They looked at each other before turning to the older woman. “Mom, what are you talking about?” Tanner questioned.
“You both always tried to hide it, but I could see the look in your eyes when you were in the same room. Even as a young child, the only thing that mattered to you, was having Chantell around. When you were sick, she was the only one who could get you to take your medicine. When you broke your collarbone playing football in the ninth grade, you were a horrible, horrible child. Until Chantell walked into the room. You sought each other out every single time, even when you weren’t supposed to care.”
“You noticed all that?” Tanner didn’t sound shocked. On the contrary, he sounded pleased. “I thought I was a pretty good actor.”
“Oh, you were. But I’m your mother. We notice the things you think you’re hiding from us,” she looked over at Chantell. “Even when our children try to hide things from us, we know what’s going on. You’d be good to remember that Chantell when we walk in the other room. Let’s just say your mother has been waiting for this day as well.”
Chantell watched as Mrs. Scott’s eyes glanced down to her stomach, a small smile hovering on her lips. At that moment, Chantell’s heart fell. With that one glance, she knew the cat was out of the bag. Not only did Tanner’s mother know, but she had an inkling her own mother was also in on the secret.Well, damn.
“Before we go in there, I want you both to know that I support you.” Grabbing Tanner’s hand with her own, she looked up at her only son. “Your father… his ways are not my own and his reasons for being the way he is,” she paused, “well his reasons are difficult to explain and it’s not my story to tell. But he is my husband and I love him. Honestly, I don’t know if he’ll ever admit to you why he’s so dead set against a relationship between the two of you. You may not believe it Chantell, but he cares for you deeply, even in his ignorance.”
Chantell chose not to respond to her words because she wasn’t so sure they were true. She was his wife. Of course, she would believe the best of him. Instead of speaking, she nodded. Acknowledging the words but choosing to hold her tongue.
“All right, mom. We need to get this handled.” Kissing his mom on the cheek, he turned back to Chantell. The look in his eyes was soft, letting her know without words that he was with her. This moment had been a long time coming. Years, in fact.
Following his mother into the sitting room, she greeted her parents first. “Hi, Dad. Mom.” Walking over to them, she gave her dad a hug first, then her mom. The look on her mom’s face told her everything she needed to know. “Thank you, mom.”
“Honey, I’ve always been here for you. My support has never wavered, even when I wanted you to take another path. I’ve only ever wanted you to find your own voice. To demand what you wanted. What you needed out of life.” Looking into eyes so much like her own, she smiled. “Seems like you’re ready to do just that.”
“I am, mom. Both of us are.” Tanner was standing over with his father after taking a moment to greet her dad. Stepping away, she looked around the room. “I’m starving,” she said with a laugh.
“Okay, Son. You have us all here in one room. What’s this all about?” Bertrand Scott’s loud voice called out into the room. “Your mother hasn’t fed me all day and I’m starving. She said I had to wait until you and Chantell stopped by. Although, I don’t know why it needs both of you,” he grumbled.
“Would you like a drink, dear?” Tanner’s mother called out. Not waiting for him to respond, she walked to the bar and poured him some scotch.
Chantell noticed Tanner waited until his father took a sip and then smiled. If she didn’t know him better, she’d think he was taking joy in this situation. He knew his father was going to flip out and didn’t seem to care one bit. Coming to stand next to Chantell, he grabbed her around the waist and pulled her in front of him. The room went silent as both sets of parents held their breath. The mothers were vibrating with excitement. The father’s, well, they were having a very different reaction.
“What the fuck is going on?” Bertrand bellowed.
“Chantell. You’d better start explaining,” her father hissed.
A finger under chin tilted her face up to his. His whispered words were for her early only. “Mine. Until my dying breath.”
Nodding, she responded in kind, “And I would fight heaven and hell to keep you by my side.”
Leaning down, he kissed her softly before letting her go. “Chantell and I are getting married,” he announced without preamble.
“Over my dead body,” her father yelled, stepping forward. “You’ve been sneaking around with my baby girl and I’m not having it.”
“You’re a goddamned fool,” his father said with a laugh, tilting his head and drinking the rest of his scotch in one gulp. “You’ll lose every dime of your inheritance. I told you not to fall in love with this girl.”
“We felt you needed to know before we announced our engagement, subsequent marriage, and that we’re having a baby.”
Coughing and blustering could be heard from both men. Their wives stood next to each other, holding hands, and smiling at the young couple.
“What will people say? Our reputation in this town will be ruined. You can’t marry her. No, Tanner. I forbid it.” Bertrand Scott looked like a man who’d been defeated by his greatest enemy. His voice was ragged, and his eyes filled with something akin to fear.
Tanner spoke, “You don’t have a choice. I am not a child anymore. You can’t forbid me to do a damn thing.”
Eleven
Chantell
At the same time, her father turned to his old friend, his hands balled into fists. “And why the hell can’t he marry her? He’s lucky to have my daughter. She could have any man she wanted, black or white, rich, or poor. We’ve been friends for a long time Bertrand, but you’d better tell me what the hell you meant by that last remark before I knock your teeth in.”
Oh damn. This was escalating quickly. Her lips trembled in laughter as both men squared off. Considering how old they were, she was worried one of them would break a hip. “Dad, calm down.”
“Yeah, Walter. Stop all that foolish talk. You’re too old to be fighting and you know it.” Her mom scolded her father, rolling her eyes at the man she’d been married to for thirty years.