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Logan nodded.
“I didn’t even know you were together,” Lawrence said.
“We’re not,” Logan replied, for what felt like the dozenth time.
“But you’re having the baby?” Corinne asked. “I’m going to have a grandson or granddaughter?”
“Yes, Mum.”
“Oh, my God.” She got slowly to her feet and then, before he had time to react, she raced around the table and pulled him into a fierce embrace. The moment she let him go, she grabbed hold of Gabby and hugged the shit out of her. “I’m going to be a nana.” She drew back, her face alight with joy. “I can’t believe it. I’m finally going to have a little one to spoil.” She kissed Gabby’s cheek. “You have no idea what a gift this is.”
His heart warmed and his muscles loosened. After the tense meeting with Shane and Faith, his mum’s reaction came as a relief. Gabby’s eyes darted to his and she sent him a small smile. He smiled back. Nobody else had reacted so positively. It was nice. He should have known Corinne would see the good in the situation.
“Thank you,” Gabby said.
“Congratulations, darling.” Corinne gave her another hug before returning to her seat. “You’re going to be a wonderful mother. And Logan.” She shook her head, her smile turning mischievous. “You’re a bag of surprises. Who would have guessed you’d be the one to give me grandchildren first?”
He grinned. “I live to please.”
“How long have you known?” Kyle asked, a furrow between his brows that suggested he was doing some mental arithmetic.
“A bit over a week,” Logan said.
“Have you made a pregnancy and birth plan yet?”
Logan cocked his head toward Gabby, wondering if that was a phrase he ought to know. “Um, no.”
Kyle smiled. It wasn’t as wide as Corinne’s, and there was a degree of caution in the way he held himself, but he wasn’t nearly as upset as Shane had been. But then, the situation wasn’t the same. “I can help with that.”
Logan winked. “We know how much you love your lists.”
Kyle colored. His love of lists had become famous after the Bridge Club had circulated a literal Love List he’d written with his ideal traits for a romantic partner. Somehow, while Charity didn’t fit many of the things he’d thought he wanted, they were perfect together anyway.
“That would be great,” Gabby said quickly. “Wouldn’t it, Logan?”
“Absolutely.” He felt like a weight had been lifted from his shoulders. There had been no intense discussions. No interrogations. And best of all, no accusations or hurt feelings. He knew it wouldn’t all be smooth sailing, but they were off to a good start.
The conversation for the rest of the meal centered around the pregnancy, and his and Gabby’s “relationship,” such as it was. Still, Logan was feeling more at peace with himself as he drove Gabby home at the end of the night.
That was, until she turned to him and said, “By the way, my parents are coming next weekend. They want to meet you properly.”
The nerves returned, along with a hefty dose of “oh shit.”
* * *
Gabby fellinto an exhausted sleep after getting home from Corinne and Lawrence’s house. Confessing her pregnancy to three groups of family members on the same day had taken it out of her. The next morning, when she woke, she still felt like crap. She got out of bed for long enough to feed the indoor animals and grab an Easter egg—yes, she bought those for herself; she was a grown woman and allowed to do as she pleased—then burrowed in bed while she worked her way through nearly the entire chocolate egg.
At ten, Faith messaged to ask if she was coming over for their Easter egg hunt. Gabby groaned. She’d have loved to, but she really didn’t think she was up for it, so she let Faith know she wasn’t feeling well and continued her pity party. Half an hour later, she heard a car outside and wondered if it would be childish to hide beneath the covers and pretend she wasn’t home. She needn’t have worried though, because Logan strode into her bedroom without her even having to move.
“How did you get in?” she demanded, pulling the blankets up to her chin. She didn’t want him to see her in this state. She was a mess.
“Faith told me where the spare key is.” He sat on the edge of the bed, placed a paper bag beside her, and drew several items from it. “I have anti-nausea medication that the pharmacist at Te Awa Tui says is safe for pregnant women, or if you’d prefer, a medicinal tea from Bex’s mum. And here we have…snacks.” He showed her a box of plain crackers and a block of her favorite chocolate. Gabby stared at him in shock.
“You… How did you know what I’d want?”
He looked embarrassed. “Faith told me you weren’t feeling well—which, by the way, you should have told me yourself. You said you’d let me know if you needed anything.”
“There’s a difference between needing something and just feeling sorry for myself,” she pointed out.
