“No, don’t waste it. Take it in for the team? Just tell them not to eat it around me.” I shudder, imagining one of the guys coming in for a massage, smelling of licorice.
Dan chuckles. “You got it.”
His phone starts to ring, and I move to pick it up from the table, handing it to him.
“It’s my parents.” He looks at me, and I know what he’s about to ask.
“We should tell them.”
“Really?” His eyes widen and his smile grows. “Are you sure? We haven’t told anyone yet.”
“I know, but your parents should know.”
He answers the video call with a grin. “Hey, Mom!”
“Hi honey, just wanted to check in, see how you’re settling in now that you’re back.”
“Great, actually.” Dan moves to lean against the couch next to me. “I’m at Lark’s right now.”
“Oh, hi, sweetheart,” Edith says cheerfully, lifting her hand to wave at me.
“Hi, Edith.” I wave back. “How are you and Howard doing?”
“We’re just fine. Busy as always, but very excited for the gamethis weekend!”
“So are we. The team is looking really strong.”
Dan turns the phone back to himself and takes my hand before pushing off the couch and dragging me around to the other side so we can sit on it properly. “Hey, Mom, is Dad nearby?”
“I think so, he was at the bank to do a deposit but I heard him come back a few minutes ago. Why?”
“Can you go and get him, please?” Dan’s leg is bouncing up and down with excitement, and I place my hand on it. He flashes me a grin and kisses my forehead. Right in front of his mother, who’s still smiling at us.
“It’s good to see you two so happy.”
“We are, Mom. Very happy.” Dan covers my hand on his leg with one of his own. Then his dad’s face shows up on the small screen. “Hey, Dad!”
“Hi, son, Lark, how are you both doing?”
“We’re good. Hey, um, we’ve got some news.” All of a sudden, Dan’s face turns bright red.
I watch his Dad’s brows furrow as he peers closer at the phone. “Son? Are you alright?”
He musters up a nod, then turns to me. He’s clearly choked up, and while it’s sweet, I’m also freaking out at the realization that I’m going to have to be the one to say it.
“Ah, well…” I start, then take a deep breath. Ripping off the Band-Aid in three…two…one… “I’m pregnant.”
There’s a stunned silence, broken only by Dan’s loud exhale. When I glance over at him, he’s managing to hold the phone steady, and the redness is starting to recede from his cheeks,replaced by a goofy grin.
“Yeah, you’re gonna be grandparents.”
“What? I… Oh my goodness!” Edith covers her mouth with her hands, the phone falling to the side. Howard seems to grab it, and takes over holding it, but I can see him wiping under his glasses.
“That’s quite the news, kids,” he says gruffly.
“It’s good news, Dad. The best. I mean, it wasn’t planned, but we’re incredibly happy and excited about it.”
After a second, Howard nods. “That’s all that matters.”
