“You haven’t been yourself since I canceled dinner with you and Dad last week.” Jessie gave her a guilty smile. “I thought you might have been angry with me for trying to set you up with Dad.”
Fin’s heart beat double-time. This was her opening. She just hoped her announcement didn’t cause irreparable damage to Jessie’s feelings for her.
“I need to talk to you about that.” Fin folded her napkin and placed it on the table, then rose to her feet and motioned toward the living room. “Let’s get comfortable.”
Jessie suddenly looked apprehensive. “You’re beginning to frighten me, Fin.”
As she led the way over to the sofa, Fin shook her head. “There’s absolutely no reason for you to be afraid, honey.” I, on the other hand, have every reason to be scared to death, she thought, dreading what she was about to tell her daughter.
Once they were curled into opposite corners of the plush sofa, facing each other, Fin took a deep breath. “If I’ve been a bit distracted lately, it’s because something has happened—”
“Are you all right?” Jessie interrupted anxiously.
“I’m fine, sweetie.” Fin hoped her smile was reassuring, but she was so nervous, she couldn’t be sure. “In fact, when I saw the doctor last week, she said I’m in perfect health.”
“Then what’s the problem?” Jessie asked, clearly confused.
“It’s not a problem as far as I’m concerned.” Fin couldn’t help but smile. “It was a shock at first, but I’ve had time to get used to the idea and I’m actually quite happy about it.” Taking a deep breath, she met her daughter’s curious gaze head-on. “I’m pregnant.”
Jessie’s eyes widened and she covered her mouth with her hands as she let loose with a delighted little cry. “Fin, that’s wonderful.” She shook her head. “I didn’t even know you were involved with anyone.”
“I’m not…exactly.” The next part of her announcement was what Fin had dreaded most—telling Jessie who the father was. “Travis is the father.”
Jessie’s mouth dropped open and she stared at Fin for several long seconds. “My dad? Your baby’s father is my dad? My dad, Travis? Travis Clayton?”
Fin nodded slowly. She couldn’t tell if Jessie kept repeating Travis’s name out of shock or revulsion.
“It was that night at the Silver Moon, wasn’t it?” Jessie guessed, her expression giving nothing away. “The two of you left the party to go into the barn to check on that mare and new colt.”
Nodding, Fin tried to explain. “I gave Travis a hug to show my appreciation for raising and taking such good care of you and…it just happened.”
“This is wonderful,” Jessie said suddenly, leaping forward to throw her arms around Fin. “I suspected that something was going on between the two of you.” Leaning back, she beamed. “I could see the attraction from the moment you met.”
“You’re not upset?” Fin asked cautiously as she hugged her back.
Jessie shook her head and sat back to give her an encouraging smile. “I’ll admit that it’s a huge shock, but I’m thrilled for both of you. I know how much you missed getting to see me grow up and Dad is the best father, ever. This baby is extremely lucky to have the two of you for parents.”
Relief washed through Fin at Jessie’s emphatic tone, leaving her feeling weak and emotional. “I’m so glad to hear you aren’t upset.”
“Why would I be upset? I’m ecstatic that I’m finally going to have a sibling,” Jessie said, grinning from ear to ear. “And I’ll bet Dad is excited beyond words.” She stopped suddenly. “You have told him, haven’t you?”
Fin nodded. “I discovered that I’m pregnant last week, while he was in town visiting and getting the last fitting for his tux.” She purposely omitted they were together when she’d taken the pregnancy test and the fact that they’d spent the night before making love.
“I wonder why Dad hasn’t said anything.”
“I asked him to let me tell you about the baby because if our predicament upset you, I wanted the brunt of your anger directed at me,” Fin explained. “I thought if I took the majority of the blame it would keep from damaging your relationship with your father.”
Jessie reached out and took Fin’s hands in hers. “That is so sweet of you. But I’m in no way upset by this.” She grinned. “Far from it.”
Fin felt as if a huge weight had been lifted from her shoulders. “You don’t know how many times I’ve wanted to talk to you about this, but there was never a good time.”
