One Indecent Night

by Hargrove, A. M.

  Evan tried to interrupt, but my hand flew up as I rose to my feet. This was my battle and I intended to fight it.

  “Dad, this is the twenty-first century. Women are not at the mercy of men to marry them. We are perfectly capable of taking care of ourselves.”

  Dad followed me and stood. “That’s not what I was talking about. The baby should be raised with a father.”

  “He or she will be. Evan will be present all the time.”

  Now he was really angry. His eyes nailed me again and it took everything in my body not to shrivel and run. I stood my ground and stared back in defiance. “We can’t possibly get married yet. We’re not ready. We need to get to know each other better first.” Oh, shit. Why did I say that?

  “Then what the hell are you doing sleeping with him?”

  “John, if I may—” Evan began.

  Dad pointed to him and said, “You keep out of this.”

  “I’m afraid that’s impossible since it’s my baby she’s carrying.”

  “Wait a minute. How far along are you?”

  “About six weeks.”

  He was silent for a moment as his jaw ticked. “This happened at your cousin’s wedding, when you were so drunk you could barely walk, didn’t it?”

  My face instantly blazed. Why would he even ask me that?

  He unleashed his fury on Evan. “You knew how inebriated she was, yet you took advantage of her. What kind of a man are you?”

  I would’ve expected Evan to raise his voice, argue, or something. But he didn’t. He stood there and when my dad was finished with his tirade, he finally replied in a calm voice.

  “John, I can’t blame you for being upset. But Sylvie and I can’t take back what happened. We can only move forward. And she’s right. Getting married right now doesn’t make sense since this relationship is relatively new to both of us. Did we make a mistake? Most certainly. But I can tell you this. I love your daughter. She’s a very special woman and I do plan on marrying her. I was going to have this conversation with you in private, but neither of us anticipated this kind of reaction from you. We’re sorry things turned out the way they did, but I am not sorry one bit I’m going to be a father and that she’s the mother of our child.”

  Oh, this man just made my heart swell. If it got any larger there wouldn’t be room for anything else in my body. I went up to him, put my hands on his cheeks, and said, “You’re the best.” Then I kissed him.

  “Dad, Evan is right. We can’t unmake our nubbin. But we’re going to do our best to be great parents. We’re not asking you to like us, we only want you to love your grandchild.”

  He slumped down on the couch, hanging his head in his hands. His reaction surprised me. Mom acting this way would’ve been the norm, but Dad, no.

  I sat next to him and asked, “Other than this, is there something going on?”

  He released a long sigh. “I probably should’ve mentioned this to you and your sisters before, but I think your mom may have early onset of dementia.”

  “What are you saying? She’s only fifty-five. How is that even possible?” My thoughts pinged all over the place, searching for some solid ground to settle upon.

  Dad lifted his head, and his eyes were filled with anguish. Dad had always been there for me, when I’d fallen off my bike and skinned both knees, or when the neighborhood girls had acted cliquey, like girls often did. All I needed to do was come running to him and he’d soothe away my hurt, bandage me up, or wipe my tears, and tell me I was better than those other girls, and my happy would return. He used to tell me he carried around sugar to sprinkle over me every day to make each day sweet, and I’d believed him. Now it was my turn to sprinkle his life with sugar and carry some of the burden for him.

  Grabbing both of his hands in mine, I asked, “I want to help, Dad. What can I do? Are there tests?”

  “I’m taking her next week, but she doesn’t know. She covers things up. She went to the store yesterday and was gone for so long, I kept calling her. I finally got the truth. She got lost coming home. Sylls, how many times has she gone to the same store over the years?”

  “Oh, Dad.” I leaned my head on his shoulder.

  “There are so many things, I can’t begin to recount.”

  “I knew she hasn’t been herself lately.”

  Evan stood by and let us talk. There really wasn’t much for him to say.

  “I told Mom I’d make a few things for Christmas dinner, but do you want me to come early to supervise?”

