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Red nodded, kneeling next to me while I placed his hands over my belly. “Really acting up today, huh? I bet it’s Cash’s non-stop talking.”
Cash snorted. “Okay, that’s just rude. I want the baby to know the sound of my voice by the time they get here.”
Red smiled warmly, murmuring against my belly. “I think Dad likes to hear himself talk.”
I rolled my eyes and giggled. “And Pops doesn’t?”
“You know for a fact that I don’t.” Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Dylan climbing up the steps of the front porch, peeling off his work gloves. I patted my stomach and hummed. “Here comes your Papa, too. Such a popular kid.”
“We talking to the baby?” Dylan asked. “I’ll have you know Cash getswaymore time than I do. We’re going to need to come up with a schedule or something. I don’t want them picking favorites.”
I laughed. “I don’t think that’s going to be a problem. I’m pretty sureI’llbe the baby’s favorite. After being their home for nine months, I’m going to make sure they’re a real Mama’s kid.”
Cash frowned. “That’s not fair, I can’t do that!”
Red chuckled. “Lunch? I was thinking I’d throw together some sub sandwiches and lemonade. It’s a perfect day for it.”
I nodded. “That sounds lovely. Just remember not to put tomatoes on mine. And extra jalapeñ os!”
Red stood up and kissed the top of my head. “Of course, honey. Anything for you.”
He was just about to go inside the house to whip up lunch when the sound of tires crunching over gravel reached our ears. Just around the bend, I saw a blue Toyota driving down the dirt road toward our homestead. My heart skipped a beat when I recognized the vehicle.
“What aretheydoing here?” Dylan grumbled. “Were you expecting them?”
I stood up and took a deep breath. “No, but it’s okay, Dyl. Let’s listen to what they have to say.”
He didn’t look remotely convinced. “After what they said to you?”
“That was months ago. I haven’t seen or spoken to them since we got back to Sunville. All I’m going to do is hear them out.”
“Fine,” he said, crossing his arms. “But the second they upset you…”
I kissed him chastely on the lips. “I’m not worried. The three of you will be right here if I need you. Just promise me you’ll behave.”
Dylan took a deep breath, eyeing my parents as they parked and got out of their car. I gave his bicep a loving squeeze; a silent promise that everything was going to be fine.
I made my way down the steps of the front porch, holding onto the railing. Mom and Dad looked just as awkward as I felt. They took in the area, admiring the house and the tall trees that lined the property.
“It’s beautiful here,” Mom said softly, carefully. “Hank and I normally don’t come out this way. You’ve got a wonderful view of the mountains.”
I nodded slowly, not taking my eyes off them. I wasn’t sure if I needed to prepare for a fight or for reconciliation. “Yes, we’re very lucky to have so much space and fresh air.”
Dad scratched behind his ear, downright uncomfortable. He tried smiling, keeping his sheepish gaze on my round belly. “You look like you’re doing well. Is… Is everyone happy and healthy?”
“Yes,” I said, unconsciously rubbing my stomach. “We’re doing just fine.”
“I see,” Mom said stiffly.
“Is there a reason you’re here? I could have prepared some tea if I’d known you were coming.”
“Yes, um… Sorry for dropping by unannounced. We’ve been doing a lot of thinking the last couple of months and today we thought…”
“Yes?” I probed gently.
Dad took a deep breath. “We wanted to say that we’re sorry, Julia. For what we said, for how we treated you.”
Mom wrung her fingers together. “At the time… Well, you have to understand, it was quite a shock to hear that you were… in such a peculiar relationship. We reacted very poorly to the news, but I… I hope you can understand that it all came from a place of love.”
