“But last month was Valentine’s and besides, I was your Christmas treat. So is this baby going to be a Valentine’s gift or Christmas present?”
My man was overcome with emotion, so much so that his blue eyes grew suspiciously glassy.
“Both,” he said in a hoarse voice. “Maybe the baby will come in November so that he or she will be our turkey baby.”
I giggle.
“You’re all about the holidays, aren’t you Daddy? But this little stinker is expected sometime in mid-December, so he or she will be born between Thanksgiving and Christmas. We’ll see, though, because it’s a lovely holiday surprise, no matter what.”
Then, I pressed a gentle kiss to my man’s lips and to my surprise, his mouth was wet with tears.
“You’re everything to me, Haley,” Chase rasped once we pull away, those blue eyes fierce. “I’ll protect you and the baby with everything that I am. You will never need for anything.”
I kissed him again, my heart fluttering with adoration because I love Chase Wheaton. I cherish everything about the alpha male because he’s incredibly handsome, generous, kind, and caring. He offered to make a ton of calls to help me with my career, and even suggested buying a day care for me to operate. But I nixed those plans because now, I just want to focus on my pregnancy and becoming a mother. Nothing could make me happier ... except breaking the news to my own mother.
After knocking again on the wooden door again, I hear some shuffling. The door cracks open, and Brenda peers out, her blue eyes sparkling.
“There’s my sweet girl,” she says before opening the door fully to give me a hug. “Oof, it’s cold! Come in, Haley. Take off your jacket and take a seat.”
Brenda doesn’t offer to help because to my dismay, my mother has put on even more weight. At this point, she resembles Tammy Slaton from the show1000-Lb Sisters. She’s hardly able to walk, and uses a cane. Not only that, but her hair is bedraggled and wispy and her skin clammy. My mom appears to be wearing a men’s XXXL t-shirt, and elasticized shorts that come down to her toes paired with pink slippers that have seen better days.
“Mom, what happened?” I ask with barely concealed horror while seating myself on the couch. “Did you comb your hair this morning? Have you been brushing your teeth?”
Brenda is chipper as she eases her mass down on a nearby divan.
“I’m fine, Haley,” she says in an even tone. “I know I’ve put on some weight but things are great! Look at the house,” she says with a proud smile. “Spick and span and the furniture’s real nice too.”
I nod because after I got the money from my sale at the Citadel, I decided to help my mom buy a place. Brenda didn’t need to live in poverty anymore, and so I purchased this little bungalow and set her up in it. I also got her a credit card (which monthly bill I pay), and help her with her utilities and a gym pass. To be fair, the house is immaculate and comfortable, and there are even fresh flowers on the dining room table through the doorway. But what about my mom herself? Why does she look so unkempt?”
“Brenda, what’s wrong?” I ask, deciding to take the bull by its horns. “Why are you dressed in rags? And why aren’t you taking care of yourself?”
My mom nods, her faded blonde hair thin and wispy.
“Well, I’ve fallen into a bit of a depression,” she says in a humorous tone. “As you can see.”
“But why? How? Have you even left the house in days?”
“Nope!” my mom says cheerfully. “It’s hard to maneuver when you’re my size, and even difficult to get out of bed. That’s why it took me so long to answer the door. These days, getting my feet over to the floor and then hoisting myself up is no small feat.”
I pause, unsure what to say.
“Mom, are you okay? What’s going on? Please tell me. Why are you depressed? We can go to the doctor together, and get you looked out. Maybe Dr. Combs can suggest a therapist too, and you can start seeing a professional.”
“Haley, I don’t need a head doc,” my mom says in an even tone. “I need to know where you got the money to buy all this,” she says. “That’s what’s been tearing me up inside because you were a barista at Aroma House. Everyone knows that baristas barely make a living if at all. So tell me where you got the money.”
“I got a loan from the bank!” I say quickly. “Remember? I told you. There’s a new credit card out where you can get cash advances, and I got the money from there.”
My mom shakes her head.
“Haley, I wasn’t born yesterday. The bungalow next door just sold for $75,000 and it’s nowhere near as nice as mine. Besides, where areyoustaying? How are you putting food on the table and taking care of yourself, especially now that you have a baby on the way?” she asks, pointedly looking at my stomach.
I flush while my hands creep over my tummy because I didn’t think I was showing, but I guess another mother always knows.
“I’m expecting, and the father is a man that I love,” I say in an even tone. “Actually, he’s the one behind all this,” I say, noddingat her home. “He’s the one who gave me the money to buy all this, and it’s fine because he’s very wealthy. It’s not even a drop in the bucket for him.”
My mother shoots me a sharp look.
“Then who is he, and why haven’t I met him?”
