Total pages in book: 110
Estimated words: 107803 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 539(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107803 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 539(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
I nearly choked. This was not how I’d expected them to react. “I’m sorry, how did you know I went to Lilibeth’s Christmas night?”
She shrugged. “Small town, Caden. People talk, and apparently your truck was parked outside of her little rental for longer than a brief visit.”
I watched as she took a bite of stew, smiling as she chewed.
Rolling my eyes, I said, “I’m surprised it wasn’t in the paper.”
Laughing, Mom said, “Oh, this will be even bigger once they find out.”
Dad chuckled as well.
My eyes bounced between the two of them. “You’re not upset?”
Eyeing me, my mother shook her head. “Caden Flint Wilde, are you seriously asking us that question? Upset? I’m thrilled! But I didn’t want to react too much until I was sure how you felt about this. So…how are you feeling?”
Once again, I was reminded of how much I loved my parents. “I’m…confused. Scared shitless, worried I’m going to fuck up a kid. Did I mention I’m scared?”
My mother placed her hand over mine. “Being scared is a natural reaction. Is there a bit of happiness somewhere in there?”
I nodded. “Yes, but I’m still in shock.”
“How is Lilibeth doing?”
“I think she’s okay.”
“You think?” my father asked, frowning. “Have you asked her?”
“Yes. Of course. But my head is still spinning, Dad. She told me yesterday about the baby, and we just went to the doctor today. I heard the heartbeat, and that made it really real.”
“I would imagine so,” Mom said softly.
“I feel worried. Excited. Angry.”
“Angry?” Dad asked.
“That it’s happening this way. I used to dream of having a family, and after Rachel left, I kind of gave up on that dream.”
“You’re angry because it’s not with Rachel?”
My head jerked back at my mother’s words. “No! That’s not it at all. I’m angry because this is how God’s giving me a family. I spent just a few nights with a woman, using protection, and she got pregnant. I spent years with Rachel and got nothing.”
Mom shrugged. “Maybe that’s because your future wasn’t meant to be with Rachel.”
I looked at Mom and nodded. “You’re right. It wasn’t meant to be with her. And Lilibeth has, in a strange way, helped me see that.”
Dad cleared his throat. “But you’re still angry about having a baby with Lilibeth?”
“No, I’m not angry about that part. I care about Lilibeth. I can’t say that I love her, I have feelings for her, I know that much. It’s just…when I thought about having a family, I pictured it like…” I pointed between my parents. “I thought I would be like this. In love, married, and excited about my future. I’m worried about what people will say. Not for me, but for Lilibeth. The minute Janet Miller finds out, you know she’s going to have it in The Daily Dirt.”
My mother rolled her eyes. “I think I know Lilibeth enough to say that she can handle herself and whatever the gossips throw at her.”
“I just know my emotions are all over the place, and I’m sure Lilibeth feels the same. She told me that she wouldn’t hold me responsible, and I could be as much a part of this as I wanted.”
“I hope you told her you were there a hundred percent,” Dad said.
Nodding, I replied, “I did. I told her that I was all in with helping her. She had to recently move into the garage apartment above her parents’ place, and I talked her into moving in with me.”
Both sets of brows went up this time, as my parents stared at me.
“You asked Lilibeth to move in with you?” Mom asked, attempting to hide a smile.
“I did—and it’s not because of whatever you’re thinking, Mom. I can’t have her living in a tiny apartment. She’s having my baby, and I think it’s my responsibility to at least give her a better place to live. She can have my bedroom, and I’ll move to another room. With the nook off my bedroom, she can make that into a place for the baby, after he or she is born.”
Dad set his spoon down and said, “Sounds like you’ve been thinking about this.”
“I could hardly sleep last night, I was thinking about it so much. Lilibeth said no at first, but I’ve talked her into it. She does have insurance, but I told her whatever out-of-pocket expenses she has, I’ll cover them.”
“That was the right thing to do,” Mom nodded in approval. “Has she told her parents?”
“Tonight. We both agreed to tell our parents. She’s only eight weeks and would like to wait until twelve before telling anyone else. She also wanted to wait until then to move into my place. I’m hoping I can talk her into it earlier.”
Neither of my parents said anything.
“What?” I asked, my gaze bouncing between them.
“Nothing,” they replied in unison.