  “No, because we ordered the turkey. I told her in no uncertain terms was she cooking. It’s too much for her. Piper and Reynolds are handling the side dishes that you aren’t and I ordered everything else, including dessert. Pretend you don’t know. I told her we’d put everything in the oven and act like we did it. If you come earlier, you’ll blow it for us.”

  “That’s a great idea.” I patted his hands. “Do you want me to go to the doctor with you?”

  “I wish I could say yes, Sylls, but then she’d suspect something.”

  I threw my arms around him and cried. I cried for him and my mom. I couldn’t imagine Mom going through this. She was such a proud woman.

  “Dad, do you want us to keep quiet about the baby? We could tell Piper and Reynolds another time.”

  “That may be best. I’m worried what this will do to your mother.”

  Under the circumstances, so was I. Evan took a seat in the chair near me. He said, “We don’t need to mention a word to anyone until they guess by Sylvie’s appearance. We’ll do whatever you want, John.”

  “I appreciate that. But I still wish you two would get married.” His eyes pleaded with us.

  I figured it was best not to respond. He was going through so much and another argument was too much for one day.

  “I’d better get going. I hate leaving her alone for too long. I worry she’ll get into something and a disaster will ensue.”

  I cringed thinking how his life must’ve changed.

  “We’ll see you on Christmas then, Dad.”

  After he left, I couldn’t stop worrying about him and Mom, which of course, led to more tears. That was the last thing I’d expected. Evan was sweet to try and comfort me, but I didn’t think there was much he could do.

  “I had no idea this was going on.” Guilt clawed at me for the way I’d been feeling about my mom when all this time she may have some serious illness.

  “I know, babe. It’s written all over you. But I did want to say something. What I told your dad was true. I do want us to get married and live as a family. I don’t mean tomorrow or next month, or even before the baby’s born. But I love you and want to be in your life as well as the baby’s. I never thought I’d say those words to any woman, so I’m not just doing this because you’re pregnant.”

  I was nearly dizzy with everything going on. “Evan—”

  “Sylvie, I didn’t tell you this so you could give me some sort of answer. I only wanted to share my feelings and let you know the things I told your dad were the truth.”

  I probably would’ve had a better reaction if he’d told me a bomb exploded outside. This was not the time for me to be thinking about something like this with my parents front and center on my mind.

  “Evan, I appreciate what you’re doing, I really do. I don’t mean this to sound the way it’s going to, but with worrying about Mom, and how Dad is going to deal with her, I just can’t think about us right now.”

  He pulled me close and held me. “That’s why I’m here. This is what love is all about.”

  Thirty-Six

  Evan

  “Are you okay, Mr. Thomas? You’re looking a bit peaked today,” Haley said.

  I passed her saying, “Just a lot on my mind.”

  After last night, Sylvie and I knew we had to keep the news about her pregnancy to ourselves. John, Piper, Pearson, and Rose were the only ones in our inner circle, and it had to stay that way for now. Sylvie also wanted to bring her sister, Reynolds, in
too. As I told her, I was afraid if too many people knew other than her mom, her mom may be angry we held back from telling her. Sylvie said everyone would have to pretend they hadn’t known, but she couldn’t keep it from Reynolds when Piper knew. I finally agreed, so she was going to call her tonight. Even though the timing was bad, considering Cindy’s issues, this pregnancy excited me more than I ever thought possible. As I pondered this, the realization of how I felt about Sylvie was the reason. I knew we’d have our ups and downs and no, this was not the best way to start out a relationship, but if I was going to have a baby with anyone, it would be her. What she didn’t know and what I hadn’t told her was I would marry her even if she hadn’t been pregnant. She was mine and had been since that very first night, only she hadn’t known.

  “It must be this week, with Christmas being so close. So much to do,” Haley said.

  “Yeah,” I answered absently.

  “There are some papers for you to sign on your desk, sir. There are also some reports that need your approval.”

  “Fine. I’ll get on that. Don’t forget, we’re doubling up this week so we have everything in order for next week’s vacation.”

