Page 47 of Happily Ever After

“Promise me you’ll listen to everything without reacting.”

“How can I promise that when I don’t know what it is?” He groaned. “Please tell me she hasn’t gotten back together with Ryan.”

“No, it’s not that. But…” Essie took a breath. “She’s pregnant.”

Dead silence answered her, then she heard Frank inhale. “Okay. Is it Ryan’s?”

“Yes, but Frank, she wants to keep the baby,” Essie added. “She told me at lunch yesterday. She’s scared, but she’s certain about that part.”

Another pause. Longer this time.

“That is very good news,” Frank said finally. “Did you tell her we’d support her? You know we will.”

“I do know that.” Essie felt her throat tighten, relief and gratitude tangling together. “And that’s what I told her. That we’d be here for whatever she needed. No pressure.”

“You did right,” he said. “How is she this morning?”

“Sleeping,” Essie said. “I wanted to talk to you in private, so I’m out walking Maple. Sophie was worried you’d be mad.”

“Well, I’m not thrilled, but the fact that she wants to keep it, that’s a big step for her.”

“I think so, too. The other thing…” She was reluctant to bring this up because she felt like he’d be okay with it, but it was going to be life-changing for her. For them.

“What is it?” Frank asked.

“I think she ought to stay with us for a while. At least until she gets herself together emotionally. She seems fragile to me. I don’t want her to be alone and suddenly decide she doesn’t want the baby anymore.”

“No, I don’t want that either. But you’re okay with her living with us? You just had Liliana and the kids there. If Sophie moves in, there’s no room for them to come visit.”

“I know, but Sophie needs us right now.”

“I don’t know what I did to deserve a woman like you. I really don’t, Essie. You’re a blessing to me, you know that? And you’re being a lot kinder to Sophie than she deserves.”

“Just because she’s suing us doesn’t mean she doesn’t deserve kindness.”

“A lot of people would argue you’re wrong. Thank you for being…you. Tell Sophie I love her and I’ll back any decision you make for her, all right?”

“Thank you, sweetheart. I’m going to do everything I can for her.”

“I know you are and I appreciate that,” Frank said. “I wish I were there.”

“I do, too,” Essie said. “But this helped. Having you weigh in on this, and knowing that you know what’s going on, that gives me peace of mind.”

“I love you, Essie.”

“I love you, too, Frank.”

Maple stopped and looked back at her, tail wagging gently. Essie smiled down at her.

“We’ll take this one step at a time,” Frank said. “Together. As a family.”

“Yes,” Essie said, loving that word. “We will.”

They talked a few minutes longer, mostly Frank catching her up on what was going on with the new branch. When the call ended, Essie slipped the phone back into her pocket and took a deeper breath than she had in days.

The sun had risen higher, light catching on windows and windshields, the day fully underway.

Essie tightened her grip on the leash just slightly and turned back toward home.