Page 53 of Keeping Our Secrets

“She won't be alone,” Liam interrupted.

“What are you talking about?” My mom turned to Liam. “I won't be around all the time to help her.”

“I am going to help her,” he responded.

“Son, I understand you care for your sister, but you're going back to uni in a couple weeks,” James interjected.

“For the billionth time, she’s not my sister,” Liam responded, then dropped the bombshell. “Mairi and the babies will live with me,” Liam answered.

“This isn't your responsibility, son,” James scoffed.

“Of course it’s my responsibility,” Liam argued. “It's what any father would do for his children.”

“Your children?” James looked like his head was about to explode.

“Yes,” Liam responded, spine straightening. “My children.”

“What the bloody hell were you thinking?” James yelled.

“I was on a trip and I wanted to have a good time.”

“Well, it seems you had a really good time that you’re going to be paying for the rest of your life.”

My mom sat there dumbfounded while Liam and his dad had their side discussion. Then she suddenly piped up, “There’s no way you’re the father Liam. You've only known my daughter since the end of June.”

“That's not true, ma’am. I’ve known your daughter since March.”

“How?” Liam's father asked.

“Remember my trip to Paris, Dad?”

“Yes.”

“We met there.”

“Impossible. My daughter’s never been to Paris.”

I cleared my voice and everyone finally acknowledged my presence again. “I've been there mom.”

“When?” she yelled.

“Spring break.”

“With who? How?”

“I went with Jen. Her dad booked us the tickets and gave us a credit card. You were in Montreal for another conference.”

She slumped forward in her chair. “I've been a horrible mother, haven't I?”

“No.”

“How could I not be, when my teenage daughter becomes pregnant with her stepbrother’s baby?”

“He wasn't my stepbrother.”

“How are we going to explain this to people? The scandal.”

“Who cares?” Liam answered. “I love your daughter and we are going to have twins.”

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