“Fine.” I remove my coat, watching everyone around me asthey see my hand move to my stomach, resting on the bump. “So, Mom, Dad, Caydenand I have some news…”
Dad is the first to speak. “Yes, it’s clear you do.”
The tone in his voice makes me want to weep. I should’vetold him sooner, and not like this. He might have been upset, but Imiscalculated. Cayden’s hand rests on the small of my back, and I take theencouragement he offers. “I wanted to tell you before. I really did, but I’vebeen so busy at the firm and Cayden and I have been trying to get things inorder.”
Dad looks to Cayden then, ignoring my little tirade. “When’sthe wedding?”
“Umm, what?”
“The wedding. I expect it’s soon? Are you already married?”Dad asks, finally looking at me.
Well, he’s out of his damn mind. “Were you married when Iwas born?” I toss at him.
“Irrelevant. You’re pregnant and he needs to marry you.”
I look at my family who all seems to think my father is ontosomething. “Are we in some weird time warp? Since when do we have to getmarried to have a baby?”
“Since you’re my daughter and are pregnant.”
Oh, now I’m pissed. Now I want to flip tables. They are allhypocrites and I am going to enjoy this dressing down. My mother grins, asthough she knows what’s coming from me. I really love my mommy. I take twosteps so I’m in front of my father.
“Seriously? What about Bethanne? Were you married when shewas conceived? You had two kids without being married.” Then, I look at each ofmy uncles, all of them with children before they were married. “What about you,Uncle Declan? Uncle Sean? Uncle Jacob? Any of you? Are we suddenly to believethat babies out of wedlock aren’t a family tradition? I was just keeping thedream alive here, following in all your footsteps.”
“She’s got us there,” Uncle Jacob says. “The girl is toosmart for us.”
I always loved him. I mean, I love all of them, but UncleJacob always spoiled me rotten and he is the most levelheaded about things.
“Shut up, Jacob,” Mom says to him. “Hadley, I…I’mjust…you’re pregnant.”
“I am and it’s fine. I know it’s a bit of a shock and seemsfast, but Cayden and I are happy and, well, I hope you’ll be too.”
Cayden rubs my back, kissing the top of my head. I turn tohim, feeling loved and supported. I love him so much and while this was scary,it changes nothing. I am having a baby with him, we have a home, happiness, andnothing will change that. He grins down at me and I know he’s thinking thesame.
My dad clears his throat and shocks everyone with the wordsthat come out of his mouth. “We’re happy if you are.”
“We are?” Mom asks.
“She’s a grown woman and we’ve done a good job raising her.Clearly, we missed the safe sex talk somewhere along the way, but…she’s alwaysmade good choices.”
“Thank you, Daddy.”
“Congratulations to you both, may you have a daughter so Ican sit back and enjoy the hell you’re about to endure.”
ChapterEighteen
CAYDEN
Last night I was able to find a few minutes to talk toHadley’s parents alone. I wanted to have the talk and give her father the respecthe’s owed by informing him of my intentions. It went well, at least I think itdid.
I didn’t ask for his permission, mostly because it’s reallynot up to him, it’s Hadley’s choice. However, I did ask for his blessing. Whichthey both gave.
I roll over, reaching for my future fiancé and she’s notthere. The sheets are cold and I sit up, looking around for her. I find a noteon my side table:
Went to the treehouse to watch the sunrise. I’ll be backbefore you wake, but in case I’m not, I love you.
No idea what treehouse she means, but this gives me a fewminutes to get the ring and prepare myself. I’m going to propose today. Withthe ring in my pocket, I head downstairs. She and her father are sitting by thefireplace, smiling and drinking coffee.
Her eyes light up when she sees me. “Merry Christmas.”
