My heart pounds in my chest with the intensity of a drum. I’m sure he can feel it slamming against his torso, but he never says anything. As I gaze up and our eyes meet, I only see happiness reflecting in his, and I know we’re going to be okay. Sure, this may be a little unconventional, but it’s our story and no one else’s.
We write our ending.
“Ready to go tell our families they’re going to be grandparents?” he asks, a wide smile on his full lips.
“I am,” I confirm, trying to pull away from the hug, but not getting very far.
Instead, Harrison lowers his lips to mine, giving me a slow, soft kiss. My body hums with energy, excitement racing through my veins. Even though we share a bed, Harrison isn’t rushing anything between the sheets. We’ve actually only made love a few times, and those have seemed more out of desperate need than anything. He still treats me like I’m made of glass. I honestly think it’s because he’s trying to take this slow—dating, as he likes to call it. Well, I remember when we were first dating all those years ago. We couldn’t keep our hands off each other and practically went at it like rabbits.
Something I wouldn’t mind repeating in the near future.
“I’m going to stop by the gym, finish up a few things, and grab some work to bring home. I’ll meet you there by five, and then we can head to the restaurant together,” he says.
“Sounds good,” I confirm, reaching for my door handle and giving it a tug.
It’s warm for the first week of June, and I can already tell the inside of my new car is sweltering. Harrison found a great family car with the best safety rating for me. I slide onto the seat and crank the engine. It fires to life instantly, the air pumping through the fan warm and sticky. Harrison reaches through the open door and cranks on the air conditioning. Before he removes himself completely from the vehicle, he places both hands on my cheeks and puts his lips on mine. Again, the kiss is slow and sweet, but there’s a fire smoldering just below the surface. I can feel it, and if the look in his eyes is any indication, he can too.
“See you soon,” he whispers, his lips dancing one last time against mine. I shudder, craving his hands and his lips other places on my flushed body.
“Soon.”
That’s a promise.
Harrison and I walk through the front door together of another favorite restaurant of mine. It’s not lost on me that he chose this place to share our news with our families. This is where we told them we were getting married and where our rehearsal dinner was held. A lot of memories were made within these walls, that’s for sure.
As soon as the door closes behind us, we find both his parents, as well as mine, already chatting by the hostess stand. The confusion is clear when they see us enter together, as if them both meeting their child for dinner at the same time is more than just a coincidence. The light bulbs seem to turn on. My mom glances at his, then to my dad. There’s no missing the look of question on their faces.
“Honey, good to see you,” Harrison’s mom, Sarah, greets her son with a hug.
“Dear, look who we ran into when we arrived for dinner,” my mom adds as she pulls me into a hug of her own, glancing over my shoulder at her ex-son-in-law. “Is something going on?” she whispers in my ear.
“Let’s grab our table, and we’ll explain,” Harrison says, heading to the hostess stand. “Drake, party of six.”
My dad is watching me, his all-knowing eyes assessing and dissecting. I can feel all their questions rolling off them in waves.
“All right, let’s have a seat and I’m sure the kids will explain why we’re here together,” Sarah agrees, taking her husband’s hand and falling in line behind the hostess. Their eyes burn into my back as Harrison places a hand above my rear and guides me to our table. My heart is about to leap from my chest with nervousness, and I can’t even drink to take the edge off.
Harrison takes the seat beside me, something the four sets of eyes around our table notice immediately. No one speaks as menus are placed in front of us and the hostess promises to send our waiter over immediately. I glance over tonight’s specials, but already know what I’m ordering. I’m sort of a creature of habit like that.
Our waitress arrives and I recognize her immediately. She’s worked here for years and has served Harrison and me many meals. She also knew about the divorce, like everyone else in town, so there’s no missing the curious look she gives. “Good evening,” she greets, setting glasses of water down at each plate. “Can I start you off with some drinks?”
Our parents order first, alcoholic beverages for each one. When she gets to me, I state, “Just water, please.”
“Same,” Harrison adds, closing his menu and setting it to the side.
“So, how’s work?” Sarah asks, glancing across the table to her son.
“Good. Busy. We’re getting ready to open the second location, and the third should follow later this summer. I also purchased a fourth location, which should be ready to go by the end of the year. It needs some cosmetic work to the building, but the structure is sound,” Harrison tells his parents.
“Good deal, son. Happy to see it taking off like this,” his dad, Adam, compliments.
As soon as our waitress returns with our drinks and takes our orders, all eyes fall on us. My nerves have me ready to jump out of my skin and I can’t stop my hand from thumping the tabletop and my legs from bouncing uncontrollably.
“Okay, spill,” my mom finally demands.
I clear my throat and open my mouth. “We have some news.”
“You’re back together,” Sarah states, her eyes full of happiness.
“Well—” I start, but am cut off.
“Yes,” Harrison answers, reaching down and taking my hand in his. The touch instantly calms my nerves. “We’re back together,” he adds, glancing my way and giving me a warm grin.
“Oh, I’m so happy!” my mom coos, clapping her hands victoriously as Sarah’s eyes fill with tears.
My dad just stares at my ex-husband, not voicing his pleasure like the women. When I glance at Adam, he’s doing the same. Both men look like they want to say something, or at least ask a question, and it’s my dad who speaks first. “What’s different about this time around?”
I sober instantly and sit up straight. My mouth opens, but nothing comes out. I glance at the man at my side to find his gaze locked on my father’s. “Everything,” Harrison reassures. “I openly admit that I messed up last time. I shouldn’t have let it get to the point it did. I shouldn’t have agreed to a divorce when I wanted anything but. That was entirely on me. I won’t make the same mistake a second time,” he adds, bringing my hand to his mouth. “I have too much at stake now.” He says the words to my dad, but I know they’re for me too.
“You don’t get all the blame,” I remind him, knowing full well I played a part in the demise of our marriage.
“But I take it. All of it. I should have fought harder for the things I loved and valued most in this world.” His eyes are intense and speak volumes for the sincerity in his voice. I know he takes full responsibility, even though that’s not where it lies. It’s placed at both our feet, though no matter how much I try to reason, it’s a bit difficult to get that through his thick skull.
Risking a glance across the table, I see both our moms wearing a tearful smile, while our dads still watch us closely, silently observing. When my dad finally speaks, he says, “I believe you, son. Just know that I won’t let you hurt her a second time.”
“Me either,” Adam states, “but I have to admit, I don’t see it happening a second time. I saw firsthand how bad that separation and divorce tore him up. Poor Chase took the brunt of his bad moods for several months.”
Harrison huffs. “Don’t poor Chase anything. He deserves every ounce of shit thrown his way,” he teases with a grin.
Adam lets out a hearty laugh. “Well, you may be right there, but still. You’ve been a bear with a thorn in your paw for months. If it takes returning that pret
ty lady beside you to your side, then I’m all for it.” Adam lifts his glass and salutes.
“Thanks, Dad,” Harrison replies before turning to my dad. “Dwayne, you have my word that I won’t hurt your daughter ever again. My purpose in life is to make her smile, not cry.”
And because I’m a hormonal mess, I start to cry. My mom reaches over the table and squeezes my arm. “Good tears are okay,” she adds with a wink.
“I suppose,” my dad grumbles, offering me a wink over his glass.
Our entrees are delivered a few moments later, and even though we haven’t shared our other news yet, I’ve crossed the first big hurdle of the evening. I can’t imagine anyone having any issues with the fact we’re bringing a baby into the world. Well, unless you take into account the fact we’re not married, have recently divorced each other, and are just now rekindling our relationship.