G-Men: The Series (132 page)

Eli came through the patio door just then, interrupting my thoughts. “So, you planning on giving your parents the good news today?” he asked, giving me a wink. “Seems like an appropriate theme for Independence Day, yeah?”

I gave him ‘the look,’ popping a cherry tomato in my mouth from the salad I’d been making. “Funny you should mention it,” I replied, “I actually intend to give them the news while they’re here.”

“No,” he said, his eyes widening. “So, I guess you’re all about having some fireworks after all.”

“You know, I actually don’t have an issue telling them they’re about to be grandparents. I mean, my mom’s been practically trying to get me married
for the purpose
of seeing me drive a minivan full of kids—”

Eli let out a shrill gasp, “A
minivan
?” He popped the cap off a cold, bottled beer and immediately took a swig. “Dear God, where have I failed you?”

I rolled my eyes. “You know what I mean. She’s like
every
mom, which means she’s basically genetically engineered for her Thanksgiving dinners to get bigger and bigger each year.” I shrugged, digging through the salad for another cherry tomato. “Telling them isn’t the deal. This isn’t the fifties, like you said, right?”

He was leaning on the sink next to me, now studying my massacred vegetables. “So, what
is
the big dealio?”

I blew out a breath. “Telling them
who
got me pregnant.”

“But you
are
going to tell them…” Eli replied, waiting for me to assure him.

I looked at him with a scrunched-up nose, not answering.

“What?” he asked, cocking an eyebrow. “You know damn well they’re gonna ask.”

“And you know damn well I’ve no issue telling them it’s none of their business. In a very
respectful
manner, of course.”

Eli nodded, picking at his beer label.”Okay, I’ll buy that, but I mean…why?” He looked back over at me.

“Seriously? You have to ask?” I said, sprinkling grated cheese over my finished—and what I hoped would be delicious—project. “‘Hey, Daddy. So, I just wanted to run it by you that I’m currently preggo by the guy you hired to mentor me. P.S. I wouldn’t touch that fax machine for awhile, and can you pass me the ketchup?’ Yeah, how’d that sound? Because that’s pretty much how it would go. I kind of like my dad…and I’m really not ready to give him a coronary.”

Eli picked a sliced radish from the relish tray, popping it into his mouth. “That’s not the
real
reason, is it?”

“Of course it is,” I lied. “What else could it be?”

I heard his soft smirk in response. “You’re afraid of them finding out their little girl enjoys it rough and loud, aren’t you?”

“Bite me,” I replied, flipping him off. “Maybe I’ll tell them it’s you, Eli. Yeah…I’ll tell them I got you drunk one night and tried to convert you back over.”

He laughed loudly. “My girl’s back,” he said, grinning. “And in fightin’ form.”

We got through the cook-out with no major snafus. Harper kept everyone entertained with the cute little baby things she did. I managed to pull Lindsey aside, asking her to come upstairs so we could talk. I’d already told her about Easton leaving, extremely proud of the façade I’d put up that it was for the best. I was starting to believe that myself.

Once in my room, I closed the door. “You haven’t said anything to Taz about me being pregnant, have you?”

“Of course not,” she hissed, feigning insult. “I promised I wouldn’t, but sooner or later he’s going to figure it out, Darce. Like everyone else.”

“Well, yeah,” I agreed with her. “I totally planned on letting them know when we sent out the baby-shower invites.” I smiled at her.

I’m pretty sure I saw her left eye twitch at that comment.

“I know, I know,” I replied, testily. “I’m telling my parents this afternoon.”

She crossed her arms. “No shit?”

“Yeah, but here’s the thing: I’m not telling them Easton’s the father, for my own personal reasons. Don’t ask. I wanted to make sure you knew that in case my mom tries to grill you somewhere down the road, got it?”

She nodded, her brow furrowed in confusion.

“What?” I asked.

“Well, it’s just…who are you going to tell them
is
the father?”

“Darin,” I replied, clearly out-of-the-blue. “It’s perfect, isn’t it?”

“Huh?”

