Chapter 155 Chapter 155 - Family Secrets

Chapter 155 Chapter 155 - Family Secrets
Adrielle Hale

The yacht docks at the marina. Pedro and I are at the stern, ready to disembark. The mechanical gangway extends so we can exit. Pedro holds my hand as he walks ahead before helping me place my feet on the marina's sturdy gangway. He has the small wooden box in his free hand while the other is intertwined with my fingers.

We make our way to the harbor parking area, climbing the marina steps. Our daughter is sitting on a wooden bench, her legs dangling from side to side as she enjoys some ice cream. My parents are with them, smiling. They'll be happy to find out they're having another grandchild.

"Do you think they'll be happy?" I ask, my eyes focused on the two middle-aged people sitting beside my daughter, their smiles wider than their own faces.

"Don't you want to tell them and find out?" Pedro's tone is calm, as if he's not worried about the possible threats Joseph Hale might make against him.

I turn my head toward him. Pedro steps away from the car as soon as he closes the door. He left the wooden box inside the car and is now watching our daughter with a tender gaze, his blue eyes have never shone so brightly as they do now.

I think we should schedule a meeting. Something special for the family. I also want to talk to Abby, to know how she'll feel about the arrival of a brother or sister.

What if we tell Abby at Christmas?

An idea comes to mind. The idea of ​​telling Abby on Christmas Eve, as if it were a gift for her—more than special. I know very well that the anxiety of telling everyone will almost consume me every day, but I think Christmas would be the perfect time to tell our daughter about a new baby. She loves Christmas.

"We can tell them as soon as we tell our daughter," I reply, in a light tone.

"As you wish," he says, with a slight nod. "But… how are we going to tell her?" Pedro nods toward our daughter.

I give him a mischievous smile.

"Tell her how you got her mother pregnant." I say, looking at him.

Pedro has a startled expression on his face. I know he won't be able to explain it to her, but I'd love to see him try. His feet are firmly planted on the ground, as if he can't blink or think. I know he needs to absorb what I just said.

"I can't tell her that, Adie!" His eyes are wide, alarmed by the idea of ​​telling a child that babies come from sex.

I chuckle slightly. I don't think I've ever seen him so scared.

"We'll tell her at Christmas." I say calmly.

His eyes focus on me, now confused.

"But, Adie, there are still two weeks until Christmas." Pedro says, frowning. "Are we going to wait all that time to tell her we're having a baby? I press my lips together before gently touching his shoulders. I know he'll be anxious about all this, and I don't blame him for his excitement, but our daughter hasn't had him around since she was born. I'm afraid she'll feel excluded or replaced by a new baby. She's as sensitive as Pedro.

"Abby is as sensitive as you when it comes to family matters. I don't want her to resent the baby for thinking she's being excluded," I say, meeting his gaze firmly. "Let's make her feel part of this, something special."

"And what about the others?" he asks calmly.
"We'll tell them in the new year," I gently caress his cheek.

His face is fuller, more vibrant, than when he arrived. I think feeling loved has never done him as much good as it does now. Pedro takes a deep breath, his eyes straying from mine for a moment so he can think about it. Deep down, I know he'll agree.

"I'm going to die of anxiety." He murmurs, staring at the ground, before massaging his forehead.

I can't help but laugh. I kiss his cheek before intertwining my fingers with his as we walk towards our daughter.

Abby is talking about Lego pieces with her grandfather when, unintentionally, her eyes move in my direction. Her smile is identical to her father's: open, bright, and so beautiful. Her small lips curve like his when he smiles.

"Mommy, Mommy…" Abby pushes the ice cream towards her grandfather - who catches it - and jumps off the bench, running to me. "You said “yes,” didn't you? Did you like the ring? And the outing? Did you like the yacht Daddy bought? Can we go for a ride?" Her barrage of questions almost makes me dizzy.

Her questions come out quickly, she can barely breathe properly.

"Wow, calm down there, little turtle." Pedro says, a laugh escaping between us.

Abby stares at him, a pout forming.

"You look exactly like your mother did at your age," my father says, laughing as he stands up.

My mother jumps up, grabbing my left hand to examine the shiny ring.

"What a beautiful ring!" she says, smiling. "Look, Joseph, our daughter is finally going to marry the man she loves."

Little does she know that this isn't the only news of the night, but let's leave it at that.

My father looks at me, his eyes almost brimming with tears. Emotion is overwhelming this man. His eyes are watery, but full of affection. There's a curved smile on his face, forming lines on his skin.

"It was about time," he says, before wrapping his arms around me for a tight hug, as usual.

A small smile forms on my face. Dad strokes my back before kissing my head and stepping away. My mother is radiant, almost jumping for joy. I'm almost certain her worn-out shoes can't handle this. She has a shoe collection, but insists on wearing those old loafers.

My father walks away and I can see Abby and Pedro talking. He's crouched down, at her level, with a small smile on his face. Our daughter is holding her ice cream in one hand, leaning to the left and covering her father's ear with her tiny hand, as if that would prevent anyone from seeing that they are whispering. Pedro lowers his head, with a slight, embarrassed smile.

"What are you two whispering about?" I ask, raising my left eyebrow to look at them, hoping that this will make them tell me their secret.

But the truth is, I don't mind that they have secrets. It's good to see how familiar they've become with each other. She's no longer afraid of him; now she loves him. Pedro does everything she wants, as if that makes her love him even more. Abby loves him for who he is. Just like me.

"Can we watch a movie today? With popcorn?" she asks excitedly. So excitedly that her ice cream falls from her hand with her little jumps of joy. Abby stares at the melted treat on the floor. "My ice cream…"

Abby's tone is sad. That's just how she is.

"I can make ice cream for you." Pedro comments, looking at our daughter. "Healthier and tastier ice cream."

I frown, somewhat confused. I don't know where he learned to make that. I also don't know where Pedro learned to cook properly.

Our daughter is delighted by this. She drops the cone on the floor, without even bothering to throw it in the trash.

"Then let's go, let's go." Abby says, grabbing my hand and pulling me towards Pedro's car.

She doesn't even care which car we're in, she just chooses her father's. I also don't intend to drive all the way home. I know Pedro will want me close to him.