Total pages in book: 56
Estimated words: 53521 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 268(@200wpm)___ 214(@250wpm)___ 178(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 53521 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 268(@200wpm)___ 214(@250wpm)___ 178(@300wpm)
“And you did a great job,” Felicity says. “I just thought you two should get to know each other. Pretty soon there’ll be a child that we’re all going to love so much. And we’re all going to need to be on the same page with raising him, or her.”
I nod. “Absolutely.”
Helena smiles, and then she offers a quick grace, and I wait for them both to fill up their plates before I fill mine up.
“This all looks amazing,” I say, plopping a roll onto my plate. “You didn’t need to go through so much trouble just for me.”
“Anything for my daughter. Besides, I wanted to see what type of man you are. I want to know my grandchild’s father.” There’s tears welling in her eyes, and I try to give her a reassuring smile.
“This came as quite a shock to me,” I tell her. “I want to be honest with both of you. I never saw myself having a child so soon.”
“Me neither,” Felicity chimes in. “I always thought I’d be married. And settled.”
Helena smiles at her daughter. “You still have plenty of time to meet somebody, dear.”
I bristle at her words. Felicity has met somebody. Me. And then another thought enters my mind. Felicity dating. Her meeting a new man and that man raising our child.
“No,” I say, abruptly. “She’s already met somebody. Me.”
Felicity’s eyes widen, and her mother nearly chokes. “Shep,” Felicity warns, but I’m not hearing any of it.
I told her I was all in with this baby.
And I mean I’m all in with her too. Why can’t she see that? Why won’t she believe me?
“What?” I ask, deathly serious.
“Can we not discuss this right now?” Felicity gives me a look of warning, and I back down.
I don’t want to put any undue stress on her or the baby. “Actually, the more people to love this baby the better. Maybe one day the kid will have a great step-father, and step-mother in their life.” I’m pissed.
Two can play at this game.
“I think we’re getting ahead of ourselves,” Helena says, and I couldn’t agree more.
I push the peas around on my plate as I try my hardest to stomach the food. There’s this constant anger in my system every time I think about Felicity raising this baby on her own.
I plan on being around, dammit.
I guess the only way to prove to her that I’m not going anywhere is to stick around.
“So, Shep, how’s the brewery?” Helena asks, changing the subject.
“It’s great. A few weeks back we had a party for the mayor and the chamber of commerce, and since then business has been booming.”
“Anya wants to throw me a baby shower at the brewery,” Felicity says.
I smile. “I think that’s a great idea.”
Helena claps her hands together. “Will you find out the sex of the child?”
Felicity and I lock eyes, not really knowing the answer to the question. It hits me like a ton of bricks. I will know soon if I’m having a son or a daughter.
“I’d like to find out.”
Felicity smiles wide. “Me too.”
Chapter 21
Felicity
I stare at myself in the full-length mirror in my bedroom. My blonde hair is curled to perfection, strands loosely falling around my face. My makeup is light, just mascara that causes my eyes to pop and lip gloss that makes my lips shine. As my eyes travel down my body loving how the long pale yellow sundress with small white flowers accents my curves. My hands slide down my body, coming to rest on the small bump I have.
“We’re going to lunch today, baby. Mommy, Aunt Anya, Aunt Emmie, and Aunt Hartford are going to talk about a baby shower for you. You’re not even born yet and already you have so many people that love you and are so excited to meet you.” I lift my eyes to my face and force a grin. I want to be excited, I really do, but I’m nervous.
I’m nervous about having this one-on-one with Anya and Hartford. I know who they are. I met them when I had Sunday dinner at the Atwood family home. I even talked to them. But this is different.
This is everyone talking about me, Shepherd, and the baby. Questions will surely happen and I don’t have the answers. If anything, I’m more confused than ever.
When we were at my mother’s house for dinner, she brought up me finding someone. I could feel Shepherd’s anger across the table, but I didn’t expect him to say anything. Yet, he did. He announced I had found someone and it was him. I didn’t know what to say, how to react, or how to feel. So, I told him not to talk about it there.
And here we are a week later and we still haven’t discussed it. We’ve had sex. He’s gotten me off in ways no one ever has before. On the couch, in the kitchen, even once while we were sitting on my front porch. But not once did he bring up what he said.