I nod.
“Sure honey. I get it, but is there a particular reason why? Are kids still whispering about you?”
She nods.
“A little, but that’s not the main reason. The main reason is because well, I’ve been feeling a little nauseous lately, so I took a test a week ago, and Brody - I’m pregnant with your baby!”
I go still with shock as my heart races.
“Are you serious?” I ask in a low voice. “But we always use protection.”
“I know,” she smiles gently. “But you know that there’s no contraception that’s a hundred percent perfect, and besides, there were a few times when we went raw. So yes, I’m expecting your baby now, Mr. Tremont. You’re going to be a daddy.”
With that, I pull her in for a heartfelt embrace as tears come to my eyes.
“Thank you, baby,” I whisper into those brown curls. “I’ve wanted to be a father for so long, and you know all about how my first marriage failed. But now, I’m getting another chance.”
She nods.
“We’ll have to tell Jeannie together,” the curvy girl says in a soft voice. “I think my mom’s going to be really excited for a grandchild, even though the baby will also technically be her ex-husband’s child.”
I nod.
“Our family tree will be a little complicated, but it’s fine,” I state in a shaky voice. “A child is a blessing, and I’m grateful to be with you, sweetheart.”
With that, I claim Cleo’s mouth in a deep kiss as her arms wrap around my shoulders because this is right. Maybe this woman was my stepdaughter once upon a time, but that marriage fell apart over a decade ago. Then, we re-connected under different circumstances, and everything shifted. I put my baby in the beautiful brunette’s belly, and it’s the best thing I’ve ever done because with Cleo at my side, everything will work out just fine.
EPILOGUE
CLEO
“The crib is the last thing that we have to put together,” I smile as I show my mom around the nursery. “It’ll go right in the corner over there, beneath the window. Aside from that, though, this room is finished.”
Jeannie purses her lips.
“Honey, I hate to be a meddling mom, but beneath the window probably isn’t a great idea. You have no curtains right now, and the baby can’t handle that much sunlight. Maybe over here, in this dark corner?”
I smile with exasperation.
“But I’m going to get curtains!”
Jeannie holds up her hands to show she’s giving in.
“Okay, okay, it’s fine. I just wanted to offer my opinion as a doting grandma-to-be.”
I smile as tears spring to my eyes because I’m so glad Jeannie’s here with me. After the shitstorm (literally) at the basketball game, I leaned on my mom for support. Jeannie’s been through a lot in her life, and she was happy to hear that not only did I get my revenge, but that Brody and I are committed now. She was even happier to hear that I was moving in with him and expecting a child too.
“Come on, let’s head back to the living room,” Mom laughs as she tugs me out of the nursery. “You can finish eating the rest of the brownies that I brought.”
I merely nod.
“I’ve been so hungry recently that it’s incredible. I’m going to finish that pan within a day.”
Jeannie merely pats my hand as we sit down on the couch.
“You’re just like me, sweetheart. When I was pregnant with you, I was eating two whole pizzas per day, by myself too. You couldn’t have stopped me if you tried.”
I giggle while popping a bite of brownie in my mouth.