For a minute, as I watch the man who has appeared so cold almost all of my life, I see a man filled with worry.
Over me.
Standing, I walk over to him and wrap my arms around his shoulders, whispering in his ear, “I love you, Dad. Thank you for accepting Martin.”
“I love you too, sweetheart. I’m sorry you ever felt like we didn’t. You’re the light in our lives and I only ever wanted what’s best for you.”
Kissing my forehead, he steps back and hands me over to Marty.
“Keep her happy, keep her safe, and we’ll be happy to have you as part of our family, Marty.”
“I will, and thank you. Celeste is my everything and there isn’t a thing I wouldn’t do for her.”
Epilogue One
Celeste
“Ladies and gentlemen, join me in congratulating Wilson High’s class of 2019!”
Tossing my cap in the air, amidst deafening cheers, I waste no time in rushing to Martin’s side in the stands with Mom, Dad, the Inwood’s, and their kids.
“Baby,” Martin murmurs in my ear as he lifts me in the air. The past two months have been brutal. It seems all the crazy people have come out of the woodworks and started a killing spree, because I’ve seen Martin once, maybe twice a week since we spent the day with my parents.
“I did it!” I squeal as he puts me back on my feet.
“So proud of you, sweetheart.” Mom and Dad come over to hug me.
“Never had a doubt.” Grace says as she hugs me tight. “Have you told him yet?” I shake my head no. A couple of weeks ago, I wasn’t feeling well, and Grace made me take a pregnancy test that turned out to be positive. I wanted to keep it secret until after graduation. I didn’t want my parents to worry, and I knew if Martin knew, he’d be insistent that I move in with him immediately.
Last week, after over a month of searching, he and Dad found an apartment close to Columbia and in a good neighborhood. I was worried at first. I didn’t think I could be a mom and still go to school.
Saving Grace came to my rescue, though, and for the past three weeks we’ve been planning my courses and appointments. We’ve looked into childcare at the university and Grace even offered to watch the baby while I was in classes. I told her I’d wait to decide on that until Martin knew.
“Martin, Dad, Mom. I have some news…”
I bite my lip and squeeze Grace’s hand for support as they look at me. The longer I take, the more worried their gazes become.
“I’m pregnant.” My eyes close tightly as I wait on the explosion likely to follow.
“Congratulations, honey!” Mom says, and I open my eyes to see hers are filled with tears. “Now where’s the vodka?”
I laugh because, as much as I love the woman, vodka is her first love.
Dad glares at a shocked Martin.
“Say something, boy!”
He smacks the back of Martin’s head and that seems to pull him out of his surprised state.
“Pregnant?” Martin mutters. I’m not sure how to take his reaction. He talks about a baby all the time. I suppose I thought he’d be excited.
“I didn’t plan for it to happen,” I whisper when he still remains silent. Tears hover on my eyes and my Dad gets angry.
Standing in front of Martin, he grips his shoulders and shakes him a little—okay, a lot—and hard.
“Listen up, Detective, if you don’t give this girl that smile I know you’re holding back and kiss her like you want to annoy me, I’m going to shoot you with your own gun.”
Dad’s threat works.