Page 9 of Keeping Our Secrets

The only thing I was sure of right at this moment was that I wasn’t ready to tell my mom and James I was going to have a baby. So telling them I wanted to take a year off from school seemed like the best option with the least amount of questions.

“That’s perfect,” she beamed.

“What do you mean, mom?”

“Well, honey,” she started, and then glanced at James lovingly. “There’s something that we wanted to tell you.”

I looked back and forth between them. They both had huge smiles on their face, and I knew immediately where this was going.

“James and I got married in Vegas last weekend,” my mom told me as she held out her hand, showing me her diamond engagement ring and wedding band.

“What does that have to do with my gap year?” I asked, unsure of how I felt about their quickie nuptials. I thought she was just going to tell me they were engaged, not married.

“You and your mom are going to move back to Scotland with me,” James answered.

“Really?” I was truly excited.

With the pregnancy, there was no other option for me. But I’d be close to dad who I hadn’t seen in almost a year.

“Yes, really,” my mom answered with a smile. “We are going to leave the day after graduation. James has to fly back tomorrow.”

“Are you sure you’re okay with this?” James asked.

“Of course,” I smiled. “I just wish that I could have been there.”

“I know, honey. It was a last-minute decision. We got wrapped up in the moment and just did it.”

“It’s okay, I’ve just been thinking about finals,” I responded.

“You’ll be fine. You always do,” my mom assured me.

“It has been a while since I visited Scotland,” I told James.

“My son will be home for the summer. Maybe he can show you around.”

“Oh, honey, isn’t that great? I know you miss Michael, but maybe having another brother to hang out with will help ease the pain. Besides, you’ve always talked about having more siblings.”

Did she really think James’ son should be a replacement brother? I didn’t know where she came up with that asinine idea, but as pissed off as I was, I was too tired to argue.

When I got upstairs that night, I picked up my cell, took a deep breath and texted the father of my baby. He deserved to know what was going on.

Me:

Hey, how’s London?

I wish I could have been there with you.

School’s almost over!

The next day, when I hadn’t heard from him I texted again.

Me:

Hi! What sights are you seeing today?

A couple days later…

Me:

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