“I kinda already told her.”
“You did?” The road leveled out, and he took a couple streets to get to the entrance of the village. “When?”
“The other day.”
He came to a stop on the side of the road. There weren’t many cars or pedestrians yet, not this early in the morning when most of the shops weren’t open yet.
“I was having a hard day. I was scared how you would react when I told you. The stress was getting to me, and she walked in and knew I was upset. It was one of those moments when I wanted to talk to my mom ... but I talked to yours instead.” I looked down at my lap and felt his stare on the side of my face.
He leaned over the center console between us, and his big hand went to my thigh. “Sweetheart, I’m not mad.” The smile was in his voice.
“You aren’t?” I whispered, my hand moving to his on my thigh.
“Look at me,” he said gently.
I swallowed before I followed his command.
A slight smile was on his lips, and there was nothing but affection in his eyes. “I’m happy that my mom feels like your mom. I’m happy to share her with you. She’s the best.”
“Yeah. She’s pretty great.”
“I’m just sorry that you were that worried about my reaction.” His smile faltered, like that was the part that wounded him.
“When I found out, I was kinda a wreck. It was too soon, thought I’d have at least five more years before I had to think about this. Thought we’d have more time together. I feel bad for saying it, but I wasn’t happy or excited at all. Just terrified, honestly. So I expected you to react the same way.”
He was quiet for a little bit. “Do you still feel that way?”
“No. After I told you, I was happy.”
“I think you’re misinterpreting your fear as unhappiness. I wish you had told me sooner so you wouldn’t have had to carry this stress around by yourself for so long.”
“I just remember you said you could or could not have kids ... could go either way.”
“And then I found my soulmate, and all that changed.” His big hand enveloped mine the way his strength enveloped my fear.
My heart did a little dance when I heard his words. I felt joy that I couldn’t put into words. I’d lost my home when my mom died, but I’d found it again in Constantine.
“If someone else I’d been seeing told me she was pregnant ...” He released a quiet chuckle. “Yeah, I would have had a very different reaction, to say the least. But the moment I knew ...” He gave a slight shake of his head. “All I felt was joy. All the emotional baggage I’ve been carrying just disappeared. I realized none of that matters anymore. The two of you and Medusa are all that matters now—and I’ve never been more excited for anything in my life.”
We pulled up to Sofia’s villa and parked outside.
I was nervous, even though I had no reason to be. Sofia already knew the truth, so there was no news to break. I’d already been accepted into their family. But my heart was in my throat anyway as we walked up to the front door.
Constantine knocked and stepped back.
Sofia opened the door a moment later, and as with any time she saw Constantine, she drowned him in maternal affection. A kiss on the cheek, a long embrace, calling him her boy rather than using his name.
I loved seeing them together.
Then she greeted me just as warmly, with a hug and a kiss on the cheek. She didn’t give away that she knew something she shouldn’t. She might suspect we were there to tell her the news, but she didn’t show her hand.
“I hope you’re hungry,” she said. “Because—”
“You cooked for thirteen instead of three?” Constantine teased. “I didn’t eat anything all day because I knew we were coming here.”
We sat outside on the patio with the string of white lights hanging overhead. A couple of wine bottles were already sitting there along with some glasses. While Sofia went inside to retrieve the platters of food, Constantine opened a bottle of wine and poured himself a glass.
“I’m glad I don’t have to pretend anymore.”
