UnPlanned

by M. Piper

  “Yea,” I say, sighing. “I love you, Wren.” I bring her hand to my lips and she smiles.

  “I love you, Lincoln.”

  I sit there, right next to her, until she falls asleep and then leave the two of them in the bedroom. She needs time with him as his mother. She’s great with him, but they need to bond more and I realize that. I’m not scared about her family, and I’m not scared about her moving in. Honestly, I’m not scared about anything anymore. I know Wren’s not the reason he ended up on my doorstep and I don’t blame her for it. Her family is a whole different story, though.

  “You guys get it all figured out?” Ford asks as he and Reagan grab sodas from the fridge.

  “Yeah,” I mutter, pouring myself a glass of water and chugging it down. I stare at the cup, still baffled on how small of a world it really is.

  “I still can’t believe this,” Reagan says. “I mean…looking at them together, it makes complete sense. But… Jesus, Lincoln, how much of a douche were you to fuck a girl like her and not even remember it?”

  “Mm,” Ford says mid swallow, nodding towards me and I wait for his response with an unamused look on my face. “Your big brother used to be mega douche, Reagan. Carter turned him into a human again, but when you were in grade school and high school, your big brother was screwing everyone in town and then some.”

  I slug Ford’s bicep and he laughs.

  “Reag, where are Mom and Dad?” I glance outside and don’t see anyone and if they were inside they’d be in here right now.

  “No clue.” She shrugs. “I have a date I have to get ready for.” She wiggles her eyebrows and Ford laughs.

  “As long as it’s not Dot I’m fine with him. No one can be worse than him,” he says, taking another swig of his soda.

  “Gah, no.” She shudders. “I think he’s gay, anyway.” She shrugs and heads down the hallway.

  “Don’t forget to tell him you’re adopted!” Ford yells after her and she flips him off.

  “Remember when she used to believe that?” I ask, chuckling. “You’re an ass,” I laugh and my eyes fall to the hallway where Wren’s standing there, Carter on her hip and a smile on her face. “Hey babe,” I say, pushing past Ford and pressing my lips to her forehead before taking Carter into my arms. “You guys nap well?”

  She grins at me and nods. “We did. Thank you.”

  We spend the rest of the day together, playing, laughing, and healing from wounds neither of us intended. There isn’t much talk about what happened back in Seattle though there probably needs to be…it’s just us. The three of us.

  And that’s exactly how it needs to be.

  When my eyes crack open it’s bright in the room.

  Lincoln and I stayed here last night after Carter passed out on the couch and neither of us had the energy to head home. We talked a bit about what needed to be said. Seattle was a lifetime ago. I fell in love with Lincoln before knowing the truth, but the truth didn’t break us. If anything, it made us stronger.

  We both were in the wrong in this situation and we’ve both learned from it. There’s no use holding a grudge when I already know how amazing of a person he is.

  “Hey you,” he whispers, smiling at me. At some point last night he carried Carter to the bed in the guest room and the three of us passed out so now we’re a tangle of limbs, hair, and toddler toes pressing into my thighs.

  “Hi,” I say, letting my fingers smooth down Carter’s hair.

  He’s perfect.

  “How about that omelet?” Lincoln says, smirking. I laugh and wriggle my way off the bed. I’d be more comfortable doing this in his home but I should probably start feeling comfortable here sooner than later.

  As I grab the eggs and spinach and cheese and search around for more ingredients, Lincoln walks in and wraps his arms around me, kissing my neck.

  “You’re beautiful, you know that?” he whispers and I grin.

  “You’re just hungry.” I laugh, pushing him off.

  He makes the coffee while I cook our omelets and we fall into a comfortable rhythm. I can definitely see myself doing this for the rest of our lives. As long as it’s what he wants.

  “Hey…you know I love you, right.” I ask, placing his omelet on his plate.

  “I love you, too.”

  “I just…” I sigh. Leaning against the counter, my plate in hand, I shrug. “I don’t want you to feel like you’re trapped with me now. You know? Like, the whole Carter thing and you asking me to move in. Don’t do it just because you think it’s the socially acceptable thing to do.”

