“Honestly? Well, I've only met his housemates so far, so to meet the rest of his uni friends all at once feels a little daunting. Plus, I think in this setting, our age gap will be glaringly obvious for the first time since we met.” I side-eye her, “Well, except for when you laid into me that first day.”
She places her hand on her chest and leans back, looking affronted. “You know I felt bad about my outburst, and I've apologised for that. I was just worried about my baby. Something you will soon understand all too well,” she pointedly looks at my bump. “But back to the issue at hand. You truly don't think your age gap was obvious before?”
A tired sigh leaves my lungs, and my posture deflates with it. “I’m not saying that I don't think people can tell, Grace. But Bradhas never made me feel like anything but his equal. He doesn't treat me like a mother figure – thank god – and I've never felt awkward around him. Never felt like there's even a gap to bridge. So, it's not completely about what others perceive, but how I feel in this situation.”
She hums thoughtfully as her gaze tracks towards the spot where Brad and his cohorts are having their photo taken. “So, why is it that my son tells me you won’t fully commit to a relationship with him if you don't notice the age gap when you're together?”
Her question gives me pause because I thought she hated the idea of us together. “Are you saying you want me to be with Brad? Because my apprehension isn't solely about our age gap. It's abouthisage. He's just so young and should be allowed to make all the stupid mistakes that twenty-somethings make. Live life and learn from it. Sow his wild oats, have fun, go out with his friends, beyoung!” I realise I've been gesturing wildly with every word out of my mouth, so I grip my hands in my lap and add quietly, “I don't want him to feel obligated to try for something real with me, only to resent me in ten years.”
Grace's entire face softens at my admission, and she surprises me by pulling me into a fierce hug. “You're a good woman, Shari Jones, and I really am sorry for how badly I reacted when we met. I completely misjudged you.”
My eyes mist over as we break apart, and I’m lost for words.
Her hands come up to cup my cheeks as her gaze travels all over my face. “It’s so easy to see why Brad is smitten with you, now that I don’t have panic clouding my judgement. Please don’t use my outburst as a reason to deny yourselves the happiness you deserve.”
Twin droplets fall from my lashes, and Grace surprises me further by wiping them away with her thumbs.
Hettie, who has been my absolute lifeline yet again today, leans into my other side to advise, “Fair warning, there are girls in that group you're about to meet that are going to make you feel about this big,” she demonstrates the barest gap with her thumb and forefinger. “So, wipe your eyes, they're piranhas and tears are like blood in the water to them. A lot of them want my brother, which is gross but true, and he's probably slept with half of them at some point.”
“That's my boy!”
“Philip! Don’t be so crass!”
Phil's interjection makes me chuckle, which I think was his aim, judging by the twinkle in his eye.
“Ew, Dad! So muchno. Anyways, these bitches are going to want to take you out as a threat. Baby or no baby. Just,” she pauses, shaking her head, “try to prepare for the ultimate mean girl treatment.”
Brad breaks away from his adoring fans to run over to us and accept hugs from his family before grabbing me and dipping me slightly, which elicits a small squeal from the depths of my soul. That blinding smile hasn't left his face since I got here – a little late which is why I didn't get to say hi before the ceremony – and it's still firmly fixed to his face as he pulls back to give me a quick peck and thread our fingers together.
“I’m so glad you made it.” He places his free hand on my belly. “Both of you.” Some of my nerves ease in his presence, because this man is a miracle worker at melting me.
“Congratulations, graduate! We're so proud of you. Sorry we were a bit late, this one kept waking me up with weird cravings last night so I overslept this morning.”
His eyes flicker with emotion, but his wide smile grows implausibly larger. “You'll have to tell me everything our nugget is craving so I can make sure you're fully stocked at all times. Come, I want you to meet everyone.”
Just before he drags me off to my doom, he turns to his family and tells them we'll meet them at the restaurant shortly. Hettie gives me a grimacing smile with two thumbs up before they walk away and I can't help but bark a laugh.
We near his group of friends standing under the shade of a large oak tree, trying to keep cool in the summer heat. Its leaves fluttering in the slight breeze create a rippling pattern on the grass below, and I find myself focusing on the shadow show to rein in my nerves.
“Everyone, this is Shari, and Bumpy?—”
“Don't call the baby Bumpy!” I growl softly so only he can hear. He's been referring to the baby as Bumpy since our twelve week scan. I pretend it annoys me, but I secretly love it.
“—Shari and Bumpy,” he grins, “this is everyone. And Trey.”
Trey punches Brad on the shoulder before sweeping me up in his usual bear hug and spinning me around. “Hey, beautiful. You sure I can't convince you to leave this idiot and run away with me?”
Brad shoves him off me and with a finger pointed in Trey's face, he just says, “No!” Like he's scolding a naughty puppy. It's a little bit adorable. Trey puts his hands up and backs away laughing, “Ok man, chill! I won't steal your girl.” He winks at me with that shit-eating grin still firmly in place.
“I’m not his girl, so there's no stealing to be done, Trey.”
I meant it as banter, but with my nerves frayed it comes out sounding like a rejection, which I realise as soon as I see the hurt look on Brad's face.
Trey breaks the tension with his easy smile and clichéd, “Denial isn't just a river in Egypt, Shari!”
Before I can utter a word of apology to Brad, a petite blonde with the longest eyelashes spidering around her brown eyes slides up next to him and wraps her talons around his arm.
“Brad, who's this old bird you've brought over? She must be about thirty!” Sweet baby Jesus, that's a thick Scouse accent.Theeeertee.
