Page 58 of The Mistletoe Mix-up

“Something to look forward to.” Wren laughed.

“Oh,” Elizabeth said, leaning against the counter and lowering her voice to a whisper. “Are you thinking about having kids?”

Wren wasn’t offended by how surprised Elizabeth sounded. She knew that most of her family probably didn’t think she’d ever get married and have kids, especially because she’d never talked about anyone special.

They’d be right about the first part.

“I have been thinking about it a lot recently,” Wren said.

“Really?” Elizabeth’s face lit up. “That would be great! Lukas and this little one would love some cousins to play with!” Elizabeth grabbed a chip from the bag, popping it into her mouth. When she finished chewing, she asked, “Are you seeing anyone?”

“I don’t know if ‘seeing’ is the right term, but I have a few ideas in mind.”

Elizabeth nodded. “It’s good to keep your options open and everything. You want to settle down with someone who is going to be a good husband and father.”

“I understand what you’re saying, but I think I’m going the untraditional route.”

Elizabeth’s brow furrowed. “What do you mean by that?”

Wren shrugged. “I honestly am thinking it would be better if it was just me, nobody else in the picture.”

“Then how would you . . .” Elizabeth’s eyes widened. “You’re talking about insemination?”

Wren wasn’t sure if that was horror mixed into her sister-in-law’s surprised tone, but there was nothing she could do if people didn’t understand. Or worse, judged her for it.

“Yes,” Wren said, glancing briefly at the men in the living room to see if they were listening, but their attention was still glued to the TV. “I just think it would be what’s right for me. I never really saw myself getting married, but I always saw myself as a mom.”

“What are you talking about in there?” Luke asked, drawing both women’s attention. Wren almost said, Nothing, but Elizabeth beat her to it.

“Your sister is just telling me that she’s thinking about having a baby.”

Four male heads whipped around and stared at both women as if they’d grown horns.

“Have a baby?” Luke asked.

Pete scratched his head. “Like you wanna be pregnant?”

Wren scowled at them. “Why is this such a crazy concept to all of you?”

“Because you’re not married,” her father said gruffly, his bushy brows drawn low over his eyes.

“It is the new world, Dad,” Wren said flippantly. “Women do not have to be married in order to have children.”

“This conversation does not concern me. I’m gonna keep watching football before it gets ugly,” Garrett said, giving a little salute.

Wren’s temper flared at their dismissal of her. How could they be so ignorant? Wren put her plate down before slamming her hands on her hips. “There are plenty of women raising not just one child, but multiple children, on their own, and they do amazing.”

“Who are these women and children?” her dad asked.

“Lots of actresses are raising their children alone—”

“Let me stop you right there,” Luke said, his face scrunched in disgust.

“Luke,” Elizabeth said warningly. Out of the corner of her eye, Wren saw her sister-in-law shake her head and mouth, No.

“Actresses have money,” her dad said, getting up from the couch. “Which they use to pay nannies, and their children do not always turn out as normal as you may think. Things can be faked. Most children turn out best with a mother and a father in the picture.”

Pete chose that moment to pipe in. “Are you saying that we didn’t turn out alright?”