I could feel Mom watching me. I looked around Ronan at her and arched my eyebrow in question.
“Could I see you in the kitchen Skylar?” She asked.
I rose and followed Mom then I realized that Ronan was coming too. She looked over her shoulder at him. “If you have something to say you can say it to both of us.”
I was shocked that he spoke up to my mother that way. No one not even Daddy did that. He always gave her everything that she wanted except for when the tornado tore down the house and she didn’t want to leave him. The rest of us fit through the basement window Fionn had kicked out. Daddy wouldn’t fit. She kicked him hard in the face fighting him every step of the way, not wanting to leave him.
In the kitchen, my mom leaned against the counter arms crossed over her chest. I heard footsteps and realized that Daddy was joining us. “I thought I might be needed as a referee,” he advised.
“What is going on? I’ve known you two a long time. Something is up.”
She waited. I glanced up at Ronan. He put his hands on my shoulders and squeezed them. I put my hand on top of his. “We’re getting married this week. We haven’t nailed down the plan yet but I’m sure Skylar would like for you and Tegan to be there.”
“I would,” I agreed.
My mother frowned then her mouth formed a perfect O. She wasn’t sure what to say. She looked at Daddy. “It’s their life. They can do what they want,” he informed her.
“You don’t have to get married just because you made a mistake,” she said.
I felt his hands get tighter on my shoulders. “Luke isn’t a mistake, Rhett.”
Mom and Daddy looked at each other. Then she said softly, “I’m sorry Ronan. I didn’t mean it that way.”
“I’ve thought about this for a while.”
“The entire six weeks that you’ve known?” Mom said interrupting Ronan.
“Rhett,” he said her name with hurt in his voice. “It’s Skylar.”
“What does that mean?” Dad put his hand in hers to quiet her and calm her.
“It means that I care enough about her and respect her enough that I want her to have my name when she gives birth to my son. I want to give her what our siblings have.”
“Do you love her?”
“You know I do.”
Mom dropped her head. I knew my mom, she wanted to contradict Ronan but she wasn’t going to. “Marriage is hard Ronan. I love Tegan with everything in me and there are times when I want to smash his head in but I would die if something happened to him.” My dad chuckled. She glared at him.
“I’m not expecting it to be easy but Rhett what better foundation do we have to spend a happy life together than the love and respect that we already have for one another? Plus, add to that we’re going to share a son. I want Luke to know that he is wanted by both his parents. Loved by both his parents.”
“You don’t have to get married to do that.”
He sighed. “But I do. I want him to have everything that we’ve had. Don’t you see?” He was so impassioned about making his point. “I don’t want him to come to our family parties and wonder why we aren’t a family. I’m committed to making this work with Skylar. I’m getting the better end of the deal, Rhett. I know that.”
“Honey, I didn’t mean that. You’re a good man. You’ve just gotten lost along the way but you’re getting better. We all see that. You hurt no one but yourself.”
“I hurt Skylar,” he insisted. I glanced up at him and shook my head no. “I’ll be a good husband to her. A good father to Luke. Will you give us your blessing?” He asked my parents.
Mom looked at Daddy. There were tears in her eyes. Daddy responded. “Of course, we give you our blessing. Just let us know where to be and what time.”
I heard their voices at the same time that Ronan did. Stevie and Declan came to see Siena too. He turned and looked towards the living room. He hadn’t seen them in weeks. The longer the separation I thought the harder it would be to mend their relationship. I grabbed his hands which had fallen to his sides. He was still staring at the living room. “Go talk to your Mom and Dad. Say hello,” I suggested.
“Are you sure?”
“I am,” Mom agreed. “You have to mend this broken relationship sometime. Another grandbaby is coming Ronan. Don’t you want them to see him? Don’t you want them at your wedding next week?”
“I do,” he agreed.