“In here.”
She escorted him into the formal living room.
“I’ll be right back,” she said.
“Can’t wait.” He winked before wiping his hands on his pants and sinking onto the loveseat, wisely avoiding Mom’s fancy chairs. He sat with his hands clasped, bracing his elbows on his knees.
Sydney slowly approached the kitchen. “Hey Mom, when you’re done can you get Dad and come in the living room?”
Her mother looked up from the dishwasher. “Why?”
“Crew and I have something we want to tell you.” Sydney gulped. Please don’t ask what it is. Please don’t ask what it is.
“What is it?” Her mom actually liked Crew, but she didn’t sound pleased to be asked to do anything by Sydney.
“We’ll tell you in a minute.” Sydney fled the room before her mom could question her further. She reached Crew’s side, sitting by him and grasping his hand. His normally tan skin was drained of color. She gave his hand a small squeeze, trying to relay her support and love without words. What could words do anyway? They couldn’t make it better. They couldn’t avoid what was coming. All she could think to do was pray that her dad didn’t kill Crew and her mom didn’t completely lose it.
“You okay?” she whispered.
“No.”
She winced. “Come on. I know how tough you are—wrestling steers, single-handedly taking the state football title, smarter than anyone in town. You can handle my daddy.”
Crew tugged at his collar. “Syd,” he said, “I didn’t single-handedly win the championship. Every guy on the team played a part. Are you telling me you wouldn’t mind if I brought my football buddies in here to take your dad down?” He arched an eyebrow.
“Come on, you’d need the whole team?”
“Maybe just my center and a few linebackers.”
She chortled. “Not sure he’d be too impressed.”
“And I aim to impress.”
“Well, I know I’m impressed.”
He gave her that slow grin and leaned in for a kiss, but was interrupted by her mom gliding into the room, followed closely by her dad. Sydney’s heart thudded so loudly she was sure they could hear it. Crew leaped to his feet, ripping his hand from Sydney’s grasp.
“Oh, Crew,” Caroline pressed his hand warmly, ever the gracious hostess. “How fun that you two want to talk to us. I’m excited about your little announcement.” Her eyes twinkled with the anticipation of a secret about to be revealed.
She probably thinks we’re announcing we’ve won Prom royalty.
“Well, it’s an announcement all right,” Crew said.
He ran a finger under the collar of his shirt, looking like he wanted to undo another button. He looked so good. Had Sydney even told him that?
Her dad glared at her future husband.
“Sir,” Crew extended his hand, the firm grip exerted by her dad’s handshake seemed to be appraising not Crew’s strength, but his character. No one ever questioned Crew Naylor’s physical strength.
“Crew.” The look her dad gave was cool, but not hostile. Her mom was still smiling at Crew. Sydney felt a surge of hope. It wasn’t as bad as she had expected. Maybe they had a chance.
Who am I kidding? Her mother might pass out at best.
“Please, sit down, make yourselves comfortable.” Caroline spread her hands with a courteous gesture, every inch the southern belle. Raised in Georgia, she still had traces of a soft drawl. She fit the part perfectly; from her elegantly, coiffed hair to her tiny, belted waist. Too bad she wasn’t as gracious behind closed doors.
“Thanks, ma’am.” Crew replied as he and Sydney settled onto the stiff cushions.
An awkward silence descended. Sydney realized they should’ve had a game plan. Should she start or would Crew?
“So, what’s the big news?” Her mother clasped her hands together.
“Well...” Crew coughed once. “Excuse me. Um-hmm. You see, the thing is...”
Poor Crew, maybe she should cut in, but she didn’t want to undermine him. It was so unlike him to not be charming and confident.
Crew took a deep breath and gave Sydney a brief smile before saying, “I want you to know that I love your daughter.”
Her dad didn’t respond verbally, but his eyes narrowed, eyebrows dipping together in the center. He looked every inch the stern lawyer passing judgment on each statement Crew uttered. He clearly didn’t appreciate the latest one.
