“And before you ask, this wasn’t exactly planned,” I add.
“Really? Wouldn’t have guessed since he is your ex-husband and all.” Eek, when Grayson Blisswood attempts to joke when agitated, then it means shit might hit the fan.
“A baby?” My mother seems to be entering some existential episode before a smile warms her mouth. “My little girl is having a baby.” Waterworks. Niagara Falls water begins to fall down her face.
It’s touching, really. Actually, it’s a relief. Even as an adult you don’t want to disappoint your parents.
My vision swings to my dad whose lips suddenly in a smile. “This is wonderful news. I mean, being grandparents is a little rough on the age confrontation, but you’re going to have a baby.”
“Yeah… yeah, I am.” My voice feathers, and I’m suddenly proud, a smile beaming on my face.
“Obviously, I’m going to take care of Rosie and the baby,” Carter clarifies.
The smiles that my family have decrease in size, and their knitted brows return, as they’re puzzled. “Right. So, maybe we can backtrack a sec, and update us on why my ex-son-in-law is sitting on my couch. Because, I mean, I’m thrilled it’s Carter who is going to be this kid’s dad.”
“Really? Could’ve fooled me two minutes ago when you were contemplating options of poison,” I deadpan.
My father laughs me off. “Hey, I didn’t know why he was here. I’m protective.” He shrugs.
Wiping away a tear, my mom touches my dad’s leg. “This is really great news. I mean, they’re back together, which is just fantastic.” Because they were Carter superfans.
Pop goes the happy bubble.
“Not exactly,” I say to dampen the mood.
Carter scoots closer to me. “Rosie is moving in with me, and we’re taking it one day at a time.”
My dad points to us with confidence. “Nah, your mom and I parted ways for a while, and then we found one another again when Rosie was young. You two will be fine,” he easily voices his views.
A slight wave of nausea surfaces, and I swallow in the hopes that it helps.
“You okay?” Carter is quick to jump in with concern.
I claw my nails into his leg to hang on. “Yep,” I struggle to say.
My mom stands with urgency and zips straight to me at the speed of light. “Morning sickness? I had it really bad with you. You need to eat raw ginger.” She begins to cradle my head to rest against her stomach as if I’m a toddler.
“It will go away, they say. I’m now nine weeks.”
“We wanted to tell you even though it’s early.”
My parents seem taken aback and glance at one another. “Oh, well, makes sense. Work on you two before the baby arrives,” my father says.
“For fuck’s sake.” I pull back from my mom’s hands.
“Language,” my dad chides.
“Will everyone just calm it down on the relationship views? We have bigger things to conquer right now, which is this adorable little demon in my stomach making me sick half the time.”
Carter begins to rub my back. “The ER doctor gave her meds to help.”
“What?” my mom shrieks.
“Way to go,” I utter to Carter.
“You were at the hospital? That’s it. You’re staying here. You need me with you.” She’s probably already planning my breakfast menu for the week in her head.
I abruptly stand, completely exhausted from all of this. “I’m going to live with Carter. I need to figure everything out. I don’t want to be coddled. Not by you, Mom, or you.” I dart my eyes to Carter. “Just let me be. I need to wrap my head around a few things.”
