Page 126 of Illicit Heir

Annie squeezes my hand again. "It's okay, Lauren. We know you're not a bad person. Just tell us what's going on."

It takes me a few more minutes to collect my thoughts and debate what to tell them. But once I start talking, it all rolls out. "My mum is Tommy's sister. I'm sure ya heard he's dead, yet I can't escape the fact I have his blood, which links my family to the O'Learys."

They listen intently.

I continue, "One night, after the big game, there was a horrible fight in the pub that my mum owns. I sent her home, and the girls and I cleaned up the mess. Four blokes knocked on the pub door."

Dominick's eyes narrow. He demands, "What did they do?"

"We didn't know who they were. I swear we didn't know. But they were O'Connors, and well..." I look away in embarrassment.

"Lauren, it's okay. We're not going to judge ya, no matter what. What happened when the O'Connors showed up? Did they hurt ya?" Annie keeps her voice calm and reassuring.

I shake my head. "No. They just... Oh Jesus." I put my hand over my face, wishing I could have made different choices that night.

"Please tell us," Annie says, interrupting my thoughts.

I force myself to look at her. After all, she and Dominick have been nothing but nice to me, kind and caring. They took me in and saved me, as far as I'm concerned. They deserve the truth if anybody does. Plus, now that they know I'm pregnant and I've already started telling them my truth, I need to finish it. So, I cautiously admit, "I ended up... Well, the O'Connors wanted to play a game. My cousins, who work at the pub with me, and I were drinking and playing cards with them. Then Devin suggested we make a bet. It was stupid for me to agree to it, and I lost. And the crazy thing is, I never lose at cards, but I did that night. So, I ended up sleeping with Devin." I swallow hard and admit, "We didn't use protection, and I was off my birth control, and..." A fresh burst of tears falls down my face.

Annie puts her arm around me and pulls me close. "Shush, dear. It's okay. He took advantage of ya."

"No, it's not like he forced himself on me," I state.

Dominick's disapproving expression matches his voice. "Still. Devin O'Connor's how old? In his thirties? Forties? He knows better than to take advantage of a young lass like you. He knew exactly what he was doing."

I don't know why I stick up for Devin, but I do. I declare, "But I wanted it as much as he did." Heat fills my face the moment my admission comes out. I bite my lip and stare at my hands, muttering, "It doesn't matter anyway. The point is I'm pregnant and I can't let anybody know. I briefly dated Caleb O'Leary. He wants me, and he's a horrible person. My mum wants me to marry him and tell him it's his baby."

Hate fills Dominick's features, which is the first time I've seen that emotion on him.

Annie wears the same expression. She says, "Dear, we've heard about Caleb, what he does, and who he is, so it's understandable why you're hiding out. Your mum shouldn't be pushing ya to marry him!"

"Well, she will always be loyal to the O'Learys. It's who she is, but she means well. I begged her not to tell Caleb anything about my baby. I can't imagine what would happen if he thought I was carrying his child. And Devin... Well, if Devin finds out, my mum says the O'Connors will take my baby from me." I start sobbing.

Annie once again pulls me into her. She lets me cry until her blouse is soaked from my tears. She finally states, "Lauren, everything will be fine. We understand why you're here, and we will ensure ya and your baby have everything ya need."

I slowly look up. "But it's not your responsibility."

"Shush, dear. You're family. Besides, Dominick and I always wanted children. We couldn't have any of our own. You've become like our daughter, so we'll treat your baby like our grandbaby."

Emotions choke me up further. I take a few shaky inhales, shocked at their kindness.

Dominick adds, "Aye, we will. But now that we know the baby's coming, we must prepare. There's a lot to do before the baby arrives."

I glance at him, then back at Annie, still stunned, asking, "Are ya two being for real right now?"

She softly chuckles. "Of course, dear. Don't ya worry. We'll turn one of the bedrooms into your room, so ya and the baby have more space. That closet's not going to do much for ya."

"No. That's part of your income. The baby and I'll be fine in my current room."

Dominick insists in a firm voice, "No, ya won't. Besides, Annie and I have done just fine. We don't need to fill all the bedrooms to survive."

I argue, "That's too kind of you. But truly, if ya can just let me stay in my room, I'll be totally happy. I promise. And a baby doesn't take up that much space."

Dominick rises. "Don't be silly. We'll start today. Annie, ya take Lauren into town tomorrow. Start looking at cribs and other things."

More shock fills me. "What?"

Annie softly laughs. "We're going to need stuff. Besides, this will be fun. You're having a baby!"

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