Chapter 15 #2
Jack and I both stand, and it feels a little awkward.
I don’t know what to do, but he shakes my hand and pats me on the back.
I kind of think he doesn’t quite know what to do either.
Charley and her mom pull apart and take their seats, Alice’s gaze coming to me before sliding back over to her daughter.
“When did this happen?” she asks. “I had no idea you two were even an item.” Then she breathes out a chuckle.
“Although, when you told me you were moving in here, I certainly wondered.”
“We’re uh…” Charley spares me a quick glance before she says, “We’re not together, actually.”
Gaze alternating between me and Charley, Alice’s brow furrows. “I don’t understand. What do you mean, you’re not together?”
“Dear, I think it means her and Graham are not in a relationship,” Jack interjects, his tone almost condescending, like his wife’s confusion is silly.
“I heard her, Jack,” she snaps back. “I just don’t understand how she’s pregnant and they’re not together.”
“Contrary to popular belief, you don’t actually have to be married to get pregnant, Alice,” he mutters.
“Don’t you patronize me! I know that. I would just like to know why he”—she points at me—“has no problem knocking our daughter up, but doesn’t think highly enough of her to at least be in a relationship with her!”
“Whoa, uh…” I hold up my hands, but before I can sputter another word out, Charley cuts me off.
“Knock it off, Mom,” she grits out. “I’m the one who insisted we raise this baby platonically, not Graham, so just stop.”
Alice scoffs, turning her focus on Charley. “But honey, I don’t understand. Why would you want to do that?”
Heaving a sigh, Charley says, “Mom, I mean this in the nicest and most respectful way possible, but that really isn’t your business. Mine and Graham’s relationship status has nothing to do with this news. It won’t affect us being parents, nor will it bring this baby any less love.”
“Well, I, for one, am very excited for you,” Jack chimes in. “And I’m thrilled you’re making me a grandpa.”
“Thanks, Dad,” Charley murmurs, her voice cracking.
“Of course, I’m happy about becoming a grandma too,” Alice states. “I just…don’t understand.”
“Actually, Alice,” I say as all eyes turn toward me.
“You don’t have to fully understand someone’s decision in order to be supportive and happy for them, and I think Charley would really appreciate her mother being supportive of her decision.
” I keep my tone as light as possible. The last thing I want to do is piss Charley off for the way I spoke to her mom, but I also don’t appreciate the way she’s speaking to her daughter.
Charley was nervous enough as it is, and she doesn’t need this.
“No matter how unconventional our situation is, your daughter and I are excited. We both want this baby very much.”
I can feel Charley’s eyes on me, but I don’t look at her. My focus is on Alice and that flabbergasted expression she’s wearing as she stares at me, her mouth agape.
“Well, alright then,” she finally mutters. “I’m happy for you two.” Shifting her gaze toward Charley, she asks, “How far along are you?”
“A little over twelve weeks,” she says softly. “We had an ultrasound last week and heard the heartbeat for the first time.”
I’m still reeling over that appointment. Having missed that with Ellie Mae, it was such an incredible feeling, hearing that strong, steady heartbeat. And experiencing that with Charley. I don’t think she’ll ever understand how much it meant to me that she asked me to be there.
“Oh, well, that’s nice, honey. How exciting.” Alice smiles. “What about the EMT stuff? Will that be put on hold?”
Charley’s jaw is tight as she breathes through her nose.
“No, it’s not on hold,” she explains. “Next month, I’ll be taking the National Registry of EMT exam, and about a month after that, I’ve got a psychomotor exam scheduled.
Those are the final things I need to pass before I can apply for the EMT certification. ”
“I’m so proud of you, Char,” Jack says, his smile so wide, it wrinkles the skin around his eyes. “I think it’s incredible what you’re doing, and I have no doubt you’ll do great on both of those exams.”
“I’m very proud of you too, honey,” Alice adds. “I just worry about you. Pregnancy can be very hard on the body, and there’s nothing wrong with taking a step back if it becomes too much.” She holds up her hands. “Not saying it will, and I, too, think you’ll do fantastic on your exams.”
“Thanks, Mom,” Charley mutters, clearly not wanting to argue with her mom.
Standing, I clap my hands together. “Well, dinner will be ready any minute. I’m going to check on it, and then, what can I get y’all to drink?”
“I’ll just have water,” Charley says before her parents give me their requests too.
The rest of the evening goes without issue, and by the end of the night, Alice even seems more excited about the news. Once her parents leave, Charley locks the deadbolt, then rests her back against the door, letting out a deep sigh, her eyes finding mine.
“Well, now they know,” she murmurs. “And it could’ve been worse, I guess.”
“Come here,” I drawl, closing the distance between us. Her body crashes into mine, arms wrapping around my middle as mine circle her shoulders. “I’m proud of you, Charley. I know how nervous you were, but you did it.”
She peers up at me, her chin resting on my chest. “Thank you for saying what you did to my mom earlier.”
“You don’t have to thank me,” I say. “We’re in this together.”
With our proximity, I see the way her eyes darken a little, and the way they drop to my lips briefly.
It’s so quick, I probably would’ve missed it had we not been so close.
My heart kicks up speed. It would be so easy to dip my head down and kiss her and, fuck, do I want to.
I think she may even want me to as well.
But then the rules come back to me, and I know I can’t.
Anything that happens between us needs to come from her.
I may not agree with her rules, but I will always respect them.
But if she ever makes the first move, ever indicates she wants something more from me, it’s on.
I will kiss her until we’re out of breath, worship her body from sunup to sundown, and still want more.
That time will come, I’m sure of it. But it has to be on Charley’s terms. It has to come from her. And as she sighs and drops her arms, taking a step back, I know that time isn’t going to be tonight. That’s okay, though. I’m a patient man.