  “Yes, sir. It’s on your calendar.”

  “Thanks, Haley.”

  True to her word, there was a fair amount of work piled on my desk so I got right to it. I didn’t want to leave anything hanging when I left at the end of the week. Of course, there would always be things I needed to check, but that could be done anywhere.

  At one, Haley poked her head in and said, “I’m going to lunch, sir, and I thought I’d see if you wanted anything since you were still here.”

  “Thanks, Haley, but I’m elbows deep. I’ll see you when you get back.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  I never ended up eating as I worked straight through lunch. In fact, the whole week ended up like that. I was working double time in order to have a free week off. I’d be taking off from Christmas Eve until the second of January. Initially, Sylvie and I had talked about going out west, but now with her mother, we postponed everything.

  Sylvie moved back to the city and was going back and forth to work every day, but it was easy to see it took its toll on her. Every day she fell asleep in the car on the way home from work, Robert informed me. She claimed it was an enjoyable luxury nap she wouldn’t have otherwise. But that spurred me into motion. I hired a realtor to find a place in between the city and where she worked to shorten the commute time.

  We were staying at her place for the holidays since we’re having Christmas Eve dinner with my parents out at one of the local restaurants, and then having Christmas dinner with Sylvie’s family.

  The night before Christmas Eve, we were driving back to the townhouse. The realtor had called and said she’d found three properties that met my criteria. I asked if we could see them the following day. She agreed to meet us at one o’clock.

  Sylvie had gone to work this morning, with her suitcase packed for the week.

  “I thought you still had things at your townhouse?” I had said.

  “I do, but I still have my favorites here, plus my makeup and stuff. I’m going to have to get some more stretchy pants. My jeans are getting too tight already.”

  “Get whatever you need. I’ll give you a credit card. And you don’t need any makeup. I’ve seen you with and without and you’re gorgeous both ways.”

  Her radiant smile had been everything to me then.

  My phone buzzed, bringing me back to the present. The corners of my mouth tilted up as I read her text.

  Thinking about you. Can’t wait to see you.

  My fingers tripped over the keys and I shot her one back. I miss you and can’t wait to see you too. I want to do wicked things to you.

  I saw the three dots moving and they stopped. Then a picture appeared of her face. It was hilarious. Her eyes were bugged out and her mouth circled. She was making a shocked face, but I responded with something she wouldn’t expect.

  Hmm. Looks like you’re practicing for tonight, with your mouth like that. And I added a laughing emoji.

  It didn’t take her long to send me her response.

  One track mind.

  Oh, yeah. See you in a bit, babe. I hope you’re wearing sexy undies!

  This time she did shock me. She sent me a pick of what was under her skirt. Now it was my turn to send her the shocked face picture.

  She laughed so hard, in fact, she sent me the video. I was happy I could do that to her. But that picture, it was priceless. I stared at it a little too long because I was squirming by the time Robert pulled into the garage.

  “Here we are, sir.”

  “Thanks, Robert. I hope you have a wonderful holiday and I’ll see you on the morning of the second.”

  “Yes, sir and the same for you. Merry Christmas, sir.”

  I wouldn’t be needing his services since I’d be driving up myself.

  My bags were packed, and I had everything ready to go, but I had one stop to make before I left. It was at the jewelry store where I needed to pick up Sylvie’s gift.

  I hurried over there and checked out my purchase. It was perfect so I had them wrap it up and then went back home. I was on my way out of Manhattan and to Flower Power to pick her up. There was a gorgeous lake near her home where I wanted to take her to give her the necklace. Luckily, I made it there around four. The receptionist checked me out and then escorted me to Sylvie’s office. When she knocked to announce me, she told Sylvie she approved.

  “I take it that’s a good thing?” I asked.

  Sylvie only rolled her eyes. “That was Starr and she can be a bit over the top at times.”

  “If she approves of me, then I’m Team Starr.”