“Yes,” I said, my eyes brightening. “It’s fucking fantastic. I mean, come on? He’s in freakin’ Alaska, right?”

“Oh Darce…I mean, I don’t know about doing that…”

“Oh, hell,” I snapped. “It’s not like I’m going to tell anyone
else
that! Geesh, Linds. My parents don’t know anyone with the agency, I mean other than Taz, that is.”

“Speaking of Taz,” she replied, crossing her arms, “when is he allowed to find out?”

“I don’t know. Not yet.”

She sighed, shaking her head. “Well, I wish you luck with your folks, but I’m betting they’re going to be tickled pink.”

“Or blue,” I said, giving her a wink.

Everyone had left. Mom was in the kitchen, helping me with the dishes. I guessed now was as good of a time as any.

“Mom,” I said, rinsing off a platter. “I’ve got some news to share with you and Daddy.”

She looked up from the stove she’d been wiping clean. “Good news, I hope,” she said with just a hint of trepidation.

“Well, I hope you think it’s
good
news. I’d rather tell you first, just in case it isn’t, though.”

She nodded, waiting for me to continue. I had her full attention now.

Oh God…

“I’m pregnant. The baby’s due in mid-January and the father’s in Alaska,” I blurted out quickly.

“Oh, Darcy,” she breathed, allowing the news to sink in fully. I breathed a sigh of relief as I saw the corners of her mouth turn upward in a smile. “I don’t know what to say. I mean, I’m happy if you’re happy, darling. I’m not that old-fashioned, you know? A lot of young people don’t get married until after the baby arrives…well, look at Lindsey, for example. That worked out well for everyone.”

She came over, pulling me into her arms for a “mom” hug, patting my back. “My baby’s having a baby,” she sighed, sounding all choked up.

“Yeah, Mom, there’s just one more thing. Marriage isn’t going to happen, I’m afraid. Still okay with it?”

She put her hands on my arms and pulled back to look at me. “Can your father and I at least know who the father of our grandchild is?”

And. Here. We. Go…

“Darin,” I said, quickly, turning my face from her. “We uh, we hooked up again thinking we might reconcile, but realized it wasn’t gonna happen. My Depo shot had expired, that’s why that post-card from my gyno came to your house. Just one of those flukey things, ya know?”

Her forehead creased in a frown. “Darin does plan on taking financial responsibility, though, right?”

“Oh, sure,” I lied, nodding my head up and own. There was no way in hell I wanted to belabor the whole ‘Darin’ topic right now. “Listen, Mom, would you mind telling Daddy on the way home?”

She eyed me warily, shaking her head. “Why?”

“Because,” I little-girl whined, “I don’t want to know how mad or disappointed he’s going to be when he finds out.” I totally knew that I was taking the coward’s route. I get it,
but
do you a blame a girl for wanting to…I don’t know, live? And this talk with Mom was already kind of giving me heart palpitations, so I could only guess how the ol’ talk with Dad was going to go.

“I suppose,” she replied, giving me another hug. “I’m sure he’s going to be as thrilled as I am, so don’t stress. Have you been feeling well?”

“Umm hmm,” I nodded. “I feel better now that I’ve given you the news.”

“Well, you know there are plans you’ll have to make soon about after the baby arrives. I mean you don’t intend to stay here in this apartment do you?” She made a point to look over at the living room, probably noting that a baby wouldn’t really go well with Eli’s surround-sound stereo system.

“Mom,” I said, returning to the sink, “I can’t think about that right now. I’m taking this one day at a time.”

They’d only been gone for five minutes when I looked at Eli who was sitting on the sofa next to Cain. “Well, my ears are burning. Mom’s told Daddy,” I said.

“Oh, chill,” he laughed. “That baby will be spoiled rotten, just like you were. Your dad isn’t going to disown his ‘wittle’ girl,” he teased.

“I’m just hoping he doesn’t book a flight to Alaska to hunt down Darin and make him do the right thing.”

“Shut up! No. You. Didn’t!”

“Oh, but I did,” I giggled, heading upstairs. “Night, boys.”