Her mom said nothing either. Her mauve-stained lips formed a delicate O. Her perfectly plucked eyebrows raised several notches.
“I love her, and I would like to ask your permission to make her my wife.”
“What!” her dad exploded. “You two are barely graduating from high school. Why on earth would I give my permission for you to marry my daughter? The only thing you’ve ever accomplished in life is running fast with a ball under your arm.”
“Well, sir, I’ve saved a lot of money working on the farm. I have a full-ride scholarship to the University of Utah next fall where I plan to study medicine. I’m prepared to support her.”
“I am taking care of her. I will continue until she has graduated from the university of her choice. When you have that diploma saying you’re a doctor and I know you can realistically provide, then and only then may you request my permission to attempt this conversation again. Next time come by yourself. Sydney doesn’t need to be here for your moral support!”
“You’re right, Thomas,” her mom agreed with her dad, probably for the first time in years. “They are much too young.”
Her dad rose, signaling the end of the meeting.
“Daddy!” Sydney cried out, jumping to her feet in desperation. “You have to let us get married.” She rushed across the room and grabbed a hold of his forearm.
“Give me one good reason why.” He remained rigid.
“I love him.” She stared directly into her father's eyes.
“Not good enough.”
Sydney released her grasp on her father, stepped back, and sank onto the loveseat. She closed her eyes and offered a quick prayer. Crew reached an arm around her shoulders.
“Daddy,” Sydney began, her voice a broken whisper. “I’m pregnant.”
She had expected shouts of accusation, maybe even a few swear words. Their response was much, much worse. They said nothing. Complete and utter silence.
Not a word was spoken for an entire minute. Her mom’s face drained of color. She gripped the arms of her chair to keep from falling into the abyss her daughter had created.
Her dad just stared. Still standing, he towered over the couple with glowering fury. The incrimination and anger radiating from his eyes were worse than any words he could have uttered.
“Daddy,” Sydney began again. “I’m sorry. I know you taught me better. We made a mistake.”
“A mistake? A mistake, Sydney!” Caroline’s voice was shrill. The expensive makeup accentuating her beautiful face stood in stark contrast to her now chalky features.
“A mistake is something you can rectify. You can’t fix this Sydney. You have sinned! You two aren’t married. You’re eighteen years old. Don’t think for one second that you are ready to be a mother. You won’t be able to go to school now. You’ve ruined your future in ceramics and dance. You can’t even comprehend what kind of mistake you have made!”
A sob rose from Caroline’s throat in a gurgle, blocking anything else she may have wished to say.
Sydney tried to stop the tears that welled up in her eyes, but they spilled over anyway. Darn pregnancy emotions. She glanced at Crew. He looked shell shocked. She couldn’t blame him. Sydney was used to her mother’s outbursts, but this was Crew’s first time experiencing one. Heaven help them, it probably wouldn’t be the last. If, after this experience with her parents, he still wanted to marry her, it would be a miracle.
Silence reigned for a horribly long time before her dad said, “You are placing the baby up for adoption.”
He stared at Crew, not even looking at her.
“No!” Sydney leapt to her feet to face her father. “No way! I will not give up our baby.”
“You will.” Her dad didn’t give her the benefit of a glance. He continued eyeing Crew. If she could just get him to look at her.
“Your father’s right,” Caroline said, her tears slowing. “Adoption will work. You can still have a future. You don’t need to throw it all away.”
“Crew and little mister makes-me-throw-up-a-lot are my future.”
Crew gave a surprised laugh and a tender look. Her parents didn’t so much as smile.
“You’re not thinking logically,” her mother said. “We know what’s best for you.”
“You know what’s best for her?” Crew asked. “You can’t control Sydney.”
“Yes, we can,” her dad said. “You’re both too young to make a decision like this on your own.”
“I’m an adult and I will keep my baby.” Sydney raised her chin.
