“His wife is not too far behind Tabby.” Cymion yawns beside me and the protector inside me rises up.
“Come on baby. You and the baby need sleep.” It isn’t until I hear the gasps from her mother that I realize what I let slip out.
“Cymion. Are you pregnant as well?” She asks with tears in her eyes.
“Yes, mama. We are having a baby,” she rubs her little tummy as she says it.
“I am so happy for you darling girl, after all you have been through. I can only hope you and your siblings will allow me to be a grandparent to your children.”
“Of course, mama. We all love you.” They embrace and cry for a few seconds before I pull them apart. Even happy tears are too much for me to take coming from the woman I love.
We agree to meet in the morning and head back. I just hope her mother is not playing with her emotions. I can’t promise the lessons I learned to not harm a woman would deter me if she fucks with my wife.
Chapter Ten
Cymion
Back in Bleak we are greeted with a party at UTGARD. Fuck, I am feeling overwhelmed with the fact that EVERYONE I know is here. I am exhausted, and while I appreciate the sentiment coming off a month-long vacation, I just want to get back into my groove. But I also don’t want to be a bitch, so I grin and bear it.
Stacy, my amazing new mother in law, apparently knew about Sven’s grand plan. She pulls me into a hug that I kinda melt into. She is about the nicest woman I’ve ever met. Even her big eighties hair is endearing.
“Thank you for all of this, Mrs. Jorgensen,” I say gesturing.
The decor is exactly what I would have selected if I had actually had a wedding reception. The one I had with Kent was done by Kent’s mother, Wilhelmina. That woman hated me more than I ever thought it was possible to hate someone. Thank the fuck that the bitch is out of my life. My new life has already started.
“Call me Stacy, please. I know this is a little much, but tonight was the only night. Loki and Hank are booked solid with reservations and private parties for the next three weeks,” she explains.
“I totally understand,” I say looking around the room.
“How far along are you?” Stacy asks surprising me.
“How did you know?” I ask.
“Oh, honey. I’ve had seven children. I can see the signs.” I laugh with her.
“Sixteen weeks. We aren’t really telling anyone yet.” I give my little tiny bump a rub.
“My lips are sealed. You know my son has it bad for you, right?”
“I do know that, Stacy,” I say smiling.
“When he told me that he was basically kidnapping you and taking you to Fiji, I tried talking him out of it. But I am glad he got you to marry him,” she says smiling. “And who is this?”
“Oh right. Stacy, this is my mother Fallon Gentry. Mom, this is Sven’s mom, Stacy.”
“Nice to meet you,” Stacy says at the same time my mom says “pleasure.” They shake hands and start talking about all the babies running around Bleak and Moosehead these days. I am barely paying attention when I see Tabby rush up to us. Well, rush as much as she can with that pregnant belly.
“Is it true?” She asks out of breath.
“Calm down, Tabs. Is what true?”
“Sven talked to Loki and Loki told me. Did you really leave that jackass?”
“I really did,” my mom answers loudly.
Prior to this, she would have scolded Tabby for airing our dirty laundry in public. I am amazed at how shedding the clout of my dad has given her a whole new personality. This is the Fallon my aunt Sally told me about. The way she was before my dad broke her spirit. Tabby pulls our mother into a hug and before I know it Payton and Perry are joining in as well. Perry is my father’s brother’s son, but he loves my mom.
“I know I have a lot to apologize and make amends for, but…” I put my hand on her arm. Essentially, she is an emotionally abused woman.
“Mom, you have nothing to apologize for. I am a little older than the girls. I was there. I know how he was. I should have taken you with me when I left.”
“I wouldn’t have come then, Payton. It was something I had to decide for myself.”
“I know mom, but I should have tried.”
“Don’t think about. I’m fine now. Ready to start over. It’s scary, but I can do it,” she says with a shaky smile.
Later in the evening, I am sitting with Sven on the couch in our house. We got mom settled at Erik and Lanie’s old house and came right home.