Page 146 of Between Hate and Desire

“What the heck is that?”

I snort. “It’s exactly as it sounds. You reveal the gender on social media basically or, in our case, the fake Instagram page. But I should call my parents first and tell them.”

“How do you want to do that?” he asks. “Reveal it?”

“Hm…Maddie probably got a good picture of us today, so I’ll use one of those shots and attach the sonogram picture.”

“Oh, alright.”

Standing, I walk toward Hunter and murmur, “There’s someone else I need to tell.”

He nods as if he’s been thinking about it too.

“I don’t know if it’ll destroy them or give them some peace of mind. Either way, they deserve to know they have a grandchild on the way.”

“Invite them over and we’ll tell them together,” he offers.

“Okay, thank you.” I give him another hug, resisting the urge to stay in his arms.

An hour later, Mr. and Mrs. Locke arrive at the apartment. They’re all smiles and hugs as soon as they see me. I haven’t seen them since Brandon’s funeral, and I feel awful for not staying in touch. We’ve all been grieving in our ways.

“Lennon, sweetheart. I’m so glad you called. Thank you for inviting us over,” Mrs. Locke says, her wide smile giving me the courage to tell them the news. I purposely wore a loose-fitting shirt so it wouldn’t be obvious right away.

“Thank you both for coming,” I say. “I’m sorry it’s been so long.”

“Oh nonsense.” Mr. Locke waves me off. “We know things have been tough.”

“Are you back at work now?” Mrs. Locke asks as I lead them into the living room.

“Yes, started yesterday,” I reply just as Hunter comes out of his room. He’s dressed in casual clothes, the soap from his shower still lingering throughout the air.

“Hunter!” Mrs. Locke beams the moment she sees him. He gives her a big hug, tells her how pretty she looks, and soon she’s chuckling at his charm. Mr. Locke gives him a handshake and side hug, telling him how good he looks.

“So glad you two stayed friends,” Mrs. Locke says as the four of us sit.

“She’s kinda stuck with me,” Hunter teases. “Or I’m stuck with her?”

“Ha!” I burst out laughing. “It’s a mutual agreement we’re stuck with each other.”

Hunter and I lock eyes, and he winks.

“Well, there is a reason I asked you guys over,” I start, and the room goes eerily quiet. Hunter walks across the room and stands next to me. I look at him, and he gives me a nod of encouragement.

Swallowing down my nerves, I clear my throat. “After Brandon died, I found out I was pregnant.”

Both of them gasp, neither saying anything, and I’m not sure if I should continue or if this announcement is too much for them.

“You’re pregnant?” Mrs. Locke asks just above a whisper, and I already see the wetness in her eyes.

With a closed smile, I nod. “Yeah, I found out today that it’s a girl.”

“Oh my gosh.” Mrs. Locke comes toward me with her arms out, and I stand to meet her. “A true miracle, Lennon.” Her voice cracks as she wraps me in a hug. “I can’t believe this.” She pulls back slightly, then looks down between us.

“I can show you pictures,” I offer, then ask Hunter to grab them from my purse.

“We’d love to see them,” Mr. Locke says, giving me a hug next.

“You look so tiny still,” Mrs. Locke gushes.

---