The Difference

by Kaylee Ryan

  “Damn right I am. So, move in with me?” This time it’s posed as more of a question. She bites down on her bottom lip. “My house is a home with you there. Now, with this little angel joining us, even more so. We can keep this place for a few months if that makes you feel better,” I offer. I’m grasping at straws to get her to say yes. I’m just about to tell her I’ll sign my house over to her, so she always has a place to call home when my phone rings. Pulling it out of my pocket, I see Anna’s name. I turn it so that Addy can see before answering.

  “Unc Luke,” Ollie or Nolan, as Addy knows him, says into the phone.

  “You coming to mammy’s?” he asks.

  “Hey, bud. I’m not sure. Let me talk to your mom, okay?”

  “’Kay,” he says. I can hear rustling then my sister’s amused voice.

  “Sorry about that. His speech therapist told him you would throw the baseball with him.”

  “Oh, she did, did she?” I ask, smiling to myself. Just wait until she finds out Miss S is my Addyson.

  “Yes, but you don’t have to. I know you just got in. We’re at Mom and Dad’s for dinner.”

  “You know what, count me in. I have someone I want you to meet.”

  “Really? You’re finally going to let us meet her?”

  “Your future sister-in-law, yes.”

  “What? You’re engaged?” she screeches.

  “No. Not yet, but I’m going to be, and it’s going to be her.”

  “Yes! I can’t wait to meet her.”

  “See you soon,” I say, ending the call not waiting for her reply. “So, we need to swing by my parents’ house.”

  “Now?” she asks. “And future sister-in-law?”

  “Yes, now. Ollie said his speech therapist told him I would throw the baseball with him. And well, since his dad is a deadbeat, I want to. I also want you to finally meet my family. It’s long overdue.” I lean in and kiss her. “And yes, Addyson, you are my future. My future wife, my forever.”

  “I’m a mess, Luke, and… don’t we need to talk about all that?”

  “Nope. You know where I stand. I want you and the baby to move in with me. Tonight. However, I know you need some time to process it all so we can start moving you in tomorrow.”

  “Tomorrow?” She smiles. “Thanks for the time to process.”

  “You’re welcome.” I kiss the tip of her nose.

  “I’m sorry,” she says sincerely. “I shouldn’t have jumped to conclusions without talking to you first.”

  “It’s okay, baby. I get it. Now, up. Ollie’s waiting on me.” After she takes a minute to “clean up,” as she put it, I snake an arm around her shoulders and lead her out to my truck. After all the worry over the past couple of days, I couldn’t have asked for a better outcome. Sure, I’m hurt she didn’t trust me, but I get it. She’s been shit on more times than she can count. Life is full of pain without forgiveness. There is nothing I want more than her and our baby. As far as I’m concerned, it’s all water under the bridge. Today we start the next chapter of our life. As parents, if I have my way married parents. I just have to take it one step at a time.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Addyson

  * * *

  Once we’re on the road, Luke reaches over and takes my hand in his, resting them on the center console. I’m in awe of him and his understanding. He should be pissed off, raging mad, but instead, he’s grinning like a fool. He’s happy about the baby and wants us to be a family. It’s more than I could have hoped, but I know that’s all on me. I let my past and my insecurities take over. I accused him when I should have stepped out into that waiting room and dealt with it head-on. Instead, I pulled into my shell. I expected him to walk, not insist I move in with him.

  “Do you want to tell them about the baby?” he asks, breaking into my thoughts.

  “Do you?”

  “Hell yes, I do. I just know some people wait, right? Morgan from the office, she waited until she was at a certain point in her pregnancy before telling anyone.”

  “Yeah, I know some do, but… it’s your family, you can tell them if you want.”

  “They are my family, but you and our baby, you’re my family too and my first priority.”

  “It’s your call.”

  “Have you told your parents?”

  “No. Not even Harper.”

  “Really?” He glances over, and I can hear the surprise in his voice.

  “No, just told her that you’re not who I thought you were. That you had a son. I guess I should call her and tell her, huh?”

