Ted shrugged.
The silence stretched on. Uncomfortable. Heavy. Seth’s pulse kicked up again. Despite his son’s assurances, she could still decide that he wasn’t fit to finish raising Hudson.
“Honey…” Ted said into the silence, surprising Seth. “Hudson is almost an adult. You didn’t raise him to be naïve.” He glanced at the teen, then back at Laura. “This situation might not seem ideal…but he’s clearly okay with it. Hell, he seems like he’s thriving. If it’s not hurting him, then why does it matter if Seth sleeps with the same woman Beck does?”
Laura blinked, absorbing the question. Then her gaze drifted back to Hudson, and she really looked at him, as if she was seeing someone she didn’t fully recognize. “Not only have you gotten taller, but you’ve also matured.”
Hudson ducked his head slightly, a little embarrassed but also pleased. “He’s a good dad.”
Seth’s pride swelled. He’d barely had a month to make an impact on the kid. To hear Hudson say that out loud was both a relief and an affirmation he’d treasure.
He held his breath and watched Laura’s expression shift again. Shock gave way to something softer. Acceptance?
Seth leaned forward slightly, wanting to stress his final point. “Look, I know our relationship is unconventional, but the three of us together actually benefits Hudson. Like he pointed out, he has three parental figures looking out for him, not just two. We can keep a closer eye on him. There’s always an adult around.” He allowed himself a wry smile. “Besides, both Beck and I were rowdy teenagers, so we know exactly what to look for—and how to nip any bullshit in the bud.”
Laura’s gaze flicked to Beck, who nodded once, his serious expression its own confirmation.
She closed her eyes. Seconds passed, feeling like half an eternity. Seth’s heart continued hammering. Everything rode on whether she could accept the life he’d built.
Finally, Laura opened her eyes and exhaled slowly. “Of all the things I thought you’d say today, this wasn’t what I expected.”
“I’m sure that’s an understatement,” Seth drawled.
“And then some. But I trust my son. If Hudson is okay with it…” She blew out a breath. “Then…I guess I am, too.”
Relief crashed over Seth like a wave. Holy shit. She’d actually said yes.
He knew accepting his news hadn’t been easy for Laura. But she’d still trusted him enough to do it.
Maybe his mother would take the news better than he expected when he sat her down on Monday.
Laura turned to Hudson, her expression soft but serious. “But I need you to make me another promise. If you’re ever not okay with this—if anything makes you uncomfortable or if you change your mind—you tell me. Immediately.”
Hudson nodded without hesitation. “I will. But that’s not gonna happen.” His voice was steady, confident. “Once I got used to the idea, it just felt…normal.”
Laura exhaled, her shoulders sagging slightly as the last of the fight drained out of her. Ted reached over and squeezed her shoulder—a quiet reminder that she wasn’t losing Hudson. He was just growing up. Making his own choices. And she was supporting him.
Seth gripped Heavenly’s hand under the table. She glanced at him, her eyes full of warmth and understanding. Beside her, Beck caught his gaze and sent him an affirming nod.
They’d done it. Together.
The food arrived, and Hudson immediately dug in like a typical teenage boy, eating everything that wasn’t nailed down.
Beck and Heavenly kept the conversation moving, asking Ted about his plumbing business and Laura about Emma’s sleep patterns. Surprisingly, Ted warmed up, jumping in to smooth the lingering tension while bouncing a happy Emma on his knee.
Seth caught Laura watching him again—studying him like she was still taking his measure. He met her gaze steadily, projecting every ounce of confidence and stability he could muster. I’ve got this. I’ve got him.
She seemed to believe it. Or at least, she clearly wanted to.
Laura picked at her eggs, barely eating. Seth understood. His own appetite had vanished somewhere between the relief and the dread still churning in his gut. They’d cleared one hurdle—Laura’s acceptance—but more loomed on the horizon. Tonight, he’d talk to his brothers. On Monday, his mom.
That conversation was going to be a hell of a lot harder.
“Seth?” Laura’s voice pulled him back to the moment. “Have you… I mean, I know it’s a bit early, but have you decided where you’re spending Christmas? Any chance you’ll be visiting your mom? So I can see Hudson?”
He hadn’t thought about the holidays yet. Seth had been afraid to. Everything depended on his mom’s reaction.
He glanced at Heavenly, then Beck, brow raised.
