Page 78 of Until Hanna

“You’re home,” she says, looking behind me at Walker, who I can see is grinning in the small image of us on the screen.

“I am. I got in yesterday,” he says, and she looks at me.

“I know you’re happy he’s back.”

“Yeah,” I reply softly, squeezing his hands that are linked around my waist. “Is Dad around?”

“He is. Do you want me to get him?”

“Yeah, we have something to tell—” Before I can even say “you two,” she’s out of sight of the camera, shouting Dad’s name, and Walker chuckles behind me.

“Okay, we’re here,” Mom says a moment later, with Dad appearing behind her.

“Hey, honey.” He smiles at me, then looks at Walker. “Walker, glad to see you’re home.”

“Glad to be home.” He kisses my shoulder.

“So, what do you have to tell us?” Mom asks, and I lift my hand to adjust the computer screen. “Oh my God, you’re engaged!” she shrieks, covering her mouth with her hand. “I knew it.” She bounces up and down as I start to panic. “Did you know?” She looks at Dad, who just nods.

Okay, apparently Walker didn’t ask me to marry him, but hedidask my dad if it was okay. Darn that makes me want to cry.

Then Mom orders, “Hold it up. Let me see.”Oh, Goodness.I reluctantly hold up my hand and watch her eyes fill with tears. “It’s so beautiful… and huge. It’s so huge.” She laughs.

“Actually, that’s not the news,” Walker says, and my mom’s smile falls away in an instant.

“It’s not?”

“Not all of it anyway,” he clarifies.

“Oh, so what is it then?”

“Well… I….” I glance back at Walker. “Um, we—”

“You’re moving home,” Mom cuts in, looking just as excited as before, maybe even more so.

“No.” I shake my head. “Or not yet.”

“Not yet?”

“You’re pregnant,” Dad inserts, and Mom gasps, looking back at him before facing the camera once more. “Right?” Dad asks softly never taking his eyes off me.

I nod, then a sob I can’t control climbs up the back of my throat.

“Baby,” Walker whispers, hugging me tighter.

“Oh, honey,” Mom murmurs, tears filling her eyes once again. “You’re having a baby?”

“Yes.”

“My baby is having a baby,” she whimpers, and Dad gathers her in his arms. “How far along are you?”

“Ten weeks now.” I wipe away the tears on my cheeks.

“Ten weeks.” She gives me a watery smile. “How are you feeling?”

“Just tired.”

“No other symptoms?” she asks, her voice filled with concern.

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