Thanksgiving was perfect. It felt a little surreal to spend the holiday with Josh. Of course, it wasn’t the first Thanksgiving he’d spent at the ranch, but it was the first one he’d spent sitting next to me, his hand tracing circles on my bare leg under the table while we ate dinner. I loved how whenever we were together, he found some way to touch me, setting my overly sensitive body on fire.
It was great to see Aunt Emma and Uncle Phil. They were so excited to be spending time with Libby, and couldn’t wait to see her marry Mason. We spent most of the meal discussing the wedding, and Libby was planning on taking her mom to the bridal shop in Austin the next week to show her the dress she’d chosen.
I lay in bed later that night, my stomach rolling with nerves. Josh’s parents were due back in the morning, and he wanted us to go over that night so he could tell them we were together. I was exhausted after a long day but I was struggling to get to sleep. At around 2am, I gave up and crept out of bed, not wanting to wake Josh. I made my way downstairs and made some warm milk in the hope that it would help me fall asleep. Carrying it through into the sitting room, I left the light off, the moon dimly illuminating the small room through the open drapes. I slumped down on the sofa with a sigh. I was normally a confident person and not usually bothered if someone didn’t like me, but having Josh’s parents dislike me would surely have an effect on our relationship. What if they convinced him I wasn’t good enough for him? Groaning, I put my milk on the coffee table and dropped my head back, closing my eyes.
“Savannah, what are you doing down here in the dark? Are you okay?” I heard Josh ask. Opening my eyes, I turned my head to see him standing at the foot of the stairs wearing just a pair of shorts, the light from the moon lighting up his worried face.
“I’m okay, I just can’t get to sleep. I’m sorry if I woke you.” I motioned for him to join me on the sofa.
“I reached for you and you weren’t there, I was worried. What’s wrong?” He sat down next to me and pulled me into his side.
“I’m nervous about meeting your parents,” I said quietly, my face buried in his shoulder.
“Why?” he asked incredulously. “You’ve met them plenty of times!”
“Not as your girlfriend. I don’t think your mom likes me.”
He gently pushed me away from him, his eyes searching mine. “Why do you think that?” he asked, a frown forming on his face.
I shrugged my shoulders. “It’s just a feeling I get. I think she thinks I’m loud and obnoxious, and now that I’m pregnant…” I trailed off and dropped my eyes from his. “She’s going to think you’re ruining your life by being with me.”
“Look at me Savannah,” he demanded, and I met his gaze. “You’re worrying over nothing. My mom has never said anything to me about not liking you, and as for the baby, she going to have a grandchild, one she never thought she could ever have, and she’s going to be so excited.” I nodded and gave him a small smile. He truly believed she would be happy about us and the situation. Maybe he was right, but my gut was telling me he wasn’t.
“Come on, let’s go to bed. You need to rest.” I nodded and he took my hand, pulling me off the sofa and leading me upstairs. Climbing into bed, I lay on my side. I felt the bed dip, followed by Josh wrapping his arms around me, his chest against my back. His hand came to rest on my swollen stomach, and I felt him kiss the back of my head. “Regardless of what my parents say tomorrow, you and this baby are my whole life, and nothing is going to change that,” he whispered in my ear, his breath warm on my skin. “I love you Savannah.”
I tilted my head so I could see his face. “I love you too,” I told him, the anxiety I felt fading away on hearing his words. I lifted my head and brushed my lips against his. It wasn’t a kiss that was going to lead to anything more, just a kiss filled with love. Dropping my head back onto the pillow, I closed my eyes, finally able to fall asleep wrapped up in Josh’s arms.
The time I had been dreading had arrived and I was driving to Josh’s parents’ house. Josh was going straight home after work and we’d planned for me to meet him there for dinner. He’d called his parents earlier in the day and told them he had some news and would be bringing someone to dinner with him. I’d suggested he tell his parents about me and the baby before I arrived so at least they weren’t taken by surprise, but he wanted us to tell them together, so there I was, heading to his house. I’d spent a long time picking out my outfit, trying to find something that didn’t make me look quite as pregnant as I was. I wasn’t very successful as my bump was now pretty big and there was no way of hiding it. I’d ended up choosing a pink flowery dress that fell just above my knee, and I’d paired it with my favorite cowboy boots and denim jacket. My hair was curled down my back and my makeup was minimal. If I had been going anywhere other than Josh’s parents’ house, I would have loved my outfit, but as it was, I was nervous and critical of everything.
Pulling up outside the house, I took my time getting out of the car. Checking my reflection in the rear-view mirror, I reapplied my lip gloss and plumped my hair. Unable to delay any longer, I slowly climbed out of the car and walked up to the front door. Taking a deep breath, I rang the doorbell. Nerves swirled in my stomach and I pushed away the urge to throw up as I heard footsteps before the door flew open and I saw Josh. Breathing a sigh of relief, I threw my arms around him and held on tightly as his arms circled my waist and he hugged me back.
