Fat Cat Liar

“That was the point.” I intentionally chose the tightest sweater in my closet to wear today to show off my growing bump.

“Funny or not, I don’t want to see you climb on a chair again.”

“I was fine.”

“I agree with Lawson. Stop with the antics,” Dad scolds me, frowning.

“It was fun!”

“Wait, what’s happening here?” Jarod’s color slowly returns to his face.

“Apparently, I was keeping the worst secret in the history of secrets,” I explain, covering Lawson’s hands with my own.

Clay’s eyes jump to Lawson’s in surprise. “You told her we know?”

“I did, right after I proposed this morning.”

Shock registers on everyone’s face, except for my dad, and Jarod’s eyes fall to my hand.

“She said no,” Lawson says rather proudly, nuzzling his lips along my neck.

“Smart woman,” Clay mutters.

“She’ll say yes eventually,” Lawson assures him confidently.

Dad rolls his eyes and grumbles under his breath, not amused.

“There is no more elephant in the room, we are having a baby,” I formally announce.

I glance at Jarod and see the questions written all over his face, the same questions Lawson asked this morning before letting me out of bed.

“I’m almost eleven weeks, which is still early, but my doctor says everything looks good. The baby’s growth is on track, and I am deemed healthy. They’d like to see me gain some weight, but it’s nothing to worry about. First-trimester testing is scheduled for this Thursday. My OB has a colleague that’s agreed to see me while I’m here.”

“See us,” Lawson clarifies.

“See us,” I repeat, rolling my eyes theatrically.

“How do you feel, Greer?” Jarod asks with a hint of caution.

“I’m great. I suffered from nausea earlier in the trimester, but it disappeared quickly. I consider myself lucky. As you saw this morning with Lawson’s pancakes, I don’t have any problem eating.”

His face lights with humor, and Dad tries to cover his chuckle with a cough.

“When can you find out the sex of the baby?” Clay claps his hand together with a wide grin.

Lawson dips his mouth to my ear and whispers, “Do you want to be the one to burst his bubble?”

“Maybe you should break the news gently.”

“We’ve decided not to find out.”

Clay’s expression doesn’t falter. “A surprise, I can live with that.”

Jarod clears his throat and slides his eyes between my dad and us. He swallows nervously. “Have you had a chance to discuss what happens next? How exactly is this going to work? It wasn’t too long ago we wondered if there was a future between you two.”

“I asked the same thing, Jarod. Wait until you hear what your son has come up with,” Dad interjects.

I open my mouth to answer that we’re taking this day-by-day until Lawson cuts me off.