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Chloe looked at me sheepishly. “Well, in Dallas I sort of let it slip. Okay, it wasn’t sort of. I really needed to talk to her. I was feeling scared and well…”
Taking her hand in mine, I squeezed it. “Chloe, you don’t have to explain why you told your mom. That’s your mom. It only makes sense you would tell her first.”
“I just didn’t want you to think I was playing favorites or anything.”
I chuckled. “I would never think that.”
When we pulled up, both sets of parents were waiting on the front porch. My folks shared the swing, while Paxton and Steed sat in the rockers.
“There they are!” My father walked down to greet us. “Chloe, you look beautiful as always.”
Chloe blushed. “Thank you, Rip.”
“RJ, how’s that farmhouse coming?”
My father always called me RJ. Short for Rip, Jr. I was named after him. My three older siblings—Jonathon, Evie, and Hollie—were from our mother’s first marriage. After she married my dad, Dalton, Hope, and myself came along.
“House is great. It had some really good bones, so it hasn’t taken too much to fix it up.”
“We need to come and see it again. You’ve made a lot of changes,” my mom said. She kissed Chloe. “Hello, darling.”
“Hi, Kristin. I can smell that roast from out here!” Chloe said. “Smells amazing.”
My mother grinned. “Well, I know my roast was always your favorite.”
Steed and Paxton hugged Chloe, then Steed shook my hand and Paxton followed up with a hug.
When we made our way into the house, Chloe glanced to all the boxes in the corner.
“Getting ready for Christmas, Kristin?” she called out.
“Don’t you know it! I’d have it all up, but I was helping your momma and Melanie make some things for the reception tomorrow. I’ve got my outline all done and printed up.”
“Laminated, of course,” my father added.
“Each room color coded,” Mom said with a wink.
Mom was the queen of Christmas. It was almost October and any normal year we would have at least two trees up in the house by now. Our wedding had thrown my mom off her game.
We stepped into the kitchen that also held a large table were we mainly ate together as a family.
“I made your favorite dessert, Chloe. Chocolate ganache with homemade ice cream.”
“Oh no,” Chloe whispered before slapping her hand over her mouth.
My mother had made Chloe’s favorite dessert. Why hadn’t it crossed my mind that she would make Chloe’s favorite dessert? This was my first fail as a husband and upcoming father.
“Shit,” I cried out as I ran past everyone, nearly knocking my mother into the chocolate ganache cake. I grabbed the trash can and rushed back to Chloe.
Opening the lid, I put it under Chloe who promptly leaned over and threw up.
I glanced over my shoulder to see four sets of eyes gawking. Steed and my dad looked like they were fixin’ to have a sympathy throw up, while Paxton and my mother exchanged a knowing look.
“I’ve got some homemade peppermint tea in the fridge. That will settle your stomach,” Mom said, rushing to get out the tea.
“I’m going to go ahead and take this cake on out of the room,” Paxton said as she grabbed it and headed out the back door.
“Wait! Where are you taking the cake!” Steed cried out, following Paxton.
My father covered his mouth and raced out of the room. Once Chloe was finished being sick, I rubbed her back and then took the warm washcloth my mother had handed me. I sure as shit hoped I would be able to parent half as well as she did.
“Here, baby. This will feel better.”
Chloe took the washcloth and then the tea from my mom.
“Is the cake gone?” Chloe asked, her eyes still watery from throwing up. This baby was giving her a run for her money.
“Yes. Sweetheart, I’m so sorry. Are you feeling okay?”
If my mother suspected anything, she wasn’t letting on.
Chloe smiled. “I’m fine. I’m sorry about that.”
We could hear my father from the hall bathroom. Mom rolled her eyes. “Good Lord, he’s gonna need me. You’ll soon see, Chloe, when a man gets sick in any sort of way, they all believe they’re fixin’ to die no matter how minor it is.”
Giggling, Chloe took a sip of the tea.
When Mom walked out, our eyes met.
“Your mom had peppermint tea made up,” she said.
I smiled. “I swear to you, I didn’t tell her. She always has peppermint tea made.”
Paxton and Steed walked back into the kitchen, and Steed was arguing with Paxton about why the cake had to stay outside.
“It’s gonna melt!” Steed protested.
“You’re fine, Rip. You had a little bit of sympathy throw up, for Pete’s sake. Let’s eat dinner, shall we?” Mom said as she walked into the kitchen. “Chloe, did you want to eat something?”
“Yes, please. I’m fine now.”
