Despite all that, Carl had seen straight through them.
“What gave us away?” Beck asked, his voice rough.
Carl’s expression turned knowing. “The way you and Heavenly looked at each other when you thought no one was watching. And Seth...” He glanced at his soon-to-be stepson. “That speech you gave your mother at Batter Up? You were too invested to just be talking about the twins. You sounded like you spoke from experience.”
Carl didn’t yell. He didn’t judge. He just quietly accepted them.
Cautious relief spread through Beck. Another glance at Seth said he felt the same.
“Does Mom suspect?” he finally asked.
Carl shook his head. “That woman has been so busy with wedding planning that Bigfoot could stroll through her living room and she wouldn’t notice.” His tone turned serious. “But after this weekend, if you don’t get honest with her…she will.”
The message was clear. They were on the clock.
“Duly noted,” Seth said carefully. “I won’t apologize.”
Carl nodded. “You shouldn’t. Your love life is none of my business. If Heavenly and Beck make you happy, as far as I’m concerned, that’s all that matters.”
But his opinion wasn’t the one that mattered. Grace’s was. At least Carl wasn’t going to be a roadblock.
“If you knew,” Beck said slowly, “why didn’t you say something?”
“Didn’t want to start drama before the wedding,” Carl replied easily.
“Same reason we didn’t,” Seth offered. “She deserves to focus on her own wedding without worrying about us. I had Beck come because I wanted Mom to meet him before I sprang the truth on her. It would have been worse trying to convince her to accept a stranger.”
“You’re right. So…which of you two is engaged to Heavenly? Or was that a lie for your mother’s benefit?”
“No,” Beck put in so Seth wouldn’t feel so put on the spot. “We’re both engaged to her, and we’re looking for ways to cement our bond—legally, spiritually. Whatever we can manage.”
“Exactly.” Seth nodded. “Obviously, we’ll never be married in the Church, and I know that will be tough for Mom to take. But that’s our reality, and I’m okay with it.” His voice was steady, resolute. “I’ve done the big church wedding once. I don’t need that again because I know in my heart that what we have is real. Mom is going to have to be okay with that. One of us will marry Heavenly legally, but we haven’t decided who yet.”
Carl looked thoughtful. “Sounds like you three have thought this through.”
“Carefully,” Seth assured. “And…we’re trying to have a baby.”
Carl’s eyes widened with surprise. “You ready for that?”
Seth’s jaw tightened, but his gaze didn’t waver. “It’s been a struggle at times. I won’t lie. But I’m determined to embrace the future. This is the way forward.” He paused. “I hope my mom and my brothers can accept that—and the children we plan to have.”
Beck stood silent beside him, relieved to hear Seth laying his feelings bare without bullshit or reservation.
Seth outlined the rest of his plan—talking to his brothers during the reception, then sitting down with Grace on Monday.
“Have you had a chance to talk to her since my visit last month? Has she softened any after the twins’ situation?”
Carl hesitated. “Some, just enough for me to realize the wedding has consumed most of her waking thoughts. She’s barely thinking about Jack and Connor now. But once the distraction is over, she’ll start thinking about them again.”
Seth nodded like that was a fact. “Thank you for trying.”
“Sorry I couldn’t do more, but you know when that woman gets focused…”
“She’s singularly fixated, yes.” A smile tugged at Seth’s lips.
“Once you tell her, she’ll need time. But she’ll come around.” Carl clapped Seth’s shoulder, a tinge of a smile curling his lips. “Even Grace Cooper—soon-to-be-Mahoney—won’t be able to deny you’re building a life based on love—especially when the babies come. Your mother has been dying for more grandchildren.”
Seth smiled. “Yep. She hasn’t been shy about that.”
