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“That went better than I thought it would,” Amara says from the passenger seat sounding somewhat relieved as she relaxes back into the seat. “I thought for sure my father would freak out.”
“I told you that I think I made a lasting impression,” she looks over at me and rolls her eyes but the smile on her face shows me she finds humor in my words. “I’m sure it also helped that I already told him that I was in love with you,” her smile grows. “And that your brother wasn’t here to be a part of this conversation.”
“I’ll handle Tucker,” she’s already told me she’s having it out with him. I’d prefer to be there, but something tells me she knows how to handle her brother. Me being present may only make things worse. He better hope that he doesn’t upset her.
“I do need to ask you how we plan to play everything out at dinner tonight?”
I would hope all the secrets and the need to keep things hidden is over. It's not like everyone doesn’t already know by now that we are a thing. Hell she practically pissed on my leg at the auction.
“We may as well share the news now,” she shrugs and I’m relieved. “Before long I’ll be fat and bitter, so we may as well prepare all our friends for my cranky mood swings now.”
Reaching across the cab, I link my fingers with hers and pull her hand over the console to press my lips to her knuckles. “I’m so glad you said we can tell them, because I know I won’t be able to keep my mouth shut.” Her brows lift like she knows I’ve already squealed. “I had to babe, I was on my way to the cabin, my shit was all over the place. My mind racing, I had no idea what it was I was going into and before I knew it I was spilling everything that’s happened.”
“Liam,” as if she even had to ask. Of course it was Liam. “But I’m sure he hasn’t told anyone else.” Unless he has, because Liam tends to get pissed and then everything is flowing before he has the chance to think it over. Only I leave this part out because Amara knows him well enough to know this to be true.
I have no idea what we are walking into tonight.
Pulling up to the restaurant, I put my truck into park, and turn so that I can see her clearly. “Are you nervous?”
“My biggest fear is for people to think I did this on purpose and somehow trapped you.” The way she bites at her lower lip, and averts her eyes has me flipping up the console and sliding in closer to her.
“Hey,” placing my thumb under her chin I lift it so that I can once again see her beautiful face. “I’m not here with you because I have to be. I’m not head over heels because you’re carrying my baby, I am here, and have been here, because from day one I’ve been falling for the woman that’s been right under my nose. I’ve been spending each day discovering one more reason why I can’t seem to stop thinking about you. You are amazing, you are patient and incredibly giving. You put everyone else first and the way you care for everyone around you is just one of the many reasons I am in awe of you. I had no idea that the one person I was meant to have by my side was literally within reaching distance for years. That’s on me, I was to wrapped up in my own ridiculous notions that I could only be happy if I remained unattached, but the truth is I’ve missed so much.”
Amara takes in a shuddering breath.
“I don’t want to miss another second.”
“Me either,” she confesses.
Moving in closer, I dip my chin and press a soft kiss to her lips, holding it for a few seconds, I pull back when I want to pull her onto my lap and hold her in my arms.
“If I hear anyone make a comment about this being a trap you better bet they won’t see me coming. Besides we know the truth,” she locks her gaze with mine. “This baby is a surprise, yes, but not a burden, it's our gift.”
Amara’s eyes fill with tears, and I press my forehead to hers, giving her a few minutes to rein in her emotions. I can say that I never thought I’d have kids, not because I didn’t think about it, and wonder, but because I’ve always been scared. My past, my biological parents being the shitshow that they are, I've always been worried that I’d be a terrible parent too. But I know that isn’t true, because though my parents may not be those that made me, they are those that created me. They’ve given me the best life and spent every single day expressing love and guidance. My parents have been on my side from day one and they’ve given me years and years of examples of what kind of parent I want to be,
“You ready to head inside?”
She nods her head, again taking in a shuddering breath. “I’m sorry I’m such a blubbering mess.
“You’re not a mess babe, I love how much you feel every situation. You don’t shut down, I don’t want you to hide what’s going on in your head, you blubber all you want.” She laughs.
“You may regret that.”
“Never, you’re my blubbering mess and I love you.”
Kissing me once more we climb out of the truck and with our hands linked as we walk inside.
* * *
“No way,” Spencer looks between the two of us, his eyes wide and his mouth gaped. “You two, having a kid?”
Amara nods, a smile stretching out over her lips. The girls are all talking back and forth about baby clothes and accessories, the guys are all looking at me like I have two heads and then to Amara like she’s playing along with some kind of joke.
“Of all of us, you are the last one I thought would be a dad first.” Jasper stretches out his arm and offers me his hand. “Congrats man,” he says as he gives mine a shake. “You too Mar.”
Conversation starts flying, all the girls already planning a baby shower they say they’ll be throwing. I sit back and watch as Amara’s smile grows. The nervous energy she felt before we came inside fading away.
I love seeing her happy and relaxed.