“Everything has been so busy with the wedding and all, I’m surprised we were able to find time to have dinner this evening,” Jessie agreed, nodding. “Have you told anyone else?”
“No. We felt that you should be the first to know.”
“I know I’m just full of questions,” Jessie said, her expression turning serious, “but have you made any decisions about how you’re going to raise the baby? Are you going to try to share the responsibility?”
“It’s only fair that we do.” Fin sighed. “But I have no idea how we’re going to work this out.”
“You have Charisma and I can’t see Dad leaving the Silver Moon to move to New York,” Jessie said, shaking her head.
“We’re going to review our options while he’s here for the wedding and hopefully come up with a workable plan.” Smiling, Fin reached out to hug her beautiful, understanding daughter. “Keep your fingers crossed that we find a solution and that when we make the announcement about my impending motherhood the rest of the family is as enthusiastic as we are.”
Tears filled Fin’s eyes as she watched Travis, looking incredibly handsome in his black tux, escort their beautiful daughter down the sweeping staircase at The Tides. Jessie was utterly stunning in her pure white satin-and-lace wedding gown and if the captivated look on Cade’s face was any indication, the groom thought so, too.
Glancing over at her mother and Patrick, Fin was thankful they’d welcomed their long-lost granddaughter back into the Elliott clan and insisted the wedding be held at their estate in the Hamptons. All things considered, it was the very least they could do for Jessie.
When Travis walked his daughter down the aisle between the rows of chairs assembled in the large living room, Fin’s heart went out to him as he kissed Jessie’s cheek, then stepped back for Cade to take his place beside her. It had to be one of the most difficult things Travis had ever had to do—placing the care and happiness of his beloved child in the hands of someone else.
“That was tough,” he whispered, his voice gruff as he sat in the seat beside her to watch Jessie and Cade exchange vows.
Unable to get words past the lump clogging her throat, Fin reached over to give his hand a gentle squeeze. She wasn’t at all surprised when he held onto it as the ceremony proceeded.
By the time Jessie and Cade had been pronounced husband and wife and everyone started making their way to the heated tent that had been adjoined to the family room to accommodate the reception, Fin needed a few moments alone to collect herself. “If you’ll excuse me, Travis, I think I need to freshen my makeup.”
“I could use a couple of minutes myself,” he said, his need for solitude reflected in his tight expression and the gruff tone of his voice. “If you don’t mind, I think I’ll step outside to catch my breath.”
“I’ll see you a bit later,” she said, kissing his lean cheek.
As she stood watching Travis walk to the front door, she couldn’t help but wonder what it felt like to have a father who loved his child as much as Travis loved Jessie. She’d never had that, never known what it was to have a father who loved unconditionally. Placing her hand over her stomach, she knew her baby was extremely lucky to have Travis for his or her father.
“Fin, are you feeling well? I noticed you look a bit pale.”
At the sound of the soft Irish lilt beside her, Fin glanced over at Maeve Elliott. “Mom, could we speak in private?” she asked, deciding there was no time like the present to tell her mother about t
he baby.
A look of alarm widened Maeve’s soft green eyes and Fin knew her mother anticipated bad news. “Of course, dear.” Leading the way into the library, she closed the door behind them. “What is it, Finola? What’s wrong?” The use of Fin’s given name was an indication of the level of Maeve’s concern.
“There’s nothing wrong,” Fin said, placing her hand on her mother’s arm to reassure her. “Actually, everything is the way it should be for the first time in twenty-three years.”
The worry lines creasing her mother’s kind face softened into a smile and she gathered Fin into her arms. “’Tis the way I feel, too, Finny.”
Fin held onto her mother for several moments before she led her over to the tall leather armchairs facing the fireplace. “Please sit down, Mom. I have something I need to tell you.” When they were both seated in the comfortable chairs, Fin met her mother’s questioning gaze. “I’m pregnant. I’m going to have a baby with Jessie’s adoptive father, Travis.”
Maeve stared at her a moment before covering her eyes and breaking into soft sobs.
