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Estelle and Aunt Tiff came into the room, laughing as Aunt Tiff licked her fingers.
“Good morning, Dr. Shupal,” said Estelle.
“Would you like a donut?” Aunt Tiff held out the box for the doctor.
“No, thank you.” The doctor smiled. “I was telling Alison that she and Irene get to go home today. Now that you’re back, I’ll tell the nurse she can come in and go over the things to expect and what Alison can and can’t do.” Dr. Shupal left.
Aunt Tiff walked over by Harker and sat on the chair next to his.
“Why were you waiting for us?” Estelle glanced at Harker, confused.
His eyes went to Alison. Apparently, she hadn’t mentioned anything to her mother about their situation.
Alison refused to meet his gaze. “I explained to the doctor that I'll be going home with you. I hope that’s okay. If it’s not, I guess Irene and I can go to a hotel.” The baby started fussing, and Alison patted her back.
“A hotel?” Estelle’s eyes widened. “Why aren’t you going home with your husband?” Her eyes darted between the two of them.
“What idiotic thing did you do to piss her off this much?” mumbled Aunt Tiff.
“It wasn’t idiotic,” he muttered under his breath. It’d been the only option he’d had.
“Harker, Aunt Tiff, please give me a moment with my mother.”
“So you can paint me as the villain? I think I’ll stay right here.” He leaned back on the chair. He needed allies and her mother would be a good one.
“And I’m certainly not leaving. I want to hear this,” said Aunt Tiff.
“Harker, excuse us. I need to speak with my daughter,” said Estelle.
He stood. From that tone, Alison’s mom was already on his side. He glanced at Alison as if they were kids and she was the one who’d gotten caught doing something naughty.
CHAPTER 13: Alison
As soon as Harker walked out of the room Alison braced for the coming battle with her mother.
“What is going on with you and your husband?” asked her mom.
“It’s a long story.” One she didn’t want to talk about. “Can I stay with you, please? It’ll only be for a few months.” She patted Irene as the baby started fussing.
“That man is your husband. The father of your child. I don’t know what he did to upset you, but you owe it to your daughter and to yourself to try and make it work. He’s devoted to both of you.”
“Mom, you don't understand.” She wasn’t going to sit here and listen to accolades about Harker.
“Then explain it to me because you're right I don't understand. I see a man who loves you and his child.”
“He loves Irene but not me.” The way his face softened when he looked at their baby made Alison’s heart swell. He was going to be a great dad.
“Is that what this is about? You’re upset because he doesn’t show you how much he loves you? What do you want him to do? Bring you roses? Write you poetry? Because from what I see, he shows you by being here every day—all day and all night. He’s there to help with the baby and to help you.”
“Isn’t that just being a man—a father?”
Mom turned to her sister. “You’ve told me for years that we spoiled her, but I never believed you until now.”
“I’m not spoiled.” She couldn’t believe Aunt Tiff had said that about her.
“You need proof that he cares for you.” Mom walked across the room and picked up the hippo from the stack of stuffed animals Irene had gotten as gifts.
“Yes, he bought her a toy. That’s great but that—”
