17
I push open the back door into the sunlit kitchen. Mom is standing by the counter, humming while sorting through mail. She looks up as I step inside.
“Hi, honey,” she smiles, turning and hugging me.
I take a deep breath and say, “Mom, I need to tell you something.”
“Oh gosh, this sounds bad.”
“It isn’t,” I laugh. “I just... well, here goes. I’m pregnant.”
“What?” she cries out, eyes wide, voice pitching high.
I take a deep breath. “I found out the other day,” I tell her, my voice trembling with excitement, “but I didn’t tell you because I knew you were already worried about Dad.”
“A baby?” Mom’s hand flies to her mouth. “My baby is going to have a baby?”
“Yep.” I grin, nodding.
She grabs my arms and starts spinning me around. She’s laughing and crying all at once.
“What’s going on down there?” Chief calls from the bedroom.
Mom half collapses into me, tears of joy slipping down her cheeks before she bellows loudly, “Our baby... Caden, our baby is pregnant!”
Silence falls.
I meet Mom’s gaze. She gives me an “uh-oh” look. Together, we sneak up the stairs and peer around the doorway. Chief is out of bed, holding onto a cane for balance, his face a mix of shock and confusion.
“Dad?” I say, not sure how he’s going to react.
His face shifts, confusion melting into pure joy. A huge grin spreads across his face. “Well, I’ll be damned,” he rumbles. “A baby?”
I can’t contain it; I let out a little whoop.
“Get over here!” he booms, and I rush over. He sweeps me into a bear hug. “I’m too young to be an old grandpa.” He ruffles my hair. “But hell, I’m the happiest old man around.”
Mom claps her hands together. “We need a crib, a bassinet, bedding, clothes... oh, and a changing table! And a highchair!” She begins pacing the room, rattling off her mental inventory.
Chief and I exchange amused glances and roll our eyes, but we let her go. She’s never been more radiant.
I finally manage to slip away, heart still racing, and head to work. At the office, Travis is stuck in a meeting, so I make my way to my own office and settle into my chair, booting up my computer. About twenty minutes later, an email notification pops up from an address I don’t recognize. The subject line is simple:Back off!
Confused, I open it.
Violet,
If you don’t back off, I’ll make you regret it. I warned you already—and now you’re pregnant. Wouldn’t it be a shame if something happened to you and your baby? Walk away. If you value your life, and your child’s life, leave him now. This isn’t a request. If you don’t, you will pay. That’s a promise.
–TravsAngel
I stare at the screen, heart pounding. How the hell does whoever this is know I am pregnant? How is that even possible? My fingers hover over the mouse before I stand and walk out of my office. I head to reception. Janice is on the phone, her lips split and her cheek bruised. She motions for me to wait, finishes her call, then forces a polite smile.
“How can I help you, Violet?” she says.
“Do you know where Travis is?” I ask, trying to sound casual.
She tilts her head. “He’s in a meeting.”