“Are you okay?” he asked, concern lacing his voice.
Pulling out of his embrace, I looked up at him and nodded. “I missed you,” I told him with a smile.
“I missed you too,” he said, grinning back at me. I watched as his eyes raked up and down my body. “You look beautiful.”
“Are you sure I look okay?”
“You look more than okay. Come on, Mom and Dad are in the sitting room.” Taking a deep breath, I let him take my hand and lead me through the large hallway, past a large table full of roses. I inhaled deeply as we passed them, their smell invading my senses. Coming to a stop outside a closed door, Josh turned to face me. “Ready sweetheart?” he asked. I nodded slowly then he turned and opened the door.
My heart was racing as he led me in. I positioned my body slightly behind his in an attempt to hide my bump for as long as possible, not wanting it to be the first thing they saw. “Mom, Dad, I’d like you to meet my girlfriend,” I heard Josh say, tugging on my hand and bringing me to stand next to him. Looking up, I saw his parents sitting on the sofa, a glass of wine in each of their hands.
“Savannah!” his mom exclaimed, putting her glass on the coffee table in front of her and standing up. “What a surprise.” I watched as her eyes widened when she noticed my bump. His dad was also making his way over to us, but I could tell he hadn’t noticed yet.
“Hello Savannah! Well I never saw that coming son. What great news,” he said cheerfully, shaking Josh’s hand and clapping him on the back. “This is cause for celebration. I’ll get the champagne.”
“I don’t think Savannah can have any champagne, Robert,” his mom said, speaking to her husband but never taking her eyes off me. There was a smile on her face, but it looked forced and didn’t quite reach her eyes.
“Actually, no she can’t,” I heard Josh say as he let go of my hand and wound his arm around my waist, pulling me gently into his side. “Savannah’s having a baby, so no champagne for her.” He looked down at me with a smile and kissed me softly on the side of my head.
“A baby?” his dad asked in confusion, his eyes dropping to my stomach.
“But not your baby, Josh?” his mom asked, her eyes still focused on me. Feeling my cheeks flush, I looked up at Josh.
“Biologically no, but it’s my baby in every other way,” he said, still smiling down at me, and I gave him a small smile back.
“And the biological father?” his mom asked, her tone sharp.
“He’s not around,” Josh told her with a shrug.
“And you’re happy to be financially responsible for another man’s child?” she asked, looking straight at Josh. I felt his body tense against mine, and I reached my hand up to stroke his back.
“I’m not asking Josh for any money, Mrs. Miller. I plan on supporting the child myself,” I said before Josh could respond.
“And what happens when the father changes his mind and wants to be part of the child’s life?” she snorted, her hands going to her hips.
“The baby’s father isn’t aware that I’m pregnant, so he won’t be part of the child’s life.” I looked straight at her and held her gaze.
“Oh, and why is that Savannah?” she asked icily.
“Mom!” Josh exclaimed, his voice showing signs of anger. “Enough!”
“It’s fine Josh,” I told him with a sigh. “I’m not in contact with the father. In fact, I don’t know who the father is, so I couldn’t tell him even if I wanted to.”
Her eyes widened in shock before she nodded and gave me a tight smile. “And how long has this been going on?” she asked, motioning between Josh and me with her hand.
“We only recently got together, but I’ve loved her since I was 16. Savannah hasn’t asked me for any money, but I will be supporting them both. I love them and we are going to be a family. Both Savannah and the baby are going to have my last name in the not too distant future. I know this probably comes as a shock to you, but this is happening,” Josh told her as he turned and smiled down at me. I smiled back at him, still taken aback at his words. “We haven’t come here for your blessing,” he said, looking back over at his mom. “We are going to be together regardless, but I would like you to be happy for us.” I turned to look at his mom, whose mouth was hanging open. I was guessing Josh didn’t often speak to his parents like that. Glancing over at his dad, I saw him trying not to smile. He obviously wasn’t as concerned as his wife was.
“Right,” she stuttered. “Well I guess congratulations are in order. I’ll just go check on dinner. Josh, come get Savannah a drink—I know I could do with one,” she mumbled as she walked out of the room, gesturing for Josh to follow her.
Taking my hand, Josh turned me back to face him. “I’m so sorry baby, I can’t believe she grilled you like that.”
“It’s okay,” I said quietly, shrugging my shoulders, still aware that his dad was in the room.
“I’ll be right back,” he assured me before following his mom. I turned to look at Josh’s dad, giving him a small smile. I felt uneasy being alone with him, despite always having gotten along with him when he was at the ranch.