^{chapter 49}

It was mid-August and I’d just left Dr. Billingsley’s office and was heading to ‘Tater’s for lunch. I was officially four months pregnant, my blood-work was fine and I’d gained seven pounds, total. No one seemed to have noticed the seven pounds. Maybe it was because I was tall. My tummy had a small baby bump, which wasn’t difficult to conceal at all. I figured by the time Colin and Ronnie returned from their honeymoon cruise, my pregnancy would be noticeable, so I wasn’t about to spill anything before then.

My mother called me practically every day to make sure I was eating right, getting enough rest and taking my vitamin.
Geesh!
Of course both parents were now quite excited about becoming grandparents, even though my father had told my mother he’d like to “shake the shit out of Darin” for being so irresponsible and leaving me in the lurch.

Ah-hem, yeah, I know.

Ronnie and I usually had lunch a couple of times a week. I was her only girlfriend in D.C. I’d invited Lindsey to join us a few times with Harper (who Ronnie, of course, adored) so now she could add her to her list of D.C. friends. I was meeting them both for lunch today.

I was running a few minutes late. I spotted Lindsey at a table outside in the shaded garden area. I so hated the heat and humidity these days. I figured it must be something with my pregnancy hormones. I parked my car, nodding to Lindsey who was waving wildly, as if I couldn’t spot her.

“I went ahead and ordered you iced lemonade,” she said, nodding to the seat where a tall, frosted glass of it awaited.

“Thanks,” I said, lifting it to take a long drink. “I swear to God I’m so over this fucking summer. Where’s Harper?” I asked, finally noticing the stroller wasn’t parked next to Lindsey’s chair.

“Oh, Taz is with her at home,” she replied, sipping her iced tea. “He has the rest of this week off and then next week as vacation. Then he’s gone on assignment for the next three to four weeks after that. Guess where?”

I rolled my eyes at her, smiling. “I swear Lindsey, you’re like a kid whenever you have gossip or juicy tidbits, aren’t you?”

She nodded, giggling. “New York,” she said, unable to keep it to herself any longer. “And,” she continued, drawing each word out, “he mentioned he’s going to be touching bases with Easton while he’s there. Apparently there’s some drama in the family going on.”

“Really?” I commented, not particularly interested in the topic of Easton. It still hurt at times.

“I’d give you the details, but I’m not sure if Taz wants me putting family business out there like that,” she qualified.

“Hmm, let me guess. Taz and Easton aren’t brothers,” I replied, taking another long sip of my drink. I watched as Lindsey’s eyes bugged out in shock and awe.

“You
knew?
” she gasped. “Did Easton tell you? I can’t
believe
you didn’t tell me!” Okay, now she was downright hurt.

“Listen,” I said, nodding towards the parking lot, “Ronnie’s here. We can talk about it later, okay?”

We enjoyed our lunch together. Ronnie brought pictures of her wedding dress to show us. It was very traditional, similar to Lindsey’s. She had her final fitting the following day.

“So,” she said, turning her attention to me, “you’re still planning on coming to our wedding, aren’t you? You haven’t R.S.V.P.’d yet, Darcy.”

Holy shit! What the hell do I say?

Both of them were watching me, waiting for my response.

“Ronnie,” I started slowly, “you know I want to be there, of course. I mean, Colin’s my boss, and
both
of you are my friends, but I just don’t think I’d be…comfortable.”

“Rubbish,” she said, picking the tomato slice off of her club sandwich. “You’ve got to face Easton some time, right?”

This was the first time she’d actually come out and mentioned the bastard’s name. Up until this point, we’d skirted the issue.

I thought about that for a moment. “No,” I said, shaking my head. “I don’t ever have to face him again, if I’m lucky.”

“So, you’re going to let his assholiness keep you from my wedding and what’s promised to be a great time?”

How much does she know?

Lindsey piped up in my defense. “Ronnie, there are other circumstances involved here,” she said quietly. “It probably wouldn’t be a good idea for Darcy to be traveling to New York by herself.”

“It’s not that,” I interrupted, a bit snappish. “I just don’t
want
to go by myself, I guess.”