish her family felt that way about me.”
Nash nodded. They’d all talked the subject to death by that point. “I think Dolly’s having a really hard time.”
“Then she should reach out to Jess.”
