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"They do vibrate with an overabundance of energy, that's for sure."
Eli nodded. "Hope is great with them."
Yeah, she was. A natural, really. She was going to make a great mother. "I think they bonded when we went to get the Christmas tree, especially when they got to help her decorate it."
Their waitress arrived and set the appetizer along with two square white plates on the table between them. "Can I get you anything else right now?"
"No. We're good," Drew answered.
"Great."
"So." Eli dredged a crusted pickle through the remoulade sauce. "Are you any closer to a decision on whether you're going to stay here and work with Pops or return to Kentucky?"
Drew had wondered how long it would take before someone broached the subject with him. So far, Pops had been surprisingly quiet on the subject, as had his mother and grandmother. Hell, since the day they drove to Lone Oaks, even Hope hadn't asked him which way he might be leaning.
Not that he blamed her. Surely, Hope realized his decision would also impact her life, considering he’d made no secret of his intention to be a full-time father. Which ultimately meant his choice depended on where Hope and their child resided.
"That's quite a heavy sigh," Eli noted.
Drew had been so deep in thought he hadn’t realized he'd made any sound at all. "Six months ago, the decision would have been much easier to make."
"Because of Hope?"
"Yeah." He took a sip of tea. "She's pregnant." Although they'd agreed to share the news with his parents together, Drew was very much in need of some fatherly advice right about now.
"Ah, that is a game changer." There was no censure in Eli's voice.
"Don't get me wrong. I'm not upset about the baby. To be honest, I can't believe how deep my feelings are for something I haven't seen or touched. But just seeing the swell of Hope's belly and knowing that a part of me is growing inside her..." Drew trailed off, shaking his head. "I can't begin to describe how that makes me feel."
His father smiled. "I have a pretty good idea."
Drew laughed. "Yeah. I guess you do."
"And if you think your heart is so full it could burst out of your chest right now, wait until you hear the heartbeat for the first time or feel the baby move when you put your hand over her belly bump. But nothing is more incredible than seeing your child enter the world and hearing their first cry."
Listening to his father recollect the miracle of birth hollowed Drew out. He didn't want to miss any part of that. Not one single second of the pregnancy or labor and delivery. Drew wanted to witness firsthand the developmental milestones their child mastered and to be present for all the firsts. To champion each challenge and celebrate every achievement, no matter how big or small.
More than anything, Drew wanted to share all facets of parenthood with Hope. From poop explosions to potty training, the terrible twos to adolescent angst, the first day of kindergarten to high school graduation. And every blessed aspect in between.
"I want to be a part of all that and more," he confessed.
"But," his father prompted.
"I was offered a partnership at Wakefield a couple of days before Pops called. At the time, considering Hope and the baby, it seemed like a no-brainer to accept. But Neil insisted there was no rush. That he wanted me to take some time to think the offer through before deciding anything. Then, Hope learned about the bleak financial situation her father left behind, which, as luck would have it, happened to be on the same day Pops called to pitch his idea of me coming home for the holidays."
"Damn, that's quite a trifecta. Two partnership offers and a baby to boot. Some would consider you an incredibly fortunate man."
Yeah, some would. But right now, Drew wasn't feeling so fortunate. "Working at Wakefield has given me opportunities I wouldn't have gotten here. Consequently, I've grown exponentially as a veterinarian. Before Pops called, I was convinced I wanted to focus my career solely on horses. But being here these past few weeks has made me realize I also enjoy caring for both large and small animals and working in the field as well as the clinic. I like the diversity here and the familiarity of the clients, their herds, and their family pets. Plus, who better to learn from than the master veterinarian himself?"
"There is that."
"None of that takes Hope and what she wants into consideration, though." Drew traced a line of condensation on his glass. "How fair is it to ask her to leave the only home she's ever known to come and live with me in mine?"
"Not all parents live together, Drew."
"But I don't want to be a part-time father, Dad. Only spending time with my son or daughter when I can work it into my schedule to make the six-hundred-mile trek." He raked a hand through his hair, barely resisting the urge to pull it out. "Plus, there's how I feel about Hope and the fact that I can't imagine my life without her in it."
"Have you talked about any of this with Hope? Told her how you feel?"
