Her Festive Baby Bombshell

“You haven’t said a word the whole way here unless it was to give me directions.”

“Oh. Sorry. I must be tired.”

“Sounds like a good reason to head back to the penthouse and deal with this another day.”

“No.” She released the seat belt. “We’re here now. And I want to get this over with.”

“Okay. It’s up to you.”

When he released his seat belt and opened the door, she asked, “What are you doing?”

“Getting the packages from the trunk.”

She really didn’t want him to meet her family. Why was she so worried? He didn’t think he made that bad of a first impression. In fact, when he tried he could be pretty charming. And if they were going to be a family, which they were because of the babies, he needed to meet her father. He was certain he could make a good impression and alleviate Holly’s worries.

With the packages in hand, he closed the trunk and started up the walk. Every step was muffled by the thin layer of snow.

“Where do you think you’re going?” Holly remained next to the car.

He turned back and noticed the way the big flakes coated the top of her head like a halo. “I presume we’re taking the presents to the door and not leaving them in the front yard.”

“There’s no we about it.”

“Listen, Holly, you’ve got to trust me. This will all work out.”

“You’re right. It will. You’re going to wait in the car.” Her tone brooked no room for a rebuttal.

Just then there was a noise behind him. “Who’s there?” called out a male voice. “Holly, is that you?”

She glared at Finn before her face morphed into a smile. “Yes, Dad. It’s me.”

“Well, are you coming in?”

Obediently she started up the walk. When she got to Finn’s side, she leaned closer and whispered, “Just let me do the talking.”

Boy, she was really worried about having him around her family. “Trust me.”

He wasn’t sure if she’d heard his softly spoken words as she continued up the walk. He followed behind her, wondering what to expect.

They stopped on the stoop. Her father was still blocking the doorway. The man’s hair was dark with silver in the temples. He wore dark jeans and a sweatshirt with the Jets logo across the front. Finn made a mental note of it. If all else failed, maybe he could engage the man in football talk—even though he was more of a hockey fan.

“Who’s at the door?” a female voice called out.

“It’s Holly and some guy.”

“Well, invite them in.” And then a slender woman with long, bleached-blond hair appeared next to Holly’s father. The woman elbowed her husband aside. “Don’t mind him. Come in out of the cold.”

Once they were all standing just inside the door, Finn could feel the stress coming off Holly in waves. What was up with that? Was she embarrassed of him? That would be a first. Most women liked to show him off to their friends. As for meeting a date’s family, he avoided that at all costs. But Holly was different.

“Here, let me take your coats.” Holly’s stepmother didn’t smile as she held out her hand. She kept giving Finn a look as though she should know him but couldn’t quite place his face.

“That’s okay.” Holly didn’t make any move to get comfortable. “We can’t stay. I... I brought some gifts for the girls.”

“Suzie! Kristi! Holly’s here with gifts.”

“I hope they like them. I saw them while I was out of town and thought of them.”

“I’m sure they will.” But there was no conviction in the woman’s voice. “You can afford to go on vacation?”

Holly’s face paled. “It was a business trip.”

“Oh.”

Her father retreated into the living room, which was off to the right of the doorway. A staircase stood in front of them with a hallway trailing along the left side of it. And to the far left was a formal dining room. The house wasn’t big, but it held a look of perfection—as though everything was in its place. There was nothing warm and welcoming about the house.

Finn wanted to say something to break up the awkward silence, but he wasn’t sure what to say. Was it always this strained? If so, he understood why Holly wouldn’t want to spend much time here.