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I shrugged. “I wouldn’t have had a problem telling Nan. She was always more accepting than you, Mother. Much more open-minded. I’m certain Nan would’ve been overjoyed to be a great-grandmother again.”
My grandmother had passed away several years ago. Leo and I had both considered her our confidante whenever we had a problem. She was also one of the few people who brought me any comfort after Britney passed, despite her already being in poor health at the time.
“I highly doubt your nan would have encouraged such a hasty decision,” Mum countered. “Nor would she have approved of you hiring a complete stranger to carry your child.”
My blood boiled. She could be angry at me, but negativity toward Abby was not acceptable. I needed to stop her before she said anything stupid.
I raised my voice. “Abby is not a stranger anymore, far from it. She and I are very close. And I couldn’t have asked for a better person to carry this child.”
“If you’ll excuse me,” Abby interjected. “I’d like to speak for myself, since I’m sure your mother has many false opinions of me right now.”
A knot formed in my stomach, but I wasn’t going to stop her. Abby had every right to defend herself, to be part of this conversation.
Her eyes fixed firmly on my mother’s. “You don’t know me, and I’m sorry you had to find out about this situation so abruptly. But I’ve known your son for quite some time now, and his decision wasfarfrom hasty. He was tormented by it, and nearly backed out in the beginning. But while he had reservations—strong ones—he made this decision out of love for his wife, to honorherwishes. And out of respect for her parents, who lost their only child. With all due respect toyou, Mrs. Benedictus, you don’t know what it’s like to lose a child. You’re very fortunate.”
The table remained silent. Abby looked between my parents and continued. “And both of you are very lucky to have each other, to not have lost the love of your life so young, as your son did. You can’t tell someone what they should or should not do when you haven’t walked in their shoes. And perhaps you’re thinking I’m some kind of opportunist out for money. Your son thought that at first, and believe me, he’s learned quite a bit from you about mistrust.” Abby gestured to her belly. “But I can assure you that no one in their right mind would put their body—or their heart—through this just for money. I wanted to help. And while that might be a foreign concept to you, it’s the truth.”
My mother remained speechless. I was both relieved and perplexed by that.
I thought Abby had finished, but then she spoke again.
“Your son is an amazing man. He’s been through something no one should ever have to experience, let alone at his age. He’s suffered much of the time in silence these past several years, something you probably didn’t realize since he doesn’t open up to you. Because you never took his marriage seriously to begin with.” She looked my way and smiled slightly. “And as for his treatment of me? He’s been protective, respectful, and has given me everything I could want during this process. I will never forget this experience. It is the most meaningful thing I’ve done with my life. And in the end, I’m going to go back to the States knowing I made a huge difference in several people’s lives. And if I died, I would know I’d left my mark on this world.”
“…back to the States…”That was all I heard.
She went on. “Don’t waste your time picking apart this situation for all of the reasons you think it’s wrong. Spend it giving your son the love he deserves, the love he needs that’s been so desperately missing from his life since his wife’s death.” Abby shrugged. “You’re going to be grandparents whether you like it or not. You already are. Congratulations to you both.”
My stomach churned. Had Abby already made a firm decision that there was zero hope for us? I guess I’d given her no clear reason to assume otherwise. Was this what had been different over these past several weeks? I thought I might burst with the need to be alone with her, to tell her I never wanted her to leave.Ever. I couldn’t have cared less about my mother’s opinions right now. I wanted to kiss Abby for that speech.
To my shock, Abby stood from the table and walked out of the room.
I rushed after her. “What’s going on?”
“I really need to take a drive—alone.”
“But you just got here. I don’t want to be apart from you.”
“I know.” She rubbed my arm. “Spend time with your parents. Talk it out with them. And I’ll be back later.”
“I don’t understand. Where are you going?”
“Felicity’s. I want to meet the baby.”
I reached for my keys. “Let me drive you, then.”
“No. You can’t leave your parents. And I want to drive myself, okay?”
I scratched my head. “Will you…text me when you get there?”
“It’s not that far, Sig. But of course, I can.”
I had to ask. “Are things okay with us, Abby?”
“Yeah. Don’t worry about me right now. Finish the conversation with your parents. Answer their questions. Make things right with your mom.”
That was the last thing she said before she walked out the door.
I stood by the entryway for a minute, analyzing her bizarre exit. Or maybe it wasn’t so bizarre. As I returned to the table, I knew I needed to make something immediately clear. “I won’t accept any badmouthing of her,” I announced. “Do you understand? Abby has been nothing short of an angel through all of this. She deserves your utmost respect, even if you don’t realize it yet.”
