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“Oh, my God, is she okay? The babies?” Andrea asks, moving to me with her hands outstretched. There’s a collective gasp in the room. I ignore Andrea to look into Dad’s weathered brown eyes.
“That’s right. I got her pregnant. Classic, screwup Ezra knocked a girl up. Surprise, surprise. I’m sorry to have missed everyone’s calls, but I’m glad to see you’re doing better, Dad.”
With that, I spin around and walk out, ignoring Mom yelling after me. My heart is squeezing so hard that my breath coming in pants. It’s so hard to breathe. All I know is I need to get out of there. Get out. Get out. Get out is the chant in my head as I march out of the room.
“Ezra, wait!” I glance up at Andrea as I yank the car door open. She’s running down the steps toward me. “Don’t leave. Not like this. Please.”
“It’s fine, Andrea. I’ll come check up on him tomorrow.” The house is pretty crowded, anyway. She rounds the car to come stand directly in front of me.
“He didn’t mean it. He’s been cranky ever since he regained consciousness. Most likely from the medication and the pain he’s too stubborn to admit he’s in. Don’t go, Ezra.” She grabs my hand, giving me a beseeching look, widening her eyes and pushing her bottom lip out. I smile slightly as I nudge her chin.
“Fine. but stop giving me that look. You know I can’t say no to you when you look at me like that.”
She grins at me and jumps into my arms with a squeal. “Thank you.”
The living room is quiet when we walk back inside. They all glance up to look at us, surprise evident on their faces when they see me return.
“You guys listen. Autumn and I have been renovating a house for Ezra because he wants to move out of his apartment at the Latchis Hotel. He doesn’t think it’s suitable for a family.”
“Andie,” I growl, pinching her back to keep her quiet. She glares at me but thankfully shuts the fuck up. I don’t need her advocating for me.
“Listen, Son, I’m sorry.”
I glance at Dad in surprise. I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve ever heard him apologize. Even when he knows he’s wrong, he never apologizes, the stubborn oaf.
“It’s fine, Dad. You don’t have to apologize. I screwed up, but I’m doing everything I can to make it right.” I stammer and clear my throat.
He stares at me silently for a moment then raises his hand up. I walk forward to take it, and he squeezes my hand. “This is welcome news. I’m finally going to be a grandfather.” He gives me a warm smile.
“Oh, Ezra. Tell me everything,” Mom says, coming to hug me, so I do. I tell them about my babies. I proudly show off the scan image in my wallet and even play the video of the babies’ heart beating for them.
And in the end, I’m glad Andrea had stopped me from leaving. I may know the look of disappointment in their eyes all too well, but these people are everything I have…until now. Now I get to start my own family, and I’ll be damned if I don’t make sure it’s as close-knit as this one. Nothing comes before family. Ever.
CHAPTER 20
EZRA
I’m in the middle of a meeting with our contractors when my phone starts ringing. I apologize and take my phone out of my pocket to silence it. I pause when I see it’s Charlie calling. My heart picks up in elation. I murmur an excuse as I leave the conference room, “Charlie? Is everything alright?”
“N-no, I’m fine. Um, I wanted to ask if you’re free this Thursday.”
We haven’t talked since I left Burlington over a week ago, outside of my check-in texts, which she replies to with one word messages. I want to give her space, but fuck, it’s harder than I thought it would be, which explains why I’m so ridiculously happy that she’s reaching out now.
“This Thursday?” I frown, mentally running over my schedule. “I can be. What’s up?”
“It’s nothing serious, just–my mom–um, she wants to have dinner with you…with us.” I can hear her hesitation through the phone; but still, I finally get to see her!
“I’ll be there. Text me the details.” I grin, even though she can’t see me.
“Oh, okay,” she replies, and then there’s this awkward pause.
“How are you doing? Are the babies alright?”
“I’m fine. We’re fine. I think I felt them kick last night,” she adds shyly.
I inhale sharply. Excited, I stammer, “Really?”
“Yeah. It’s not all that strong yet, but I definitely felt something, like little butterfly flutters..”
