Page 30 of Agony of Our Regret

“And remember, forgiving is something you can do for yourself without welcoming them back into your life,” Audrey told us. “Letting it go takes the burden off you, but that doesn’t mean you have to forget.”

“Great advice, counselor,” Gavin teased.

She grinned. “Years of experience, dear.”

Dad sighed, and I realized he probably assumed that was the news we wanted to share.

I could get out of this.

Luca squeezed my leg as if he could hear my thoughts. Damn him.

“There is one other thing,” I said finally, deciding to blurt it out before I chickened out again. “I’m pregnant.”

They didn’t move. Didn’t speak.

I tapped the screen. Were they frozen?

“Dad?”

He snapped out of it with a small headshake, and his eyes glistened.

Oh, no.

“You’re pregnant?” he repeated in an indecipherable tone. “Yes.”

Audrey squealed. “Oh, my goodness!” She wrapped her arms around Dad. “You’re going to be a grandpa!”

“And you’re going to be a grandma.” I wanted her to know that was how I thought of her. She was my family now.

She covered her mouth as she and Dad stared at each other. He blinked away his tears and turned back to the camera.

“Wow, Avalon. You guys…” He rubbed the stubble on his jaw. “I can’t tell you how happy this makes me.”

What? He was happy?

Not mad?

Disappointed?

“You three are going to be amazing parents.”

A small sob escaped from somewhere deep inside, and I immediately burst into tears.

“Oh, honey!” Audrey called, as I ducked my head into Gavin’s shoulder.

He rubbed my back while Luca squeezed my leg, reminding me he was there.

“She was really nervous about telling you guys,” Luca explained.

“Sweetie,” Dad’s voice made me cry harder. “This is great news. It’s big and scary, but you have all the support you could want or need. Bruce, Renae, Tessa, and Daniel will be with you, and Audrey and I are only a short flight away.”

“You are more capable than you know, but yes. We will be there whenever you need or want us,” Audrey promised.

They were amazing. Telling me things I didn’t know I desperately needed to hear.

I wiped my eyes. “Thank you, guys.”

“I love you so much. You’re going to be an incredible mother.” Dad smiled. “I’m proud of you.”

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