Page 44 of Sweet Escape
Rosie turns to Liv’s mom. “Lottie, do you mind helping me in the kitchen?”
It’s painfully clear what they’re doing. I’m not sure divide and conquer is the best course of action, but I don’t have an alternative. Lottie and Rosie disappear into the kitchen, and Nick doesn’t waste a second rounding on us. “Come clean or I’ll tell her myself.”
“That’s the plan. You haven’t exactly given us a chance.” Liv’s lower lip trembles as she holds back tears, and it’s all I can do to keep from losing my temper. She doesn’t deserve to be made to feel guilty for the decisions we made together. I’ll be the first to admit it didn’t happen under the most ideal circumstances, but that doesn’t make it any less real or meaningful.
“You were reckless, Olivia! And that man’s family is the reason we almost lost our livelihood. If it weren’t for your grandparents, we would've lost everything.”
“Now, Nick. That’s not—” Archie doesn’t get to finish as Nick cuts him off, continuing his tirade.
Liv’s grip on my hand tightens a fraction as the first tear spills down her cheek.
“Think about that before you defend your actions,” Nick says. “Once again, you didn’t stop to think about anyone else. First, you run off to Colorado to be with that good-for-nothing lowlife. Then you have the nerve to come back here, knocked up by a Hayes, no less.”
The doors to the kitchen swing open, with Rosie and Lottie choosing the worst possible moment to return. To her credit, Lottie calmly places the food in the center of the table and takes her seat beside her husband. Maybe she’s genuinely okay with the revelation, or maybe she’s doing mental calculations to figure out when and how this happened. I can’t be sure based on the blank expression on her face.
Liv’s chair scrapes against the floor as she stands, her hand slipping out of my grip to swipe at her face. She’s fierce as hell, and so goddamn beautiful.“Daddy, I love you, but I’m a grown ass woman and I don’t answer to you. I won’t be cowed over some bullshit grudge you’ve been holding onto for years. That has nothing to do with me and even less to do with your grandchild. I?—”
“Olivia Bennett-Sullivan!” Lottie says. “You watch your mouth when you’re speaking to your father!”
“Is that all you care about, Mom? My language? Not the fact that I’m having a baby? Not whether or not your only daughter is happy?”
Keeping my composure, I stand, pulling her to me with a hand on her hip. My anger grows the longer Nick stares at us with something like disgust reflected on his face.
“Are you sure it’s his?” Lottie’s jaw clenches as her eyes dart to where my hand rests. “What about Jake?”
“Jake was too busy with Amber to pay me any attention. And Wilder?—”
“How far along are you?”
“Ten weeks. It happened on the way back.” She glances at her father.
His face is a mask of cold indifference.
“It doesn’t really matterhowwe got here,” Liv says. “This is happening, and I need you to get over your petty rivalry and support us.”
“Like hell!” Nick exclaims.
Liv slams her palms onto the table, rattling the dishes. “Screw this. I don’t have to stay here and listen to this. I’m excited about this baby, about becoming a mother. You two are acting like this is the worst thing in the world when it should be celebrated. You, of all people, should understand that, Mom.” Liv’s eyes widen, and her hand whips up to cover her mouth. A stunned silence falls over the table, so quiet you could hear the wind rustling the grass outside the window if you listen close enough.
Lottie’s face turns from anger to anguish as she mirrors Olivia’s posture. “You don’t speak about Ben. Ever. My son…” She chokes out a sob. “I can’t do this. Olivia… we need time. I’ll call you.”
“Mom,” she whispers.
“Give her space, Liv,” Archie says, placing his hand over hers on the table. “It’ll be okay.”
We both sit, watching in stunned silence at the retreating backs of Olivia’s parents. Something wet lands against the back of my hand, drawing my attention away from the door to the tears tracking down Olivia’s cheeks.
“I’m sorry,” she whispers, but it’s too late. They’re already gone, and Olivia is falling apart at the seams.
Rosie circles the table and wraps her in a hug from behind. “They’ll come around. Just give them time.”
“This isn’t how I wanted it to go. I wanted them to be happy for me,” she says, her voice cracking with each syllable. “I think I just want to go home.”
Rosie gives a solemn nod. “Alright. Let me wrap some of this up for you to take with you. I made way too much food for nobody to eat.”
“I’m sorry, Grammy. I didn’t mean to ruin family dinner.”
“Oh, hush. You didn’t ruin anything. You know your mama and daddy are stubborn as all get out, but they love you, and they’ll realize their mistake before long.”
