Page 92 of Marrying the Nanny

Emma was as nervous as any woman meeting her future mother-in-law. She didn’t know what she expected, but Miriam Fraser’s home was very normal. She lived on one side of a duplex. It was boxy, but what it lacked in architectural character, it made up for in a showy flower garden and a great location across from a park.

Reid held her hand as they climbed the steps. He had told his mother he was bringing someone he wanted her to meet. He had also spoken with his mother’s therapist, Velma, who was on standby to come to the house if needed.

Emma wished her hand didn’t feel so clammy. She wanted to make a good impression.

Miriam was obviously excited because she opened the door before they knocked. Her smile was wide, her eyes the same burnished bronze as Reid’s. They gleamed with welcome.

“You must be Emma.” Miriam hugged her. She wore a pretty floral dress that clung to her plump figure. Her hair was Reid’s same brunette, but shot with gray. Her curls were so tidy and perfect, Emma suspected she’d had a fresh set this morning.

Emma saw herself in the makeup and lipstick and Miriam’s eagerness to make a good impression. She hugged Miriam back and said sincerely, “I’m really pleased to meet you.”

“Hi, Mom.” Reid kissed her cheek. “Olive. Good to see you.” He moved into the living room. “This is Emma. Olive lives next door. She’s pretty much family.”

Olive was equally welcoming, taking both of Emma’s hands in her warm ones.

“Come sit. I’ve brought cookies. We have fresh coffee. Do you prefer tea? You sound English.”

“New Zealand. Coffee would be great, thank you.”

“Reid has never brought anyone home,” Miriam said as they sank onto the sofa and chairs. “Tell me everything. How did you meet? How did you come to Canada? Reid, you’re not moving?” she asked with sudden alarm.

“No,” he said, quick and firm. “I’m staying in Canada.”

Her smile trembled and she seemed to take a moment to catch her breath. She recovered to smile again at Emma, but she was visibly shaken.

It was startling to see her go from zero to a hundred like that. Emma wanted to reach out and take her hand, but Miriam was already talking again.

“But you might. Are you staying in Canada? Have you moved here? Officially?” she asked Emma, growing very concerned.

“We spoke to a lawyer this afternoon who will file my immigration paperwork after—” They had a marriage certificate. Emma glanced at Reid.

“I have a lot to tell you, Mom. Some of it will be a shock.” His expression was stiff and unreadable, his shields so thick Emma could hardly see the man she knew at all.

“Are you pregnant?” Miriam shot that at Emma, eyes wide.

“No,” Emma said, biting back, I wish.

The way Olive rose and stood beside Miriam, holding her hand and patting it with her other, kept Emma mindful of letting Reid handle this. She could fairly smell Miriam’s agitation growing by the second.

“Give it to us straight, Reid. We can handle it,” Olive said with forced cheer. “Can’t we, Miriam?”

“Emma is—was—Dad’s nanny,” Reid began.

“Reid,” his mother said on an exhale of protest, pretty much begging him not to continue.

He tore off the bandage without mercy. “We’re getting married and we’re taking custody of Storm.”

“No.” It was worse than disbelief. It was an order. “You’re staying there? And raising—”

“We’re only staying in BC until the guardianship is finalized. Then I’ll take them both to Calgary.”

“No, Reid. No.” She shook off Olive’s grip and rose to pace away. “How could you? How could you?” She was starting to cry, her emotions so quick to surface, Emma felt her throat clog in sympathetic response.

“Why? No! What are those other boys doing? Why do you want him?” she demanded, charging back to Emma to confront her.

“Mom.” Reid rose and inserted himself between them so all Emma saw was his backside. “This is my decision.”

“Because you want to hurt me? I have waited my whole life for a grandchild and that’s what you give me? His latest bastard?”

---