Take A Chance (Lake Placid Series Book 4)
Page 24
He and Rene had planned on stopping over to see her and Celeste at some point today, so he’d just have to keep this visit short.
His mother waved him on to finish and climbed the stairs to the front door with a pan in her hand. Sweet, she’d made him food. Even better.
Twenty minutes later, he walked in the house and found her sitting on the couch with a book in her hand. “Want to explain this?” she said.
Shit, he’d forgotten that book was sitting there. The pregnancy book Rene had left weeks ago. He’d spent time reading things over and trying to understand what she was going through and what to expect. Anything he could to help her.
“I would think it’s pretty obvious,” he said, sitting down across from her.
She stood up and tossed the book on the coffee table. “Please don’t tell me you got Rene pregnant.”
It was the way she said it. Like it was his fault. He knew his mother wouldn’t be happy, but he was kind of surprised by her tone and accusation. “Rene is pregnant, yes. It wasn’t planned, but it’s fine.”
“I would think it wouldn’t be planned. You should know better than to get yourself in this situation.”
He crossed his arms. “What situation is that? It happened, and there’s no going back. It wasn’t planned, but we aren’t upset over it, either.”
“Not upset. How can you not be upset? What will people think?”
“I don’t care what people think,” he snapped at her. “I’m almost thirty-two years old, she’s twenty-nine. We’re smart, educated people who can support ourselves. Adults. It’s no one’s business.”
“If you were both so smart you wouldn’t have gotten in this situation.”
He was losing his patience. He didn’t know what her problem was. “Well, we did and there’s nothing to do about it now.”
“I hope you plan on getting married,” she said, looking upset.
“My relationship status is no concern of yours.”
“How far along is she?” his mother asked, crossing her arms like him. Now she was annoyed. Even better for the lecture.
Right now he didn’t want to give her any information, not if she was going to act like this. “Almost four months,” he said.
“So you’re obviously embarrassed if you’ve kept it a secret this long.”
“We aren’t embarrassed. Rene and I agreed to not say a word until after Celeste returned from her honeymoon. I didn’t want to take anything away from her day. I wanted all the focus and attention on her. Not me and not Rene, or anyone trying to figure out our relationship. Just like you.”
“Celeste came home last night,” his mother pointed out.
“She did. Rene and I planned on talking to both of you today. We just told her parents last night.”
“How did they react? Bet they were anything but thrilled their daughter was going to have a child out of wedlock.”
“They didn’t react like you.” He started to stalk around. “They were shocked, but the minute Rene got upset, they relented. They rushed forward and hugged her, Mom. Said they were happy if she was. And we are. I’m happy about this child. I don’t know why you can’t be happy, too. This is going to be your first grandchild.”
His mother burst into tears. He knew he was yelling, but he felt he had the right to get angry just now. He was sick of being judged. Hell, even Susan gave him a hug last night.
Great, just what he needed now. To make another woman cry. “What’s she going to do when you’re gone all the time? How is she going to care for a child by herself at night?”
He should have known that was part it, but it didn’t mean she had to take it out on him. “She’ll do the same thing as all my coworkers’ spouses do. She’ll do what needs to be done, because she’s strong that way.”
“You’re getting married then?”
“There are a lot of things up in the air. I don’t have answers for you and if I did, I don’t need to give them to you.” He was still feeling a bit raw over her reaction.
“No one should have to go through what I did.”
“But people do, Mom. There are women on the force. Do you think their husbands say this? Why does it have to be about you and what you went through?”
He suddenly realized he’d let too much of his parents’ marriage—the faults in their marriage—dictate his future. It was wrong of him, but like he’d said so often to Rene lately, there was no going back to change anything. Even if he could go back, he wouldn’t. He wanted this child. He wanted Rene.
Somewhere along the way he started to see forever in her eyes, and he couldn’t stop the feeling even if he wanted to.
“It wasn’t easy on me. You wouldn’t understand,” his mother said, more tears pouring down her cheeks.
“No, it wasn’t. It wasn’t easy on Celeste or me, either. You know, thinking back, you didn’t have as big of an issue with it all until after Celeste got sick.”
She sniffled a bit, then looked uneasy. “You don’t know what it’s like to watch a child go through that and have to care for her alone.”
“You weren’t alone. He wasn’t always home at night, but Celeste was sleeping. I was there. I was watching out for her. And watching out for you. Doing all the things he should have done. So don’t say you were alone.”
He started to pace faster—he had to, he was just too worked up. These were things that needed to be said. He just wished they weren’t being said right now.
“You hated him for that,” she said.
“I never hated him. Did I like all the responsibility on my shoulders? No. Did I think it was fair? No. But you know what? I’ve got a child coming and now I understand a bit more. I guess being a parent makes you want to do everything within your power for your child. Enough so that you don’t think about other people’s feelings in the process.”
She picked up her purse and walked over to him, then hugged him, shocking him. He wanted to hug her back, but he couldn’t, letting his arms stay at his sides. It wasn’t as easy as her hugging him to forgive what she’d just said, how she’d reacted to what should have been good news.
