by Emily Camp
His dad twisted his coffee in his World’s Greatest Grandpa mug. “What do you want to talk to us about?”
His mom eased into the chair beside his dad. They looked at them like they were going to talk to them about school or even the weather, neither had a clue the bomb that was about to hit.
Bree’s small hand fell on Garrett’s knee, stilling his leg. He thought she was the one more worried about this as much as she brought it up, but the truth was, he’d avoided the subject and tried to get her to speed up the wedding so no one would have to know, especially his dad. He knew that it wasn’t going to go over well, and his mom sat there smiling at them, her hands tucked under her chin waiting for their conversation to start.
“Well,” Garrett looked down at Bree. She grinned. That was all the confidence he needed. “Bree’s pregnant.”
Maybe he could have waited until his dad swallowed that sip of decaf, but he didn’t, causing it to spew across the table.
“What?” His voice came out a boom and Garrett noticed Bree glance down the hall, no doubt hoping he didn’t wake Bailey. “How?”
“Um …” Garrett glanced at Bree. She now chewed on her lower lip.
“How could you be so stupid? Again?” His dad slapped the table.
His mom’s hand went to his dad’s arm, but it didn’t calm him. The look of disappointment killed Garrett. When he sat here three years ago and told them the exact same thing, he cried, something he could easily do right now if it weren’t for Bree sitting here.
He remembered how scared he was to tell them, how scared he was not knowing what being a dad at 17 meant, but this time, he knew exactly what to expect when the baby came.
“Where are you going to live? How are you going to support your family? Because I’m not doing it any longer.”
“Randy,” his mom whispered.
His dad pulled his hand away from her, “Now Robin, if he wants to be a man, then he needs to be a man and a man takes care of his family. He doesn’t make his parents do it.”
Bree shifted in her chair.
“We’re getting married.” Like that was going to make his case. The truth was, he hadn’t thought much past this football season.
“Okay, so where are you going to live then?”
“I don’t know.”
“You don’t know.” His dad’s chair squealed as he pushed out of it. “You don’t know. Well you knew what you were doing when …”
“Randy stop,” his mom’s voice quivered, quieting his dad. “Now, I’m not excusing this at all, and I know this is the second time he did this, but … he clearly was paying attention in service tonight and wants to make it right.”
“He isn’t the only one who did anything,” Bree spoke up.
Garrett felt something in his chest and everyone’s attention went to her.
“I’m just as responsible for this happening again as he is. I … I was a willing participant,” her cheeks turned pink. “And I’m terribly sorry. You two have been the only adults who ever believed in me and I … I wanted to do right for you. I wanted you to be right about me.” Her chest rose as she took in a breath, “But I think … I think maybe my parents were right about me after all.”
“Oh, honey,” Robin said, making her way to Bree in a few quick strides.
“That’s not what we think at all,” Randy said, glaring at Garrett. That’s when the guilt hit him. It wasn’t just about everyone finding out he messed up again. Taking advantage of her that afternoon hurt her. He hadn’t meant to. He was glad to have her in his arms again and he thought, for sure, she’d push him away, but when then they were there and it felt right, and he silenced the voice in his head telling him to stop. Bree stood with her chin in the air. He could tell by her rigid posture, her lips pursed and her eyes glaring ahead, she was trying not to cry.
He stood beside her and placed a hand on her back. He stared at her, not his parents, when he said, “I’m going to make it right. I don’t know how, but I will.”
Bree blinked up at him, her bottom lip disappeared in her mouth.
“I promise. I’m sorry. I take full responsibility for this. You know I’ll do what’s right.” Now he couldn’t read Bree’s expression. He wasn’t sure if she was happy about this or mad as she wrinkled her forehead at him.
“This isn’t 1900,” her voice came out hoarse.
“Okay?”
“If you’re marrying me because it’s your way of taking responsibility, then don’t.”
