Mom just chuckled. “Oh, I don’t mind it. It’s so nostalgic having a baby in the house, reminds me of when you were born. You were such a handful when you were young, you know? Trent is an angel in comparison.”
“Why do you want to make me feel bad?” I grumbled.
I went to sit next to her so I could take Danny from her. He made some gurgling sounds and squirmed a little as I took him, and I smiled down at him.
Mom sighed, watching me. “You’re a total natural with him, you know? I had some trouble getting into it. I really wanted you, and I was willing to put in the work, but your dad and I were also struggling for money, so I could only take leave from work for so long, and it took months before you would stop crying so much at night.”
I grew guilty as she continued to talk, even though it was about a time that I could never remember. Trent was nothing like that. Though he also woke me up at night, I knew it wasn’t because he didn’t want to. Besides, I could afford to laze around for a bit.
“I know I’m taking advantage of you guys a lot by still living here when I have my kid, but I promise it won't be for forever.”
Mom rolled her eyes. “You know you don’t need to move, honey. Keep saving up for school, and when the time comes, go and ace your exams, and come back and show it to us proudly. Your father and I don’t want any more from you. He is our grandson, after all.”
“That won't happen for a long time,” I reassured. “I don’t want to move to a different apartment to look for a nanny to take care of him. He’s yours any time you want him.”
She arched an eyebrow. “For a long time, huh? But you’ve been going out a lot recently, and you’ve been looking a lot happier, too. You haven’t said anything, but I’m not so foolish that I can't see why.”
Mom had a teasing smile on her face. It was apparent she had figured out I saw Joshua again. If it had been some other guy, I wouldn’t have kept it from them. I wondered if Dad knew, too, but the fact that they weren’t prying meant they were willing to trust me on this, and it made me happy.
“I’m trying not to get my hopes up,” I said with a sigh. “And you shouldn’t, either.”
What she said was right, though. Ever since the date, and that night I spent over at Joshua’ apartment, it had happened a lot more times. I couldn’t tell if I was happier since I was pretty happy before, but it was nice to feel the way
I used to when I was with Joshua. It was nostalgic, and yet not because our relationship now was a little different.
We were getting on so well, but I didn’t know if we were to the level we used to be just yet, so I was still hesitating. We didn’t have a date today or anything, but I wanted to see him.
“You know I’m going to love you guys no matter what, right?”
“It’s not like we’re worried you’ll run away and forget about us,” she said, laughing. “You’re still young! You should live and love and have fun! Not spend all your time at home. Besides, you were always good with your priorities, so we didn’t worry a lot about you growing up. You’ll do just fine. I’ll leave you alone so you can feed him, okay?”
“Thanks, Mom,” I said with a grateful smile.
Nursing Danny was still pretty awkward to me, and it wasn’t something I liked doing in front of an audience, even if it was my mom. Dad was probably off to work already, so I wouldn’t have to worry about him.
I made myself comfortable, then eased the strap of my dress off my shoulder. I adjusted Danny, and the blanket around him, then held him close as he fed, humming under my breath.
As I watched him, my thoughts were on Joshua.
Maybe… I really should tell him? Was it a mistake to keep it from him for this long?
“Would you like to meet Daddy, a baby?” I whispered.
Trent didn’t even open his eyes. I poked his cheek, and he just made an annoyed sound and continued.
I was starting to think that it was time, though. It had already been more than a month since I met Joshua again. In that time, I hadn't seen, or heard of, either his mom or Rachel, and we’d had a good time every time we were together.
He deserved to know that Trent existed, so maybe it was time to tell him that I gave birth to his son.
“Are you done, honey?”
I looked over my shoulder at Mom, who was peering at me from around the wall in the kitchen.
“I’m done. You can come back, now.”
She smiled and walked over to sit back beside me as I held Danny to my shoulder to burp him. She’d brought a glass of juice with her, and set it on the table for me.
“So when are you leaving?” she asked.