AllFreeNovel
Share Us
"But when, I mean how. I mean—"
"She's going on the third month, isn't she lovely, Mrs. O'Sullivan. Look at her beautiful face. I think pregnant women are the most beautiful women in the world, don't you agree? We couldn't be happier."
"You're the man in concrete?" Mrs. O'Sullivan repeated just before she shook his hand and smiled into his face.
"Concrete?" Nick questioned. "No ma'am. Construction."
"Oh dear, Kelsey, do you want to explain all this?" Mrs. O'Sullivan plopped into the nearest chair and looked from one to the other. But even the elder Mrs. O'Sullivan found it hard not respond to Nick's warm regard. He could be charming, Kelsey admitted to herself.
"We don't have time, right now, but I'll explain as much as I can on the way to the furniture store." Nick insisted, taking her hand and guiding her back to her feet and towards the front door.
Kelsey slipped into her shoes, grabbed her jacket and followed them out the door. What kind of game was Nick playing, she wondered. Oh, she never should have let things get so out of hand. Now everything was out of her control.
But again she was surprised at how easily Nick handled the entire afternoon. Before she knew it, her mother was laughing and agreeing with practically everything Nick said.
Kelsey was speechless.
"Now what do you think, Mrs. O'Sullivan, we've painted the baby room yellow, which goes better, maple, cherry, or plain white?"
"Oh I've always liked white in a baby's room, it looks so much more sanitary and easier to see where the dirt is."
"You are so right, I'm so glad you came to see us. You are great at picking out furniture. And a grandmother should be involved in these things, too. Now, we'll need several things. Bumper pads, blankets, crib mobiles, sheets, the works. Would you mind picking something out for us? We can't make up our minds, and a grandmother should have some choices in this too, don't you agree?"
"I most certainly do, young man. And thank you for being so perceptive. Kelsey, I like your young man. Yes, I do. He's got grit." Mrs. O'Sullivan was laughing as she rummaged through the stack of quilts and blankets. Kelsey had never seen her mother so happy.
After loading the car with baby supplies they headed back to Kelsey's.
Kelsey was about to find a way to get rid of Nick, but he beat her to the punch. "Now, we're going to our house for supper and I want no argument. Mama has cooked one of her specialties and is anxious to meet you, Mrs. O'Sullivan."
Kelsey was agape. What could she say now? He had taken control again, and her mother was loving it.
This would never do. She couldn't let him get away with this again.
"Oh, please Nick, I hate for your mother to go to so much trouble for us. We can eat out, tonight."
"Nonsense, Mama's expecting us in an hour. Why don't the two of you go wash up and we'll go right over." Nick insisted with a smile.
"But—"
"I'd love to, Nick, and thank you so much for inviting us." Mrs. O'Sullivan was saying. "Come along dear. I'm anxious to meet his mother. It's so nice for him to invite us."
Kelsey went to her bedroom and closed the door, unable to do anything but throw pillows at the bed. He was doing it again.
Mrs. O'Sullivan barged in on her with a big smile and hug for her. Kelsey hadn't expected or wanted her smile, but she liked the hug and gave in. How many times had she longed for a hug and not received one?
"What a lovely man, where ever did you find him, Kelsey?"
"I put an ad in the paper." Kelsey stated simply.
"Honestly darling, I'm serious. He's fabulous. Oh, I'm so excited about the baby. Wait till your father hears. You've wanted children so long, you must be ecstatic. And your Nick is absolutely divine. And so-o handsome."
"Yes mother, he is, but—"
"I never thought I'd like a common man, but this Nick of yours is a darling. He's got a head on his shoulders, too, and so thoughtful of others. Oh, Charles will be so delighted you've married someone with such common sense. Your father never liked the stuffy sort, you know. And to be frank I was beginning to think it a lost cause, but you've hit the jackpot with this young man. I can't wait to tell Charles all about him."
"But we're not—"
"Oh now, don't be so timid about all this fuss darling. I can see you haven't legally married yet, but that's merely a matter of time. You youngsters these days just don't do things in the right order, but not to worry. That man loves you; I can see it every time he looks at you. Charles will love him, too. I love him. Oh, you've made me so happy Kelsey."
