Page 129 of A Little Secret
“Fuck, baby.” His voice cracks, and just like that, my heart shreds into a million pieces. Because it isn’t filled with disappointment. It’s filled with awe. And pride. And love. So much fucking love I can feel it. “I’m so happy for you, Fin.”
I close my eyes, soaking up his words and exactly how much I needed to hear them. This is why my parents are the best. The way they’re so accepting and welcoming and nonjudgmental. I wipe beneath my nose with my forefinger, grateful I have them to look up to. To ask for parental advice and support. Griffin’s right. I should’ve told them a long time ago.
“When’s your due date?” my mom chimes in.
“I’m, uh, I’m about eight weeks.”
“And how have you been feeling?” my dad prods.
“Normal,” I answer honestly. “So normal, it’s almost freaky.”
“Not freaky. Amazing,” my mom replies. “Honestly, I’m jealous. I was puking my guts out during the majority of my pregnancy with you.”
“Yeah, if anything, I’m more hungry,” I admit, sorting through the last few weeks for any other symptoms, no matter how abnormal they are from what I’d anticipated. “And I want Grandma Taylor’s chocolate chip cookies.”
Their laughter echoes through the speakers, and I catch myself smiling. I missed them. My mom and dad. And the fact that we’re talking about my pregnancy like it’s the most normal thing in the world is so damn refreshing I could cry. Hell, Iamcrying.
“Why is that funny?” I ask.
“Because it’s the only thing your mom really craved with you and Everett when she was pregnant,” my dad answers. “Must be in your blood.”
“Must be,” I murmur.
“Have you made your first appointment yet?” he prods.
“Not with the OB/GYN,” I admit. “I should, but I’m procrastinating.”
“Yeah, you should probably get on that,” my dad teases. “Gotta make sure my grandbaby is growing big and strong.”
“I will,” I promise.
“That’s my girl.”
“How’s the epilepsy side of things?” my mom continues. “Is that what triggered your episode around Christmas?”
Shifting onto my stomach, I bend my knees, cross my ankles in the air, and rest my chin on my folded arms. It’s crazy. How much has happened. It’s a whirlwind. Catching them up on everything feels…cathartic, but also…like it isn’t enough. A recap of what happened when they should’ve been by my side throughout all of it. If only I hadn’t pushed them away.
“Fin?” my mom prods. “You still here?”
“Yeah, I’m here, and, uh, it’s actually when I found out. I saw the test results, kind of had a mental breakdown, and it’s the last thing I remember.”
“That must have been really scary,” my mom murmurs.
“It was.” Tears cling to my lashes, and I squeeze my eyes shut, blocking out the memory and all the changes since then. “Griffin was there, though, and…and he’s been really sweet.”
“Aw, baby,” my mom gushes. “He’s a good egg.”
“He is,” I agree.
“Have you talked to your doctor yet? Confirmed your epilepsy medication won’t affect the baby or anything?”
I nod even though she can’t see me. “Yeah, I think so. It’s still early, so we’re just…playing things by ear, I guess.”
“Well, that’s good,” my dad interjects. “How’s, uh, how’s Griff handling things?”
I cover my eyes with my hands and bite back my amusement. “Are you asking if he’s a little nervous to be tied to me for the rest of his life?”
“I’m just asking,” he hedges.