I parked my bike in my parents’ driveway, taking my helmet off as I opened up the front door and walked through the house. I heard noise coming from the backyard, so I opened the patio door and found them sitting at the table with two glasses of wine. “Nicholas, what a surprise, honey!” My mom stood up to give me a hug, and I patted my dad on the back as I took a seat across from them.
“I thought you had a big date planned for tonight, son.” My dad took a sip of his wine, and I shifted in my seat uncomfortably, not sure exactly how to tell them. I had always been a good son, never really gotten into much trouble, went to college, and got a good job. I hated to think I was going to disappoint them.
“Yeah, I’m going to pick her up in a little bit, but there was something I wanted to talk to you guys about.”
“Oh really?” My mom leaned forward, her lips curving into a smile. “Is there a certain question you’re going to be asking Ally tonight? You know I have your grandmother’s ring, it’s just waiting for you.”
“No, Mom.” I shook my head sharply, swallowing thickly. “That’s not it. I’m actually…well, I’m not really sure...” C’mon Nick, you’re a grown ass man, just say it. “I’m gonna be a dad.”
Both of their mouths dropped open, I saw the shock register across their faces, and then it slowly turned to joy. My mom’s smile was so big it caused her eyes to slant.
“Oh, Nicholas.” She jumped up, clapping her hands together before leaning down to smack a kiss on my cheek. “I’m so excited to be a grandma, you have no idea. Do we know what the baby is yet? I can’t believe Ally didn’t let it slip when we went out for lunch the other day. She must not be too far along because she’s not showing yet, so when’s the due date? There’s so much to do!”
“Mom.” I drug a hand over my face, knowing that I should’ve explained things a little more before I came right out and said it. “Ally’s not pregnant.”
Her eyebrows knitted in confusion for a second, but then the realization washed over her face, and I could tell she knew. “Oh no, Nicholas.” She shook her head repeatedly and my dad gripped her hand giving it a squeeze. “Kara’s pregnant,” she quietly finished. “How far along is she? You didn’t cheat on Ally, did you? Please, tell me you didn’t do that. We raised you better.”
“Of course not, Mom,” I said, sitting up straighter. I was sort of pissed that she even thought that. I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if I did something like that to Ally. “Kara just didn’t tell me right away. She wanted to give the baby up for adoption, but I couldn’t let her do that. She’s due next month.”
“Adoption?” my dad repeated; the word sounding just about as foreign to him as it did me. “She doesn’t want the baby?”
I shook my head even though I wasn’t so sure about that lately, another reason I didn’t know what in the hell I was going to do when it came to Ally. Kara and Jared were now over, what a surprise, and that made me think that maybe she was going to change her mind.
She hadn’t actually said it, but she made little comments whenever we talked, like names she picked out, or that she had just bought an adorable outfit. I didn’t want to have to deal with Kara for the next eighteen years. Did I really want to put Ally through that, too?
“I don’t know, she says she doesn’t, but I could see her changing her mind. Kara won’t sign any papers until after she’s born.”
“She?” my mom asked quietly. “You’re having a little girl?”
I nodded my head, smiling at the thought. I might not like who I was having a baby with, I definitely wished it was Ally, but I was still going to be a dad, and would love her unconditionally. “Yup. Are you ready to be grandparents, ‘cause I have no clue how to raise a baby, especially a girl, and I could use the help.”
“We’ll always be there for you, Nick. I’m sure your mom would know more about the girl business than me, though, but I can guarantee she’ll be spoiled by the both of us.”
My mom nodded her head in agreement, reaching out to pat my hand. “Have you told Ally yet?”
I tipped my back and let out a deep sigh. “No, Mom, I haven’t. I don’t know how to, I’m not sure how she’ll react.”
“That’s understandable, honey, but you do need to tell her, presumably before the baby arrives, so that doesn’t give you much time.”
“I know, Mom. I just have to figure out exactly what I’m going to do.” I stood up, pushing my chair back in, and leaned down to give them each a kiss on the cheek. “I better head out, I’ll call ya tomorrow and maybe we can meet up. I definitely need your help getting some shopping done.”
“Of course, honey. Have fun tonight.”
I planned to, but I wasn’t so sure I should. What was I doing to Ally by not telling her the truth? Really, I was no better than that ex-husband of hers. After tonight I was going to make a decision, I had to. I was going to try to keep Ally in my life forever, or I would have to let her go. Either way I needed to decide, even though I had no fucking clue how. For now, I would push it out of my head and try to make tonight perfect for Ally, because she deserved it.
Ally