“I’ve got to be honest here, Grace. None of this makes sense or is a reason to offer me money for my baby or to treat your own sister like you did.”
“You’re right. It isn’t. Like I said, I went a little crazy and lost control of my emotions. None of what I said is true. You’re going to be a great mother. You and Nik are so perfect together, and I think that’s part of what had me all out of control, too. Here was this guy who you literally stumbled upon and he’s so great to you and completely into you. Anyone can see it,” she says.
I look at Nik and he shrugs. “I’m not denying it.”
I feel my cheeks heat.
“See? He’s not ashamed to show you how he feels and he’s willing to stand up for you to me when I had only just met him. He could have sucked up to me in hopes of getting on my good side, but he didn’t. And that shows a lot of character, of which Samuel has none. Obviously. I was jealous. Still am, but I have the jealousy under control now.”
I blow out a breath and feel the heat from Nik’s hand against my leg. I can’t easily forget the words that she spoke to me, but I can make the decision to not let it control me or fester.
“What’s done is done, right? You said what you said and it’ll take me a while to get over it. That’s not me being petty, that’s me reminding you that what you said was supremely shitty. Not just about me not being Nik might not care because, well, quite honestly, your opinion of him doesn’t matter. Not really, anyway. The only reason he cares about your opinion of him is because of your connection to me but he’s made it clear I’m his priority, not you.” Nik’s hand flexes against my thigh and I know it’s his way of offering his support. “I’m not saying I forgive you both or that I’ll forget about it but if the accident yesterday taught me anything, it’s that life is too short to dwell on anything of the past. We’re moving on, right?”
Grace nods. “I’m so sorry, though. Please believe that.”
“I know you are. I can see it in your face. You might be an excellent lawyer, but you’re a terrible liar. At least to me.”
She laughs a little through her tears, wiping under her nose with her hand then wiping the mascara that’s started to run under her eyes.
“I love you.”
“I love you, too, but you’re not in the clear yet. Actions speak louder than words usually, but in this case, your words were really loud. Those words were not just mean, they were really mean. To some people, they’d be unforgivable. I said this already, but you acted like a snotty bitch.”
“I know. I deserve that and I’ll give you whatever time you need to be able to forgive me. I’m so glad you’re okay. I was so scared when I found out about the accident.”
“She’s not just okay. She’s perfect,” Nik says. “And so is our little guy.”
Just as soon as Nik’s hand is on my stomach, our son lays out a big kick. Nik jerks back in shock at the power behind the kick.
“Whoa. That was crazy!”
“He’s been really active today. Must be trying to remind me that he’s healthy in there.”
“Maybe he’s trying to tell his mama thank you for keeping him safe.”
“Maybe,” I agree with my dad.
My dad’s eyes widen. “Wait. Did you say little guy? As in it’s a boy?”
“Crap. I was doing so good to keep it a secret, wasn’t I?” Nik says sheepishly.
I shrug. “No big deal. Yeah, we’re having a boy.” I beam.
Everyone erupts with happiness, especially my dad who’s been surrounded by women most his life. Aside from Samuel and Grant, who aren’t real close with him.
“May I?” Dad asks, pointing to my stomach.
“Of course. You don’t have to ask.”
He gets out of his chair and kneels next to me, placing a hand where Nik’s just was. It takes a minute or two but eventually we feel a flutter followed by a strong kick.
Dad’s eyes stay glued to my stomach as he says, “Hi there, little man. I’m your grandpa. You’re going to have me wrapped around your little finger in no time.”
When I glance at Nik, the look on his face breaks my heart. He doesn’t get this. His parents are gone and won’t get to meet their grandsons. Our son won’t know two sets of grandparents who want to fight over him.
Leaning over, I place a hand on Nik’s cheek and give him a kiss on the lips. He rests his forehead to mine and for a bit, it feels like we’re alone. The two of us sitting on cushiony patio furniture, sharing a moment after a hectic few days.
A throat clearing breaks our moment and my brother-in-law, Grant, pushes my dad out of the way. “All right, old man. It’s my turn. I want to feel what I can expect in a few more months.”
Everyone goes silent and we look to Lucy who has wide eyes staring at the back of her husband’s head as he places a hand on my stomach to feel the baby move.
“What did you just say?” my mom asks him.
“What?” he asks, looking around confused. Something clicks and his words dawn on him. “Oh shit.”
“So, we have news,” Lucy says quietly. “It’s early. Ten weeks along now, but we’re hopeful.”
My family erupts in happiness, sharing our congratulations and excitement for the news.
That’s why Lucy didn’t say anything when Grace was being awful to me. She was thinking of her own baby.
I wink at her, letting her know I understand and she winks back.
“I was going to ask if Lucy and I could host a baby shower for you but now maybe it needs to be a double shower.”
Lucy’s quick to interject. “No. This one will be just for Ashley and Nik. Grant and I will have one later. I don’t want to jinx anything.”
“I understand. Are you okay with that, Nik? Did your sister have anything planned?”
“I’m sure she’d like to be involved. That’s very nice of you to offer.”
“We haven’t registered,” I remind him. “Like, for anything.”
“What do you mean you haven’t registered?” I hear Josie say behind me.
“What are you guys doing here?” Nik asks, taking baby Jay from Dean’s arms. “How’s my little buddy doing? You missed Uncle Nik so much, didn’t you?” he coos and I glance at my sisters who have hearts in their eyes.
Grace mouths, “Holy shit,” to me and I grin knowingly.
“I couldn’t keep her home. Sorry to interrupt, everyone,” Dean says.
Josie pulls me from my chair and hugs me tightly. “You’re okay. You’re okay. Thank God. I was so worried.”
“I’m okay,” I promise. “Aside from the wrist, all is perfect.”
“The pictures of the wreck, oh my gosh, I can’t believe…”
“What pictures?”
“Nothing,” Nik says quickly. “It’s not for today, anyway. Today’s for family.”
“I need to see them.”
He kisses the back of my hand. “Later.”
After I agree to waiting to see whatever pictures are out there of the accident, we introduce everyone and then the girls take me inside and demand I go online to start registering. “Nik will want to have a say in what we’re registering for,” I tell them.