Mitch chuckled. “She keeps getting teary-eyed.”
Her mother smiled, reaching across the table to take her daughter’s hand.
“I don’t want to be a cry-baby,” Leah said.
“You’re not, honey. I love you.”
Mitch watched as her father reached across and took her hand. “I love you, honey. I’m sorry for the way I reacted yesterday.”
Mitch looked towards his father, who nodded his head in the direction of the kitchen. He tapped Leah’s knee and followed him into the kitchen.
“You did this,” he said.
His father was pouring hot water into several coffee cups. “I simply had a long discussion telling them that they had a grandbaby they’d miss out on if they kept up the bad attitude.”
“I know you, Dad. You did more than that.”
“I told them you were all in love, and we shouldn’t stop what you were doing. You wanted one another, and we should respect that. I did what I could, Mitch.”
He walked over to his father and hugged him.
“Also, I want to see my grandbaby the moment it’s born. Do you know what you’re having?”
Mitch shook his head. “She’s got an appointment with the doctor in the week. We’re going to take care of her. I promise.”
“I know you will, son.” There was silence as he stirred the cups. “I remember when your mother came home and told me she was pregnant with you. I was terrified. I knew nothing about raising a baby.”
His father cleared his throat. “It was tough, and I know what it means to be your own man and raise a family.”
Mitch watched as his father pulled an envelope out of his pocket.
“I want you and Chase to have this. There should be more than enough to get you both started up. I’ve heard about your reputation, and I think it is time you both used those degrees you all got.”
Mitch took the envelope from his father and ripped it open. Inside was a check for enough money to get started up in their own business. “You can’t be serious.”
“I’m serious. Lawson and I thought it was time you and Chase did it together. I know Leah’s folks will help her out.”
“This is too much,” Mitch said, giving him the money back.
“It’s not. You’ve earned this, son. I’d rather spend the money on you rather than those dreadful oil paintings your mother loves.”
He laughed at his father’s joke. Words abandoned him. He didn’t know what to say.
“I love you, son. Make it count.”
Chapter Ten
“Do you know what this means?” Chase asked.
“You can start your own business,” Leah said, staring at the check on the coffee table. Mitch had been full of excitement on the drive back home. She was pleased to be home. After their parents had accepted their relationship, she’d wanted to get out of their house before something bad happened. Rubbing her stomach, she looked at the gift her men had been given. It was a dream come true for them. “My mother gave me this,” she said, pulling out the check her mother had slipped into her hand.
“I think this is their way of accepting who we are.” Mitch put the drinks on the coffee table glancing down at her piece of paper.
“She told me setting up a nursery for a baby was expensive. I was to use it wisely.”
“What are we going to do about the nursery?” Chase asked. He was smoothing her hair in soothing strokes.
Mitch walked over to their rooms and looked in each one. “I don’t know about you, but I think we can stay in this apartment for some time. How about we all move our stuff into Leah’s room? Her room is the biggest, and then we set Chase’s up as the nursery and mine as the office?”
She listened to his suggestions liking every one he made. “We can start moving everything straight away. The sooner we get it all changed around the happier I’ll be.”
Her men agreed. Leah eased back rubbing her neck. “We’ll have to go and look at colour schemes and cots. I have no idea what to get.”
“Don’t worry about it.”
“I’m not. I’m excited, Mitch.”
“So, next week we have the doctor’s appointment. I think we need to hand our notice in to Lucy. I want to get set up in business as soon as possible. We’ve wasted plenty of time waiting for this opportunity,” Chase said.
“I’m going to continue working while you get your business set up.”
Chase and Mitch nodded their heads. She knew the moment things were running smoothly they’d want her to take over their books. They’d discussed their plans so many times in the past. It felt surreal to finally be living them.