A couple of curses ran through his mind at that moment. Why did she always have to take things the wrong way? “That’s not why …”
Bree held her hand palm up at him. “Forget it. I’ll figure it out. Just because I’m a girl, doesn’t mean I can’t. Always have, always will.”
“Bree, we don’t …” Robin began to say.
Bree turned to her. “I’m sorry. I love you guys more than my own parents, and I’m extremely grateful for all you’ve done. But I think it’s about time I’m on my own.”
“What about school?” Garrett said.
Bree turned to him, her face hard, and said, “I messed that one up.”
“We just want what’s best for you guys,” Randy said.
“I know, but we just keep making mistakes,” Bree said.
“That’s not at all …”
“Like I said, I’m grateful. I truly am. But I’ll start looking for a job and an apartment in the morning.”
“We don’t want you to do that,” Robin grabbed Bree’s arm before she could walk away. Bree turned with her head still held high, though her eyes watery. “This is something you and Garrett need to work out together. For Bailey. For the baby. It’s not about him or you now.”
Garrett scratched the scruff on his chin with his thumb, waiting to see if Bree was going to be reasonable. With her, he never knew.
Bree looked up at him. “I know it isn’t about us.” She lifted a hand to her eye, though Garrett didn’t catch a tear actually falling, she swiped under it.
“We’re in this together. I promise,” he whispered before taking her in his arms.
A wave of relief hit him when Bree relaxed.
“We’re not saying we won’t help at all, but we need to figure what the next step is going to be,” Robin said, pulling Garrett’s attention away from Bree.
“Do you want to be married before the baby?” his dad asked.
Garrett looked down at Bree. He knew he was trying for his own selfish reasons to get it done as quickly as possible, but now that his parents already knew, he was okay with waiting. However, when he heard the quiet ‘yeah’ come out of Bree’s mouth, he couldn’t have been happier.
“And no offense,” Bree turned toward his mom and dad, “But I do want to move out.”
“That’s perfectly fine. We love having you here, but you two are adults with your own family. As much as we’d love for you to stay, it probably is time.”
Bree glanced up at Garrett, her dark lashes lifted.
“We’ll figure something out. We can see if there’s any family housing on campus left,” he said.
Bree nodded then said, “I know we should talk some more, but I’m kinda tired.”
“Right, you need your rest now,” Robin said, giving Bree another squeeze.
For as much as Garrett wanted to put that off, it went better than he planned. He gave Bree a quick kiss, knowing how awkward she always felt if he tried to kiss her in front of his parents.
“Good night,” he whispered.
“Night,” Bree said with a yawn before shuffling down the hall.
Chapter 25
Bree’s mind was overloaded. First thing in the morning Robin began asking her wedding questions. She was sure she meant well, but right now, with Baily perched at the table, wearing more milk from her cereal than what she consumed, Bree didn’t care about what style wedding dress she was going to wear or what colors she wanted for decorations, or what to feed the guests at the reception. To be hon
est, Bree didn’t even want a reception, she wasn’t even sure she wanted a wedding. Why couldn’t they just do something private? But she knew how much family meant to the Lights and if she was marrying Garrett, she probably wasn’t getting out of having a big wedding.
“I know this might seem overwhelming, but we should get a start on it if you guys want to be married before the baby. If we work fast maybe you can be married before you start showing.”
Bree wiped the milk from Bailey’s face. “I know.”
And she did, but this morning, she didn’t want to deal with it. She had classes and she had to get Bailey ready for daycare.
Robin tilted her head and frowned. “I’m going to miss you guys. I know I’ll still see you, but it won’t be the same as having you here.”
“You’ll still have Isaac.”
Robin laughed and nodded, “Yes, but here in a few years, he’ll be off to college, too.”
“At least we have plenty of grandchildren to keep us busy,” Randy said, as he walked up behind her, giving her a quick kiss to the cheek before pouring his morning coffee.
“Granpa,” Bailey said.
“Bailey,” Randy smiled at her as he tipped the coffee pot into his mug, Bailey giggled.
“I need to meet with coach this morning,” Garrett said walking into the room. His hair was still damp and he shrugged his tee over his head.