“Sit down Savannah,” he said kindly, waving his hand toward the sofa. I walked across the room and sat on the edge, my hands twisting in my lap. “I’m sorry about Grace, darlin’. I’m sure she didn’t mean to upset you, she’s just very protective of him, has been ever since…” He trailed off and looked away.
“I know about the leukemia Mr. Miller,” I told him quietly. He nodded and gave me a small smile. “I know starting a relationship while being pregnant isn’t an ideal situation, but I really do love Josh.”
He nodded. “I’m glad, because I know he loves you.”
My head flew up and my eyes met his. “You do?” I asked in surprise.
He smiled and sat next to me on the sofa. “He confides in his old dad, you know. He told me a few years ago how he felt about you and I tried to get him to talk to you, but he wouldn’t, said he wasn’t good enough for you.”
I shook my head as I felt a lump form in my throat. “That’s just not true,” I said sadly, my eyes filling with tears. “He’s everything I’ve ever wanted.” Tears slipped down my cheeks and his dad put his arm around me.
“Don’t cry darlin’,” he said, patting me somewhat awkwardly on the shoulder.
“I’m sorry.” I sniffed, wiping my tears away. I wasn’t exactly making a great first impression. I could only imagine what his dad thought of the crazy pregnant woman crying on his sofa. Just then, the door opened and Josh came in with two drinks in his hands.
“Savannah!” he exclaimed, putting the drinks on the coffee table and rushing over to me. “What’s wrong? Why is she crying?” he asked, looking at his dad.
I saw him shrug and I couldn’t help but laugh. “I’m fine Josh. I think I’ve traumatized your dad though!” I said, wiping the last of the tears away and pulling myself together.
He looked between me and his dad, and then back at me. “But you’re crying,” he said, his face full of concern. “My mom upset you, didn’t she?”
I shook my head. “No Josh,” I replied, hoping telling a little white lie to save his feelings wasn’t classified as actually lying. “She just wants the best for you, and she was bound to have questions,” I said quietly as he kneeled in front of me, taking my hands in his.
“You are the best for me Sav,” he said before kissing me softly on the lips. I heard someone clearing their throat behind Josh and he pulled away, standing up. His mom was standing in the doorway, her face like thunder as her eyes met mine.
“Dinner’s ready,” she said before turning and leaving the room. I smiled at Josh, not wanting him to see that her behavior was having an effect on me.
Dinner was tense, to say the least, and I barely ate a thing, my stomach churning with unease. The conversation was stilted, with Josh’s dad trying his best to break the tension by telling us about the cruise they’d just returned from. I noticed that Josh’s mom hardly ate anything either and was just pushing her food around her plate. I tried to engage her in conversation, telling her about Libby and Mason’s wedding plans, but she only nodded and offered one-word answers.
When it came time to leave, Josh’s parents walked with us to the front door, where Josh’s dad turned and hugged me. “Welcome to the family Savannah. Grace will come around, don’t worry,” he whispered in my ear, and I smiled at him as he stepped back and pulled Josh into a hug too.
“Are you not staying here tonight Josh?” his mom asked as Josh kissed her on the cheek.
“No Mom, I’m staying with Savannah,” he replied as he turned and took my hand.
“Thank you for dinner, Mr. and Mrs. Miller,” I said politely.
“Oh, call us Robert and Grace,” Josh’s dad said with a wink, and I smiled and nodded at him.
“Bye Josh, Savannah,” his mom said coolly as she turned and walked back up the hall toward the sitting room. I heard Josh sigh.
“I’ll have a word with her son, she’ll come around.”
“Thanks Dad,” he said as we made our way out to the driveway. I heard the door close behind us and Josh pulled me into his arms. “Baby, I am so sorry, that was a horrible evening.” He kissed the top of my head and pulled back to look at me. “I can’t believe my mom behaved like that.”
“It’s a lot to take in,” I said with a shrug. “She’s protective of you, I get that.”
“She was rude to you. I thought she’d be happy for me,” he said sadly.
I reached my hand up and cupped his face. “Give her some time babe,” I told him. “Maybe she’ll feel differently when it’s sunk in and your dad has talked to her.”
“Maybe,” he replied, not sounding convinced. “Come on, let’s go home. We’ll leave my truck here—I don’t want you driving back on your own.” I nodded and followed him to my Bug.
We were silent on the drive home, Josh’s hand encased in mine the whole way. I’d known telling his parents I was pregnant with another man’s child wasn’t going to be easy, but I was upset for Josh. I’d experienced what it was like for a parent to be disappointed in a choice you made, and I didn’t want that for him. I also didn’t want him to have to choose between me and his parents. Selfishly, I didn’t want him to doubt our relationship because his mom thought he shouldn’t be with me, although from the speech he’d made earlier, I had to hope and pray that wouldn’t happen. I supposed only time would tell.