Josh turned and faced Gunner and they both laughed. I took a look at my father who was still staring at me. I leaned slightly over to Libby. “They all think it’s a joke and your dad thinks your shirt is talking about him.”
“Ew,” Libby said in a whisper.
I looked into my father’s eyes and gave him a smile. It didn’t take long for him to figure out what our T-shirts meant. I held my breath. Glancing over I noticed Gunner stopped laughing when he looked at my dad. Turning back to look at Libby and me, a smile grew across Gunner’s face. “Josh, you still like whiskey?” Gunner asked.
Josh laughed. “Hell, I haven’t had whiskey in a long time.”
Looking up at Josh, Gunner said, “You’re fixin’ to need some.”
Libby grabbed my hand. I wanted to drop her hand ‘cause it was all sweaty from her being nervous, but I held onto it. Closing my eyes I took in a deep breath and glanced back over to my dad. He pushed off the counter and walked toward Libby and me. He stopped in front of Libby and searched her face. The slow smile caused me to let out the breath I was holding. “Just tell me one thing.”
Libby sniffled next to me. I knew she was scared to death. “Anything.”
“I’m not really going to be called Pappy, am I?”
Libby started laughing. “You can be called anything you want.”
Josh walked up. His mouth was gaped open. Libby’s smile faded and tears streamed down her eyes. “Daddy, please don’t be disappointed in me. I couldn’t take it if you were.”
A tear escaped the corner of Josh’s eye and he shook his head. “Isabella, I could never be disappointed in you. Do I wish it was years later? Yes, but I’m certainly not disappointed in you.”
“Are you angry with me?” Libby asked as she squeezed my hand.
Reaching up with his hands, Josh wiped Libby’s tears away with this thumbs. “Are you happy, baby?”
She nodded her head and whispered, “Very.”
Josh pulled her into his arms and Libby began crying. “I love you, Daddy.”
Grinning, my father reached out and pulled me to him. “Is this the reason for summer school? Graduating in December?” Pulling back, he looked into my eyes. “Yes, sir. The sooner I can start working, the sooner I can get a place for us.”
“What in the world is going on with y’all?” my mother asked as she walked over. I turned around and saw Heather watching Josh and Libby. My mother was looking at Josh and Libby also before she looked at me. “Is everything okay? Why is Josh crying? He never cries.”
My father walked up to my mother as Heather made her way over to Libby and Josh. “Do you know you are going to be the hottest grandma around?”
My mother chuckled and then looked at me as her eyes moved down and read my T-shirt. Her hands came up to her mouth and I watched as tears filled her eyes as she shook her head. “Mom, she’s our little miracle.”
“Okay everyone just hold the fort here. What is going on?” Heather asked as she looked around.
Libby walked up to me and I wrapped my arms around her as I rested my chin on the top of her head. “Mom, please don’t be angry.”
Heather turned and looked at Josh and that’s when it hit. A sob escaped her mouth as she turned back and looked at Libby. “Libby? You’re pregnant?”
Libby nodded her head and Heather quickly walked over and pulled Libby from my arms into her arms. “Why in the world would you think I’d be angry?”
“I didn’t want you to be disappointed in me.”
Heather placed her hands on the sides of Libby’s face as my mother walked up to me and hugged me. “Oh Luke, honey.” She pulled back and smiled. “A baby?”
I nodded and glanced back to Libby and Heather.
“Libby Hayes, there is no way I could ever be di
sappointed in you.”
“This is what I want, Mom.”
Heather nodded and looked at Josh and then me. Smiling she looked lovingly at Libby. “Let’s all talk about everything later okay?”