Chapter Twenty-One – Caden
Caden
I lifted my head at the sound of a knock and smiled when I saw Levi, my best friend, now brother-in-law, standing at the door to my ranch office. “What are you doing here?” I asked, as I made my way around the desk.
We shook hands, and Levi grinned at me like he was on cloud nine.
“Dude, can you wipe the smile off your face? It’s creepy.”
He laughed, took off his cowboy hat, and followed me into the office. I sat back at my desk, and he took one of the chairs on the other side.
Levi was practically bouncing in the seat. “I’m not supposed to say anything, but I can’t keep it a secret.”
“Did you already hear back from the courts about the adoption?” I guessed.
“Oh! Yeah, we did. Since there are no other living relatives, they don’t think it will take as long as it typically does. We’re hoping to have the kids legally adopted by the end of the year.”
“The end of the year? Wow.”
“But hopefully a lot sooner. Tim, our lawyer, thinks it’ll actually be six months, tops.”
“That’s not too bad. I take it that’s not what you’re wanting to tell me, though.”
He smiled. “Nope. Emeline is pregnant!”
I blinked a few times before leaning back in my chair. “Wow. I mean, congratulations!”
We both stood, and I made my way to him, giving him a quick hug and slap on the back. “When’s she due?”
“August thirtieth.”
I couldn’t help the smirk that took over my face. “She’s nine weeks pregnant?”
His brows shot up. “How the hell did you know that? I can’t figure out these dates to save my life.”
Sitting on the edge of my desk, I said, “Because Lilibeth is pregnant…and due August twenty-third. She’s ten weeks pregnant. Both of our parents, Gatlin, and Ensley all know. We were going to tell you guys and the rest of the family tonight at dinner.”
Levi slowly sat down in the chair again. A stunned expression on his face. “It’s your baby?”
“It is.”
“When did you find out?”
“A couple of weeks ago.”
“And you’re okay? You don’t seem upset by it.”
I frowned. “How can I be upset about a baby, Levi?”
He shrugged. “It’s just…I know you’ve always wanted to have a family, and…” Giving me a look, he asked, “Are you and Lilibeth…together? As in, a couple?”
“No. And I know this isn’t how I pictured starting a family, but this is how it happened. Lilibeth has agreed to move in with me, and we’ll co-parent.”
Levi leaned forward. “She’s moving in with you, but you’re not together. Do you think that’s a good idea, Caden?”
Irritated now, I asked, “Why wouldn’t it be?”
He rubbed the back of his neck and sighed.
“Listen, you’re my best friend, so I’m going to speak frankly.
You like her, Caden. You’ve also said you don’t see yourself ever getting into another relationship, but anyone with eyes can see that you like her.
And I’m pretty doggone sure she likes you.
You don’t see this as a problem, trying to live together platonically? ”
“I don’t. Lilibeth and I both know where things stand between us…for now, anyway.”
Now he looked confused. Which matched how I felt. “Wait, so you’re saying you could maybe see yourself with Lilibeth?”
I shrugged one shoulder. “I don’t know. I don’t want to be afraid of a relationship, but I also have to be honest with myself. I’m not ready to open my heart again. Maybe things will be different once the baby comes.”
Levi stood, shaking his head. “Speaking from experience…don’t wait too long, Caden. Someone like Lilibeth certainly won’t wait around forever.”
“You think Lilibeth is going to start dating while she’s pregnant?” I asked, with a forced laugh.
“I’m saying it doesn’t matter if she’s pregnant or not. If she doesn’t think she has a future with you other than co-parenting, she isn’t going to stop looking for love.”
I shook my head this time, but I wasn’t sure if I was disagreeing with my best friend or simply burying my head in the sand.
Suddenly, Emeline appeared in the doorway.
“Hey, sis,” I said, making my way over and giving her a big hug.
She looked at me, then at Levi. When she narrowed her eyes at him, he held up his hands. “I had to tell someone!”
