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Ollie had that handled; he grabbed a little milk carton for Rio and a bottle of water for each of us, then sat down on his father’s bed. “Tell me, Pops. You didn’t believe me, did you?”
“Well I wouldn’t say I didn’t believe you. I-I was just healthily skeptical. You have a big heart, Son.”
I sat next to Ollie with my hand on his thigh, watching the way he looked at his father made me miss mine, even if he wasn’t around the way Charlie was.
“For once, I’m not alone in that.” He kissed my temple and laughed when Rio climbed up and hung all over his shoulders, making me wonder what kind of a picture we made. “We want you to come back with us for a barbecue. Sterling and Zepp too, but definitely you. There are four other kids who didn’t make the trek with me.”
Charlie nodded. “I’d love to. And they’re your nephews, Mia? Is that right?”
“Yeah, my sister lives with us too and has four boys. Maybe you can give us some tips on raising teen boys?”
He laughed until he coughed, then reached over to touch that picnic basket. “Don’t. Raise them like adults, it’ll go easier.”
“That might’ve worked for Sterling, Pop, but not me,” Ollie argued quietly. “Not exactly a perfect plan.”
“That’s one thing I’ve noticed, raising every one of them is different. They all have their own personalities. That might work for Rio, though. He’s an old soul.”
Charlie shook his head slightly. “Do you think my son is a good man, Mia? With a big heart and good intentions?”
I nodded. “Without a doubt, Charlie. I actually wanted to thank you for putting him on this Earth for me.”
“Then it worked just fine,” he said, leaning forward to pat Ollie’s leg. “Just took a little longer with this one.”
We spent a while getting to know each other after that, but Rio was getting restless so Charlie told Ollie to go give him a tour. I could tell by the way he was watching me that he’d done it for a reason, and the man didn’t waste any time at all once we were alone.
“So. Tell me, Mia. How far along are you?”
“H— what?” I looked around us even though no one was there as a blush spread across my cheeks. “How do you know?”
“My Ellie knows everything,” he said with a knowing, warm smile. “I take it you haven’t told Oliver yet? I’ll kick his ass if you have and he didn’t tell me. I’m an old man, but I’ll d-do it.”
I chuckled nervously. “Not yet. I just found out the day before yesterday and I was going to tell him here or at home. It’s been so hard not to tell him, he’s going to be so happy.” Though I suddenly wasn’t absolutely sure. “Right?”
“Oh, yes. The way Sterling tells it, having a child is Ollie’s worst nightmare. But I know my boy. No one forgets condoms that many times unless he wants to be a father.”
It occurred to me then that Ollie might’ve confided something in me that he hadn’t told anyone else. He’d made it clear he’d wanted to be a dad since he was a kid, and yet ... neither of his closest family members had a clue. “He loves Rio like his own, I know he’ll be a good father. Any chance your Ellie knows if it’s another boy? I think we have enough of those.”
He glanced over at the empty rocking chair and shook his head with a soft expression and glossy eyes. “Not another boy. A girl.”
I chuckled lightly, realizing then how much I hoped that was true. “Wouldn’t even know where to begin with one of those. Can I ask your advice about something?”
“Hm?” He seemed lost in thought for a moment, then focused back on me. “Of course. What’s on your mind?”
“Do you think he’d feel better if I did some grand gesture, or if I just told him while we were alone? I’ve been going back and forth in my head about it.”
Charlie hummed. “Keep it simple. That should be a private moment first.”
I had a feeling that would be his answer, and although I would do anything to make that moment special for Ollie, private sounded more our speed. “Thank you. Any advice on meeting your oldest?”
“No advice needed. He’s a little softer now that he’s married,” he said. “Just be yourself. He’ll love you.”
I took a deep breath and felt a lot more at ease after that. I was already feeling welcome and accepted here in Brisley, something I worried might not happen so easily with how much money they had compared to me — but that didn’t seem to matter with Charlie, and I had a feeling now that I met him that it wouldn’t matter much with Sterling, either. They trusted Ollie, and we truly were in love.
Ollie and Rio came back a few minutes later to get me and to say goodbye, and I was glad to know I’d see him again soon. He was exactly as warm and wonderful as I’d imagined someone who raised Ollie would be, and as I grabbed my purse and ducked out, I swore I heard him say, “See, Ellie? I told you Ollie was next.”
