Page 103 of Ex's Accidental Baby

I burst into tears and throw myself into her arms.

She strokes my hair, for once not commenting, only letting me cry. It’s nice. Lovely, even.

“You look a fright, dear. What’s going on?”

I pull away from her, biting my lip. “I’m afraid to tell you.”

“Oh, sweetheart. If this is about your job?—”

“It's not about my job. It’s so much worse than that.” My voice trembles, and my mother takes my hand, looking into my eyes.

“You can always tell me anything, Meredith.”

“But you won’t approve.” Tears spill down my face.

“It doesn’t matter. I still love you, no matter what.”

I guess that’s what I needed to hear, because I break down.

“I’m pregnant, Mom. I’m pregnant and the dad doesn’t want me, and I don’t know what to do.”

To my mother’s credit, she barely reacts. She just draws me into her arms, holding me tightly as I cry against her chest.

“Who’s the father?”

I shake my head. “I’m not ready to tell you that.”

She takes a deep breath, and I can tell she’s struggling not to get angry.

“Have you told everyone yet?”

I shake my head.

“Thank you for trusting me.” She hugs me tighter for a second.

“Look, I know no one wants to talk to me in this family, but I learned my lesson and I’m sorry. So, even if I’m not allowed to stay, why don’t you invite the whole family over? You can talk to all of them at once.”

I look up at her. “Even Dad?”

“Yes, Dad, too, of course.” She shrugs, smiling, probably trying to get used to the idea.

“R-really?” It seems almost too good to be true, but of course, she doesn't know the truth yet.

I suppose a family dinner is as good a time to ruin my life as any.

She pats my hand as I stop crying. “I’ll make you some lunch. Now I know why you’ve been getting chunkier.”

“Mother, please don’t call me chunky.”

She leans down to kiss my forehead. “You're right. You’re eating for two.”

Her parroting what Beatrice had said makes me smile.

Maybe this won’t be so bad after all.

ChapterTwenty-Eight

LOGAN

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