“Says the one who keeps biting her lip.”
“Okay, so I’m a little nervous. I am about to tell my parents I’m having a baby out of wedlock. What’s your excuse?”
“Hey, who do you think put the bundle in there in the first place?”
“Okay. Let’s try and calm down. You’ll be happy to know that my father isn’t a violent man,” I smiled.
The doorbell rang.
“This is it,” I said. “Button down the hatches, boys.”
“I’ll get it.”
“Thanks, Babe.”
I heard the happy greetings from where I was in the kitchen, faffing with the oven temperature. Mom was a great fan of warm croissants, and Dad would give his eye teeth for a good breakfast bap. I made sure to have all their favorites on hand.
“Hey, Princess,” Dad said when he saw me.
“Hi, Dad.”
“Ooh, it smells heavenly in here. Do I detect the aroma of warm croissants?” Mom asked and kissed me.
“Nice and toastier, just the way you like them, Ma,” I smiled.
“Is that a bap?” Dad asked and pointed to the counter where I’d laid out the food.
“Yup.”
“Okay, what’s going on? Who’s in trouble?” Mom chuckled in a jocular fashion.
If only she knew.
“Please, have a seat,” Max jumped in. “Coffee, Ian? Claire?”
“Thanks,” they both said, and sat down at the table.
“The new driveway looks good, Max,” Dad said.
“Yeah, the new contractor is a find, for sure. The other guy seems to have vanished into thin air.”
“Typical! Bloody contractors. They’re a dime a dozen out here in LA. It’s almost impossible to find an honest one.”
I watched as Dad and Max shot the breeze about contractors. It was crazy, but their interaction over something as every day as home improvement catapulted me into the realm of domestic bliss. I was with the most wonderful man whom my parents adored, and he and I were having a baby together. Could I be any happier?
“Are you okay, Hon?” Mom asked me while the men were chatting.
“Yes. Fine. Why?”
“I know that look. Why are you chewing on your lip?”
Damn it. Mothers were like hawks. My kid had no chance of getting away with anything.
“Let’s eat. I’m starving,” I smiled.
“Okay, when you’re ready.”
“The food is ready, boys. Please, come help yourselves.”