“I knew you weren’t going to be able to keep this a secret! I knew it!”
Laughing, Levi pulled her to him. “Caden has news, too.”
She looked back at me, intrigued. “Really? What’s your news?”
I exchanged a quick look with Levi before I focused on my sister. “We were going to tell you tonight.”
“We?” she asked, one brow raised.
“Lilibeth is joining us for dinner. She’s pregnant and due the twenty-third.”
Emeline’s mouth dropped open. Then a huge smile appeared on her face. “Lilibeth is pregnant? Wow! That must have been some seriously stormy days you guys spent together!”
Levi laughed, as I attempted not to smile.
“We nearly got pregnant on the same day!” Emeline said. “Does anyone else know?”
I screwed up my face as I said, “Mom, Dad, Lilibeth’s parents…”
My voice trailed off. Emeline put her hands on her hips as Levi took a step back and muttered, “Oh no.”
“I feel like there are more people on that list.”
Rolling my eyes, I said, “Gatlin and Ensley know.”
Her mouth fell open again. “I’m the last one to know?”
“No!” I said quickly. “Granddad and Grandma don’t know, and neither do our uncles.”
Emeline shot me a dirty look. “Oh, that makes me feel so much better.”
“Ensley just guessed, when she and Gatlin stopped by unannounced at my house. Lilibeth got sick, and you women all have some weird sense about this kind of stuff.” I snapped my fingers. “And Mrs. Harper. She guessed, too.”
“Even Mrs. Harper knew before me? What the hell! You were the first person we told!”
“We?” I asked sarcastically.
Levi cleared his throat. “Ahhh…not really.”
Emeline turned her glare on him. “What do you mean, not really?”
He shrugged sheepishly. “I told my parents.”
“Levi! We were going to tell our parents all together.”
Tilting his head, he regarded Emeline. “You haven’t told anyone? Not a single person?”
She looked down at the floor, blushing.
“Emeline?” Levi prompted.
“Fine! I told Moreen. But she’s my best friend, and I had to tell someone.”
Pointing to me, Levi said, “And he’s my best friend.”
“Fine, I’ll let Caden go. But your parents?”
Drawing her back into his arms, he kissed her forehead. “I was just so happy, Em.”
Sighing, she smiled up at him. “It’s okay. Truth be told, I was coming here to tell Caden because he’s the only one I can trust with a secret.”
I threw my head back and laughed.
Emeline grinned. “This is going to be so much fun! Lilibeth and me pregnant at the same time!”
“I’m happy for you and Levi, Emeline. I really am.”
Tears filled her eyes as she made her way over to me. She hugged me, then drew back. “And you’re happy?”
I nodded. “I’m still in a bit of shock, but yeah. I’m happy.”
Hugging me once again, she said, “Everything happens for a reason, Caden. Everything.”
When she stepped back, I nodded.
“Do you want me and Lilibeth to wait before telling anyone else? We were only telling family because she’ll be moving in with me.”
“Moving in with you!” Emeline nearly shouted. “Wow! Oh my gosh…this keeps getting better and better!”
Holding up my hands, I said, “We’re not together. I just thought it would be easier to have her move in instead of trying to live in that small garage apartment.”
“Agreed. It’s tiny.”
Levi’s phone went off. “Time to head out and pick up Rhett.”
I walked them to the door. “I’ll see you guys tonight then.”
Emeline turned back. “I think we should just tell the whole family both of our news, if you’re okay with that.”
I nodded. “Sounds good to me.”
They’d started down the aisle of the barn when Levi said something to Emeline and jogged back to me.
“By the way, make sure you get Lilibeth a gift.”
“A gift?”
“Not the push present, this is just because she’s pregnant.”
Confused, I shook my head. “A push present?”
He waved that off. “That’s after she gives birth to the baby. But remember that too. When we discovered she was pregnant, I got Emeline a little basket full of her favorite things. Rhett’s giving it to her tonight, once we get back home.”
