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“Surprise,” I awkwardly add, making Soren’s mouth twitch, but he hides it with hand, faking a cough.
“Y’all think this is so funny, don’t you?” Milo roars from his pouting post.
No one replies. Everyone’s waiting for Mom’s reaction.
A high-pitched scream fills the air, and the big, burly guy next to me, the one who’s been acting so protective since finding out I’m having his baby, jumps like a scaredy cat.
I laugh as Mom runs over and throws herself into his arms for a big hug. She’s practically vibrating with excitement, but it’s Soren’s face that makes us all start laughing. Well, everyone but my brother, of course.
Total shock leaves him with a dumbfounded expression, his arms defensive instead of embracing. As if he’d assumed my mother would have hit him.
My dad finds it so funny he takes out his phone to record as Mom breaks down crying.
“I’m so happy it’s you. Oh my gosh, does your mother know?”
Then her eyes snap to me, and I get hit with it a third time. Utter disappointment. I know I let them down by lying, but how could I announce the father without telling the man himself?
The fallout will be worth it, though. So far, Soren seems to want this just as much as I do. I can’t wait to actually be alone and talk about it.
“How did I not know?” she scolds me, pushing back off Soren, whose face makes her laugh now.
“What were you expecting, son?”
But Soren doesn’t respond. By the look on his face, he expected the worst, and the best case scenario has him choked up. I take his hand again and squeeze it.
“Not sure, ma’am. I am sorry for the way it’s all coming out, but…”
I hold my breath, scared to know what he’s going to say.
“Truth be told, I’ve wanted a chance with your wonderful daughter for a long time, and I won’t take anything about this situation for granted.”
“Why couldn’t you just ask her out like a normal person?” dad sighs from where he’s sitting on Milo’s bed.
Without saying it, Soren looks to Milo for the answer. My brother grows uncomfortable as everyone’s gaze falls to him.
“I don’t know why everyone’s looking to me. You were the fucker who broke your word. That you’re not on the ground, taking a beating, is a testament to my own willpower.”
“What the hell are you talking about?” Mom beats me to it.
Although I am glad she asked because I hate when my brother is mad at me, and right now is the maddest I’ve ever seen him. He won’t even look at me. Usually he’s cussin’ and fussin’, making an effort to get us back to good. Even though he’s my big smelly brother, he’s also my bestie and I need us to get back to that place. I want to tell him I’m sorry again, and explain why I had to keep it from him.
“Nothin’,” Milo says and pushes up from the bed. “If we’re all done here, I’d sure as hell like to leave.”
“No, we’re far from done, but we also have a lot of people arriving for a baby shower. Shall we announce the good news?” Mom asks cautiously.
Milo makes no attempt to stay or even glance back as he leaves the room. Mom and Dad wait expectantly.
“Now, for the record, I’m happy for the both of you. It’s a shock, and Milo clearly isn’t taking it well, but we’re family. All of us. We’re gonna be just fine,” Dad says, coming to give Soren a big hug. They both pat each other’s back so violently Mom and I lock eyes in confusion.
The two, seemingly fine, lean back and my dad adds, “Let’s clean up that mouth of yours, though.”
Soren’s eyes blow wide, and his face turns as red as a tomato. It’s adorable and causes my dad and I to erupt in laughter.
“What did I miss?” Mom asks as we start making our way downstairs.
“Don’t ask,” Dad says, shaking his head.
We all follow downstairs to the party that’s in full swing.