A feeling of déjà vu swept over Fin. Her mother’s reaction was much the same as it had been the night Fin had told her she was pregnant with Jessie. The only difference between then and now was that Patrick wasn’t present for this announcement.
“I had hoped you would be happy for me this time,” Fin said, sighing heavily. “But it appears that I’ve once again disappointed you.”
“Oh, no, Finny.” Her mother reached out to take Fin’s hands in hers. “My tears are those of joy. You never got to hold Jessie, to watch her grow into a beautiful young woman. ’Tis past time that you got to hold and raise a wee babe of your own.”
“I should have been allowed to raise Jessie.” Try as she might, Fin couldn’t keep her bitter tears in check. “Why, Mom? Why didn’t you stop Patrick from forcing me to give my baby away? You of all people should have known what it felt like to lose your child. To have her taken away without being able to…stop it from happening.” Struggling to control her voice, she shook her head. “Didn’t you feel as if your heart had been ripped from your chest when Anna died?”
The emotional pain that clouded Maeve’s eyes tore at Fin’s heart. She hadn’t meant to mention her sister. It had to have been devastating for her mother to lose a seven-year-old child to cancer, but what Fin said was true. Maeve should have known what it would be like for Fin to have her baby taken from her with no say in the matter.
“Oh, Finny, ’tis sorry I am that you had to go through that,” Maeve said, her Irish accent becoming more pronounced, as it always did when she was upset or overly emotional. Wiping her tears with a linen handkerchief, she shook her head. “’Twas a sad day for this family and one I have regretted all these years since.”
“Then why did you let Patrick do that to me? Couldn’t you have stopped him?”
Her mother shook her head. “I did try. But your da wouldn’t listen and when it became a threat to our marriage, I backed down.”
“You and Patrick had problems because of my situation?” It was the first Fin had heard of it if they had.
Maeve nodded. “Your da is a stubborn man. He put his pride ahead of what was right for you and this family.”
“I never knew.” Fin had always thought her mother supported every decision Patrick made. “The two of you always presented a united front and I thought you let him force me to give up my child without lifting a finger to help me.”
“’Twasn’t for you to know,” Maeve said, smiling sadly. “What happens between a husband and wife behind closed doors is no one’s affair but their own.”
“I’m so sorry, Mom.” Letting go of the last traces of her misguided anger at her mother, Fin knelt down and put her arms around Maeve’s thin shoulders. “I know how much you’ve always loved Patrick. It must have torn you apart to be caught in the middle of all that.”
“’Tis done and past.” Her mother soothingly stroked Fin’s hair. “Since we are all gathered for Jessie’s wedding, I think you should tell the family about the wee one you carry,” she said softly as they continued to embrace.
Leaning back, Fin shook her head. “I don’t think it’s the right time. This is Jessie’s day and I don’t want to cause a scene or detract from her happiness in any way.”
“Does she know?”
Fin nodded. “I didn’t want her to hear it from someone else.”
“Was she happy for you and her da?”
“She’s thrilled.”
“’Tis rare when we all gather at the same time.” Smiling, Maeve rose to her feet, then tugged on Fin’s hand for her to stand. “We should celebrate a new babe on the way, as well as a wedding.”
Fin tried to swallow her apprehension. “I don’t want Patrick ruining this day for Jessie because of me.”
Maeve shook her head. “You needn’t worry, Finny. Your da is different now.”
“Since when?”
“Give him a chance,” Maeve said, her smile encouraging.
As they walked out of the library and down the hall, Fin found Travis standing by the staircase. She needed to warn him about her mother’s request, as well as find Jessie and Cade and see if they had any objections to her announcing her pregnancy.
“We’ll join the reception in a moment, Mom,” Fin said, waiting until Maeve disappeared down the hall before she turned to Travis. “Since everyone is here, my mother thinks we should tell the family about the baby,” she said, careful to keep her voice low. “Are you okay with that?”
He nodded. “I’m fine with it. The question is, how do you feel about it?”
