Page 64 of Nanny for the Damaged Ex-SEAL

Idecidenottocall Charles and Amy before we leave the house. I know what their response will be. I've tried calling Amy, but she never picks up. Really all we can do at this point is show up on their doorstep and hope they let us in.

Aria is riding next to me. She looks lost in her thoughts. I know this isn't easy on her, because it's been hell on me and I’m not the pregnant one, nor is it my parents I’ve been alienated from. Her eyes are swollen. I can tell she's been crying a lot. Which is dangerous considering the condition she's in.

I cup my hand over hers. Now that she's here it's like she never left. All the weeks we spent apart have melted and faded away. She looks at me and gives me an unsure smile. I squeeze her hand to let her know I'm with her no matter what happens. I’m willing to lose whatever and whoever I need to, to keep her. I won’t lose her again for anything. I don't care how it looks on the family and I don't care what anyone thinks anymore.

I pull into Charles and Amy's driveway and come to a stop, but we don't get out immediately.

"It's not going to be easy, but please don't let whatever happens today affect you. We need to start thinking about the baby, okay?"

She sniffs and nods.

I get out and go round to get the passenger door, then hold her as we meander to the door. To uncertainty. I press the doorbell and wait. Footsteps approach. I look over at Aria, who's on the verge of hyperventilating. I squeeze her hand and she takes a deep breath.

The door opens. By the look on Charles’s face, we can tell we were the last people he was expecting to be standing at his door. But he doesn't shut it. Amy would have slammed it in our faces.

"We need to talk to you and Amy," I say with appeal in my eyes.

He widens the door and lets us in.

"Who's that, Charles?" we hear Amy ask as we walk into the living room.

When she sees us, she goes blank. I expect her to fly into a rage. But nothing happens. It's been weeks, emotions have mellowed, but that's because they don't know why we’re here. I take a seat opposite her and Aria sits beside me. Charles takes a seat on the sofa close to Amy. We sit like this for a few long, awkward moments until I clear my throat.

"Erm… I, we came to see you two because we…Aria's pregnant."

Amy drops the book in her hands slowly, but I can't read her face. Charles has his hand on his forehead.

"I thought you two were supposed to stay away from each other?" she finally says.

"We did. This is the first time we’ve seen or talked to each other since your birthday party. She found out a week ago. So, I decided it's best you two know about it."

Charles sighs and sinks into the chair. Amy shakes her head.

"I need to be there for my child. I know this isn't what you expect, but I can't leave her to do this alone. And I still love her. Nothing is going to change that."

"This can't happen. It can't. You're my cousin. You're practically my brother. We were raised like siblings. It’s just…wrong."

I can't hold it in anymore. "But I'mnotyour brother. I'm not even really your cousin. And if I can't be with Aria, then I'll be alone forever."

Aria looks at me, confused. "What do you mean, you're not her cousin?"

"I'm not. Please, Amy, tell her.”

Amy looks offended. “How dare you say that? How dare you?”

I’m tired. I’m sick and tired of it all. “Please, tell her. I can’t do this anymore. I can’t go on like this.”

“My family did everything for you. You became a part of us. How dare you say that? How ungrateful!”

I slump back in my seat. “I am grateful. You think I don’t know what your family did for me, how you all saved me? You think that I’m not grateful? Facts are still facts, regardless of feelings, and the truth is we’re not related by blood. Please, tell her, Amy. Do you want me to be happy? I just want to be happy like you always wanted me to be. And do you want this baby to grow up without a father?"

Tears are spilling out of Amy's eyes now. "I've always wanted you to be happy, I'll never want you to be miserable. And I've always seen you as my family."

Charles hands her a tissue and she dabs it under her eyes.

She turns to Aria. "Connor’s parents died when he was four years old. His parents and my parents were the closest friends. They were really close. Connor was brought to live with us as my parents took over their properties and ran them on Connor's behalf. I took him as my brother. I took care of him. We grew up together. But he's right. We aren't related by blood."

Aria’s eyes are frantic. "I…I don't know what to say. Dad, did you know about this?"

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