“I’m sorry, Cole. I shouldn’t have reacted that way. I just need some time. I don’t want you or Rene to go through what I did. That’s all I’m saying.”
“We aren’t you, Mom.”
An hour later, Celeste stopped over for a visit. He shouldn’t have been surprised and was slightly annoyed that his and Rene’s plans were being spoiled. But Susan wanted to take Rene and Mallory shopping this morning, all excited about having grandchildren.
“Welcome home, Mrs. Ryder.”
Celeste walked up to him and gave him a kiss on the cheek. “Thank you. How’s my favorite brother doing?”
“Not bad,” he said, forcing a smile. “I thought you’d be running all over the B&B right now to make sure everything has run smoothly.”
“I know it has. I’ve got good people covering for me. And with Caleb’s software, I was able to keep tabs on things.”
“You should have been away from it completely, not checking in on things.”
“Well, you know how social Caleb is, and there is only so much sex even I can do in one day.”
“Really, Celeste? You had to go there.”
“I always have to go there,” she said, laughing. “Come here, give me a hug.”
He scrunched his nose up. “Why?”
“Because I know you need it.”
He didn’t bother to say anything else, but just pulled her forward. “Did Mom call you?”
“She did. She’s upset, and I’m afraid I got her more upset before she finally hung the phone up on me. Great way to start my first day back.”
“You should have stayed out of it.”
“No way.” She pulled back and cupped her hands on his face, her eyes getting all glossy. “I’m going to be an aunt,” she whispered, her smile brighter than his.
“You are. I’m going to be a father.” His own eyes were filling, he knew it
. It seemed Celeste was the only one he’d been able to really let go with lately.
“You’re going to be an awesome father,” she said.
“I don’t know about that,” he said, laughing and stepping back.
“Sure you will. You won’t make all the same mistakes that our father did.”
“I would hope not.”
“He wasn’t that bad of a person, Cole.”
“I know. I’m starting to realize that.”
“He just wasn’t much of an emotional person when it came to you. I think he spent everything he had on me. He used to be more so with Mom, but it was just too much for everyone when I got sick. I will always carry that burden around with me.”
“Don’t. Don’t say that. Don’t feel that. You couldn’t control their marriage or the way they were with each other.”
She smiled a little. “You’re right, I couldn’t. Neither could you. The bottom line is we are both our own people. We will both have our own relationships, different from Mom and Dad’s, and that’s a good thing. Give Mom a chance. She’ll come around.”
“I’m sure. I’ve got to figure out what to tell Rene now. We were going to tell Mom together. Now I need to explain to her I did it alone…and it didn’t go so well.”
“You’ll figure it out. Just like you and Rene will figure things out, too.”
“It’s figured out in my mind,” he said.
“You think so, but I doubt it,” she said, laughing.
“Why’s that?”
“Because if you really had it all figured out, then she’d be living here with you right now.”
“That’s not my fault. It’s her choice,” he argued.
“Is it? Open your eyes, Cole. It will come to you eventually. Until then, I’ll give you some space. Bring Rene over later so I can congratulate her in person.”
“Thanks, Celeste.”
“No thanks needed. For the record, I couldn’t be more thrilled for you.”
“I’m glad someone is happy.”
“I’m sure there are more people happy than you realize, but when it comes down to it, it’s really just about your immediate family now, no one else’s.”
The Future
“What do you think of this?” Mallory said, picking up a yellow infant sleeper. “It’s neutral. We can each get one.”
“It’s cute,” Rene said, agreeing. “But I want this one.” She reached over and grabbed a blue one.
“You don’t know what you’re having yet,” her mother said, grinning. Her mother had been all giggles since Mallory picked them up this morning. It was nice to know how fast her parents accepted her pregnancy.
“It’s a boy. I know. I can tell,” Rene said, running her hand over her flat belly.
It was too soon to know the sex, too soon to even be thinking of clothes or even names, yet she’d been doing all of those things. Thinking of things she didn’t want her mind to even consider yet.
“I don’t feel one way or another yet. I’m kind of bummed about that, I think,” Mallory said.
Rene looked at her sister-in-law. No one would even suspect either one of them was pregnant right now. And because Mallory was so much taller than Rene, she’d probably hide her pregnancy for even longer.
“I say we grab a few more things and get some food. I’m starving,” Rene said.
“I have to say, I can see why Grandma figured out your pregnancy so soon,” her mother said. “I’ve never seen you eat so much food before. Have you gained any weight at all?”
“I can’t seem to get enough food in me. I’ve gained about three pounds. I’m telling you, it’s a boy. This kid is stealing all my food,” Rene said, laughing. “Cole takes bets every time we eat to see how much I can put away.”
“Your eyes sparkle when you talk about him,” Mallory said.
“Do they?” Rene asked. She’d felt different lately. Different about everything in general. Not just her body, or how she felt physically, but how she felt about Cole and their relationship. She was starting to think maybe wishes do come true.
