Total pages in book: 57
Estimated words: 53717 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 269(@200wpm)___ 215(@250wpm)___ 179(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 53717 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 269(@200wpm)___ 215(@250wpm)___ 179(@300wpm)
When she’d passed out in his arms, he’d been petrified, both for her and the baby. The idea of her moving in had been a spur-of-the-moment thought but it felt right at the time. It still did. But he understood why she’d rebelled against it. She was an independent spirit and he needed to respect that. If she ever moved in, it needed to be because they’d reached that point logically in their relationship. A relationship he wasn’t sure she believed they had. Which was why he intended to show her how things could be.
In the meantime, he needed to tell his family about the baby. Charlotte had given her okay, and he had a choice. He could make the rounds to inform his siblings about his upcoming big life change one at a time or call for a family get-together. He opted for the latter and since he didn’t want to reveal the news in a public place, he asked Lizzie and his dad if he could have everyone at the house on Saturday.
With everyone over, his father sat in his favorite recliner, the rest of his siblings and their significant others, minus Aiden, sat on the circular sofa in the family room, with a few in club chairs. Aiden had gone back abroad, planning to come home next month, and Jared had invited Brooke because she was family.
“Jared, are you going to explain why we’re all here?” Remy asked, meeting his stare. “You said it was mandatory.”
Raven sat beside him on the couch, her hand in his. “I’m curious, too.”
“Who’d you knock up?” Dex asked with a chuckle, and his wife smacked his shoulder.
“Behave!” Samantha said.
Noah shook his head, remaining silent because he and Fallon had already heard the news.
Jared rose to his feet. “Dex guessed it. I’m going to be a father.”
“Damn! I should have taken bets,” his brother said. “Are you serious?”
“Completely.”
Chatter surrounded him as did shouted questions. Jared tuned them all out, waiting for silence.
He stared at his father, wondering what the older man was thinking. “Dad?”
“You’re stepping up? Doing the right thing?” Alex asked.
Jared nodded. “Of course I am. The other news is about the baby’s mother. It’s Charlotte Kendall.” He met Noah’s gaze but found no judgment there. He supposed his brother-in-law had been in this exact same position almost a decade ago.
“Charlotte as in Charlie?” Remy asked. “You and Noah both…” He shook his head. “Never mind.”
Noah had already winced.
“Yeah. Can we not go there? The fact is, she’s pregnant with my baby and is going to move into the empty apartment in my building. At least she’ll be close by. I just wanted to tell everyone at once. Not make the rounds.”
“Well, I say congratulations!” Fallon rose, walked over, and pulled him into a hug. “We’re going to have many small family gatherings.” She laughed as she stepped back. “Seriously, though, you’re going to make a great dad.”
“Thanks, sis. I appreciate that.”
“How are you going to handle the baby and work? You’re at it twenty-four seven.” Dex had risen to shake his hand, but he also asked a valid question.
He blew out a breath. “I’ll figure it out,” he said, knowing he’d promised Aiden not to reveal his plans to return home.
“I’m here for whatever you need at the office,” Brooke said. “And I’m happy for you.”
“Thanks. I’m going to take you up on that offer.”
She smiled. “I expect you to.”
The rest of the afternoon was spent talking to his siblings, answering questions, and being grateful for the type of family he was born into. Despite losing his mom, something he’d never get over, he had a solid parent in his dad, Lizzie who had stepped up as a maternal figure, never trying to replace their mother, and siblings just as happy to rib him as support him.
All things he could give to his baby. Knowing his child would be part of a close-knit family eased his mind about his fear of the unknown. None of these people would leave him floundering. His biggest challenge would be to bring Charlotte into the fold and convince her she belonged.
Chapter Nine
Charlotte stepped off the hotel elevator and walked across the lobby to the concierge to see if she had any mail waiting for her. Though it had only been two weeks since she’d sent out résumés, she was anxious and hoping someone was impressed enough by her qualifications to offer her a position. She was hoping for an email, a phone call or a letter, though the last two were rare these days.
She stopped at the front desk where a familiar clerk smiled in recognition. “Hi, Ms. Kendall! What can I do for you today?”
“Hi, Patrick. I’m checking for packages or mail.”
“I’ll check for you.” He walked into the back and returned with a few envelopes. “Here you go. Is there anything else I can do for you?”