Page 18 of His to Love
Chapter Nine
Patton
“Okay, Alexa,” I coached her as we took an Uber from the small airport nearest her parent’s home in the Houston area, “we’re in love. We’ve been dating seriously for the last three months, but we’ve been seeing each other since shortly after you came to Austin. It’s important that we both stick to that timeframe or your parents will know something’s not right.”
“I know.” She wrung her hands in her lap, clearly nervous. “This is just going to be so awkward, Patton.”
That was the one thing it definitely could not be. “You have to pretend that it’s all true or your mother will see through us, and we can’t have that.” Luciano would be at his parents’ home as well, to make sure they knew that he was in favor of our marriage. “You know, your brother is having to lie too. We all are. But you have to remember why we’re all being deceptive.”
“Mom,” she whispered as her eyes clouded over. “I can’t let this kill her.” Wiping away the unshed tears, she nodded and gulped. “I can do this for her.” Smiling, she looked at me with something akin to adoration in her dark eyes. “Patton, I don’t know how to thank you enough for the sacrifice you’re making for me—for my family, and this baby.” She ran her hand over her stomach. “I’ll never be done repaying you.”
I didn’t want her to think she was indebted to me. “Alexa, I’m doing this because my heart told me to. Because helping you is the right thing to do. I don’t expect a thing in return.” Shrugging, I thought she should know how I really felt. “I’m thirty-two. Not ancient by any means, but I’m not some young, dumb kid either. I know I can be a good father to your child. And I’m ready to be that.”
“Do you honestly feel that way?” she asked with a furrowed brow full of worry. “Because I don’t think you’ve had enough time to fully digest this whole thing. How can you be sure that you’re ready to become a father?”
“I’m not into running around anymore. I love my work and my life. And I do believe that having a child in my life will be an amazing experience.” I thought about how that sort of left her out of things. Reaching over, I took her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. “Plus, I think sharing a child with you will be an amazing experience.”
Her wide eyes told me she was much less certain of this plan than I was. “How can you be sure of that?”
“I’ve known you since you were born. We’ve spent more time together than I’ve spent with any other woman on this planet. If things had been different, I probably would’ve been like an uncle to this kid anyways,” I smiled at her, trying to lighten the mood before becoming serious again. “We’ve always gotten along well, and we know one another on a deep and personal level.” I had to let her know how I felt about her, so she’d be able to trust that we’d be able to raise a child together. “I respect you, Alexa.”
“And I respect you, Patton.” Her smile made my heart skip a beat. “You and I will make awesome parents.”
“I know we will.” Pulling into her parent’s driveway, the time had come to put on a great show for them. “Are you ready for this Alexa? I’ll be holding your hand a lot, hugging and even kissing you. Not on the mouth, as I’d never do that in front of your family, but on the cheek. And you can kiss me on the cheek too. We have to make this look real.”
The Uber driver parked the car then looked at us as we sat in the backseat. “Wow. This is by far the weirdest conversation I’ve ever overheard on the job. Good luck with everything—you’re going to need it.”
Getting out of the car, I felt a little embarrassed that someone else had heard everything we’d said. “Thanks for your discretion.”
“Sure thing.”
Helping Alexa out of the car, I heard her mother opening the front door. “They’re here!”
Alexa had called her the night before to let them know we’d be coming for a visit. Her parents hadn’t even asked why I was coming along. I’d been like a part of their family for so long, they must have thought it was normal that I’d join Alexa on her trip home.
Running to her mother, Alexa wrapped her arms around her. “I’ve waited too long to come see you, Mamma.”
“You have, my errant daughter.” Her mother hugged her back. “But we are so proud of you for working so hard, so your father and I aren’t upset with you for not coming to see us sooner.” She let her daughter go then held her arms open for me. “And Patton, so nice of you to come.”
Hugging her, I felt a twinge of guilt, as I knew the lies were about to begin. “It’s so nice of you to have me.”
We all headed into the house, where we found Luciano and Mr. De La Cruz standing to greet us. Luci wore a broad smile as he hugged his sister, pretending they hadn’t just seen each other the day before. “My, my, you’re growing up, Alexa.”
I was sure he’d thrown that in there to remind his parents that Alexa was no longer a child. “She has become quite the young woman,” I added. Shaking her father’s hand, I went on, “Your daughter has made a name for herself at the resort already. Many of our repeat clients ask for her directly.”
“That’s wonderful news,” her father said as he glowed with pride. “Whatever one does, they must do it well or it’s not worth a dime.”
“I agree.” Looking at Alexa, I took a deep breath, preparing myself for what was to come. “Are you ready?”
Nodding, she came up beside me, looping her arm through mine. “Mom, Dad, we have something we’d like you to know.”
I was afraid she was about to jump the gun, so I cut in, “You see, when Alexa came to Austin and we began working together each day, we began seeing each other in a different light than we had before. As you can see, your daughter has grown into a true beauty—both inside and out. She’s a remarkable woman, with high moral values.”
Alexa broke in, “And Patton is a wonderful man, who I respect immensely. And we’ve spent a lot of time together.”
I watched her mother’s eyes dart back and forth between us. “Are you two dating?” she asked in a near-whisper.
Luci came up beside his mother. “Just so you know, Patton talked to me about dating Alexa before he ever asked her out. They’ve had my approval for months.”
