“So, she’s decided that because she can’t have kids, and she thinks that I deserve to have kids, that she’s not the right person for me.”
“Did you point out to her that there are several different ways to add children to your family?” Mom asks, tapping her chin with her finger, deep in thought.
“No, I was too surprised, and admittedly pissed, to bring that up.”
Mom nods and sits back in her seat with a sigh. “I’m sorry about her health concerns.”
“She manages them well.” I shrug. “She’s not on medication, and she takes good care of herself. She’s actually quite healthy.”
“Good.” Mom grins, her eyes shining. “And you love her.”
“Against my better judgment today, yes.” I laugh again and rub my hands together. “She challenges me. She’s funny and smart, and it’s easy to be with her. She knows things about me that no one else in the world knows and…”
“And she loves you anyway,” Mom finishes softly.
“Yeah.”
“It sounds to me like she’s a bit scared, son. It sounds like this relationship is still young, and happened quickly. Falling hard and fast is exhilarating and scary all at the same time.”
I nod again, and then she hits me with, “Do you think Nicole wants children?”
I think back to how great she was with Casey, with Maddie and Josie, and how naturally she snuggled Olivia in her arms and rocked her back and forth.
“She’d be an awesome mom,” I respond softly.
“You know, it can’t be easy for a woman who believes she’s infertile to spend a lot of time around pregnant women and couples with children. I’m not saying she doesn’t enjoy being around the whole gang, but it might have played with her emotions a bit, too. Each time she sees Nat, Jules and Brynna and their men hovering over them, it’s a reminder that she might never have that.” She leans in closer and takes my hand. “And it’s a reminder that she might not be able to give that to you.”
“Shit,” I whisper.
“Indeed.” Mom kisses my cheek and stands. “She’ll come around.”
“I hope you’re right, because the thought of being without her leaves me hollow.”
“Oh, darling, that’s wonderful.” She laughs when I frown at her in frustration. “It means it’s real.”
“Oh, it’s real all right.”
“Give her a little time to talk to her friends and miss you a bit.”
“Thanks, Mom.”
“That’s what I’m here for, dear.” She winks and leaves me to go check in on Natalie, the daughter who didn’t come from her body but couldn’t be more hers if they shared the same bloodline.
Chapter Eighteen
Two weeks later
Nic
“Thanks for your help today, Tess.” I grin at the young woman as she gathers her purse to leave for the day.
“My pleasure, as always, boss,” she replies with a happy smile. “No wine with Bailey today?”
I shrug and shake my head as though it’s no big deal. I just can’t face her, or anyone really, right now.
“All you’ve done for the past two weeks is hole up in this shop and then sit at home,” Tess points out with a frown. “You’re starting to wig me out.”
“I’m fine,” I reply, irritated. “Have a good evening.”
“You, too.” She sighs dejectedly.
I follow her to the front door to lock it behind her, but just as Tess leaves, Gail Montgomery approaches, smiling warmly, dressed in casual denim capris and an orange T-shirt.
“Hi, Mrs. Montgomery.” Good God, what is she doing here?
“Hello, dear. I know you’re about to close. I was hoping for a moment of your time. Privately.”
“Of course.” I raise a brow and motion for her to come inside and lock the door behind her. “Have a seat.”
“Thank you.” She sits at one of my small round pub tables and smiles as I sit opposite her. “How are you, Nic?”
“I’m fine.”
Her eyes narrow as she watches me, an expression I’m all too familiar with on her son. “That’s good.”
“What can I do for you?” I ask. “Would you like a cupcake? Cup of coffee?”
“Oh, not right now, although I might take a few home to Steven.” She leans an elbow on the table and looks about my shop. “This is a beautiful bakery.”
“Thank you.”
“Have you spoken to my son?” she asks bluntly.
“Not in a few weeks,” I reply softly and feel the stab to my heart. God, I miss him so much it hurts.
“I see.” She frowns and links her hands, resting them in her lap. “May I ask why?”
I clear my throat and frown. Geez, how much do I tell his mom? “Honestly, it feels like a betrayal to him to talk about our relationship with you without him here.”
She smiles widely and reaches across the table to lay her hand on my arm. “I like you, Nic. It’s only because I like you that I’m here. I spoke with Matt the morning that you had your fight.”
My eyes widen in surprise.
“That startles you,” she guesses correctly.
“Matt’s not really the kind of person to seek someone out to talk to,” I reply honestly.
“He didn’t seek me out. He ran into me at the hospital.”
“Oh, how is Natalie?” I ask, genuinely concerned. Another difficult part of losing Matt was losing the fragile friendships that I’d just started to form with his family.
“She’s very well, thank you.” Gail shifts in her seat and considers her next words carefully. “Nic, Matt confided in me about your medical troubles.”
Well, she just keeps shocking the hell out of me.
“I’m actually quite healthy,” I reply.
“He said that, too, but he said that the main reason you believe you can’t pursue your relationship with him is because you may not be able to give him children.”
Tears prick my eyes as I stare down at the tabletop. I can only nod in response.
“And that you think that Matt should have a large family.”