“I guess I probably should get Lilibeth something.”
“It’s not required, but my mother suggested I get Emeline something.”
I let out a humorless laugh. “And the second Lilibeth finds out you got Emeline something, she’ll think I’m a jerk.”
He hit me on the side of the arm. “She won’t if you buy her something.”
“Thanks,” I said, before he turned and jogged out of the barn.
Turning to look at my desk and the pile of work I still had to get through, I sighed. “A gift. I’m going to need help for this one.”
Week 11
I carried the last box in and set it on the bedroom floor. “Lili, are you sure you don’t want to be in my bedroom? I don’t need all that space.”
She looked up from the dresser, where she was putting away clothes.
“I’m not kicking you out of your room. This room is perfect. It’s plenty big to fit everything we’ll need for the baby before they go to their own room.”
I exhaled and glanced around. Lilibeth had brought almost nothing with her except for clothes and some basic necessities. I walked over to the side of the bed and picked up a book. There was a bookmark in it, and I opened it and read out loud.
“Your baby is eleven weeks old and is over two-and-a-half inches long. Their head makes up almost half their entire length. Both fingers and toes have separated, and the external genitalia has almost completely formed. It will be several more weeks before you can tell the sex of your baby.” I glanced up and smiled. “I think I need this book too.”
She grinned. “I actually bought you a copy of What to Expect When You’re Expecting.”
Lilibeth crossed the room and pulled out the drawer on the bedside table, taking out a book and handing it to me.
“Really? For me?”
She nodded. “I thought you’d like to know what was happening during all of this,” she said, circling her stomach with her hands.
I thumbed through the book. “Thank you.” Glancing around, I asked, “Is there anything I can help with?”
“Nope, I’m almost finished unpacking. Is that the last box?” she asked, as she pointed to the one I’d just brought in.
“That’s the last one. Also, your mother called my cell and asked me to have you call her.”
Lilibeth’s eyes went wide…before a look of anger crossed her face. “She did what?”
I’d never really seen Lilibeth angry before, so this was a new experience. Usually she was cheerful as fuck.
“How in the world did she even get your phone number?”
I shrugged. “Not sure. I figured you gave it to her.”
She turned and started to pace. “I cannot believe she called your cell! She’s been texting me all morning, and I told her three hours ago that I’d call her when I was settled. Why is she being so…overprotective?”
“I’m sure she’s just worried about you, that’s all.”
“She’s worried I’m going to lose my—” Her words cut off.
“Lose your what?”
Waving it off, she said, “Nothing. I’m so sorry. I’ll call her now and tell her not to bother you like that again.”
“It wasn’t a bother.”
She looked at me. “When she starts calling you five, six times a day to ask about me, will it be a bother then?”
I screwed up my face. “Yeah, that might get old really fast.”
Lilibeth chuckled. “I know they mean well, and they’re upset with me for moving in with you. They still don’t think it’s a good idea.”
“Because we’re not a couple?”
“That’s about right. Anyway, I’ll take care of it.”
“I’ve got some chili heating up on the stove that my grandmother gave me earlier. You hungry?”
She nodded. “I am. Let me get this last bit taken care of, and I’ll come down and help.”
“Take your time. Chili isn’t going anywhere.”
I headed toward the door to leave when Lilibeth called out my name.
“Caden?”
“Yes?”
“Thank you for the help today in getting my stuff moved.”
I smiled. “It was nothing. Get settled in and come down whenever you’re ready.”
She looked like she wanted to say something else, but instead, she pressed her lips together tightly and nodded.
Stepping out of the room, I softly shut the door and stood there a moment as reality slowly settled in.
Lilibeth was living in my house. Under the same roof as me. I closed my eyes and ran my hand down my face before I headed for the steps.
“Lord, I have a feeling I’m gonna be asking for your help a lot these next few months.”