Total pages in book: 107
Estimated words: 102731 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 514(@200wpm)___ 411(@250wpm)___ 342(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 102731 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 514(@200wpm)___ 411(@250wpm)___ 342(@300wpm)
Silence stretched between us, and my gut churned. I disliked keeping things from Mum. I usually told her absolutely everything. But I knew she feared I’d follow in her footsteps and get pregnant as a teen, too, so I couldn’t tell her about my night. Lewis and I had been safe, and I was happy, and I didn’t want her parental concerns to ruin it.
Finally, Mum sat up and nudged me with her elbow. “Everything okay? Was the movie good?”
Feeling terrible, I nodded.
Her gentle touch on my chin brought my head around. Our eyes met.
Mum’s drifted over my face, searching. Knowing seemed to settle in her expression. “I thought you’d look different, but you look the same. My beautiful Callie.”
“Mum?”
She sighed heavily. “Please tell me you were safe.”
It shouldn’t surprise me that she knew. Mum always seemed to have a sixth sense when it came to me. “Mum …”
“We’ve never kept things from each other before, so let’s not start now.”
“Even … this stuff?”
“It terrifies me you’re growing up so fast … but even this stuff.”
I licked my lips nervously and finally admitted, “We were safe.”
The breath whooshed out of Mum and she leaned into me. “Did he look after you? Are you okay?”
I reached for Mum’s hand. “He loves me, Mum. He loves me so much and I love him. Sometimes I feel like I might explode with it. Like … as happy as loving him makes me, it hurts too.”
Mum covered our hands with her other. “That sounds like real love to me.”
“I’m not going to do anything stupid,” I promised her.
She met my gaze. “Callie, you are the best thing that ever happened to me, and I wouldn’t change having you for the world. But I want you to have your entire childhood, and mistakes happen. So … on Monday, I’m making you an appointment. I’d like you to go on birth control.”
Relief flooded me. I’d been so scared she was going to ask me to stay away from Lewis. “I can do that.”
Her lips pinched together. “And unless he asks me outright, we’re not telling your father.”
The thought of Dad learning about Lewis and me having sex sent a nervous chill down my back. “That’s probably for the best.”
Mum patted my hand again. “No more lying to me, though.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t … I’m sorry.”
“I know you are. I know you love him.”
Mum began to stand, but I grabbed her hand to stop her from leaving. She looked down at me expectantly. “He’s my Walker Ironside, Mum. I’m going to marry him and make a family with him, and we’re going to raise them right here. I don’t want to have a kid as a teenager, but I want you to know that whatever happens, as long as I have Lewis and I have you and Dad and Harry, I’ll be the happiest person in the world.”
Her eyes shimmered with unspent emotion as she reached out to caress my cheek. “I believe you, baby girl. I’m happy for you. It’s scary for me seeing you grow up … but all I want is your happiness. And if you’ve found yourself your own Walker Ironside, I’m the happiest mom in the world. But you will not be a teen mom. Ever.”
I nodded because I truly didn’t want that either. “I love you.”
“Love you more than life.” She tapped my nose. “Now get some sleep, Juliet. I’m sure you want to see your Romeo in the morning.”
I wrinkled my nose. “Love that play, Mum. But bad comparison. That ended tragically. Lewis and I won’t.”
She smiled. “I know. Night, baby girl.”
“Night, Mum.”
I waited for her to leave the room and then sank into my bed. Another silly, dreamy smile lit my face as I stared at the ceiling. I couldn’t wait to grow up and buy a house with Lewis and share a bed every night. To wake up to him and then, after a morning of sweet lovemaking, I’d head off to work with Mum at the bakery.
It seemed like a dream that I could be this happy. I knew not everyone was given this kind of bliss or found the love I’d found as a teen. However, my start in life hadn’t been great. Mum had tried her hardest to make it good, and I’d always felt her love … but my real dad was a nightmare, and he’d attempted to make our lives a nightmare.
First Walker and then Lewis had felt like the universe’s way of paying me back for my rocky start.
Now I couldn’t wait to start living the next part. Mrs. Adair. I giggled into my pillow. One day, I’d be Mrs. Callie Adair.
I’d miss Ironside as a surname because it was bloody sick, but I’d give up practically anything to make Lewis mine forever.