Page 14 of Teasing a King

I have the sudden thought that family dinner is never going to be the same.

Chapter Six

Mya

Family dinner with the Kings is equal parts relaxed and chaotic. It’s noisy and full of friendly smiles and playful teasing. Everyone talks over one another, and the room is filled with laughter, loud voices and clinking silverware. It should be overwhelming, but it’s somehow comforting. I can tell that this is a family that truly likes one another. They come together every week because they want to. It’s not done out of some familial obligation.

I can see why Hope told me she felt at home with the Kings right away. They’re all so welcoming, even though I’m an outsider. I’m not sure why I expected anything different. I already know I get along with Quinn, Hannah and Claire. It’s not so much of a stretch to think the King men would accept me as well. Even little Liam didn’t blink when Hannah introduced me as ‘Aunt Mya’. He’d simply shrugged and continued telling me all about his last baseball game.

The boy is a delight. He’s all knees and elbows, big green eyes and shaggy blonde hair. He’s bouncing in his seat as he tells me how he helped his team win their last game. He makes sweeping gestures with his arms, nearly knocking over glasses as he demonstrates to me how to hold a baseball bat. Finn ruffles his hair affectionately and I’m struck by the love and pride in his eyes as he looks at Liam. I know Finn isn’t Liam’s biological father, but it doesn’t seem to matter to the two of them. The love between them is obvious without it. Hannah watches them both with a content smile.

Van has been the quietest one at the table tonight. I tell myself that’s why I keep glancing his way. I’m just making sure he’s okay with all of this. That’s all. I ignore the warmth low in my belly when I catch his eyes on me. Van isn’t always the most talkative King brother, but he’s not usually so reserved. That’s normally Ronan, from what Hope has told me. But tonight, that’s not the case. I wonder if Van is thinking about all the changes I’ve brought to his door in the last 48 hours. I hope he isn’t second-guessing his decision to co-parent with me. A sliver of doubt worms its way into my head, and I work to push it aside during the meal. Surely Van wouldn’t have invited me here just to tell me he’s changed his mind. He’s not a cruel person.

“Mya, how have you been feeling?” To my surprise, the question comes from Ronan who’s seated across from me. All eyes turn to me, and I feel my face redden. He must sense my surprise, because he smiles in apology. “I know Quinn went through some morning sickness in the first few months,” he clarifies. “I just wondered if you’ve been dealing with that as well.”

I give a rueful smile. “Unfortunately, it didn’t skip me,” I say. “But I think it’s starting to fade a little. And I’m figuring out what triggers it so I can kind of get ahead of it.”

Quinn and Ronan both nod in sympathy. “Crackers by the bed helped her,” Ronan says, putting an arm around Quinn’s shoulders and pulling her close.

I nod. “It’s helped me too. Ginger ale has also been a miracle.”

I catch sight of Van from the corner of my eye. He’s listening intently, devouring every word. The attention makes me feel hot though it’s not warm in the restaurant. I risk a quick glance at his face. The look on his face takes me by surprise. If I’m reading him right, I’d say it looks like concern. Worry, maybe? I give him a reassuring smile.

“It’s all totally normal,” I say. “Or so the pregnancy websites say,” I add, trying to lighten the mood. Van’s lips curve into a semblance of a smile, but the concern doesn’t leave his eyes. I look back to Ronan, unable to hold Van’s gaze any longer.

“Thank you for asking,” I say. “It’s been kind of a pain, but not nearly as bad as some of the horror stories I’ve read online.” I shudder. “Some women can’t even get out of bed for months. Or they have to be hospitalized for dehydration. I’m just glad my morning sickness has been mild.”

“Oh, me too!” Quinn says, leaning toward me across the table. “Can you imagine?”

Hannah launches into stories of her pregnancy with Liam as well as the delivery. I can’t say that hearing about the pain of labor makes me look forward to it. It’s rather terrifying, actually. But I listen and take in the information to sort through later. Whether I like it or not, I’m going to have to go through it. It’s best to be armed with as much knowledge as possible, right?

By the time everyone has finished eating, Hannah has regaled us with a half dozen stories ranging from her pregnancy to changing Liam’s first poopy diaper. We’ve all laughed and cringed as if we were there along with her. Everyone pitches in to clear the tables and put the dining area back to rights. Liam begs Claire to play a song, which she agrees to do.

I’m not sure if Liam or Garrett is more enraptured by watching Claire on the stage. As she sings, Claire shoots Garrett a wink that makes something in his expression shift. I’m not sure what that look in his eyes means, but I feel a little awkward witnessing it. I sense someone beside me just before I see Van in my peripheral vision. I turn my head to give him a small smile of greeting before turning back to look at Claire.

“She’s good, huh?” he says.

I nod. “She is. I can see why Liam always asks her to sing.”

Van nods. “She loves it too.”

I watch Claire as she sings another verse. Van’s right. She clearly loves singing and playing music. But I know she’s never wanted to pursue it as a career. Hope explained to me once that Claire loves music, but she’s happiest teaching it and playing for her friends and family. She doesn’t want a career on the stage. It makes sense to me. I don’t think I’d love the spotlight myself. But still, it’s obvious that some part of Claire belongs up there.

“Can we talk?” Van asks, breaking into my thoughts.

I turn to see his intent gaze locked on me, rather than his sister. I wonder if I was right before and he’s going to tell me he’s changed his mind. He doesn’t really want to be a dad. He doesn’t actually want anything to do with me or my baby. I tell that voice in my head to shut up as I nod to Van. He gives me a tight smile and gestures toward the back door leading out onto the deck.

Van holds open the door for me, and I walk outside into the warm evening air. I can hear the water lapping against the pilings of the dock below and smell the salty ocean air. I breathe deep, taking in the scent. The sun hasn’t quite set, so I can still make out the dock and the many boats moored in the marina just down the way.

“I’ve always loved this view,” Van says from behind me. I turn to see him gazing out over the water. “Especially on Sunday evenings when the restaurant is closed, before the tourist season starts.” He smiles. “It’s peaceful.”

I nod. “I know what you mean. It’s nice out here.”

I turn to face Van fully, noting that he looks nervous. His hands are in his pockets, and he keeps shifting on his feet. He can’t quite meet my gaze. I wait for him to speak, hoping my fearful prediction is wrong. After a few more seconds of awkward silence, Van finally speaks.

“You should move in with me,” he blurts out.

My mouth drops open. I’m sure I heard him wrong.

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