“I wish you would have told me earlier.” Frustrated, Bree looked at Bailey, who was a sticky mess.
“I forgot,” Garrett said, grabbing a banana from the fruit bowl.
“Maybe we should drive separate today.”
“You can get ready quick. I believe in you.” Garrett leaned over her, she could smell his spicy soap. He puckered his lips, but Bree ducked away from him.
He lifted an eyebrow.
“Daddy, daddy, daddy,” Bailey reached for Garrett.
Before Bree hurried to her room to get dressed she noticed Robin giving Randy a knowing look. Yes, once again, Bree was irritated with Garrett. As always. Her phone buzzed as she tossed the first thing in her dresser on, an oversized tee shirt and ripped jeans.
It was Parker. She sighed and answered, “Hey.”
“Mindy’s getting them both back.”
“What?” Bree almost dropped the hair brush she was using to pull her hair back.
“Did you forget we had court this morning?”
Her heart plummeted. She had forgotten. She looked at the calendar, hoping he was wrong. No, he wasn’t.
“I’m so sorry. I thought your lawyer …,” she pressed the phone between her shoulder and ear as she twisted her hair up.
“She’s no longer with Lloyd, has held the same job and apartment for six months, and they both wanted to go with her. My lawyer couldn’t do anything.”
That was the last thing Bree needed right now, to be worried not only about Maggie, but Bryson, as well. It wasn’t like she could’ve done anything to keep it from happening, but she, at least, could have been there.
“This just …” Parker paused. “I don’t know. The system sucks.”
“I know,” Bree whispered, slipping into her canvas shoes.
“I don’t understand. I mean, my mom that adopted me, I miss her. But Mindy?”
“We were a lot younger than them when we were taken from her. She’s the only mom they know.”
“But I’ve had them for almost two years.”
“Mom made promises they bought.” Bree leaned forward toward the mirror above her dresser and swiped powder over her face. She didn’t have time for much else. “Look, it’s not that they don’t love you.”
“Maggie hates me.”
“She doesn’t. She’s a teenage girl who wants what she wants and you were in her way.” Bree glanced at the clock then her door. She hoped Garrett thought to clean Bailey up. At least if he didn’t, she was sure Robin would. “I’m sorry, but I have to go. I’ll call you when I get out of class, okay?”
****
“I just don’t see why you have to go.” Garrett pulled into their driveway. The day seemed longer than usual and she didn’t feel like she retained anything from her classes, but at least she was there.
“I want to check up on them.” Bree climbed out of the car, it was true she was exhausted, but she needed to see if Bryson and Maggie were all right. She hoped the judges knew what they were doing.
“You’re tired. You need to rest.”
Bree sighed when she leaned in the back to unbuckle Bailey, who was sound asleep in her car seat. “I’ll be fine, Gare, it’s not like I’ll be over there all night.”
Garrett reached in the back and grabbed the diaper bag, tossing it over one shoulder, then his duffle bag, tossing that over the other. “We’ll see if my mom can watch Bailey. I’ll drive you.”
Bailey stirred and let out a squeak, as Bree placed her against her. “I can drive.” Bree whispered to him not wanting to wake Bailey up from her nap.
Garrett’s large hand covered Bree’s back. “I know you can drive. I want to go.”
Bree didn’t say anything else. She tried not to be irritated by this, tried to convince herself that it was only because he cared, not because he didn’t trust her.
Garrett opened the door and guided Bree in front of him. The smell of gooey chocolate immediately hit her and her stomach grumbled. She hadn’t realized how hungry she was until then. Robin stood at the kitchen sink, the low hum of the dishwasher going. She looked up with a smile, pushing a fallen hair out of her face. “Look at Bailey, all tuckered out.”
“She had a big day at daycare,” Garrett said.
“I’m going to put her in her bed.” Bree motioned down the hall with her head. The dead weight of Bailey began to burn her arms.
“I made cookies if you’re hungry,” Robin said.
