Page 120 of Falling in Love with Two

“I didn’t think that.”

“Congratulations. You’re already more level-headed than every one of my daughters.”

“Did you come here to tell me I should be more understanding of how my mom feels or something?”

“Not even a little bit. Fuck that. I’ll never understand how a mom can do that to her kid. I don’t care what kind of history they have.”

“Really?”

“Leah, I have five kids. I’ve had fights with every single one of them. It didn’t mean I kicked them out of my life. No matter what, they’re my kids. Michelle got pregnant in high school. As mad as I was at her, it didn’t mean I loved her any less. It ended up being great because my first grandbaby got to live with us the first few years of her life.”

She pauses to sip her coffee. “And Liz? That girl went to California and didn’t move back for fifteen years. Five of those, she didn’t come home at all. But when things went south and she had nowhere to go, her moving back in with us wasn’t even a discussion. Did we argue like cats and dogs? You bet your ass. We couldn’t stand each other at first. I was so pissed and hurt, and I aimed it right at her. But at the end of the day, she was my kid. So, I insisted we sit down and hash it out. That’s what family should do.”

I sigh. “Unfortunately, I don’t think my mom got the memo.”

“Honey, if she needs a memo, then, she’s a fucking idiot.”

I can’t help but laugh. “I won’t argue with you on that. So, did you come here to give me a pep talk?”

“No. I came here to tell you that just because she isn’t around doesn’t mean that you have no family. Whether you want them or not, you now have a crap ton of Lawsons in your corner. And believe me, once you have them, they aren’t going anywhere.”

I smile. “If Dylan was any indication, I should’ve known.”

“Surprisingly, he’s the least protective one of the bunch. Wait until you meet Jo. She was trying to fight high school kids when she was five.”

“Wow, she sounds like a dog.”

She smiles. “A pit bull.”

She pauses again to drink more coffee. “And for what it’s worth, you’ve got me, too. I know I’m not your actual mom, but you can bet that I’ll treat you like one of my own kids.”

“Really?”

She nods. “I’m here if you need someone to talk to you about anything—even if it has to do with Dylan. I’ll be your shopping or lunch buddy. I’ll give you advice if you ask for it, and I’ll even tell you if I think something you’re about to do is a bad idea. That’s what I would do for my own kids.”

“Why would you do that?” I ask. “You barely even know me.”

“I know you well enough. I know that you put your baby’s needs above your own just when you moved in here with Dylan. From what he tells me, you’re tough as nails. And if he settled down to be with you, there must be something special about you.”

I have no idea what to say to that, and I feel myself getting emotional.

She goes on. “And you and I aren’t so different.”

“How’s that?”

“When I was young, I left a pretty bad situation at home. If I’d stayed, lord knows where I would have ended up. When I met Andre, I wasn’t sure if I was even ready for a relationship. But he was a persistent little shit. His mom came to me and gave me the same talk I’m giving to you now. She told me that no matter what, she would be there for me.”

“So, this is like a pay-it-forward thing?” I joke.

She smiles. “Something like that. Andre’s mom is still, to this day, one of my best friends. I talk to her probably more than Andre does. She became a huge fixture in my life and is more a mom than I’ve ever had. And I’d love to do that for you too.”

Without much warning, I start to cry.

“Leah, honey, what did I do?”

“Nothing. It’s the baby. She fucks with my emotions all damn day,” I say between sobs.

“It’s okay. Pregnancy can be—wait did you say she?”

---