  He narrows his eyes and stands from the table, walking over to me and taking my plate out of my hands, setting it on the counter and pulling me to him. His hand firm on my lower back, he smells delicious and is wearing a smirk that lets his dimple out just slightly.

  “Are you trying to leave me?” His low tone is almost menacing but there’s a smirk playing on his face and his eyes are full of love.

  “I’m just trying to tell you that I’m worried you feel stuck with me now.”

  “And when have you had time to worry about this?” he asks, quirking an eyebrow.

  “It bothered me all night last night,” I admit.

  “Wren, I’m growing old with you, and one day there will be a ring on this finger to prove to the world how much I love you. My heart will only ever belong to one girl…” He presses his lips to mine and I melt into him as his arms go around me. “And that’s you.” He says.

  “I’m glad about that. This was the only out I’m giving you, ya know.” I say, grinning and he starts to tickle me. “Stop!” I laugh. “Stop it!” He continues his assault on my most ticklish spots until we hear someone clear their throat in the doorway.

  I freeze, wide eyed, and he smirks, trying not to laugh as he spins.

  “Hey Dad,” he says, walking back to the table and giving me a wide eyed grin when his dad walks into the kitchen.

  “Happy you two are here. Sit. We need to talk.” He shuffles over to grab a cup of coffee and I cautiously grab my plate and head to the table.

  I hate those words. We need to talk. They’re words no one ever wants to hear. They always start a conversation that isn’t going to end well…and honestly, I can’t take much more.

  Yesterday, when Lucy took me to Lincoln’s house, I was nervous. When he didn’t answer I was devastated. I was going out on a limb that he was here, but I never expected them to open the door like that. He looked like they were ready to go…to where I don’t know. I feel so weak for losing it like I did, but my baby.

  My son.

  He’s alive, he’s well… He’s our son.

  I know there’s shit in my world that’s still crumbling down around me, but inside this home I feel like I’m in a little world of happiness and perfection. Nothing here’s wrong. Lincoln and me and Carter…we’re going to be fine. The three of us together.

  We love deeply, Lincoln and I. I knew there was a strange pull to him, and Carter was the key.

  Mrs. West walks in, already dressed for the day, and grabs coffee before sitting next to us at the table. She smiles softly at me

  “We went to see your parents last night, Wren,” his father says and I feel like a boulder dropped in my stomach.

  “Why?” I whisper, furrowing my brows and shaking my head slowly. Lincoln’s hand squeezes mine and he locks his eyes on mine briefly before switching to his parents and glaring at them.

  “Why would you do that?” he asks. Ford walks into the room and immediately spins on his heel, making a face before heading in the other direction after he sees his brother’s face. Did everyone sleep here last night?

  “There was business that nee—.” His dad clears his throat and coughs a few times.

  “We had to take care of some business, dear.” His mother smiles and takes my hand in hers. “They won’t be bothering you two about Carter.” Her eyes travel slowly to Lincoln’s and the look on his face is heartbreaking.

  “Mom, what�
��d you do,” he mutters, shaking his head.

  I’m confused at his reaction.

  “What we had to do to keep our family safe. Wren and Carter are our family, son,” his father interjects.

  “Please don’t tell me it’s what I think it is,” Lincoln says, squeezing his eyes shut.

  No one says a thing. For a long time it’s the four of us sitting in silence until we hear Carter’s tiny footsteps barreling down the steps.

  “I got him,” I say, but his mom puts her hand on my shoulder and stops me.

  “Let me, dear.” She walks into the living room and I hear her take him to go get dressed for the day. My gaze goes to Lincoln whose glare hasn’t moved from his father.

  “Dad.” His face is stone and he’s not budging.

  “They would have gotten rid of your family, Lincoln. You and I both know this. West House is what they’ve truly wanted all this time. The tradeoff was something no amount of money could buy. Their safety is worth more than any money,” he whispers and my heart sinks. I watch Lincoln’s face twist in anger and pain and regret. Everything pours out of his emotion filled eyes. His fists tighten on the tabletop and his eyes turn red before he slams his fists on the table and storms out of the house.

