Page 17 of The Complication with the Best Man

“He’s at the sports complex finalizing the schedule for fall. Did you need him?” She tilts her head, looking at me with concern.

“No, I was hoping to talk to you.”

Her body relaxes, but she has no idea what she’s in for. “Of course, sweetheart. Is everything okay?”

“Yeah.” I nod and give her a wan smile.

She picks up on the fact that this isn’t an ordinary visit to catch up and leads me into the living room. The big stone fireplace is void of fire since it’s not cold enough outside right now, but I remember many times when Palmer and I cooked marshmallows over the fire and got in trouble for dripping the gooey goodness on the hearth when we pulled them out because we’d let them cook too long.

It’s a fond memory for me. I can’t help but picture the child I’m carrying in my belly doing the same someday, and my nose tingles with emotion that just won’t stay back anymore.

We sit on the couch, her on one end, me on the other. Tears build in my eyes now that I’m here.

She shimmies closer to me and takes my hand. “Sweetheart, what’s going on?”

“I’m pregnant,” I blurt because I have no idea how I’m supposed to ease into something like this. It seems better to put it out there before I lose my nerve.

Her eyes widen, and she sucks in a breath but recovers fast from her surprise by squeezing my hand. “Okay.”

I give her pleading eyes.

“Can I ask who the father is?”

God, I hate that she even has to ask. But that is the number one question everyone will be asking when the news comes out.

“Finn. The best man at Palmer’s wedding.” Tears leak down my face, and I wipe them away with my free hand.

She nods, face full of empathy. “You’re scared?”

I nod.

“I remember how I felt when I found out I was pregnant with Palmer.”

She was much younger than I am when she found out she was pregnant, but she knows what it feels like to have an unplanned pregnancy. Although hers was with a longtime boyfriend and not from a one-night fling.

“I’m scared and confused and embarrassed. I don’t know. I have a million things going through my head.”

She releases my hand and cups my cheek. “And that’s all perfectly normal. It would be weird if you didn’t have all those big feelings. Have you decided what you want to do?”

I set my eyes on hers, wanting her to see I’ve taken the time to think and I’m certain about my decision. “I’m going to have the baby.”

My aunt pats my cheek, and her hand drops. “Great. We’re going to have a new baby to love. That’s exciting.” She smiles a genuine one that says she really does think this is good news.

Even with her understanding and excitement, tears topple down my cheeks from the relief. I didn’t realize how much I needed to hear that from someone, anyone. She draws me into an embrace and rubs my back until my sobs calm down.

“Aunt Sedona?”

“Yeah, sweetie?”

“Do you think I can do this?”

She draws back, and her lips tip into a smile. “Of course you can.”

“But… I’m not really responsible.”

Her lips dip into a frown. “None of that matters. Aunt Phoenix was the least responsible of us all and look at what a wonderful mom she is to Jack and stepmom she’s been to Maverick. And don’t get me started on Uncle Denver.”

We both laugh, but she sobers quicker than me. “And you are responsible. You’ve started a business on your own, supporting yourself. There isn’t one definition of what it means to be a great mother.”

---