Dad sent Maddox a look that would have sent many people running.
“It’s our peace offering for the hurt pride of the Traditionalists.”
“I don’t want to discuss this anymore.” But one thing was sure, I didn’t want to share any piece of my first night with Greta with anyone.
Greta buzzed with excitement when we drove to the Trevisan dog shelter. “You’re more eager than before you met my family.”
Greta looked shocked. “That’s not true. I was too anxious to be excited before I met your family, but animals always like me, so this will be easier. And if Maximus and his family love animals as much as I do, then I’ll get along with them too.”
“I doubt there are many people who don’t like you.”
Greta remained silent, her gaze distant. I could tell that her mood had changed and I wondered what had caused it.
“My mother offered to carry our baby.”
I almost swerved off the road. I hit the brakes and pulled the car to a stop on the shoulder of the road. I turned to Greta, not sure if I’d heard her right. “What?”
“Mom would carry the baby in her womb if we used IVF to fertilize my eggs with your sperm.”
I shook my head. I didn’t want to think about anyone’s womb, and the rest hardly made sense too.
Greta took my hand and explained everything again, even slower, as if I were a small child. When she was done, I was completely stunned. “That’s possible?”
“Yeah.”
“Would you want to do it?”
I couldn’t deny it. The prospect of Greta and me having a child one day made me deliriously happy. Yet, I didn’t want to push Greta toward something she wasn’t comfortable with. Her expression was difficult to read. “What about you?”
One corner of her mouth tilted up. “Answering a question with a question in turn…But I started it, so I guess it’s only fair.”
I’d promised myself I would be honest with Greta. My first marriage had been full of lies and deceit, I didn’t want this with Greta. “I want to do it, yes.”
Greta blew out a breath and gave me a small smile. “Me too. Not now, but in a few years.”
I leaned over, cupped her head and pulled her in for a kiss.
When we pulled up in front of the Trevisan’ house, Maximus was already waiting in front of it. He and Sara lived in an apartment in the city close to her parents and siblings, but Maximus came here often. His hands in his pockets, I could see the tension in his body when I got out of the car. I wasn’t sure if it was because of Greta and their families’ history or because things with Sara were still difficult.
He strode over to us while I lifted Greta out of my G-Class. I didn’t want her to jump out yet. Her knee still needed time to heal.
Maximus patted my back then he gave Greta a cautious smile and righted the cap he was wearing as if he needed to occupy his hands.
Her answering smile was without reservations. “It’s so nice to finally meet you. Amo’s told me so much about you so it’s great to finally see you in real life.”
Some of the tension leaked from Maximus. “Sadly, Amo has been very close-lipped about you for a long time so you were the mystery woman.”
Greta laughed. “It was complicated.”
“That’s one way to put it,” I said.
Greta’s entire face lit up when she turned her attention to the closest enclosure where several dogs were begging for attention. She gave Maximus’ a hopeful expression. “Can I go over to them?”
He shrugged and motioned her to go ahead. “These are the socialized ones, so you can even pat them if they don’t shy back. The dogs in the kennels farther down are unpredictable though.”
Greta nodded and slowly walked over to the fence. She still couldn’t bend her knee fully so she was limping.
Maximus stepped up beside me and squeezed my shoulder. “I never quite got it but seeing how you look at her now, I get why you went through all the trouble.”