Her father’s gaze finally swung toward her. She had never seen such anger in his eyes, not even when she’d lit her friend Sarah’s hair on fire during a battle with illegal bottle rockets.
“You,” a long, thin finger jabbed in Sydney’s direction, “will give the baby to a couple who can love and provide for it properly. You will move to Arizona immediately after graduation and stay with your grandparents until the baby is born. Your mother and I will inform everyone that you are going to be a nanny for the next year. I will not allow you to ruin your future.”
“Sir,” Crew began.
“Don’t!”
“Please, sir...” Crew tried again.
“Don’t even try it,” her dad said, his lips barely moving. “You have taken my daughter’s virtue, you will not steal her future as well.” Her dad turned to leave the room.
Crew shook his head. “I love her.”
“If you loved her, you wouldn’t have taken advantage of her!”
Crew swallowed hard and studied the knick-knacks. He’d told Sydney several times how badly he felt that he didn’t have the self-control to wait until they were married—not that she wasn’t a willing party.
“Now, I am through with this discussion.” Her dad glared at Crew. “Young man, I expect you will keep this secret to your grave. I plan on never seeing you near my daughter again.”
Crew jumped to his feet. Sydney stood by his side. This was all going horribly wrong and she had to stop it.
“You cannot order me to put our baby up for adoption,” she said. “Crew and I are going to be married and that is the end of this discussion. You can either give us your permission and attend the ceremony or we will do it on our own. I am fine either way!”
Caroline gasped. Her dad looked stunned. Shocked silence covered the room like a scratchy, wool camping blanket.
Sydney stared directly at her father.
Her dad clung to the arm of his chair and settled into the upholstered seat like an elderly man sinking into his wheelchair.
Crew gave her an admiring glance. He took her hand and they both stepped back, perching themselves on the edge of the loveseat to await her dad’s next words.
A charged silence ensued. Her dad stared at them. Caroline sobbed. She kept muttering, “How could she do this to me?”
“Sir,” Crew began. “I love your daughter. I will provide for her. I plan on being a pediatrician.”
Her dad wiped a hand over his face. He looked like a man beaten down and Sydney felt horrible. As much as he’d always loved her, she would think he’d understand that she already loved this baby and wouldn’t just give him up for adoption and move on with her life.
“How are you going to accomplish that?” her dad muttered.
“My associate’s degree is complete because of AP courses I’ve taken in high school. The University of Utah offered me a full-ride scholarship with a housing stipend. The money I’ve saved for school can provide for food, medical bills, and anything extra we might need. I’ve secured us an apartment, and can continue working on the farm and putting money away until school begins.”
Her dad’s dark eyes seemed to reveal a tinge of respect. “How will you get through medical school?”
“The counselor at the U says if my grades stay as high as they are and if I get accepted at the U for medical, I can get scholarships and financial aid. I may have to get in some debt, but I’m hoping to keep working and avoid that.”
“I want Sydney to finish her schooling. You know how gifted she is.”
Crew glanced at Sydney. “If that’s what she wants, we’ll make it happen.”
Her dad nodded. Had they triumphed? Would he allow them to marry? Sydney squeezed Crew’s hand. He smiled quickly at her then focused on her dad again.
Her dad’s sigh of despair was audible, yet he appeared resigned to his fate. His daughter was being ripped from his grasp, but Sydney was serious and he knew it. They would marry on their own if he didn’t give his blessing.
“You won’t have to get a part-time job,” her dad instructed. “I will give you two thousand dollars a month to help you make ends meet.”
Crew’s grip on her hand tightened.
“What are you saying? You are not backing down. I won’t allow it.” Caroline eyed her husband like he was a traitor.
“What would you like me to do, Caroline? If I don’t back down our daughter and her baby will be lost to us.”
“I don’t care!” Caroline shook her head from side to side, tears flinging from her eyelids. “I don’t care. How could she do this to us? How can you allow it? What will people think? What have I raised?”