  “Nah, she’ll spill to Justin I’m sure. He can set her straight. If not, we can later. Right now, you’re meeting my family.” He pulls into a circular drive. “This is my parents’ place.” He turns his truck off and faces me. “We can tell them or not tell them, but before we go in there, I need you to convey to me that you understand something. I need to hear you say to me that you know I’m in this. That I love you and this baby, and I want you both.”

  “You love me and our baby,” I say, fighting a smile. “I’m sorry, Lucas, for everything.”

  “You moving in with me?”

  I want to. I want that trust that we built, I want it to continue to grow, and I want this baby to have both of his or her parents. “Yes.” I don’t give myself time to second-guess my answer. I’m following my heart and this time, I trust Luke will be there to protect it.

  “Yeah?” He leans over the console, snakes his hand around the back of my neck, and pulls me into a kiss. “I love you so fucking much.” He rests his forehead against mine.

  “I love you too.” I hear a squeal and look up to find Nolan rushing out of the house. “Looks like he’s excited.”

  “He’s a great kid.”

  I nod. “I know.”

  “Come on, let’s go meet your future in-laws.” I smile nervously, but he doesn’t see it. He also doesn’t see the way my heart flutters in my chest. He’s already out of the truck and headed to my side. He opens the door for me and lifts me to the ground. “Precious cargo,” he says, kissing the tip of my nose before setting me on my feet.

  We hear a gasp. Together we turn to look at Nolan. He’s standing with his hands on his hips, and his little head tilted to the side. “What’s yous doing kissing Miss S?” he asks Luke. You can tell from his face he’s truly perplexed.

  Luke bends so they are eye-to-eye. “Want to know something cool?” he asks his nephew. He bobs his little head up and down. “Miss S is my girlfriend.”

  “Dos shes have cooties?” he asks.

  Luke chuckles. “No, but you know what she does have?” he asks him. This time Nolan shakes his head from side to side. “She has a baby in her belly.” Luke reaches up and entwines his fingers with mine.

  “Yous do?” Nolan asks wide-eyed.

  “I do,” I confirm with a smile.

  “Come on, buddy, let’s go inside for a few minutes and then we can play catch.”

  “Miss S pway too?”

  “Not this time, little man.” Luke stands.

  “Why not?” I ask him.

  “Yeah, whys not?” Nolan says, standing next to her.

  “The baby,” Luke says softly.

  “Luke, I’m pregnant not injured. I can toss the ball with him.”

  “What if the ball hits you? In the belly,” he adds.

  “He’s six,” I remind him. “I don’t think we have to worry about that.”

  “Not this time, okay?” he asks, kissing my temple.

  “Is this what the next eight months are going to be? You telling me what I can and can’t do?”

  “Probably.” He shrugs unapologetically. “That’s my job, to take care of you and this baby.”

  “No, your job is to love us.”

  “I do, Addy.”

  “I know you do. Come on. We can talk about this later.” I nod toward where Nolan is staring up at us.

  “I’s not hurt yous baby, Miss S.”

  “Oh, sweethe
art.” I bend down to get close to him. “I know you won’t. In fact, you’re going to be a big cousin. You’re going to need to teach the baby how to run and play, and all kinds of other fun stuff.”

  “Yay!” He throws his little arms up in the air.

  “All right, bud. We’ll be back out in a few. Stay in the yard and don’t go past the trees.” Luke points to the tree line that’s midway through the yard.

  “I’s won’t,” he says, skipping off to play.

  “Ready?” Luke smiles down at me.

  “As I’ll ever be.” He leads us toward the front of the house. When we get close, the door opens, and a woman who has to be his mother with salt-and-pepper hair greets us.

  “It’s about time.” She gives Luke a mock glare then turns to me. “You must be the woman my son can’t stop talking about.”

  “Addyson,” I say, holding out my hand.

  “Pft.” She bypasses my hand and pulls me into a hug. “He told his sister you were her future sister-in-law. That deserves a hug,” she says, pulling away.

