“I know we’re really young…”
“You are. But at least you won’t have to worry about money. That’s something.”
I cleared my throat. “I hope you don’t think—”
“That you’re with Brad because of his money?”
“I’m not. Not at all. We used a condom.”
“I believe you. I believe in my son. He knows how to prevent pregnancy. George and I both made sure of that.”
“Sometimes I feel like I should have done more. Like be on the pill or use a spermicide or something. But I can’t bring myself to be unhappy about the baby. Yeah, it wasn’t in my immediate plans, but it’s mine. Mine and Brad’s. That’s pretty special.”
“It’s very special,” Mazie said. “I know you’re young, but I’ll help you. I’m sure your own mother will be happy to help you as well.”
I smiled but didn’t reply. My own mother was a mess at the moment. Maybe a grandchild would help to bring her out of it. I didn’t know. I had to depend on my father to take care of her. I’d do what I could, but my first priority was my own baby. I touched my belly.
“Do you want a boy or a girl?” Mazie asked.
“Either is fine with me, but this is a boy.”
She smiled. “You’re sure?”
“I know it sounds silly, but I know it’s a he.”
“We’ll find out in May,” she said. “Now let’s talk about this wedding.”
“I really don’t want—”
“Please, don’t worry about the cost.”
“I’m not worried about the cost.” How could I tell her I couldn’t have any kind of wedding if my mother couldn’t be there?
Mazie rambled on and on about decorations and flowers and guests.
I simply stared at the pale-green tulips she was cutting into a bouquet.
I’d sworn never to be a colorless flower again. So I wouldn’t be.
“Mazie…”
“Yes?” She looked up from her flowers.
“I don’t want a big wedding. It’s not me. Please.”
“Oh.” She smiled weakly. “Whatever you want, Daphne.”
“Brad and I have talked. It’s just easier to get married at the courthouse.”
“I understand.” She went back to work on her tulips and said nothing more.
And I felt like the colorless flower.
Chapter Nineteen
Brad
I sat in my father’s study, in one of the comfortable chairs across from his desk.
“Thank you, Dad,” I said, “for being so kind to Daphne.”
“She seems like a nice young woman.”
“She is. And I do love her.”
“I know you do.”
I arched my eyebrows.
“Don’t forget, I was in love once,” he said. “Your mother was nearly as beautiful as your Daphne.”
“I know. I’ve seen the pictures.”
“You look a lot like her. It used to bother me. It doesn’t anymore. I know you’re mine.”
I cocked my head. Had he once thought I might not be his? Could that have been the catalyst for how he treated my mother?
“She and I… Well, you know all that.”
“Why, Dad? Why couldn’t you…” I shook my head.
His countenance grew stern, and he looked down at his desk. “I’m not going to talk to you about this. A man’s relationship with his wife is his own business, and certainly not his child’s.”
I nodded. I’d remember that if he ever tried to get involved in my relationship with Daphne. I’d throw his own words back at him.
“I’m not proud of everything I did,” he said.
I nodded again. What could I say? I’d wanted to murder him on more than one occasion.
“I’m glad you stopped me, son.”
“I’m glad I did too.”
“I don’t know if I could have stopped on my own. It became kind of a sickness, but you made me see what I was doing. Your mother and I, though, we could never be close again. Not after everything.”
“I see.” Though I didn’t. I didn’t at all. I could never treat Daphne the way he’d treated my mother. No way.
“I hope you never do see. I want better for you. You can be the man I never was. Take care of that girl of yours. Take care of that baby.”
“I plan to.” No truer words.
“Good.” He shuffled some papers on his desk. “In that vein, take a look at this.”
I took the document he handed me. A warranty deed. For the house. Signed by my father.
“I’m deeding this house to you.”
My eyebrows nearly shot to space. “Excuse me?”
“A house like this is made for a large family. I want you to fill it with children. Fill it with the laughter it was built for.”
“But you and Mom…”
“We’ll move into the guesthouse, of course. Your mother will want to be near the baby.”
For the first time since I could remember, my father had rendered me speechless.
“It’ll all be yours one day anyway, Brad. You can start your family here. It’s yours now.”
“I don’t know what to say.”
“Thank you is usually appropriate.”
“Of course. Thank you, Dad. I never imagined…”
“I haven’t been the most loving father or husband. I can’t change that now. But I can challenge you to do better than I did. You can begin by giving your wife-to-be the perfect house to raise your children in.”