  “I…” I stammer. “Why?”

  “Because Wren,” his father sighs. “Your parents and I have had a horrible history. I knew, the minute they found out about Carter that they’d want him gone. After all, he’s their dirty little secret. So I took care of it and struck the deal. They finally get property ownership of the West House and they’ve agreed to let you and Lincoln live in peace.”

  “You sold West House? To my family?”

  He nods. “Lincoln will still be running it and will probably make just as much, if not more, money. The kids are all set, but ownership now, for the first time ever, lies outside the West name.” He sounds defeated but confident in his decision.

  “And you did this for me?” I whisper, attempting to understand why. He nods and I let out a puff of air, standing up.

  “Excuse me,” I blurt, walking down the hall to find Lincoln’s mom and Carter playing in the toy room. I don’t know where Lincoln is, but I know I need to take care of something. “Do you mind if I head out real fast? I can swing back and grab him on my way home tonight.” I nod at Carter and Lincoln’s mom smiles at me.

  “Of course, sweetheart.”

  I spin and head outside, not stopping until I get back to Lucy’s house.

  “What the hell, I’ve been trying to get a hold of you.” She blurts as I storm inside. “Did everything go ok?”

  “Yep. Fucking perfect,” I growl and grab her keys, swapping out my clothes for a fresh set. “I’m borrowing your car, I’ll explain later!” I blurt, running out the front door. “Bye!” I yell as she’s trying to follow me out.

  I don’t have time for explaining all of this right now, she’ll understand once I do. It’s time this is settled once and for all.

  The drive over to my parents’ house is quick. Honestly, I’m not certain how I’m going to fight this but I can’t see West House not being owned by the Wests. That’s Lincoln’s pride and joy!

  “Mom!” I belt out, storming into the house. The grin Michael’s wearing from his spot just inside the door gives me more power than I thought it would. “Mother!” I scream, knocking on all the doors. “Dad!”

  They come walking out, talking about something, not giving two shits that their daughter’s screaming for them.

  “Wren. So nice to see you. What brings you in today?” My father’s cold stare that usually pricks at my heart does nothing anymore. I know what type of people they are.

  “You stole their property?” I growl. “You stole the West House from them?!” I shriek.

  “We did no such thing. We simply made a business arrangement that keeps your trashy lifestyle out of the news.” My mother grins and shrugs. “Best for everyone, right?”

  I let out a maniacal laugh and shake my head. How in the world did these people raise me? Were they always this cold?!

  “Best for Daddy’s campaign, you mean? Isn’t that what this is all about? Where’s your darling daughter, anyway? Lark!” I scream, knowing she has to be here. “You three are the most despicable humans on this planet, you know that? To force your daughter to steal and give away her sister’s baby simply so it doesn’t get out that your teenage daughter got pregnant? And then to bribe an amazing family and take away the only thing they’ve known?”

  Lark comes around the corner and stops when she sees the show.

  “You look like shit, big sis!” I boast, smiling. “Good!” I laugh. Her face falls and she can’t even look at me right now. Fucking bitch.

  “Wren, have you had a mental break? Is it finally happening?” my father asks and I want nothing more than to punch him in the face.

  “Maybe,” I say, shrugging. “Kinda, sure. But only in the sense that I finally see how terrible you people are.” I narrow my eyes at them, landing on my father. “I will ruin your campaign if you let this little deal of yours actually happen,” I growl.

  “That’s insane, Wren.” He laughs but his eyes narrow. “The papers are being drawn already.”

  “I have a source at the local news that is dying for dirt on this family. It’d be breaking news faster than your precious papers are finalized, and I’d make sure not to leave any detail out.”

  “You wouldn’t do that,” my mother laughs and I raise my eyebrows, shrugging.