  “It’s a pleasure to meet you,” I say, avoiding the sister-in-law bit. I’m overwhelmed with how accepting they are of mine and Luke’s declaration.

  “Mom, this is my girlfriend, Addyson. Addy, this is my mother, Gail. Where’s Dad?”

  “In the house with Anna. Come on in.” She steps back to let us through, calling out to Nolan telling him to not pass the trees.

  “Yo, Pops,” Luke calls.

  “We’re in here.” I recognize Annalyse’s voice right away. With his arm around my waist, Luke guides us into the kitchen. His father looks up and smiles, as does his sister. She gasps. “Addyson! This is your Addyson?” she asks Luke.

  “No, Mommy. This is my Miss S,” Nolan says from behind us. We all turn to look at him. He has dirt on his face, but his smile is blinding. He stops to stand next to me. “Hers gots a baby in hers belly, and Imma teach it to run and stuff.” I wait for the dread to hit me that our news has been leaked, but it never comes. I want this baby, and I’m proud to be sharing this experience with Luke.

  “Luke?” his mom asks. Her hand flies over her mouth and tears well in her eyes. I watch as his father stands and goes to her, pulling her into his arms. It’s as if we’re looking in a mirror when Luke does the same thing to me.

  “Looks like the cat’s out of the bag.” Luke smiles down at me. “We’re having a baby,” he says, his voice loud and clear, his eyes soft and only for me.

  Before I know what’s happening, there are four sets of arms wrapped around us in a hug. All the adults are talking at once until we hear a gasp. Everyone pulls away to see Nolan gripping my legs. “I’s was stuck,” he says, shrugging, causing all of the adults to laugh.

  “When are you due?” Anna asks. “How are you feeling?”

  “We just found out,” Luke says. “We’re four weeks and three days.” I’m impressed he tacked on the three days from the four weeks and one day on the ultrasound picture.

  “I feel great. I wouldn’t have known had I not gone in for a checkup.”

  “I had a great pregnancy with both of my kids. No morning sickness, but I did crave chocolate ice cream and plain potato chips.” His mom laughs.

  “No cravings yet, but I’m ready for them,” Luke says proudly.

  “Well, come on in, so we can chat. Let’s get comfortable. I’m Phillip, by the way.” His dad opens his arms for a hug. I slowly step into them, and he whispers, “Welcome to the family.”

  That’s the moment that it hits me. This has always been my dream. To fall in love and have a family of my own. My parents were such great role models, I wanted my future to look like theirs. Happily in love, watching my kids grow up with my husband beside me every step of the way. I thought that dream had vanished with all of the frogs of my past. Luckily for me, my prince came along and wouldn’t take no for an answer.

  Luke has made my dreams come true.

  We spend the next few hours talking and getting to know each other. Luke goes outside to toss the ball with Nolan. His dad tags along, leaving us women to chat. It helped already knowing Anna, sure in a professional manner, but it was enough to ease my nerves.

  “Addy, you about ready to go?” Luke asks sometime later. He’s standing in the doorway of the living room. “We have to get you something to eat.”

  “Stay for dinner,” his mom urges.

  “Thanks, Mom, but I’ve been away from my girl since Friday morning. We need some downtime.”

  “Uh-huh.” His sister laughs.

  “That too.” Luke grins.

  “Lucas Oliver Prescott!” his mother scolds him.

  “Love you, Mom.” He grins, taking my hand and guiding me down the hall. “We’ll call you,” he calls over his shoulder as we reach the door. He doesn’t wait for an answer as we step out and close it behind us.

  “I meant what I said, but you think we should go see your parents?” he asks once we’re in his truck.

  “Not tonight. I’ll call Mom, and maybe we can go over tomorrow night. Right now, I really just want you.”

  “You need anything from your place?”

  “Yeah, I need my bag. It has my laptop in it.”

  He pulls our joined hands to his lips and kisses my knuckles. “Which room do you think we should decorate for the baby?” he asks, turning off his parents’ street.

