Total pages in book: 137
Estimated words: 129084 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 645(@200wpm)___ 516(@250wpm)___ 430(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 129084 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 645(@200wpm)___ 516(@250wpm)___ 430(@300wpm)
Her smile wipes free from her face. “Tell them what?”
“Tell them about Max. I . . .” I drop my arms back to my sides, hoping this doesn’t upset her. I might be wishing too much, but we’ll work together better if we’re in agreement on most issues. “I would have never kept this from them if I’d known.” Coming closer, I stop, keeping space so she doesn’t feel trapped. That’s the last thing I’d want her to be, much less feel. “Since I know, I can’t keep him a secret. I don’t want to.”
Liv stands, takes a step toward the kitchen, and then stops. Her back faces me, and I know she’s fighting her instincts to react. One of her hands balls at her hip, and her head drops down. She moves into the kitchen and opens a cabinet that hides most of the view of her from me. “I understand, but maybe we should—”
“Your mom knows. She’s gotten to be a part of his life since before he was born.”
She stills, but I see her chest fill and slowly exhale. Gripping the counter in front of her, she replies, “Please understand that I had no one but my mom.”
“I do, but my mom—”
The abrupt swing of the cabinet door closing stops me from speaking. There’s no satisfying slam since they’re soft-closure doors, but the effect still ripples from ten feet away. I’m hit with her tear-filled eyes, her parted lips as if she can’t take in enough air, and a slight bend to her spine as she rests her weight on the countertop.
I should go to her, reassure her like I’ve been doing, like I’ve done, but I can’t. My feet won’t move until I get every word out. “They’re already going to be disappointed that they missed so much of his life and the celebration beforehand—baby showers, gender reveals, the health of both of you. Don’t ask me to keep him a secret, Liv, because I can’t. My family doesn’t lie to each other.”
Her back springs straight. “It’s not a lie, Noah,” she says, just above a whisper as if Max won’t hear a thing even though he’s sitting between us. Maybe that’s how it’s going to be. Max being the only thing bridging us together. “I just—”
“You just what?”
“I need time.”
“Time for what? You’ve had time.” I move around Max and into the kitchen. She stays where she is, but her arms are now crossed over her chest. I’m not putting her on the defense, though I know she won’t believe me. That’s not something I can change. This is a tough topic. “I need to be honest about how I’m feeling. My mom will be thrilled to meet him but devastated over the time she’s lost being in his life.”
Stepping closer, I continue, “Imagine how much more love he’ll have in his life. I have three siblings, my parents, and my sisters-in-law.” I close the gap, reaching out to unwind her tightly wound arms. Holding her hands, I kiss each one and then bend to look into her eyes. “You’re Max’s mom, so no matter what happens, you’ll always be a part of the family.”
She crashes into me, her head on my chest and her arms wrapping around my midsection. The lightest sound of sniffling is heard as I cover her in an embrace. “I don’t know what being part of a family means. It’s always just been my mom and me, and Cassandra more recently. That’s been enough. To know there’s more . . .” She looks up, resting her chin on my chest. “I don’t think I could have wished for a better man to be Maxwell’s father than one who not only accepts him without conditions but accepts me as well. So I’m at a loss of what to say. Thank you? It’s not enough.”
“It’s not necessary. You’ve given me a son. I will never be able to repay you.” I rub her back and kiss the top of her head. “I want us to have a good relationship. That means we’re always honest with each other. Even when it’s hard.”
“Even when it’s hard.” Her voice cracks at the end. She nods again and takes a step back. “Do you want to tell them tonight when you’re in Beacon?”
“We won’t be there long enough to open the topic up for discussion. Let's focus on enjoying the evening. I also want to support my sister. But how do you feel about me telling them at another time?”
Taking my hand, she folds our fingers together and smiles. “It’s scary for me—the unknown—but it’s exciting for you and Maxwell. I think I’ve already overstepped the issue. I don’t get to control who you tell or when. I just ask that this is kept out of the office.”