Page 24 of Falling for You
Hunter:Oh I’m here. And I have a cute little thing next to me, heard you might know her.
Me:Sorry man. We got slammed but I’ll see you in five to explain.
Hunter:No need to be sorry man, Ems filled me in. And I might have a solution for you…
Great. At least one of us has a fucking solution. Because beyond getting one of those things that will strap Olivia to my chest I don’t know how I’m going to run a brewery, brew new beers, and be a dad.
I use the rest of the walk to take in deep breaths, breathing in the salty air and willing it to fix my life.
I open the door to the inn, letting the cinnamon smell that reminds me of my childhood waft over me. It calms me as soon as I smell it and walk through the door. I don’t even know how Anna still finds the same apple cinnamon potpourri that she’s had here since the nineties.
There in the living room is almost all of the Keaton clan as soon as I walk in. Anna is holding Olivia, blowing raspberries on her belly as they play.
“Mimi K loves you, Livvy girl, yes I do.” Olivia coos back at her, reaching for her face.
Fuck. How can I let them get attached to her? What happens if she isn’t mine?
A hard slap to my shoulder has me snapping out of my thoughts.
“Son, how are you holding up?” Nathan Keaton pulls me to him for a hug.
Nathan and Anna have always been a second set of parents to me since kindergarten when I met Hunter and Gunnar. Only the more loving set than my own biological parents.
“I don’t know,” I answer truthfully.
I follow behind him as he pushes the kitchen door open, and Hunter gets up from the couch to follow us. I search for Emma before I go in there, finding her next to Anna, staring at Olivia and laughing.
The sight makes my chest hurt. These are the things we talked about. How we both wanted a big family, surrounded by her family and the warm love they exude.
It’s everything I ever dreamed of with Emma, just not exactly how I dreamed it coming true.
“I know I fucked up, Pops.” I admit sliding onto one of the barstools surrounding the large island in the kitchen. Maybe if I admit it first he won’t be so disappointed in me. He never got angry when we were kids, but if he told you he was disappointed, fuck that hurt.
“Well, I don’t disagree, son. But you’re here. So the choice is yours on how you want to handle it.”
“What if she isn’t mine?” I slide my hands through my beard, tugging at my chin.
Hunter snickers behind me. “Hate to tell you this, man but have you seen that baby? Even I can see she’s your double.”
“I don’t know what I’m going to do. Obviously I’ll step up, but how do I do that? How can I be a single dad and run the brewery and still be in the brewhouse to keep the actual brewery going?” I hang my head staring at my folded hands in my lap.
“It’s about time you realize you have a village that surrounds you, and is willing to help you.” Nathan slides a couple of water bottles across the table to Hunter and I.
“About that,” Hunter starts, “I have an idea for you. A solution to all your problems.” That damn smirk is back and I already know I don’t like whatever harebrained idea he has.
My eyes bounce between Hunter and Nathan, “And that is?”
“Well, you know how I’m tearing apart the cabin and Ems is living in a construction zone with no plumbing?”
Oh shit, no. “Yeah.”
“Well. What if she moved in with you and helped as your nanny, and with administrative shit at the brewery?”
I nearly spit out my water. Live with Emma? That’s like sending Little Red Riding Hood to live with the Big Bad Wolf.
“You want Ems to live with me?” I finally manage to spit out.
“I mean, is it that awful? She can live there to help with Olivia, and she’s smart as hell. Look what she did with the inn, imagine what she could do for the brewery.” Hunter narrows his eyes, aggravated that I’m doubting her.
