“Pipe! You have to be on the crazy train to hell. That would be Armageddon.”
“You’re right. Maybe you should wait until the apple pie is served. She’d look way more funny with ice cream on her face.”
“Would you stop?” But then I broke into a smile.
“See, you agree. You can’t hide that grin.”
“God, that would be funny. ‘Hey Mom. Guess what. You’re finally getting your wish. You’re going to be a grandmother. I’m preggies! Whoohoooo!’ Then you could all hop out of your chairs and dance.”
“I liked it better before you added the dance part.”
“You’re killing my fun,” I said with a pout.
“We could tell Dad ahead of time. You know he’d have your back.”
I grabbed her hand. “Piper, this isn’t a joke. Do you really think he will?”
“Dad will always have your back, no matter what. Remember what he used to tell us when we were growing up? ‘No matter what happens, I’ll always love you. No matter how terrible you think something is, it’s never that bad. As long as you still have breath in your body, you’re always my daughter, and you’ll always have my love.’”
I gazed at her in amazement. “How did you ever remember that?”
“How could you forget it? That was the most profound thing he ever told us.”
As I reflected upon it, she was right. Dad had said many things to us over the years, but that was the most significant. How could I have forgotten?
“You’re right. I’ll tell him first. Maybe he can advise me about Mom.”
“Seriously? He’s the one who always needs advice about her.” Piper laughed.
“True. I guess I can’t worry about that now.”
Piper gazed at me thoughtfully for a long minute.
“What?” I asked.
“Have you discussed this with Pearson?”
“You mean about being pregnant?”
“Yeah.”
“No, but I assume he knows because Rose does.”
“Can he talk to Evan?”
My hands gestured wildly. “Absolutely not. This is between Evan and me and that’s where it stays.”
“Things must have been pretty good between the two of you before this happened?”
It took me a while before I responded. I wanted to say they weren’t. But then I remembered everything with clarity and a warm glow filled me. It had been much better than great.
“It must’ve been pretty damn awesome with a secretive smile like that,” Piper said.
“I wasn’t smiling.”
“The hell you weren’t.”
“Okay, I admit it. Things were pretty great.” I told her almost everything, leaving the out the sordid details. My belly clenched at some of the things I talked about. The emotions it conjured up were all over the place and those damn tears started flowing again. “I hate pregnancy hormones,” I wailed.
“Seems to me you’re a fool. You should talk to him and give him a chance to apologize again. You’re only hurting yourself. Besides, do you honestly want to go through having a baby alone?”
“You mean, you won’t be here with me?”
“Um, yeah, about that. I’m leaving in late June.”
“Where the hell are you going?” My voice squeaked out a soprano note. She was full of surprises today.
“As soon as the school year ends, I’m heading to Europe. I’ve applied for a master’s program in the U.K. and in all likelihood, I’ll get accepted.”
“You’re going to give up your teaching position here?”
“Yes. I want my master’s in English Literature and what better place than Cambridge?”
“You’ll miss the birth of my little nubbin.”
“I know, and I’m really sorry. But I applied for this way before I knew about nubbin.”
My heart ached with this news and I cried even more. I needed to stop wearing eye makeup. It ended up under my eyes in dark circles, irritating them. What would I do without Piper? A profound sadness filled me. I flopped back on the couch with my face buried in a pillow and sobbed like a baby.
“Good lord, Sylvie, you’re going to wear yourself out like that.”
“I can’t help it.”
She patted my back.
“I’ll be here until you’re near the end.”
“Why can’t you just stay until nubbin pops her head out?”
“What if nubbin’s a boy?”
I sat straight up and ogled her. “She can’t be. I don’t know a single thing about boys.” I sniffed.
Piper laughed. “You’ll be a quick learner. Besides, you have two cousins named Grey and Hudson, who have boys. I daresay they’d be willing to help.”
“Daresay? Have you been reading Jane Austen again?”
“Guilty as charged. Pride and Prejudice.”
“Don’t you have that blasted book memorized by now?” I asked.
“Maybe, but quit changing the subject.”
“You’re right. Grey’s wife, Marin, and Hudson’s wife, Millie, would love to help. I know that. But it would also be nice to know myself.”
“And you have Aunt Paige,” Piper said with a wink.
“Don’t say that. Mom would die. I wish they were close like they used to be.”
Piper said, “Hey, at least they’re speaking again since Pearson and Rose’s wedding.”
I nodded. About that time my phone rang. When I checked the caller ID, I saw it was Evan again. My belly lurched to the floor.
“Who is it?” Piper asked.
“No one.”
She grabbed my phone. Then her expression changed, and I knew what she was going to do. I tried to get the phone back, but she jumped up and moved out of reach.
“Hi Evan. This is Piper, Sylvie’s sister. I’m so happy you called. My sister is right here and would love to speak to you.”
She extended her arm with the phone in it. I gritted my teeth, because I was pissed at her. I didn’t know what to do or say. She’d really put me in a shitty position. Her brows shot up as she tapped her toe.
I finally took the phone and said, “Hi Evan.”