“Calm down, sweetie.” He reached for her hand. “Sydney is more important than what people think. You do care. You’re just upset right now. You’re okay. Calm down.”
“I will not calm down!” Caroline withdrew from his touch, turning her anger on him. “Sydney has betrayed everything we’ve taught her, everything we’ve done for her.”
“Honey, she made a mistake,” her dad said. “They’re trying to make it right.”
“You’re siding with her like you always do! Your baby girl. You always let her get away with murder. Well this time she’s gone too far the little—”
“Enough!” he bellowed. “They made a mistake, Caroline. Stop talking before you say something you’re going to regret.”
“Something I’ll regret, more like something you’ll regret.”
Sydney’s dad gave her mom the look that usually stopped any further comments. She turned from him with a humph, folding her arms across her chest.
He swung his gaze back to Crew. “As I was saying, I will give you two thousand dollars per month, or as much as you need, until you graduate from medical school and Sydney graduates from college.”
“No, sir, you will not.” Crew shook his head.
Sydney sucked in a breath. Crew was independent and hard-working, but right now her dad might not appreciate those qualities.
“Why not?”
“Sir, we need to make it on our own. I hope you can respect that.”
“A loan?” Her dad tried again. “You could repay me after you graduate.”
“I appreciate the offer sir, but...” Crew hesitated.
Sydney wondered if he could feel her father’s pain at losing his daughter. The anguish sat so heavy in the room, she could reach out and touch it. Turning her dad down now would be another smack in the back of the head. Crew glanced at Sydney. She begged him with her eyes to accept something.
“If we need some help,” Crew struggled with the sentence. “We’ll...we’ll let you know.” He flinched as he said the words.
“Okay,” her dad conceded, appearing to appreciate how much that sentence cost Crew. “What about Sydney’s schooling?”
It was as if they were negotiating a peace contract between two feuding nations.
“Well,” Crew squirmed, “that may be a little hard, but we’ll find a way to get her through. I know how
talented she is.”
Sydney smiled at him. He was so good to her and she knew he would help her achieve any goals she set.
“I will pay for her schooling,” her dad said.
Crew studied him for a second before finally muttering, “Okay.”
“Okay. Why don’t we work out the rest of the details when we’ve all had a little more time to let this news sink in.”
Crew nodded.
Her dad stood, signaling an end to the meeting. They all rose with him. Crew reached out to shake hands again. The past twenty minutes had revolutionized all of their lives. For better or worse would be determined by Crew and Sydney’s future actions.
“How soon do you want to be married?” her dad asked.
“July first.” Crew stood straight as if preparing for the onslaught.
“That’s barely a month!” Caroline shrieked. “Do you have any idea how hard it will be to pull a wedding together in a month?”
“I’m sorry, Mrs. Richland,” Crew said.
“July first.” Her dad nodded.
Sydney blushed when her dad glanced at her. He had to know how far along she was.
Caroline pressed a hand to her mouth.
Sydney reached over to hug her shaking mother. Caroline stiffened. “It’ll be okay, Mom.”
“No, it won’t.” The voice came from Antarctica. “Don’t kid yourself, Sydney, you’ve made the biggest ‘mistake’ of your life. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have a wedding to plan.”
Caroline’s shoulders drooped and a sob shook her frame as she trudged wearily from the room. Her exit was completely opposite her entrance.
“I’ll help,” Sydney said to her mom’s back.
“You’ve helped enough.” She waved a hand in Sydney’s direction, not looking back.
Sydney hung her head, fighting back the tears. She was an adult now. Her mom’s rejection shouldn’t matter anymore. She turned to Crew, but it was her dad who hugged her to him.
“She’ll be okay, baby. You’ve got to give her some time. I’ll take care of her.” He rested his chin on the top of her head. “You’ll have to give us both some time. This wasn’t what we planned for you, little girl.”
“I know Daddy, I know. Will you ever forgive us?”
Reality Ever After Page 3