Page 34 of Oh My Secret Christmas Baby
“Candy is having twins.”
“Oh my gosh!” Mom’s whole face lights up. I knew it would. I know she’ll be thrilled to learn they are biologically mine, but it wouldn’t matter to her. Mom herself was adopted when she was a baby. “I need to double everything.” She starts to stand as though she has to start doing that right this second.
“Mom.” I motion for her to sit back down.
“There is more?”
“Maxwell Holmberg.”
“You found the link?” Mom had thought the same thing I had. It couldn't be a coincidence that I knew the man who was linked to Candy and she'd showed up at my door.
“Yes. Years ago I outed his shady dealings to his father and a few others.” Mom’s expression turns skeptical, and I know her mind is already trying to solve this riddle on its own. “I guess he’s out for revenge.”
"And Candy is linked to this revenge?"
“I’ll get there, but let's start with my accident.”
“You think that was him!” Mom is once again out of her chair.
“Sit, Mom.” A small growl leaves her, but she sits back down. “I have my suspicions because it’s clear to me now he was following my recovery. So that made me go back and search over my medical files. I sent them to another doctor, and he found an issue. I never needed that check to make sure I was still functioning and capable of having children one day.”
A gasp leaves her. I’m sure she’s putting it together. She’s wanted to know the clinic's name from the start. He’s been planning this for some time.
“I don’t mean to be crude,” Mom says. "Actually, I do. Are you about to tell me that man stole your sperm and used it to impregnate Candy?”
“I know it sounds insane.”
“The truth is often stranger than fiction.”
Mom listens as I tell her the rest and fill her in on all the things that have been happening. By the time I’m done, she’s swiping at tears on her cheeks. I hand her a handkerchief.
“Hollis, did you see—” Candy pauses in the doorway of my office. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt.”
“You’re not,” Mom says, standing. “I’m Mary, Hollis’s mom. He has caught me up on everything.” Mom swipes at the rest of her tears.
“Mom, she probably thinks you’re crying because you’re upset.”
“No!” Mom gasps.
“Candy has a habit of thinking everything is going to be bad news. I’m working on fixing that.” I make my way over to her, grabbing her hand to lead her back to my mother.
“Of course you are. I taught him well.” Mom gives Candy a giant smile. “Can I hug you?”
“Yes.”
That’s all Mom needs before she pulls her in for a hug. “I’m so excited to meet you.” Her hands cup Candy’s face. “I tend to be a lot. Hollis tells me this, so if I’m ever overstepping, just bring it to my attention.”
“You’re fine.” Candy’s cheeks start to turn pink.
“Then, I can touch?” Mom asks her. The sweater Candy is wearing today fits her snugly, and you can see her baby bump. It’s been hard to keep my hands off her. I didn’t know pregnancy could be sexy, but fuck, I didn’t know a lot of things until Candy entered my life.
“You can.”
A few more tears escape as she rubs Candy's belly. "This is going to be the best Christmas." Mom glances at me. "And look at her. She's beautiful." That makes Candy's cheeks even more pink.
“Thank you. You’re very kind.”
“Did she get everything I sent?” Mom had helped me with all the clothes and things Candy might need.
