Page 75 of Family Bonds- Kelsey & Van

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WHOLE THING ABOUT FATE

“It’s so nice to meet you, Van,” Karen Raymond said, coming over to shake his hand the minute they walked into Duke’s house.

“You too,” he said.

He couldn’t remember the last time he’d met a woman’s mother that he was dating.

Kyle was the first father he’d met in years too. He didn’t count that all that much though in his mind. That first time it had more to do with meeting his business partner than anything else.

“Seems like Hadley and I are the outliers here,” Karen said. “It’s not normally the case with me.”

“Don’t lay it on too thick, Mom,” Kelsey said. “It hasn’t worked out and it hasn’t been that long. Dad knows Van more for a different reason.”

“I know,” Karen said. “I’m trying not to be offended.”

Just great. Not a guilt he needed.

“Sorry about that,” he said.

“Don’t be,” Karen said. “You’re right, Kelsey. He is like Duke though I wouldn’t go so far as to say he’s Jell-O.”

Guess Kelsey didn’t keep a lot of secrets from her mother by the sounds of it.

He wasn’t sure how he felt about that either.

“I’m happy if anyone wants to take over the Jell-O part,” Duke shouted from the kitchen. He could see into the massive open space and wasn’t shocked at the size of the kitchen or the setup.

“I’m Hadley. It’s so nice to meet you. I’ve heard a little about you.”

He shook hands with Duke’s wife. “Nice to meet you too.”

“Want a beer?” Kyle asked him.

“Sure,” he said.

Kyle got up and walked into Duke’s kitchen, got the beer and came back and handed it over.

“What?” Kelsey asked. “Nothing for your only daughter?”

“Scotch or wine?” Duke asked.

“I’ll have wine with Hadley. Whatever she opens is good.”

Duke cleared his throat and looked at his wife.

“Actually,” Hadley said. “I’m not drinking right now.”

“Are you pregnant?” Karen asked, rushing to her daughter-in-law.

“I am,” Hadley said. “Almost out of the first trimester. I’m due April second.”

Kelsey squealed so loud it almost broke his eardrums. “I’m going to be an aunt! Single or twins? You’ve got to know by now. It’d be cool to get twins like Carson and Hudson just had.”

“Single,” Hadley said. “Thank God.”

Hadley was getting hugs from the parents and he turned to Kelsey. “Who are Hudson and Carson?”

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