Page 58 of Secret Baby for Mr. Grump

“We’ll figure it out,” he said, pulling back. “We have to. You’re my family now. They’ll have to understand because I don’t plan on letting you go. And I don’t give a damn what anyone has to say. I just don’t want to offend you or cause you any hurt in the long run.”

“You won’t,” I assured him. “You can’t.”

Christmas was in full swing in my parents’ front yard. The snowmen were out, and so was the Christmas tree that was smack dab in my parents’ living room. As I walked in, I could see it, along with the row of plastic presents sitting under it.

“We’re here!” I called out, walking into the spacious living room. I tossed my coat on the couch outside the kitchen, and Marcus followed, holding Caleb silently.

“Hi, sweetie.” My mother was the first to respond, emerging from the kitchen with a warm smile. “I’m cooking up some more eggnog. Your father managed to find the one I hid.”

“Of course he did,” I commented as she came forward to hug me. Her eyes then traveled to Marcus, and she maintained her friendly smile. “Hi, Marcus. Welcome to our home.”

“It’s lovely, Mrs. Beston,” he said politely, and she waved it off.

“Oh, please,” she said airily. “Call me Gloria.”

She patted him on the shoulder, and I saw him relax a little.

But he stiffened again once my father’s voice called out, “Is thatboyhere?”

He spat the wordboyout with utmost disgust.

“Yes, Dad,” I yelled back, annoyed that he’d just ruined the good mood. “He’s here, and he has a name.”

My father’s heavy steps echoed around the house as he descended the stairs. When he got to the bottom, his eyes went straight to Marcus, his face fixed in a glare.

I sighed. This was exactly what I was afraid of.

It seemed that my dad was determined to be antagonistic about this, no matter what. I was so tired of dealing with this.

So tired in general.

I’d been feeling a little weary the whole week, but I never mentioned it because I knew Marcus wouldn’t let me help with the renovations if I complained. He’d announced a few days ago that he was going to attempt to renovate the resort instead of tearing it down, and I was so happy that I could burst.

I told my entire family, and I thought it would endear him to them a little. But I was wrong.

My father looked just as hostile as ever.

“So.” He crossed his arms over his chest. “You got some real balls coming over here after everything you’ve done.”

“Dad, stop,” I said, rubbing my forehead tiredly.

“No, he’s right,” Adam said as he emerged with Athena from another room. He looked like the spitting image of my dad. “You may be too young to understand what’s going on, but we can tell this guy is no good for you.”

“I’m not that young,” I argued defensively, glaring at Adam. “And I know exactly what I’m doing, thank you very much.”

But Adam wasn’t looking at me. He kept his gaze on Marcus. “What did you tell her, huh? What do you want from my sister that you can’t find with a woman your own age?”

“Adam—”

“Allie, be quiet,” my father said. “Let the men handle this.”

“That’s a sexist thing to say, Dad,” Athena pointed out, but my father ignored her, walking toward Marcus.

Marcus, who said nothing up until this point, simply placed Caleb down. The boy went behind Marcus’ leg, holding onto it. I knew Marcus was holding himself back for Caleb’s sake and mine, and I hated that my family was doing this to him.

I officially have had enough.

“Okay, that’s enough.” I walked over to grab my coat from the couch. “If you guys are going to keep being like this, we’re obviously not welcome here. And as such, we’re going to leave. Come on, Marcus.”

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