Page 91 of A Moment for Us
“I don’t think she needs details, but it’s better than lying about being engaged.”
I close my eyes, feeling a hundred times a fool. He’s right. “I’m sorry. I just . . . I love her and don’t want to upset her.”
“I don’t think it’ll be bad.”
“We’ll see,” I say and then finally open the door. “Ma? You here?”
“Delia?”
“Do you have other children I don’t know about?” I ask with a laugh.
She comes rushing down the stairs, a smile wide across her face. “I didn’t know you were coming by! I just got home an hour ago and was going to come see you!”
“I saved you the trip.”
I knew she was home because I heard it on the scanner app, which is actually pretty freaking cool. Josh and I keep it on when we’re doing things around the house because it’s amazing what people put out on there. Strange cars or bikers taking up too much space on the road, and the other night, there was a really interesting tidbit about a certain woman going into a certain man’s home that was not that certain woman’s husband. I get why Mrs. Garner and Villafane are always listening.
She doesn’t break stride as she reaches me, pulling me into her arms. I close my eyes, sinking into her touch. There is nothing quite like my mother’s hugs.
“I missed you so much!”
“I missed you too. How was your trip?”
She smiles. “It was wonderful! I can’t wait to go on my next adventure.” Mom turns to Josh. “Well, Joshua! Hello!” Her eyes meet mine, and I see the questions.
“Hello, Mrs. Andrews.”
She walks over to him, pulling him in for a hug. “It’s so nice to see you.”
“You too.”
She turns back to me again, her lips parted but eyes bright. “And why are you here—the both of you—together?”
“Well, Josh and I are dating, and we—well, we’re living together also.”
The brightness in her expression dims just a bit. “Living together?”
Josh jumps in. “Oliver needed my RV, and with the break-in that happened down the road from her house, I felt more comfortable knowing she wasn’t alone.”
Mom nods slowly. “I see. And you’re dating too?”
Oh, yeah, here comes the fun.
“We are, and there’s more, Mom.” I pause and then decide it’s just better to spit it out and let the chips fall where they may. “I’m pregnant . . . with twins.”
She stands there, watching me, and then she bursts out laughing. She laughs, and Josh and I share a look as she cackles on and on. After a minute, she’s gasping for air and trying to speak. “Oh. Delia. Funny.”
“I’m not . . .”
Her hand covers her mouth for a second. “You were always so good at tricking me.”
“I’m not tricking you, Mom.”
“You can tell me the truth now. You’ve had your fun.”
Not sure about that part, but I can see why she’d think it was a joke. “I swear, Josh and I are together, and we’re having twins. I found out the week you left, but I didn’t want to tell you over the phone.”
She steps back and hits the couch, which is far better than her passing out and hitting the floor. “Oh.”
