“Um…”
“Mom,” Jamie interjected. “If I could please…uh…explain?”
“Explain what? That you tossed the girl aside in her time of need?”
“It wasn’t like that!” he snapped.
The good news was that his mother instantly stopped crying.
The bad news was that she looked thoroughly pissed.
That’s when he explained everything to them about Jenn and how Asher came into his life.
“Oh my goodness,” she said quietly.
“Jamie,” his father chimed in. “What did you do? How did you handle running the pub during all of this?”
“Well, Ryleigh called Fallon Murphy and she stepped in to help,” he explained.
Kate laughed. “Oh, I would have paid good money to see your reaction to that! Did you try to run that sweet girl off?”
“I think I was still too much in shock and I was desperate for the help.” He paused. “She was amazing. Honestly, I don’t think Asher and I would have survived without her.”
“Fallon’s good people,” Shane said. “Her parents are worried about her right now, but it’s good to know that she wasn’t alone while they were away.”
His mother nodded. “I agree. We’ll have to have her over some time to thank her.” Looking calmer, she gave him a small smile. “So I’m guessing you’ll be bringing Jenn and Asher to dinner later?”
“Just Asher,” he replied.
“But…you said you were bringing two people.”
It was his turn to nod. “I did. And I’ll be bringing Asher and…Fallon.”
“Oh, well…that’s nice of you! Now we’ll get to thank her in person,” Kate said, not fully understanding what he was implying. “You know we always love seeing her. I’m glad the two of you are friends now.”
“Yeah, um…sort of?”
When he glanced over at his father, he knew he understood what Jamie was saying.
“Jamie, you need to stop this rivalry with Fallon,” his mother said. “After all she’s done for you, how could you not be friends with her?”
“I am friends with her, Mom, but I’m also…I’m in love with her,” he said and then braced himself for her response.
Which was more over-the-top than he expected.
“Oh! Oh my goodness! Oh! Oh! I need to call Caroline! We need to invite them over too!” She jumped up and ran over and nearly smothered him to death with the ferocity of her hug. Then she pulled back and cupped his face. “This is like a dream come true! Where’s the phone? I should call them right now, and…”
“Mom!” he said, cutting her off. “Fallon hasn’t talked to them yet, so…please don’t call Caroline, okay? We were going to go over there last night, but you guys all got in late, so…”
She looked flustered and she was smiling like a loon, but at least she wasn’t mad at him.
“So you’re telling me I’m a grandmother and you and Fallon are together like a couple? Do I have that right?”
He nodded.
Glancing over at Shane, Kate’s smile grew. “And just when we thought life was looking good, Shane! It just got even better!”
Fortunately, his father looked equally excited.
“Why didn’t you bring them both with you?” his mother asked. “Why would you come alone?”
“Um…”
“Oh, call them! Call them now and tell Fallon to come over with Asher! Please! Please, Jamie!”
He already knew Fallon had the car seat base in her car, and it wouldn’t be an issue, but he wasn’t sure she was ready for this.
“I’ll text her and make sure Asher’s awake,” he said as he pulled out his phone.
Jamie: Hey! Is Asher awake?
Fallon: Yup! Just got up a few minutes ago
Fallon: How’s it going there?
Jamie: Better than expected
Jamie: They want you to bring Asher over now. Are you okay with that?
Fallon: Um…I guess? His bag is already packed.
Fallon: Should I feed him first or let your mom do it?
Jamie: OMG. Definitely let her if you think he can wait
Jamie: You’ll earn brownie points for that
Fallon: Do I need them? Lol
Jamie: No. But she wants to call your mom so bad
Fallon: Crap. I didn’t think of that
Jamie: Should I let her and then we’ll get that out of the way too?
Fallon: Sure. Why not?
Jamie: Okay. Good.
Jamie: How soon till you can get here?
Fallon: I’m putting him in his seat now, so…ten minutes?
Jamie: See you then
Jamie: Love you!
Fallon: Love you too!
His parents were staring at him expectantly. “Um…they’ll be here in ten minutes.”
His mother immediately started bustling around fluffing pillows and then running to change her clothes.
“She realizes that Asher’s a baby, right? He’s not going to notice if she’s wearing something new,” he asked his father.
“Let her do it. She’s excited.” Leaning forward in his seat, his father held his hand out to him. “Congratulations, Jamie. I know this wasn’t planned or done in a traditional way, but…I know you’re going to be a great dad.”
“I learned from the best,” he replied.
Before either could say anything, his mother was back. “Shane, we’re grandparents with the Murphys! Oh, how I wish we could call them! This is just so exciting!”
While she wasn’t completely correct, he understood her excitement. Someday, they really would be grandparents with the Murphys for sure, though. He just really needed him and Fallon to settle into their lives first.
“I mentioned it to Fallon, and she said she wouldn’t mind you calling them, but if it’s okay with you, we’d prefer to tell them our news.”
Kate’s expression fell. “So…I can’t even tell Caroline that the two of you are dating?”
“Mom…”
“Okay, okay…fine. I’ll just invite them to dinner and mention that Fallon is coming? Will that be okay?”
He nodded. “That sounds fine. Thanks.”
Next, she was on the phone and then fluttering around the kitchen, and before he knew it, Fallon was at the door.
“Brace yourself,” he murmured as he kissed her hello. “They’re just a little excited about all of this.”
“As long as they’re not mad, they can be as excited as they want,” she whispered as she walked in.