  “Ok. Suit yourself. But all those little secrets, about how you paid your daughter off. About how she practically threw away the baby. Everything…. Even the little cheating scandal, Dad…didn’t that end in a kid?” I glare at him. “Everything comes out.” I turn and walk to the door.

  Three.

  Two.

  “Wait,” my father blurts and I grin to Michael who’s standing with the door wide open for me, a proud smile on his face. I wipe it clean before I spin and glance back at them. “How do you know about that?” His eyes are wide and my sister’s match his. My mother, however, looks like she couldn’t care less.

  “I know way more than you think.” I spin and open the door and he yells after me as I step outside.

  “Wren!” I hear him storm over to me and glance around at some of the workers. I smirk and cross my arms, waiting for him.

  “That news can’t get out. Everything…will ruin this campaign.”

  “Not my problem. Don’t you think the people deserve the truth, dear old Daddy?”

  “I’m deleting the draft,” he blurts. “West House will remain in the West family.” He’s panicked now and for good reason. He thought I was some small weakling girl he could push around to do his bidding.

  That’s not me. That will never be me.

  “Can I get that in writing?” I ask and he huffs in annoyance.

  “Really? I’m your father.” He laughs awkwardly like a kid just caught searching for his Christmas presents.

  “And I have no reason to trust you anymore. I want in writing that you will never again attempt to gain control of West House or any of its affiliates.”

  “Done.”

  “And I want you to forget you ever had me as a daughter. If I ever hear of you coming around my son, I will ruin your career.” I spin and storm to my car, not looking back on the place I used to call ‘home.’

  This was never a home. It was always just a house that kept me out of the rain and heat. That’s it. I know where my home is, now.

  Five months ago, Wren went to bat for my family. I didn’t ask her to and my parents didn’t expect it, but what she did saved us. We never expected the West House to be under any ownership other than ourselves, so when my dad gave me the news I lost it. I walked the six miles it took to get to West House and sat on the front porch, trying to figure out a way out. They had beaten us. After all the time I’d spent fighting to keep the house in our name, they beat us.

  But was I mad? I had my family. H
appy, healthy…together.

  When Wren found me, hours later, she looked beat…but happy. Then, when she broke the news, I could have proposed right there but I didn’t.

  I’ve been given some pretty amazing news over the past years’ time and I feel like things are final looking up. Carter turned two last month and having Wren there to celebrate with us made everything ten times better. Plus, she’s a way better party planner than me.

  We’ve been spending every evening talking about Carter. It makes me happy she wants to know everything about him but also a little sad for her. He’s a great kid and she missed out on so much. I’ve showed her all the pictures and videos I have but it’s still not the same. She’s definitely making up for lost time with him these last few months and I’ve never been happier.

  Yesterday my father signed over rights to his three kids for full ownership of West House, retiring at the ripe age of sixty two. My brother, sister, and I are now each third owners in the House and all its properties, including the bar across the street that the same people have been renting out for eons and the Boutique my sister runs.

  Yea, things are definitely looking up.

  Tonight’s date night for Wren and I. My mom and dad have Carter for the evening and I’m supposed to be waiting here for Wren while she finishes getting ready but I’m too excited. This ring in my pocket is eating at my patience.

  “You ready for tonight, man?” Ford slaps me on the back as he grabs a beer.

  “Do you even have a life anymore?” I ask, grinning from the table. “You’ve been ‘in’ for the last few months, aside from work. What’s wrong with you, are you finally growing up?”

  “Fuck, no,” he laughs and shrugs. “I don’t know, maybe. Living with two lovebirds and their kid is kinda showing me I’m not that much younger than you two. Maybe I need to get my shit together.”

  “Well, you’re more than welcome to live here however long you need.” I grin. “But tonight I need you out of the house.”

  “Oh trust me, I’ll be gone as soon as I finish this beer.” He chugs it down and lets out a burp. “Yeap, I still got it.” He groans, stretching. “Reag and I are heading to dinner and I’ll probably crash at Mom and Dad’s tonight. Let you guys fuck wherever you’d like in this place.”