“Yes, they do,” her mother agreed. “What’s really going on with you two?”
“I would think it’s kind of obvious since I’ve got Junior in the oven.”
Her mother reached forward and wrapped her arm around her shoulders. “Besides that. I guess I just want it completely verified that you are happy right now. Happy with the way things are with you and Cole, and what the future might bring.”
Rene felt her eyes fill. “I’m happy at the moment. I don’t know what the future holds, but I’m hopeful. That’s enough for now, isn’t it?”
“It can be,” Mallory said. “Don’t let Nick get into your head. I gave him a piece of my mind last night.”
“It’s hard for Nick to think of his baby sister being in a relationship, let alone having a baby right now,” her mother said. “He’ll move past it soon, you know that.”
On the way home, Rene sat in the back seat and got comfortable. She was beat and just wanted to rest her eyes. She and Cole were going to his mother’s and then Celeste’s later to tell them the news.
She wasn’t sure how his family would react and was thrilled she got this morning break with her mother and Mallory to preoccupy her.
Her mind started to drift back to her father’s conversation with her this morning. “Are you sure you’re okay with all of this?” he’d asked her.
“It’s a bit late to say I’m not,” Rene said, smiling.
“I didn’t mean the baby. I can see you’re happy about that, and all things considered, that means a great deal for me to know that. I mean with Cole. He said something yesterday that I wanted to address with you.”
She frowned. “What did he say?”
“I made a comment about grabbing my shotgun.”
“Dad! Why would you say that?” That was all she needed right now. Her father pressuring her, too.
“Because that is what fathers do. Anyway,” he said, waving his hand, “he told me something along the lines that the shotgun should be more for you. Why is that?”
She felt her nose itch and knew she was going to start crying again. Why did she have to keep getting upset over this? It seemed like all she did was sniffle and cry lately. “He didn’t say anything else?”
“No. I could tell he didn’t want to say that much. Have you two talked about the future at all? I know it’s early yet, but it’s not just the two of you to consider anymore.”
She sat down and looked out at the water through the window. “He wants me to move in with him.”
“That seems reasonable. When the baby comes, you will need help. I know Grandma would be willing to help you, but she’s no spring chicken now, either.”
“Don’t let her hear you say that. I can’t believe the things that woman knows or says. Why didn’t I remember Grandma ever being like this before?”
Her father laughed. “Grandma is a cunning one, for sure. Still, why haven’t you moved in with Cole?”
“I didn’t want people to talk. I mean, I stay there a few nights a week, but moving in kind of seems fast. What would people think?”
“That’s a lame excuse, Rene. People are going to talk about you being pregnant now, so you just have to get over that and move on.”
She knew that and had to stop worrying, but she couldn’t push past it. “I told him I would consider it and answer him before the baby was born. I know it’s not fair to keep the baby from him, and I’d never do that. He finally stopped asking me to give me some space.”
“Maybe he shouldn’t give you that space. Maybe he should start pushing some more.”
“No, his way is working. I get it and get where he is coming from.” She stopped for a second and finally said, “He suggested we get married, but I said no to that, too.”
Her father laughed a little. “Suggested it, but didn’t ask? Is that the problem?”
“No, not really. That didn’t bother me.”
“Then w
hat did?”
“I don’t want to get married because I’m pregnant. I don’t want that to be the reason.”
“And you think that is the only reason?”
“Isn’t it?” she asked. She was starting to have a lot of doubts lately and her father wasn’t helping any right now.
“I don’t know the answer to that. I do know that you’ve never done anything in the conventional way and I wonder why you think now would be any different.”
“Is that a shot at how long it took me to figure out my career?” she asked, smiling.
“Yes and no. Once you have your mind made up, you go full steam ahead. The question is, how long will it take you to make up your mind?”
“Not long,” she said. She was pretty much there now.
“It might help move it along faster if you told Cole how you really felt about him.”
She knew that. “He hasn’t told me yet, though.”
Her father laughed. “And there is the root of all the problems.”
A little while later, Rene drove to Cole’s house with a few days’ worth of clothing. He was on his day-shift rotation so he’d be home at night, and she wanted to give it a try. Not committing to anything permanent, but still giving an inch.
She’d left her bag in the car when she saw him sitting on the front porch by himself with a beer in his hand. It was the first time she’d ever witnessed that.
“Are you okay?” she asked, joining him on the porch and sitting down next to him.
“Yeah.”
“When did you want to go to your mom’s?”
“We don’t need to. She was here earlier and knows. Same with Celeste.”
“Oh.” She paused for a minute. “I thought you wanted to tell them together.”
“That was the plan. It was probably better it worked out the way it did. She stopped over when I was mowing the lawn and went to wait in the house. She saw your book and confronted me.” He picked his beer up and took a long drink.
“Confronted? That doesn’t sound like she was thrilled.”
“She wasn’t. She isn’t.”
“I can understand my parents being shocked and maybe upset, but I guess I didn’t expect whatever happened with your mother to be bad. Looking at you, I guess it was.”