“I’m not sure,” she said truthfully. “I couldn’t be more excited and I want to tell everyone how happy I am that I’ve been given a second chance at motherhood. But at the same time, I’m apprehensive about Patrick’s reaction. I don’t want him putting a damper on Jessie and Cade’s big day.”
Travis shook his head. “He won’t.”
“You don’t know Patrick Elliott the way I do.” She sighed. “And thank your lucky stars you don’t.”
“He’s all about appearances, isn’t he?”
“That’s all he’s about,” she said, unable to keep the disgust from her voice.
Nodding, Travis smiled. “Then don’t you think he’ll keep his mouth shut to keep from airing the family laundry in front of all these people?”
The more she thought about it, the more she realized that Travis was right. Not all of the guests were family. And Patrick would never dream of saying anything in front of outsiders that would throw the family in what he perceived to be a bad light.
“You might have a point.”
Touching her elbow, he guided her toward the happy sounds coming from the direction of the reception. “Let’s find Jess and Cade and clear it with them.”
“I want you to promise me you’ll let me know if this yahoo doesn’t treat you right,” Travis said as he and Jessie moved around the dance floor during the father-daughter dance. “I’ll hop the first plane east and by the time I’m done with him, there won’t be enough of him left to snore.”
“Oh, Dad, you’re such a cowboy,” Jessie said, laughing and hugging him close.
He hugged her back. “I just want you to be happy, angel.”
“The only thing that would make me happier would be if Mom was here,” she said softly.
Time had eased his loss, but he hated that Lauren couldn’t have been here to see their little girl on her special day. “Your mom would have been right in the middle of all this fuss and loving every minute of it.”
A tear slipped down Jessie’s cheek. “I know.”
They were silent for a moment before he asked, “Are you and Cade sure you’re all right with Fin letting the family know about the baby here at the reception?”
She nodded. “I think this is the perfect time. In fact, if you don’t mind, I’d like to have the honor of telling everyone. Do you think Fin would mind?”
“To tell the truth, I think she’d be relieved that someone else let the cat out the bag.” Travis glanced over at the Elliott patriarch. “She’s dreading the head honcho’s reaction.”
“I can’t imagine Fin being afraid of anything,” Jessie said, frowning.
“I don’t think it’s a matter of her being frightened as much as it is a case of nerves,” he corrected. “She just wants this day to be perfect for you and Cade.” He chuckled. “I have a feeling if old moneybags over there gets his drawers in a wad, she’ll take into him like a she-bear protecting her cub.”
Jessie smiled fondly. “That’s so sweet of her.” She paused for a moment. “I don’t think Granddad will say a single word after I make the announcement. You just stick close to Fin. I’m sure she could use all the moral support she can get.”
Travis had no idea what Jess had planned, but she had a good head on her shoulders. He trusted her judgment and if she said she could spring the news and keep Elliott from raising a ruckus, he had no doubt she could do it.
“All right, angel. This is your day. Do what you think is best.”
When the dance ended, Travis kissed her cheek and, stepping back for Cade to take his place, walked over to sit at the table with Fin and Shane. “Jessie’s going to take care of telling everyone the big secret,” he said close to Fin’s ear. “Any objections?”
She shook her head and her silky auburn hair brushing her creamy shoulders fascinated the hell out of him. “I don’t mind, but when is she going to do it?”
“Your guess is as good as mine.” He covered her hand where it rested on the white linen tablecloth. “But if I know Jess, it won’t be long.”
He’d no sooner gotten the words out than Jessie and Cade walked over to one of the band’s microphones. “If I could have your attention, my wife has an announcement to make,” Cade said, giving Jessie a look that left Travis with no worries about how much he adored her.
When all eyes turned her way and the room fell silent, Jessie gazed lovingly at the man standing beside her. “This is one of the happiest days of our lives and Cade and I would like to thank you all for helping us celebrate our marriage.” Turning her attention toward the table where Travis sat with Fin, she smiled. “I would also like to announce that we have another reason to celebrate. My dream of being a big sister is finally going to come true. Fin and my dad have just learned they’re going to give me a brother or sister in the summer.”
Dynasties:The Elliots, Books 7-12 Page 66
