Page 30 of His to Love
Chapter Fourteen
Alexa
Just before walking into my parents’ home only two days after we had the official pregnancy news confirmed by the doctor, I felt like I might throw up. “Hold on. I’m feeling a little sick.”
Patton put his arm around me, holding me against his side. “Lean on me, Alexa. I don’t want you falling down.”
The door opened and there stood my father. “You didn’t ring the bell?”
Swallowing hard, I knew it was nerves that had upset my stomach. “We’re here.”
Patton chuckled. “It’s nice to see you again, Mr. De La Cruz.”
“Mr. De La Cruz?” He slapped Patton on the shoulder as we came inside. “You call me Dad.”
I looked at my father with a gaping mouth. “Are you sure?”
“Of course, I’m sure.” He held out his arm, gesturing for us to sit down. “And call my wife Mamma. She’ll love that.”
Patton nodded but looked at me out of the corner of his eye. I knew that would make him uncomfortable. He was already having to lie to people he respected, and now this? It was too much, and I knew that. But telling my parents that Patton shouldn’t call them that would raise red flags.
Mom came into the room with a photo album in her hands. “You’re here. Good. I’ve just put the finishing touches on this.”
Patton and I sat next to each other on the sofa, and my mother approached to place the album on my lap. I held my breath when I saw the words she’d written in gold ink across the cover. “Mr. and Mrs. Patton Nash.” I wanted to cry; it was so sweet of her to do. “Mamma, you shouldn’t have.”
She took a seat in her favorite chair and my father took the one next to hers. “Not commemorate my angel’s marriage? Are you crazy? Go ahead, look inside.”
I didn’t want to look through all the pictures Patton had taken of our fake wedding and honeymoon. But I knew my mother wouldn’t have it any other way. So, I opened the book and found the very first picture of us as a married couple, kissing in front of the Elvis impersonator who had just finished the ceremony.
Patton ran his hand over the image. “Ah, there’s my wife.” He looked at me with what I swore was love in his blue eyes. “The day you made me the happiest man in the entire world.” His lips pressed against my cheek and I felt like the air had left my lungs.
Oh yeah, he’s putting on a show for my parents.
Taking a deep breath to get oxygen back to my brain, I played my part as a loving wife. “And you’ve made each day after that one the happiest days of my life, mi amor.” I kissed his cheek and felt the warmth of his skin beneath my lips. It made my blood run hot, my juices begin to flow inside of me.
“You two look so in love,” my mother gushed.
Instead of taking a painful trip down fake-memory lane, Patton saved us the trouble by closing the album then placing it on the coffee table in front of us. “Thank you so much for this,” he paused, “Mamma.”
My mother put her hand to her heart as tears made her eyes shimmer. “Oh, my son—my son, you are so welcome.”
“Your daughter and I have some amazing news for you two,” Patton let them know.
My father sat up, taking notice. “News?” He reached over, taking my mother’s hand. “Tell us.”
I looked at Patton, who nodded at me. “Okay. I’ll tell you the news then.” I couldn’t believe how happy they both looked as they anticipated what I had to say. Their reaction would be so different from what I’d thought it would be when I first took the pregnancy test. My heart sped up as I shouted, “We’re pregnant!”
My parents jumped up, hugging each other, then turned to us as Patton and I stood. Before I knew it, we were in a family hug, with me and Patton sandwiched between them.
Overjoyed with how they took the news, I could only look at my husband—the man who’d made all this possible. “Thank you.” I took his face between my hands. “Thank you for making me your wife and giving me the chance to be a mother.”
His eyes searched mine and I couldn’t believe how much emotion I saw in them. “Thank you for becoming my wife and making me a father. I adore you.” He kissed my lips softly. “I love you, my sweet wife.”
My heart stopped. He’d never said that to me before.Does he really mean it?
Before I could say anything, my mother pulled me away from Patton. “You will stay the night here. We will make a wonderful meal and invite the family over to hear your good news. Your brother will be overcome with joy, I can tell you that right now.”
Looking over my shoulder at Patton who gazed at me, I knew he was the only reason my news was being taken in this positive way. “I love you,” I shouted back to him. “More than you will ever know.”
