Chapter 35
Shannon
I’ve never been so relieved to see my daughter in all my life. I inhale her as I wrap my arms around her tiny body, swaying gently as she giggles in my arms…right before her eyes land on the man behind me and she reaches for him like always.
It might’ve hurt my feelings, but I think she knows Hudson needs the reassurance.
Standing on my parents’ doorstep can’t be comfortable for him.
Even as an adult, facing my parents with the undeniable truth of I slept with this man while I was married to someone else, flowing between us is a little awkward.
Serafina happily stares at Hudson, planting her little fingers on his chin, as we move inside and I do introductions.
“Mom, Dad, this is Hudson Goddorah. Hud, my parents. Hank and Barbara Staudemeyer.”
“Goddorah?” my dad says. “Like that thing from Godzilla?”
My eyes flash to Hudson, waiting to see if he answers my father with the same quip about heads that he gave me.
Rolling his lips inward to hide his smile, Hudson nods. “Yes, sir. Pronounced the same at least.”
Just then, my mother, who can apparently bite her tongue for years if she wants to—but decides that now is not one of those times—adds, “You packing a third head we don’t know about?”
My father jerks his own head back to look at my mother with a puzzled expression on his face. “A third? Where’s the second?”
Hudson and I both burst out in laughter as my mom pats my dad’s shoulder. “Don’t you worry about it.”
My dad grunts. He knows he missed something, but also knows he probably doesn’t want to be clued in. Barbara Staudemeyer isn’t known for her conservative sense of humor.
“Well, Hudson, it’s a pleasure to meet you,” my mom says, diplomatically. “You two have a quite a shitstorm headed your way.”
“Thanks, Mom,” I deadpan.
“Well, you didn’t let me finish. I was going to say that you two are always welcome here. Shan, your father and I have talked and we’re happy to help however you need it, whether that means I’m opening Nanny’s daycare five days a week or you need something else, you just let us know.”
I hug my mom since Hud still has Serafina.
“Thanks, Mom,” I say, much more sincerely this time.
Turning her attention to Hudson, she gives him a once-over, her eyes briefly resting on where Serafina is playing with the silver chain he’s always wearing.
“Seems my granddaughter is smitten, so that tells me all I need to know about you.” Then she turns her head to me and holds her hand up to block her mouth from view. Too bad she doesn’t lower her voice.
“Hot damn, Shan. Talk about an upgrade.”
“Mooooom. Ohmygod, Hudson, I’m so sorry,” I lament, covering my face with my hands. But like always, Hudson is easy going and exactly where he’s supposed to be.
“Don’t listen to her,” he whispers to my mom. “I like knowing my efforts at the gym aren’t going unnoticed.”
“Don’t encourage her, son,” my dad says, making me laugh before I take a second to realize, in the all the time we were together, my dad never once referred to Gregor by that title.
Probably because Gregor always looked down on my father for being a plumber and never once addressed him as sir. Looking back now, I don’t think my dad was ever comfortable around Greg at all.
As I’m about to usher Hudson out the door, an idea hits me. It’s small and hopefully won’t be necessary, but I ask it anyway.
“Mom, you remember when I called last night, I told you that Greg has threatened Hud’s job?
” My mom nods. “Well, he threatened his sister’s job too.
She has two kids, ages three and four. Is there any chance you and dad would be willing to maybe watch all three kids if it came down to it?
Just temporarily, until we get everything figured out?
Hudson’s parents aren’t local so Hudson and Monica only really have each other.
You guys could keep them at my new apartment if you don’t wan—”
“Say no more, Shan. Of course, we’ll watch them,” my mom says, interrupting me mid-sentence.
“Thank you.” The relief over having childcare in place is huge. Monica may not love it, but I’m working hard to find solutions.
When we say goodbye to my parents, my mom pulls me in for one more hug and whispers in my ear, “The way you look at him…there were never hearts in your eyes like that for Gregor.”
Sometimes simple observations have the ability to free us the most.
My mom lets us take Serafina’s car seat from her car and get it set up in Hud’s truck since mine is still in Gregor’s minivan on the side of the highway and as soon as we’re backing out of the driveway, Hudson makes a call.
The ring through the Bluetooth speakers is abruptly cut off by a male voice.
“Hey, Hud. Any news?”
“Hey, Jake, you’re on speaker. Shannon and her daughter are in the truck with me. Any chance you and Dyl are free for dinner tonight at my place? I’d like to get everyone caught up to speed at the same time.”
“Yeah, sure, man. Hi, Shannon, heard a lot about you,” the disembodied voice says.
“Same,” I reply before he starts speaking to Hudson again.
“I think Knox is on at the fire station tonight though. You know he’s been picking up more shifts recently.”
“Yeah. I’m worried about him,” Hudson answers. “It’s like he’s trying to work himself to death. But, this won’t impact him or Phoe quite as much, so it’s okay if he can’t make it.”
“We’ll be there. What time?”
“Four. There’s a lot to discuss. And is there any chance I could borrow the Range Rover for a week or so? I’ll explain when I see you tonight.” My eyes snap to Hudson’s. Who is this friend that just has an extra eighty-thousand-dollar car lying around?
“No problem. Dyl just changed the oil in it a couple days ago.”
“Awesome. See you tonight.”
When they hang up, Hudson repeats similar calls with his sister and another guy named Phoenix who refers to me as Pink Aviator Hotness even though Hudson told him I can hear him.
“Please don’t tell him you think he’s hot even though you will think he’s hot. And may the Lord be with us if he and your mother are ever in the same room.”
I laugh, reaching into my purse for my ChapStick when my fingers brush my cell phone. My real cell phone. Pulling it out, I ask, “Do you think I should turn it on?”
Hudson nods. “Yes, and I think you should call me and text me from that number from now on since we don’t have to hide anymore. We’ll dispose of our prepaid phones tonight, before they can be subpoenaed. We’ll move your number to your own phone plan tomorrow.”
So many details in everyday life I just haven’t sorted through yet.