Page 58 of Mia Amata

“Thank you,” I said. His dad gave me a hug also. His mom ushered us into the living room where we all sat down.

“I knew that there had to be a reason why Jacob seemed so much happier lately. Now I know. I am thrilled! How did you meet? Wait, Mattie? Aren’t you Randy’s friend?”

I smiled. “Yes, I moved into the house south of Randy and Josh. We have become good friends.”

Donald said, “So that is how you met Jacob.”

Jacob nodded, “Yes. I went walking with Josh and the pups one day. Lucky had gotten away again. Down the path toward us walks Mia, carrying a sleeping puppy in her arms. The rest is history. She hasn’t been able to get rid of me since.” We laughed. I waited for what he was going to say next. I knew it was coming. I was extremely nervous. We had agreed that we would tell his parents about the baby from the beginning.

“We have something else we want to tell you,” Jacob said, taking my hand. “Mia moved here to start a new life. She was in a relationship with a man who she later found out was married.” He paused.

Nora said, “Oh, that is awful. I’m so sorry to hear that.”

His dad seemed angry. “I will never understand how men can be pigs like that.”

Jacob held up his hand, “There is more.” He looked at me.

I took a deep breath, continuing the story from there. “I found out he was married after I told him I was having his baby. He told me he didn’t want anything to do with me, that he was already married. I thought about telling his wife and drove to their house to do it, but I saw their two kids playing in the yard. I couldn’t do it. So instead, I moved here to start over, with my baby.”

They looked at me. “I’m pregnant.” I held my breath waiting for the outburst and protests about us getting married. Instead, his mom got up, coming over to me. She sat down, pulling me into her arms.

“Oh, my dear, I’m so sorry you went through all of that. I am so glad you are here now.” She pulled back, holding my hand in hers.

“You aren’t upset that your son wants to marry a woman having another man’s baby?”

To my surprise, Donald was the one to speak up. “Biology does not make a father. What makes a man a father has more to do with being there for the mother and the child, regardless of whether he is the biological father or not.”

“Exactly,” Nora said. “Jacob will make a wonderful father to your baby if you allow him to.” I had tears in my eyes at the kindness of these two people I just met. “Oh my! I just realized something,” Nora turned, looking at her husband.

They both said at the same time, “We are going to be grandparents!” They were so excited about being grandparents! His mom went over, sitting down again next to her husband, and they hugged each other. Nora turned to us with tears in her eyes. “You two have made us very happy!” she exclaimed. “We are thrilled for the two of you.”

“Thank you,” Jacob said. A buzzer went off in the kitchen.

Nora stood up, wiping her eyes. “The roast is done. We will eat in a few minutes.”

“Can I help?” I asked.

“No,” Nora said, “but I would love to have company.” Jacob squeezed my hand as I got up, following Nora into the kitchen.

She grabbed some hot pads and opened the oven. She motioned to the small breakfast nook, telling me to have a seat. She pulled the roast out of the oven and set it on the stove. “Is your family excited about the baby?” Nora asked, glancing at me. She started dishing up the roast, potatoes, and carrots into different dishes.

“I don’t have any family,” I said.

“I’m sorry to hear that, what happened to them?”

“I don’t know,” I replied. “I was abandoned as a newborn, a policeman found me in a trash bin.”

“My God, that is horrible! Did you ever try to find out who your parents were?”

“No.They tossed me out like common household garbage, I never had the desire to look for them. I went from foster home to foster home, until I ran away at 16.”

“Oh, Mattie,” Nora said with tears in her eyes. “You have had such a rough life. I’m sorry.” She walked over to me, taking both of my hands in hers. “But you have family now if you allow us to be.”

“That depends,” I said. Nora looked at me questioningly. “On whether you let me help you with the food.” I smiled at her.

Nora laughed. “You can make the gravy.”

“Perfect,” I said. Nora and I became fast friends as we worked together getting the meal on the table.

---