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"I don't know if he's ever talked to anyone about it," she replied. "But Piper--I know you've had a hard life, and I'm sure you're being honest with me. Still, I have to ask--are you sure this is Jesse's baby?"
I nod. "I haven't been with anyone else. I didn't want to. I don't think...I don't think I'll ever want anyone else, if he decides I'm not worth..."
I can't finish my sentence, ducking my head as I start to cry. Damn pregnancy emotions are getting the better of me; I used to think I was so tough, but right now I feel like my emotions are just pouring out.
Teresa gets up from her chair and comes over to me, wrapping her arms around me in a maternal embrace. "Honey, don't worry about that. Jesse loves you, and you love him. That's all that matters."
I sniffle and nod, grateful for her comfort.
"Now, let's talk about what we're going to do," Teresa says, pulling back but still holding onto my shoulders. "Jesse needs to know about this baby. And Caleb, too."
I freeze at the mention of Caleb. "Do you think he'll be mad?"
"I don't know," she admits. "But he's gonna find out eventually. And Jesse deserves a chance to be a father."
I nod, knowing she's right.
"But first things first," she says. "We need to figure out who we'll tell, in what order. Rumors spread like wildfire between certain people in our family, and we need to be strategic."
"Of course," I say. "I think...well, Eli saw me last night, but he doesn't know who I am. And of course your nephew..."
"Jake won't tell a soul," she says. "He knows how to be discrete, but I'll need to call him and make sure he understands we have to keep this quiet for now. As for who to tell next to soften the blow...I think Grayson and Claire."
I chew on my lip. I hate that I feel like a shameful secret--but Teresa seems to read my mind.
"Don't worry, hon'," she says. "This is just to keep everyone from blowing up all at once. And Claire is so sweet, she'll be thrilled that her babies are getting another cousin."
I laugh softly. "How many are there now? You have quite a few grandchildren."
"Five, including your little one," Teresa says with a broad smile. "Now...let's get you some breakfast and keep catching up. I think I'd like to get to know you better if you're joining the family."
Chapter eleven
Jesse
Ican'tbelievehowlucky I am to have the family I do and the woman I love here in town.
We decide that the first step is to tell Claire and Grayson--because Grayson is the least connected to the situation and the most likely to understand. He's big on forgiveness, and that's what we need.
Mostly for me.
Because this ismymistake.
Or...mistake isn't the right word. That would imply I would take it all back...and I wouldn't.
I want Piper in my life. I want our baby.
I'm still wrapping my head around that second part, but I'm confident in the first part.
We head over to the old Sawyer cabin that night, Piper clenching my hand so hard it hurts. My mom comes with us, riding in the back seat with her hand on Piper's shoulder.
"You're gonna be fine, hon'," she says comfortingly. "Claire is such a sweet young lady."
"She really is," I tell Piper. "And Grayson understands that people can change. He did it himself."
She looks at me like she's trying to read my mind, her expression drawn and tense. "I'm scared," she says. "What if...what if they tell Caleb?"
"Caleb is going to find out eventually," she says. "But you're not going anywhere, darlin'."
