Dixie Braddock Casco comes tearing into the room and wraps her arms around her son. She’s so small that it’s kind of silly looking, but the emotion she brings into the room takes away the urge to smile. You can feel the stress radiating off of her. “Whatever this is, you’ve got it and we’ve got you.”
“It’s likely anxiety,” Landon tells her as he gently untangles himself from her. “No sign of brain cancer, and they’re running blood work just in case, but I think it’s okay.”
“Thank God,” Eli says, and his eyes move to me and furrow in confusion.
“What has you so stressed you literally can’t see straight?” Dixie demands.
Landon shoots her a calm smile. “I have a lot to tell you, but not here. Let’s go to the cottage. The doc said he was filling out my discharge papers and he’d call me with blood work results.”
Dixie nods slowly. Eli’s eyes bounce from me to Angie as he nods. Angie has put on her winter coat so her bump is hidden. Landon grabs his coat and motions for everyone to head out. I hold my breath and follow.
Chapter 38
Landon
Everyone is staring at me expectantly, and it dawns on me how stupid this is. I look over at Grady. No. I’m not doing this. Fuck it. I look back at my parents. “Angie is pregnant. I’m going to be a dad.”
Mom blinks. Dad’s head swivels to Angie, who gives him a sheepish wave. Lola and Callan are staring at our parents, waiting for more… or something. Anything. I decide to just keep talking even if they’re in too much shock to listen. “And no, we aren’t together. We aren’t getting back together. I’m actually… I’m seeing someone else.”
“And I’m completely okay with that,” Angie adds. “We’re good.”
“And I’m going to have full, sole custody of the baby.”
“And I’m also good with that. I want that,” Angie tells them.
Mom just keeps blinking. Dad stops looking at me and turns to look at Grady. In that moment, I know he’s figured it out. I hold my breath.
“Mom,” Lola prompts. “Do you want some water?”
Mom shakes her head. “This… It’s a lot.”
“I know,” I agree and move to sit on the coffee table in front of her so we can be eye-to-eye. “But Mom, I almost died. I thought the cancer also took my chance to even be a dad. So even though this isn’t perfect, or how I’d have hoped to become a dad, I’m still really fucking lucky I get to be one. So I’ll take her, and all the hard work that comes with her. And I hope you can support me.”
“Landon, I always support you.” Her eyes flood with tears as she cups my face. “Did you say her?”
“We know it’s a girl.”
“A girl.” She blinks, and tears fall, and as she wipes them away, Dad wraps his arm around her. “We’re grandparents?”
“In a few more months, yeah.”
“And you two… are you sure it’s over?” Mom’s eyes bounce from me to Angie.
“We’re sure,” we say in unison.
Mom looks disappointed at that, and I don’t hold it against her. There’s a lot going on right now, and she’ll need time to process it all. I know when she figures out what Dad seems to have already figured out, she’ll understand and accept what’s happening here. I stand up again and look at Grady. “I have another person in my life, but it’s new and I’m scared this will put too much of a strain on things. It’s already so complicated. So, I have to figure out how to do this alone. And I will.”
“You are never alone,” Dad says emphatically, still rubbing Mom’s arm.
“If we have to move to Maine or whatever team you play for next to help with the baby during the season, we will,” Mom vows.
“Thank you. I’m not going to tell you I don’t need that because I might.” I look at Grady again.
“Now that the cat’s out of the bag, can someone feed me?” Angie asks with a gentle smile. “I never did get my ice cream and pickles.”
“Let’s go to the store,” Lola suggests. “Landon, rest. Mom and Dad, and Grady stay here. Callan, come with. We’ll pick up dinner for everyone, too. Lisa’s Pizza?”
“Sounds great,” I say and look at Grady. “Vertigo burns calories. I can cheat tonight.”