  “Umm… I’m not sure. I think for a few weeks or so, he or she will need to be in the room with us.”

  “Okay, so we need two beds?” he asks.

  “No, a bassinet would work.”

  “Got it.”

  “Luke.” I wait until we are at a stop sign and he turns to look at me. “We have time.”

  “I know that, but I want to build a home with you, build our life. I can’t help but be excited about this. I mean it, Addy. I want this baby. I couldn’t be happier.”

  I nod. What else can I say? He forgave me for being a fool. I know how lucky I am, and I vow never to jump to conclusions again.

  At my place, I rush down the hall to my room to grab my laptop when an idea hits me. In the closet, I pull out my two suitcases. One is larger, the other is small for carry-on purposes. Opening them up, I start tossing in clothes. I empty out the drawer for my bras and panties and socks. I grab a couple pair of night clothes, a few outfits for this week, some shorts, T-shirts, and jeans. I’m tossing in random items until I have the large suitcase full.

  In the smaller case, I grab the picture of Luke and me, as well as the one of my parents from the nightstand and wrap them in a towel, placing them gently in the second suitcase. Then I take the framed ultrasound picture from the top of my dresser. It too is wrapped in a towel and placed in the second case. Going back to my closet, I grab my brown and teal cowboy boots and add them before zipping it closed.

  “What are you doing?” Luke asks as I’m setting the smaller case on the floor.

  “Thought I’d get a head start.” I shrug.

  “Head start on what?” he asks. I can hear the hope in his voice.

  “I thought I was moving in?”

  “Yes.” He stalks toward me. He picks up both bags and leaves the room.

  “What are you doing?” I call after him.

  “Not giving you a chance to change your mind. I’ll be in the truck.”

  With a grin on my face a mile wide, I gather my laptop, and just for the smile I know he’ll give me when he sees it, I pack another smaller bag. This time, I toss in more casual clothes. When it’s full, I zip it up and head to the living room. I grab my favorite blanket from the back of the couch and toss it over my shoulder with my overnight bag and work bag. Turning off the lights, and locking up, I make my way to the truck.

  “More?” His eyes light up. He leans down and kisses me softly. “Best day of my life,” he whispers against my lips.

  “Yeah?”

  He nods. “Definitely.”

  “Want to know a secret?”

  “Yours? Of course.”
/>
  “I want a little boy. I want a little boy who will grow up to be an amazing man just like his father.”

  “Well, you can have your boy after I get my girl.”

  “How many?” I ask him.

  “As many as you’ll give me.” He takes my bags and loads them while I take my seat and buckle my seat belt.

  “We should call Justin and Harper.”

  “We can do that when we get home,” I tell him.

  “Home. Fuck do I like the sound of that. You calling my address home.”

  “We share an address now, buddy.”

  “Thank fuck,” he says, and we both laugh.

  He dials the phone, and we put Justin and Harper on speaker. They’re both shocked and happy for us all at the same time. They then drop the news on us that they too are living together. They made it official today as well. Neither one of them liked being away from the other, and they thought it was time.

  “You got some catching up to do, man,” Luke chides Justin.

  “Hear that, Harp? Toss out those pills,” he tells her.

  She shocks us all when she says. “Okay.”

  “What?” he asks her. Luke and I are as quiet as mice as we listen.

  “I said okay,” she says. There’s no hesitation in her voice.

  “Guys, we’re going to go,” I tell them, letting them have this moment. They’ll be sure to fill us in later. “Love you both,” I say, and end the call before they can reply. They’re not worried about us right now anyway. There are some big decisions being made all around us. As we lie together in bed, his arms holding me close, I can’t help but feel hopeful for our future. Luke has brought so much to my life, and now with our baby on the way, that joy is heightened even further. It takes me a while to fall asleep from all the excitement and changes in our lives, but I’m excited and hopeful that there are many more to come.

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Lucas

  * * *

  “Does your dad own a gun?” I ask Addy. It’s Monday night, and we’re on the way to her parents’ house.

  “He does.”

  “Great,” I mutter.