Just One Thing (The Alexanders 6)

Bennett had never heard any of this before. All the theories he’d heard floated around before never mentioned a possible romance between his mother and his … uncle?

“So what happened?” Bennett prodded. “They didn’t …” He couldn’t even finish the sentence. He grimaced a little at the thought. It was childish but he couldn’t imagine his mother with anyone else.

Mark shook his head. “No but he tried to kiss your mother years later and she had to slap him. Your brother Eli walked in on that and it messed him up something terrible. But part of the situation was fueled by how badly I handled it in the beginning.”

Bennett could relate. If he could go back, he’d change how he’d handled a lot of things. “It’s not too late, Dad. You can still fix it.”

Mark’s eyes swung to his. “So can you. Don’t make the mistakes that I did by waiting over a decade to fix it, either. Family is more important than pride. Family is everything.”

A burst of determination fired through Bennett’s blood. He would go find Katie and talk to her. She’d been upset the last they spoke. He’d hurt her by refusing to cancel his evening with Olivia, he saw that now. So he’d start with an apology. Hopefully she’d be willing to listen. If she still chose her ex, it would hurt like hell but at least he’d know he gave it everything he had.

Alexanders weren’t quitters.

“You’re right. I shouldn’t have just taken his word for it. I was hurt by what he said but that’s probably why he said it. I have to talk to her.”

Mark smiled. “Now that’s the man I raised. The fearless one who has always lived life on his own terms.”

It was strange to see himself through his father’s eyes when he’d never seen himself as a trailblazer.

“And what about you?” he asked his father. “What are you going to do?”

Mark’s eyes softened and he looked up to the ceiling for a moment. “I suppose it’s time I take my own advice. I’m going to do what I should have done years ago. I’m going to go call my brother.”

Just then Mark jumped before he pulled his phone out of his pocket. “This dang thing. I’m still not used to something buzzing in my britches.”

Bennett smothered a laugh at the disgruntled look on his father’s face. He hated the sound of all the ringtones so his mother had put his phone on vibrate.

After listening to whoever was on the other end, Mark’s frown deepened.

“I’m on my way, honey. Bennett’s with me; we’ll be there right away. Hang in there.”

Bennett moved closer as he hung up. “Who was that? What’s happened?”

Mark motioned for him to follow. “That was your mother. We have to get to the hospital. Ridley’s been admitted.”

Bennett’s feet started moving even as he did some quick mental calculations. “But wait? Isn’t it too early?”

Mark’s face was grave as they walked out. “Yes. It is.”

?

When Katie emerged into the waiting room of New Haven General Hospital, she was instantly surrounded by a crowd of Alexanders.

“How is she?”

“What’s going on?

“Is the baby okay?”

The questions flew fast and furious and Katie tried to answer them all. Yes, Ridley is fine, just exhausted. Her blood pressure was dangerously high and the doctors had to induce labor. The baby is fine so far.

By the time she was done giving her update, Jackson came out of the room and his family surrounded him with hugs. She was glad to allow him the opportunity to tell the family more.

“It’s a boy!” Jackson exclaimed to a chorus of cheers. “His name is Zane Michael Alexander. We let the boys help choose his name.”

Katie moved to the side, happy to be out of the limelight. She leaned against the wall, trying to get her emotions under control. It had been difficult to keep a brave face while her friend had been in labor.

The ambulance had arrived about eight minutes after her call. She’d ridden alongside Ridley, trying desperately not to cry while answering all the EMT’s questions as best as she could. She knew most of the answers but not Ri’s blood type or what medications she was on. Luckily, Ridley woke up right before they got to the hospital so she’d been able to give them the information they needed.