“Thanks,” Bree whispered, as she walked to her room.
Bailey stirred, but didn’t wake, when she put her down. She curled up into a ball and seemed to let out a little sigh. Bree pushed Bailey’s hair away from her face. Her smooth cheeks were pink and she had a line down it from the seat strap. Her little lips were puckered and her thick eyelashes always looked like she was wearing mascara, more like Garrett’s than Bree’s. She took after Garrett in so many ways, like the little dimple in the middle of her chin. Bree wondered if the new baby would look like her, or if this one would look like Garrett, too. Her stomach rumbled again, so loud she was worried it might wake Bailey. She headed back down the hall toward the kitchen.
“How is that even possible?” She heard Robin say. “Ugh, that’s very frustrating to hear. I just hope she really has changed this time.”
Bree stepped into the room. Garrett had a plate full of cookies balanced on his palm as he flopped in the chair at the dining table. He smiled at Bree, “I was just telling my mom about your mom getting Bryson and Maggie.”
Bree let out a breath. She hated the pitying frown on Robin’s face.
“I’ll watch Bailey while you go check out the situation.” Robin set the cookie sheet in the sink. Garrett hissed when he picked up a cookie.
“I told you they’re hot,” Robin said.
“They’re still good,” Garrett said after swallowing a mouthful and chugging his cup of milk.
“Thank you for watching Bailey.” Bree dug into her back pack and pulled out her keys, hoping Garrett might get the hint as she jingled them.
He held up a finger.
Bree crossed her arms and tilted her head.
“Just a sec,” he said, before gulping the rest of his milk.
“It’s really no problem at all,” Robin said.
Bree knew it probably wouldn’t be considering Bailey was sleeping.
Garrett stood with one arm held straight out and the other hand dipping into the plateful of cookies.
“Aren’t you supposed to be eating healthy?” Bree asked.
“Can’t play for four weeks, at least.” He shrugged as he shoveled in another cookie, “Mig
ht as well enjoy my mama’s cookies.”
Robin sighed and shook her head.
“You should have one.” Garrett held the cookie on his palm right under her nose.
It did make her mouth water.
“You know you want it.” Garrett leaned in closer to her, whispering in her ear, his voice husky, making her stomach flutter. Bree glanced down at the floor, her cheeks warmed. Why did he think he had to do this in front of his mother? Garrett laughed and pressed a kiss to the side of her head. “Relax, we’re engaged adults now.”
Bree shook her head and rolled her eyes, trying to press back the smile he caused. She swiped the cookie from him, because, yes, she actually was hungry. “Let’s go,” she said to Garrett, then turned to Robin, “We’ll hurry.”
“Take your time,” Robin waved her off, as she went about scrubbing the cookie sheet.
Though Bree wasn’t sure about bringing him along, she was thankful she had Garrett with her for support. She wasn’t sure what she’d be walking in on or how her mother would take to her, either.
Chapter 26
“Oh hey,” Mindy tilted her head when she opened the door, a forced smile on her face. “Did you come to check up on me, mother-of-the-year?”
Garrett gave Bree’s side a squeeze.
“Can’t I visit my mom and siblings?” Bree shrugged.
“Bree!” Bryson squeezed past their mother then his grin grew even bigger when he peered up at Garrett under his shaggy hair, “Garrett, do you wanna play some football? The yard is big enough and mom bought me a red ball, just like your team colors.”
Garrett ruffled Bryson’s hair. “That’d be cool, but I can’t play.” He pointed to his own head. “Doc’s orders.”
“Are you going back this season? Cause they’re going to suck without you.”
“I’ll be playing again in a couple weeks.”
Bree flinched at Garrett’s words. The thought of him being back on that field didn’t help the morning sickness any. Bree had finally allowed herself to picture a good future with him. They’d be married, in that house they would build by his grandparent’s, and Bailey and her little sibling would be running around the yard … there might even be a Labrador circling them with a waggling tail. None of that would happen if Garrett got seriously injured.