  “I thought you were Team Sylvie.”

  “Oh, I’m one hundred percent Team Sylvie.”

  “Did I hear something about Team Sylvie?” Rose asked, entering the office.

  “Well, hello there, stranger.” I hugged her. “How’s my best friend doing?”

  “He’s just perfect.” Her cheeks flushed a bit when she answered.

  “By that look, I can tell he is.”

  “The two lovebirds are over-the-top, Evan.”

  “I think it’s great.”

  “Wait until you spend some time around them,” Sylvie said.

  “Sylvie, wait until they spend some time around us.” And I made that shocked face. She cracked up.

  “Am I missing something?” Rose asked.

  “Nothing except your friend can be quite naughty when she wants.”

  “I see.” Rose eyed us both with a grin. “Are you two going to Paige and Rick’s on Christmas?” she asked.

  “Yeah, later on after dinner. You and Pearson will be there, right?” Sylvie asked.

  “Of course we’ll be there. We’d love for you to drop by.” Rose looked so excited. “I can’t wait to tell everyone about…” She circled a finger, indicating Sylvie’s stomach.

  Sylvie’s smile turned downward. “Rose, you can’t.”

  “I can’t?”

  “No, because we’re not telling Mom. She’s been having some health issues, so we’re going to wait a bit.”

  “Oh, Sylvie, I didn’t know.” Rose hugged her.

  “I know. I haven’t told anyone because we don’t know for sure, but Dad thinks she may have dementia.”

  “Oh, shit.”

  Sylvie’s eyes watered, but she held her tears back. “You can say that again.”

  “I don’t blame you. It’s wise to wait. But still come.”

  “Okay, I’ll call Pearson, as long as it’s not too late,” I said.

  “Evan, you know it won’t be. We’ll be there until eight or so.”

  “I’ll still call first, just to make sure.” I never wanted to wear out my welcome.

  “I understand.” Then she hugged Sylvie saying she had to go. “I’ll see you guys. Merry Christmas.”

  Sylvie seemed awfully quiet. “Hey, are you all right?”r />
  All of a sudden, she was crying. “I hate this crying crap.”

  “Come on. Let’s get out of here.”

  She sniffed and snorted her tears away, and then we left. “Where’s your car?”

  “Over there.”

  “I helped her into the passenger’s seat and off we went. She thought we were going to her place, but when I didn’t turn on the road she usually took, she asked where I was headed.

  “It’s a surprise.”

  “What kind of surprise?”

  “A good one, I hope.”

  We got to the lake and she said, “Oh, I love this place and haven’t been in ages.”

  “Then I’m glad I brought you here. I thought it might cheer you up. Button up your coat and wrap your scarf around you. I don’t want you catching a chill.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  Those words brought back a memory of that novel she’d been reading, so I asked, “Did you ever finish that dirty duke book you were reading.”

  She snorted a laugh. “It’s the Raunchy Duke.” A couple of snorts later, I finally had the answer. “And yes, I finished. It was very raunchy and very dirty.”

  “Hmm. Did you learn anything?”

  “Why do you ask?”

  “Curious, I guess.”

  “Then maybe you should read it.”

  “Maybe I should.” I got out of the car and held out my hand for her. We walked arm-in-arm to the lake and found a bench to sit on. The sun was about to set over the other side and the views were outstanding.

  “Look how pretty.”

  I stared at her profile and said, “I agree. She’s absolutely stunning.”

  Sylvie turned to face me and said, “You’re too kind.”

  “No, just honest. Sylvie, you should accept my compliments because I mean them with all sincerity. Her eyes zeroed on mine, digging for the truth. Her eyes didn’t see, they analyzed. And the truth was there because I would never lie about that. She was perfect in every way and I hoped she saw it blazing through.

  Her hands cupped my cheeks as she pressed her lips to mine. “Thank you, Evan.”

  Reaching into my pocket, I pulled out the gift. “This is for you. Happy Baby, my love. You’re going to be an awesome mom.”