Chapter 14 #2
“Hey, Mom.” I smile at her. She still lives here in Nashville, so I see her more frequently than Reid sees his parents, who still live in Atlanta. However, Reid seems to think that once they find out about the baby, they’re going to finally make the move to Nashville to be closer.
“Mom, this is Reid, my—” I freeze because what do I call him? My boyfriend? My baby daddy? My one-night stand turned live-in orgasm provider? I’m freaking out and being ridiculous.
“Boyfriend,” Reid finishes, saving me as he leans in to kiss my mom’s cheek. “It’s nice to meet you, Candice. Come on in.” He steps back, allowing Mom to enter.
I link my arm through my mom’s and lead her into the living room.
“Mom, Dad, this is Candice, Bellamy’s mom. Candice, these are my parents, Sam and Paula.”
Our parents exchange pleasantries, and I take a deep breath. Everyone is smiling. Now, just to give them the rest of our news, and then we’re on the home stretch.
“I hope you’re hungry. We ordered from a local diner,” Reid tells everyone. “Bell wanted to cook, but I told her to take a break and just enjoy the time with everyone.”
“Aww,” my mom and Paula both coo.
“Son, we raised you right,” Sam tells him. “Always take care of her, and she’ll take care of you.”
Reid’s eyes find mine, and he winks. We make our plates and settle in the dining room. I was careful to order food that hadn’t yet set off my morning sickness, and thankfully, I’m able to eat and make it through the meal without an episode.
“Who wants dessert?” Reid asks.
“I couldn’t eat another bite,” my mom tells him.
“Why don’t we catch up and then have dessert?” his mom, Paula, suggests.
In the living room, Reid and I take the loveseat, his parents are on the couch, and my mom is in one of the two recliners. Right away, they jump into chatting about everything, from football to Nashville to the weather.
“Son, how’s the team looking this season?” his dad asks.
“Good. We’re ready,” Reid tells him. He glances at me, looking to see if I’m ready, and I give him a subtle nod. Reaching over, he takes my hand, laces our fingers together, and rests our joined hands on my thigh.
“How long have the two of you been seeing each other?” Sam asks.
“A few months,” Reid answers.
“Months?” Paula says. “Reid Montgomery, why are we just now meeting her?” his mom asks, and I can’t help the laugh that escapes me.
“She’s my dream girl, Mom. I wanted to keep her all to myself.”
“Well, tough. We taught you to share,” she says, humor lacing her tone.
“Well, since you’re so big on sharing, I have some news,” Reid says. He pauses, and his mom huffs out a breath.
“Don’t leave her hanging, son,” Sam says.
Paula looks over at my mom. “They live to torture us, don’t they?”
“They do,” Mom agrees with an amused smile, because she and I had this conversation a few days ago.
When we found out Reid’s parents were coming to visit, Reid thought it would be a good idea to tell them all together.
When I called Mom to invite her, that’s when she found out about Reid and that we’ve been living together.
“Bellamy and I are having a baby.” Reid blurts out the news, as if he’s asking if they’re finally ready for their dessert.
Our parents stare at us in shock. It’s Sam who finally speaks. “Congratulations!” he says, his deep voice loud as he stands, and we do, as well. He pulls us into a hug at the same time before Mom and Paula take their turns.
They ask how I’m feeling, when I’m due, and what they can do, if anything. Instant acceptance and support bring tears to my eyes. These damn pregnancy hormones are going to be the death of me.
Reid’s parents leave first, promising to catch up with us more before they leave. They’re here for a few more days before heading back to Atlanta, where the first preseason game for the Rampage happens to be held.
“It was so nice to meet you, Reid,” Mom says, hugging him.
He steps away and kisses my temple. “You too, Candice. I’m going to go start on clean-up,” he says to me before walking away.
“He’s very handsome,” Mom says as we watch him leave.
“He is.”
“He plays football?”
“He does. For Dad.”
She nods. “I never thought I’d see the day, but I’m happy for you, Bellamy. You didn’t let your fears keep you from something special.”
“What if he turns out to be just like Dad?”
“Sweetheart, he won’t. Your father isn’t a bad man. He threw himself into his career, and he got lost. He was so lost that he couldn’t find his way back to us, and we grew apart. He loves you. I know he wasn’t around much, but you pushed him away after the divorce.”
“I know, because I didn’t know how to deal with the anger. I tried to push Reid away, too, but he kept fighting.”
“That’s the difference. Don’t let the past control what you have here. He looks at you as if you’re his entire world, Bellamy.”
“He makes me feel like I am,” I confess.
“Come here.” Mom pulls me into a hug, and I return her embrace.
“I think I’m falling in love with him,” I tell her, before pulling out of our hug.
Her eyes shimmer with tears. “Don’t be afraid to fall. He’s going to catch you.”
“How do you know?”
She grins. “He’s looked over here half a dozen times since he walked away. If I had my guess, I’d say he feels the same. You should discuss it together. Communication is everything.”
“Not yet,” I tell her. “I need more time.”
“There’s no rush. That man of yours isn’t going anywhere.” She hugs me again. “Take care of you and my grandbaby.” Her eyes light up. “I can’t believe I’m going to be a grandma.”
“You still have some time to get used to the idea,” I remind her.
“Call me,” she says, after another quick hug.
Closing the door behind her, I make my way to the kitchen, where Reid has everything cleaned up. “That went well,” I tell him.
“It did. How are you feeling?” he asks, gripping my hips and lifting me to the counter.
“Good. Relieved,” I confess, wrapping my arms around his neck.
“The realtor sent me a few houses for us to look at. How about I grab my laptop, and we can have some of this cheesecake and look through them?”
“You make it hard for a girl to say no,” I say, pecking his lips with a kiss.
“Good,” he says, grinning. He lifts me off the counter and smacks my ass lightly. “Go settle in. I’ll be right there.”
“I can help,” I offer.
“And you can let me take care of you. Off you go.” He moves to swat at my ass again, but this time, I’m ready for him and jump out of the way, laughing as I move to the couch, pull the blanket into my lap, and settle in, just like he asked.