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Oh shit.
The look on Dad’s face tells me he’s put the pieces together. Mom...Not so much.
“Lincoln,” he barks. “Did you do this?”
“What?” Mom looks from us to my dad in confusion. “What are you asking, Michael?”
“He’s asking if I’m the father of Ellie’s baby, and the answer is yes.”
Mom’s eyes go wide. “Oh,” she breathes, her gaze darting between me and Ellie, who’s standing frozen in her spot,watching this train wreck of a conversation come to a head. “So, are you two together?”
“No,” I blurt out. “It was an accident.”
Mom’s eyes bug out of her head, Dad’s turn into thin slits, and Ellie drops her head, hiding the frown I saw before she could hide it.
“I don’t understand,” Mom says. “You slept with Ellie casually? Of all the women you could’ve been with...” She shakes her head in disappointment. “I thought we raised you better than this.”
“It’s complicated,” I tell my parents, knowing that’s not enough of an explanation but not wanting to throw Ellie under the bus, and really...I’m not lying. It is complicated.
“Donna,” Ellie cuts in. “This wasn’t Lincoln’s fault.”
“Ellie,” I warn, shaking my head.
“No, I’m not going to let them look at you like that,” she says. “This is my fault.” She places a protective hand on her belly. “I went to Elite and sought Lincoln out on Valentine’s Day. He didn’t know it was me because I was wearing a mask for the masquerade party. We spent the night together, but I failed to think about birth control beforehand. I didn’t plan to get pregnant, but my irresponsibility is the reason why I am. Not Lincoln.”
She sniffles back her tears. “I wouldn’t blame Lincoln if he didn’t want anything to do with this baby. He didn’t ask for this. But you raised him right, so he’s agreed to be a part of the baby’s life. I’m so sorry,” she says, swiping away her tears. “Your family has been so good to me and my sister, and I messed up big time. But please don’t blame Lincoln. It’s all on me.”
“It’s on both of us,” I say, refusing to let her take all the blame. “I might not have known who Ellie was, but I was completely on board with having sex with her at the club. And not using protection was on me as well.”
“So, what now?” Dad asks.
“Now we take it one day at a time, starting with getting ready for our son to arrive in November.”
“Your son?” Mom asks, perking up. “You’re having a little boy?”
Ellie nods, a small smile gracing her face. “We got to see him at the ultrasound. He looks like the cutest little gummy bear.” Then, as if she forgot she shouldn’t be happy because of my parents being upset, she schools her features. “I really am sorry,” she says to my parents. “I know what a mess I’ve created.”
“Oh, honey.” Mom pulls Ellie into her arms. “It’s all going to be okay. I’m a firm believer that everything happens for a reason.” Mom’s eyes meet mine, and she smiles softly, silently telling me that she’s no longer upset. My shoulders slump in relief. I don’t know what the future holds, but what I do know is that we’re going to need our family by our side.
CHAPTER TWENTY
ELLIE
“Oh my God.He’s so precious.” Sienna coos over the sonogram picture in a way that only a mother can do while staring at a black and white grainy photo.
“He looks like a gummy bear, right?”
She stares at the image closely then barks out a laugh. “He totally does.” She sets the picture down on the island and looks at me. “How are you doing?”
It’s Friday, and I’ve spent the week at Lincoln’s since he insisted that I stay with him so he can keep an eye on me because of my high blood pressure—which has been doing better. While he’s made sure the fridge is stocked and we’ve eaten a few times together, he’s also avoiding me.
“I’m okay.” I shrug. “I need to find somewhere to live.” I sigh, and Sienna quirks her head to the side, picking up on the uneasiness I’m feeling.
“Obviously you can afford a place, so what’s wrong?”
“Being here dredges up old memories I wish to leave in the past,” I admit. “I know one event shouldn’t change the entire course of my life, especially since the people involved are alldead, but I can’t help feeling like this town is tainted. At least in California, I could live in denial. Here, not so much.”
Sienna nods in understanding. “For a few years, I refused to drive on the side of town where the warehouse was. It’s been turned into a shopping plaza, but when I go by it, all I see is that day.”
