My boyfriend interrupts.
“That’s for me to worry about,” Gary says in a stern voice before stroking my hand with his thumb. “Things are out of control, and I have to do something about it before his behavior gets even worse. I can’t have him causing you, or anyone else for that matter, so much distress. I’ll figure out how to get him there one way or another. Brian needs help and it’s my job as a parent to make sure he gets it.”
“What about his mom though? Does she agree?”
“Cynthia and I have been divorced for ten years, but if anything, Cynthia’s even more in favor of this plan than me. I think she’s always been more attuned to our son, and very aware of his problems. It’s me who was the issue. I was in denial, but I’m not anymore,” he says in a strong voice. “This is going to happen.”
I throw my arms around his broad shoulders then, desperate to provide solace.
“Things will be okay, my love,” I whisper. “You’re doing the right thing.”
His blue eyes flare as he regards me.
“I hope so. I’m going to call the center in just a little while, and hopefully, they’ll be able to admit Brian sooner rather than later. But that’s enough about my son, Patty. Right now, I just want to know that my girl’s okay.”
My heart flutters and a small smile forms on my face. “I’m fine, Gary. You don’t need to worry about me—”
But my boyfriend’s still concerned.
“Are you really?” he questions. “I know what happened was insanely bizarre, and I don’t mean to drop my son’s problems on you, sweetheart. You’re young, and you shouldn’t have to deal with these kinds of things.”
I shake my head.
“It isn’t your fault,” I murmur while looking deep into his eyes. “And besides, your problems are mine. I want to support you through this trying time.”
For the first time today, Gary lets out a deep exhale and seems to relax a bit. He rests his forehead against mine and speaks.
“I’m so grateful to you, honey, and I love you so much. You can’t imagine how much it means to hear that, and I’m just hoping that despite everything, we can continue to see each other. I don’t want our relationship to be ruined because of what’s happened. I love you, baby—no, I adore you. More than anything in the world, and I want to keep you by my side if you’ll let me.”
My eyes flutter shut as I take in a deep breath and then let out a shaky sigh along with a smile.
“Gary, it’s okay. Nothing that’s happened is your fault, and I’m glad you’re a good parent because it means that you’ll be a good daddy to our baby too.”
I can hear the moment my boyfriend stops breathing. His eyes widen and his lips move a few times, but no words come out. My heart races as I wait for him to say something, and for a heart-stopping second, I wonder whether I should have told him about the child. After all, maybe tonight wasn’t the best night to reveal such big news to him. It’s already been an incredibly trying time, and now this.
“Gary—” I begin in a hesitant tone. But he cuts me off.
“A baby?” he whispers. “As in, my baby? Our baby? You’re having a baby, sweetheart?” he stumbles with tears in his eyes and a great big smile.
I let out a breathy laugh as I nod.
“Yes,” I laugh, wiping a tear away quickly. “I’m having your baby. You’re going to be a daddy again!”
The handsome man lets out a whoop of joy as his entire face lights up. I’ve never seen him look so ecstatic before, and soon happy tears fill his eyes as he shakes his head in disbelief, huffing out a laugh.
“Patty, I—” He cuts himself off, swallowing thickly. “I’ve wanted another child for so long now, literally decades, but I didn’t think it would actually happen. When I divorced, I thought my opportunity has passed, but it seems that miracles do occur. Thank you, sweetheart,” he whispers fervently while pulling me into a deep kiss. “I appreciate you. This is the best gift a woman can give a man.”
“I’m so glad you’re happy about this,” I whisper back, smiling through my own tears. “I was worried for a while about how you’d react, but now I see that I was worried for no reason.”
He nods fervently.
“You were,” he grins. “Because I’m over the moon with joy about having a child with you, sweetheart. I want you. I want this baby. I want us to be a family together,” he says in a low tone. “You’ve made me so happy, Patty.”
My heart flip flops as I stare into his eyes.
“And I love you too, Gary,” I smile. “More than anything because you make me happy as well.”