Thirty-Four
Evan
Her tone indicated she wasn’t exactly overjoyed to be on the phone.
I hesitated before I asked. “Sylvie, how are you?”
“I’ve been better.” Sarcasm oozed from her. I didn’t like it and wanted to chase it away.
Calmly, I said, “The same can be said for me. I…that is can we talk? I want to apologize for my awful behavior.”
“There’s no need.”
“But, there is. Please, give me that chance.”
“Give me one good reason why.”
This was it and I had to make everything right. “Because I believe in us, in that what we have between us is a once in a lifetime thing. Please, give me a chance, Sylvie.
I heard muffled sounds in the background, as in maybe her sister was telling her something and she had her hand smashed against the phone. I wanted to tell her just to mute it, but I didn’t.
She finally came back with, “You have one chance, Evan. But that’s it.”
“I can be at your place tomorrow any time after work. Will that work for you?”
“What time?”
“Six?”
“Fine. I’ll see you then.” The call ended.
I exhaled the breath I’d been holding. Piper must’ve said something because I couldn’t imagine her letting me come over otherwise. Now to get through the rest of tonight and tomorrow. It was amazing how one woman brought me to my knees. I’d faced a boardroom full of executives who were ready to cut my head off and never flinched. But with Sylvie, I was so afraid of what she might do. Tomorrow could spell the end of my life as I wanted it or the beginning of our lives together as they could be.
The alarm went off forty-five minutes early to allow me to get in a difficult workout. After my shower, I packed an overnight bag. I was feeling hopeful, just in
case.
Work was insane, but I told Haley, I had to be out of the office by four forty-five. I didn’t want to be one minute late getting to Sylvie’s.
My phone rang right before noon. It was Piper.
“I was worried you weren’t going to call.”
“Yeah, well, I did my best in putting a good word in for you. You’re on your own now.”
“I owe you big. Anything you want.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll think of something.”
“How is she?” I was afraid of her response.
“To be honest, I told her she was being a big baby about this. I think her hormones are whacky because I’ve never seen her cry so much.”
“Great. Just what I need on top of yesterday.”
“After you called, she sat there with a stupefied look on her face.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean she looked like she’d been hit on the head with a sledgehammer. She didn’t wear it very well. Anyway, that’s so unlike my sister. She needs to see a doctor. I’m telling you, those hormones are out of control.”
I sighed. “I’m the last person who’s going to suggest that to her.”
“Somebody needs to.”
“You should. You’re her sister.”
“Yeah, but doing it last night would’ve been too much. Well, good luck tonight. Team Piper is pulling for you.”
“Thanks.” Her comedic side had me chuckling for a second, until I thought about what I faced ahead.
The afternoon flew by since I was swamped with work. I checked the time to see it was already almost four thirty. I wrapped up the project I was on, closed my computer, and grabbed the small overnight bag I’d brought in. Telling Haley goodbye, I took the rear exit.
Robert was waiting outside by the time I walked out of the building. I’d be able to get the rest of my work done on the ride over. Traffic wasn’t horrific, and we arrived at Sylvie’s a little before six.
“Do you mind waiting? I don’t know how long I’ll be.”
“No, sir. I’ll be right out here.”
“Thank you.”
I knocked, and her door opened. But it wasn’t Sylvie. It was Piper.
“Hi, I’m Piper. We met at Pearson and Rose’s wedding.” She winked. What was going on? Then she mouthed, “She called me to come over.”
“Yes, I remember. I’m Evan.”
“We met over the years at Pearson’s. But I was much younger.”
“In pigtails, if I remember.”
“Hey, I loved those pigtails.”
I chuckled at her. “Well, you’ve changed quite a bit.”
She laughed and it was a great laugh that reminded me of Sylvie’s, minus the snort. “I hope so. I’ve sprouted, you might say.”
She was tall, maybe five feet ten. Her hair was dark, like Sylvie’s, but her eyes were bright blue and sparkled mischievously. Piper was also beautiful, but in a different way than Sylvie.
“Is Sylvie here? I was supposed to come over tonight.”
She said, “She’s here.” Then mouthed, “She’s acting pouty again.”
I mouthed my thanks right as Sylvie made her entrance. And she looked awful. Red and swollen eyes highlighted her face. Other than that, she was paler than I’d ever seen her. It gut-punched me because this was my fault.
“Hey,” I said. The thing I wanted most right now was to pull her against me, hold her, and tell her everything would be fine. Only I knew she wouldn’t accept that.
“Hi.”
“How are you?” I asked.
“Not so good.” She aimed her thumb at her face. “Can’t you tell?”
“You always look gorgeous to me.” I noticed Piper had slipped out of the room. “Can we sit?” I asked, motioning toward the couch.
“Sure.” We both took a seat, she on the opposite end from me, which was awkward.
It took everything I had not to pull her into my lap. My fists clenched by my legs.
“So, what is it you wanted to say?”
