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“And the baby is Easton’s?” I nod because saying the lie out loud feels like too much right now. Her gaze softens as she peers up from her plate. “It’s not about the baby, honey. Children are a blessing and a natural consequence of having unprotected sex.” I grimace. “But I meant the wedding…”

“Oh. That.” I move my pasta around with my fork. “Yeah, well, it all happened so fast…”

“So fast that you couldn’t think to invite your parents?” my father interjects. Our eyes connect and I instantly see the hurt there.

God, I suck.

This sucks.

And yet again, I feel like a disappointment.

“Blame Easton,” Nora chimes in, taking some of the heat off of me. “He’s the one who insisted they get married so Lennon would have health insurance to get in and see the doctor.”

My mother’s eyes meet mine. “Is that why you felt rushed? And is this what you really want?”

It feels dirty lying to my family about the truth, but I have to stick to the plan. “Yes, partly. But I chose this. I chose Easton. You know I don’t have any health coverage, and I’m further along than I thought, so…”

“How far along are you?” Blair asks, surprising me with her interest.

“A little over eight weeks now.”

She does some thinking and then says, “So you’re due in April?”

“Yes.”

“What about graduation?” she continues.

“I—I haven’t thought that far ahead yet, but it’s in June, so I’m going to try to finish my work experience hours early. That way, all I have to worry about is taking my exams after the baby is born.”

“And walking across that stage,” Hudson adds. “You’re not missing out on the graduation ceremony, Lennon.”

I’m taken aback by his declaration. “Why does that matter to you?”

His eyes drift among my family then back to me. “Because you’ve worked your ass off for this, and the last thing you’re going to do is not celebrate your accomplishment.”

Tears well in my eyes, but Blair interjects before I can respond.

“You need to take care of yourself. Schedule a prenatal visit, listen to your doctor, and let us help keep your stress down.”

“I, for one, am looking forward to the baby shower,” Nora adds, tapping her fingers together like she’s hatching an evil plan. “I already have a bunch of ideas.”

My family carries on with a full-fledged conversation about me and my baby while I sit there as a spectator.

I flatten my palms on the table and glance between my siblings as I find my voice. “Okay, what’s going on?”

My mother blinks at me from across the table. “What do you mean?”

“Well, for starters, this was the last reaction I expected from my siblings. And you two?” I point at my parents. “I expected more disappointment, some raised voices maybe…”

“The only thing I’m disappointed about is missing your wedding, especially to Easton.” My mom shrugs. “But you’ll make that up to us, I’m sure.”

“How?”

Her smile splits in two. “Well, he’s family now, which means he is invited to the Riley family camping trip.”

Oh, Easton. You have no idea what you just got yourself into.

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