Page 37 of Don't Fall For Your Grumpy Neighbor

Hartford and Anya walk into the kitchen, and before Felicity can answer, I’m introducing her to them.

“You know my sister, Anya. And this is Hartford.”

They each say their hellos to each other, and Anya makes it very obvious that the child Felicity is carrying is mine.

Anya hugs Felicity, smiling wide with tears in her eyes. “I can’t wait to be an aunt.”

“An aunt?” my mother says, her eyes shooting to connect with mine.

“Does Mom not know?” Anya says, stepping back from the embrace she’s in with Felicity.

“She does now,” I say. “Thanks for that. Mom,” I say, turning my attention to my mother who now has tears in her eyes. “Felicity and I are having a baby.”

My mother breaks down into tears, and grabs me into a bear hug. “I have so many questions,” my mother says, crying into my shoulder.

“And I’ll answer all of them.”

“Welcome to the family,” Hartford says to Felicity, wrapping her into a hug.

“Oh, I’m not really a part of the family.” Felicity steps out of Hartford’s arms, her cheeks tinged pink.

My mother lets go of me, moving closer to Felicity to wrap her into a warm embrace. “You’re carrying an Atwood in your belly. You’re part of our family now.” My mother cries more. “If you ever need anything, Felicity, you let me know.” She steps back. “Are you two a couple?”

Felicity is quick to answer with a, “No.” and it kind of pisses me off, but I act like it doesn’t affect me.

“Mom, Felicity will always be important to me.”

My mother nods, reaching out to put her hand on Felicity’s arm. “You’re still family. Whether you’re with my son or not. You’re about to become the mother of my first grandchild.” My mother glances over her shoulder. “Don, get in here. Now.”

Now everyone’s in the kitchen. My entire family, including Griffin and Hartford. Who I guess will become family one day. Paxton already asked Hartford to marry him, and I know Griffin and my sister will stay together. They’re perfect for one another.

“Shepherd and Felicity are having a baby,” my mother announces to everyone in the kitchen.

My father’s eyes fill with tears, and I don’t think I’ve ever seen my father this happy. He brushes past everyone, making his way over to me. He wraps me into a hug, tightening his hold on me. “I never thought you’d be the first to give me my first grandchild. Hell, I’m so happy.”

I’m nearly in tears as I hug him back. I can’t believe how real this all feels. Felicity is busy being hugged and welcomed into my family.

A weird sensation rushes through my system at the sight. Like I’m fucking proud. I’m happy to have this woman standing by with me. Like I feel possessive over her. Like she’s mine.

It’s a crazy feeling, and makes me want to hold onto this woman forever.

I can picture it all with her. Everything.

Now I just need to make her see it too.

After everyone’s congratulated us, we make our way into the dining room, sitting around the table. My mother, Hartford, and Anya bring in the food, setting each dish on the table.

My father says grace, and then we all dig in.

“That went better than expected,” Felicity says, leaning closer to me for only me to hear.

I study her. “How did you expect it to go?”

“I just thought because we’re not married, or heck, even together that they would…I don’t know.”

I rest my hand on her knee under the table. “My family’s great, and they’re not ever going to not accept you. You don’t ever have to worry about things with me. You’re one of us now, whether you want to be, or not.”

“You have a great family. I’ve always heard things about the almighty Atwood’s. How everyone in this town loves you all. Now I see why. My father left town when I was a baby. I guess I’m just scared.”

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