Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 90951 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 455(@200wpm)___ 364(@250wpm)___ 303(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90951 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 455(@200wpm)___ 364(@250wpm)___ 303(@300wpm)
“Kate, please,” Wes says, his forehead furrowing. “Can we stay focused?”
“I am focused,” Kate says, a hint of irritation flickering in her expression. “I just don’t see how grilling our daughter is going to help her feel safer sharing things with us, Wesley. I just want Bea to know she’s so loved, and that’s why we were upset. Because we want to be there for her, not because we’re angry with her.”
“Oh, Mom, I know that. I do, I promise,” Beatrice says, guilt creeping into voice. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about the pregnancy sooner. At first, it was just such a shock, I didn’t know how to tell anyone. Then, once I decided to keep the baby, I wanted to be sure I made it through the first trimester before I got everyone all excited. Then, by the time the second trimester rolled around, I was so busy working on the album that I kind of lost track of time.” Her shoulders inch closer to her ears. “I don’t know. I guess I got so used to keeping it a secret, I wasn’t sure how to stop. But none of this was about not trusting you. It was more about learning to trust myself, if that makes sense. To trust that I was ready to carry all of this alone and be the kind of parent my little girl deserves.”
“Oh, a little girl.” Her mom sucks in a breath, her eyes shining as she adds in a whisper, “A granddaughter. Wes, we’re having a granddaughter.”
Wes swipes at his eyes, confirming my suspicion that he’s a softie under the bluster. “I can’t believe it. I wasn’t… I wasn’t sure grandchildren were in the cards for us. Which is fine, but I…” His lips wobble into a smile. “But I’m happy for you, honey. I know you’re going to be a wonderful mother. You can trust in that. No doubt in my mind. You have the biggest heart. You always have, ever since you were a little girl.”
“Thanks, Daddy,” Beatrice says, smiling as she dabs at the corners of her eyes, too. “That means so much to me. Truly.”
“Your baby couldn’t ask for more,” her mother adds. “But I hope it’s okay if we plan on being in New Orleans for the delivery? I would love to come help you as much or as little as you need. A newborn is a blessing, but also a lot of work for one person.”
“We want to be there for her, too,” I pipe up, unable to help myself. I may not be able to tell them that I’m the father yet, but I want them to know from the beginning that I’m here for Beatrice. “All Bea’s friends want to chip in.”
“And Baylor and Charlotte,” Beatrice adds. “I won’t be alone. But yes, I’d love for you guys to be here. I’m due early January. You could come for the holidays and just…stay until I have a baby, I guess. Charlotte’s already arranged to take off work to help out. I bet she’d be happy for you to stay with her and Baylor in their guest room.”
“We don’t want to impose,” Wes says. “We can look for an Airbnb near your place. Would flying back late December work, you think, Kate? That way, we could finish this leg of the trip. I think we’re still far enough out that we can cancel Brazil without a penalty.”
“I think that sounds like the start of a great plan,” Beatrice cuts in with a laugh. “But maybe we can talk this through another time? The volume on my computer is broken. I can’t turn you guys down, and I’m afraid we’re going to wake Clover if we haven’t already.”
Wes blinks in surprise, finally lowering his voice as he says, “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize. Okay, yes, we’ll talk soon.”
“Send us all the birth details,” Kate adds. “And if Christmas doesn’t work out for everyone, then we’ll arrange to be there a few days before your due date. I carried past mine with the two of you, but you never know. Some first babies come early.”
“I kind of hope Bean comes early. Or on time, at least,” Beatrice says, her hand dropping to her belly. “People are already asking me if I’m having twins. I can’t imagine what I’ll look like in three months.”
“The father must be a large man?” Kate lifts her hands into the air, fingers spread. “Not that I’m sticking my nose into your private business or pressuring you in any way, honey. If he’s not in the picture, that’s fine by me. Just curious. And thinking you might want to get information on his medical history if you haven’t. That’s something that could be helpful down the line. Always good to know as much as you can about the DNA on both sides.”