Putting my hands in the prayer pose, I pressed them to my lips before I spoke. “I’m more than sorry about last night. You said some things that made complete and total sense, but at the end of the day, when I got home and thought about everything, I realized something. Well, that’s not exactly correct. I realized a lot of things. First off, my reaction was awful, over the top. It was knee jerk, which was uncalled for and I don’t even know why I did or said those things. But I can’t take them back. And I’m very sorry about that. But here’s the other thing. You were right. I should never have taken your word the night of the reception. But I did. And as I thought more and more about it, I’m glad I did because I’m actually thrilled you’re pregnant.”
“What?” she cried out.
She gawked at me. Pushing to my feet, I paced for a second, then spun around, facing her again.
“Yep. You heard me. I’ll repeat it too. I’m ecstatic you’re going to have a baby. My baby. Our baby. There. I know it’s not what you want to hear.”
“You’re damn right it’s not.” Indignation was etched all over her. Her angry face reappeared.
“That’s fine. But the reason I’m happy is because I adore you, Sylvie West, and there isn’t anyone else on this earth I’d want to have a baby with. You’ll be the greatest, most loving mother in the world, and I’ll be with you every step of the way. That is if you’ll have me. I’d marry you tomorrow if you’d say yes. We are great together, you and me. Yes, I made a mistake and fucked up, pretty badly too. But I’m not above apologizing when I do. And you know what? That’s not the only mistake I’ll make in our relationship. But what we have is much bigger and better than throwing it away because of one, two, hell, a dozen mistakes. One thing I can promise you is I’ll always be true to you and you’ll always be able to count on me to have your back and be by your side. Love is more than four letters. Sometimes it can slay you, crush you, destroy you. But it’s also showing, doing, caring, overcoming our mistakes, and creating something monumental between us that no one can tear apart. I’ll prove this to you if you only give me the chance.
My gut was on fire the entire time I spoke.
“Evan, come here.”
I did as she asked, waiting for her to tell me it was over.
“No, come here.” She pointed to where she sat, but between her legs.
“I don’t understand.”
“Do I have to spell it out for you?” She grabbed my wrist and pulled me close so she could kiss me. I’d heard the phrase my heart soared before, but I’d always thought it was a ridiculous one. Now I knew it was real because mine was flying around the room, bumping the ceiling right now.
“I love you too, and you’re right. I’ll also make lots of mistakes.”
“Are you crying?”
She wiped her eyes. “I seem to be doing a lot of that these days. I think I’m super hormonal. And to think I have another eight months of this.”
“Just come to me, babe and I’ll brush those tears away.”
Thirty-Five
Sylvie
Evan and I decided to tell Dad the day before Christmas Eve. We invited him over before dinner on the ruse that I needed help with something in the townhouse. We’d talked it over the night before and Evan thought it best that he spoke with Dad without a big crowd and he also wanted to talk with him alone. He wouldn’t share what he wanted to say, even though I’d wheedled him to death.
“Sylvie, you won’t get it out of me. This is something I need to do, man-to-man. That’s the only thing I’ll tell you and it may be difficult for you to understand, but I’m sorry.”
“Actually, I admire you for this. I’m a little scared to tell Dad, but not anywhere close to the way I feel about telling Mom. With her, I feel like a twelve-year-old again.”
There was a knock on the door, indicating Dad’s arrival.
“Hey Sylls, how’s my girl?” He gave me one of his famous bear hugs as he called them. Dad always smelled like
a blend of peppermint gum and Old Spice aftershave. Mom had tried to get him to use expensive colognes, but he’d have nothing to do with them. He’d said, “My grandfather used Old Spice, my dad used it, and by George, so will I.” My sisters and I loved it, but now I understood why Mom wanted him to change. Although smelling him today was so nostalgic, I didn’t want his hug to end.
“Everything okay, Sylls?”
“Um, yeah. Come on in.” I held his hand as we walked inside to where Evan was.
“Evan, how are you?”
“Fine, sir, and you?”
“I’m well, thanks. So Sylls, what’s broken?”
Evan and I shared a brief glance. “Dad, take a seat.” I walked him to the couch. “I sort of fibbed. Nothing is broken today, so you lucked out.”
“I don’t understand.” Dad and I had the same eyes. They’d been dubbed the West eyes—gray and penetrating. I was feeling the full brunt of their power now. When I was a teenager, those same eyes made it impossible not to tell the truth. They’d have me squirming in no time, exactly like I’m about to do.
“Dad, Evan and I want to tell you something and we wanted to tell you privately, without an audience. We thought you had that right. And we would’ve invited Mom, but she’s been acting a bit strange lately.”
“I see. So, what’s this news?”
“You may not be happy about this right now, but you’re going to be a grandfather.” I grinned stupidly.
He didn’t look at me at all. Those West eyes went directly to Evan. “I expect you’ll take care of this in the proper way?”
I wasn’t sure what he meant by that. Before I had a chance to say anything, Evan stepped in.
“Yes, sir. Sylvie and the baby will never want for anything.”
Dad clenched his jaw and said, “That’s not what I meant.”
“What do you mean, Dad?”
“Sylls, your generation is much different than mine.”
“That’s right. If you’re implying what I think you are, then no, marriage is not in the picture yet.”
“Sylvie Lenore West. What are you thinking?”
One Indecent Night Page 19
