Two warring emotions stirred within me. On the one hand, I was flattered to have been enough of a distraction to keep him from wanting to kiss another woman, especially one he admitted to being infatuated with at one point in time. But on the other hand, it may have just been his concern for the baby that stole his attention from whoever this woman was. By default, that concern included me because I was carrying her.
"It's cool, though," he went on. "I have enough on my plate as it is. It's probably for the best."
I didn't add to that, just sat in my seat, thinking.
We pulled up in front of a modest-sized, blue house, one with pretty rose bushes lining the perimeter of its sprawling, white porch. Marco's engine shut off and I stared at the home, taking deep breaths as I tried to talk myself out of being scared to do this.
A few cars lined the driveway and I almost chickened out, almost told him I wasn't ready, but then something happened, something that settled me. A large, warm hand encircled mine and I was met with a look when my eyes left the house and I turned toward Marco.
"I know what you're thinking, Brynn. I know you're worried about being judged, being questioned," he stated, seeing right through me. "But trust me; I won't let anyone get out of line."
That … right there. I felt at ease with those simple words. I think part of me thought that, if someone did try to say something out of line, I'd be on my own. After all, this was his family. However, I was beginning to feel like I was Marco's family, too.
With newfound confidence, I undid my seatbelt and climbed out when he came around to help me. He took my dish, closed the door behind me, but then he shocked me yet again when he took my hand for a second time.
We walked to his parents' door that way and honestly? All traces of fear melted away in an instant. This take charge, protective side of him was a turn on beyond words and I felt our bond, our friendship, solidify even more in that moment. Beyond a doubt, I knew he wouldn't let tonight go badly, no matter who he had to put in their place to shield me. I was confident in that; confident in him …
And that wasn't something to be taken lightly.
Chapter Fourteen
Marco
A blend of coriander, sage, and cilantro heavily scented the air when Brynn and I walked in, still holding hands. Hers was small and soft, and I was careful not to squeeze too tight. I knew she wasn't as fragile as I made her out to be, but babying her just felt necessary. More than once I'd been told I'm too overprotective, but, the way I see it, I just like knowing that those who are important to me are well taken care of.
Brynn fit into that category for more reasons than one.
Now that she was showing, it was even harder to keep my eyes off of her. She was already a gorgeous girl, but there was just something about knowing my seed grew inside her; knowing she carried the most precious gift a man could ever receive. I glanced back over my shoulder, stealing one last look while I could. She smiled and followed as I led the way toward the loud conversation of my sisters and mother in the dining room.
With Max busy helping his brother move, my father was most likely still hiding out in the garage, waiting where it was safe until there was a more even balance of testosterone to estrogen. Eventually, I'd make my way out there to speak to him and let him know Brynn was here. He was just as excited as my mother was to meet her.
Dinner wasn't for another half hour, so that would give Brynn a chance to meet everyone and get settled. She seemed to finally calm down as we walked through the house, even as we approached the archway leading into the dining room. There, my mother had filled the seat beside my father's at the head of the table. Next to her, my niece, Rosalina, typed a text to God-knows-who, and across the way, Lorna and Lucia stared, first at me and then their eyes shifted toward Brynn.
Her fingers tightened around mine.
I held my breath, too, honestly hoping no one did or said anything stupid. If they did, I was ready to strike. This wasn't easy for Brynn to come on our territory. I came fully prepared to defend her in whatever ways I felt necessary. It was my sisters I was concerned about, but if they knew what was good for them, they wouldn't try me.
I'd even gone the extra mile to let them all know ahead of time that Brynn's black. My people aren't prejudice or anything like that, but I wanted to avoid that initial look of shock I was sure they'd give when first meeting her. Of course, my sisters called me stupid for thinking that was necessary, but anything I could do to make this easier on Brynn, I would do it. My hope was that she'd come here today, meet and fall in love with my people, then she'd feel comfortable with them being involved in our daughter's life. I wanted her to know my family would love and be good to her just like I would.
The chair creaked when my mother stood and came closer. To my surprise, she completely bypassed me and went to my left where Brynn stood. I felt relieved and Brynn seemed to, too, when my mother cast a warm smile her way.
"You must be this ‘Brynn' I keep hearing so much about," Ma greeted her, being as friendly as I hoped she would. And it wasn't forced.
Brynn smiled back. "I am. It's so nice to finally meet you, Mrs. Rios."
The next second, Brynn's hand was stolen from me when my mother took it, walking her the rest of the way into the dining room where my sisters had apparently been waiting on springs to meet her. They literally hopped up almost as soon as Ma nodded, giving them the go ahead. They were catty at times, operating like some sort of secret society, but once you were in, you were in for life. Based on their warm reception, the odds were in Brynn's favor.
Rosalina bypassed a handshake, going right in for a hug, placing a hand on Brynn's stomach after. I cringed a little when she did that, hoping Brynn didn't mind. She didn't seem to, though. Smiling, she endured the same treatment from my two sisters who were already here. Thinking about it, I inquired about the youngest.
"Where's Marcela?" I moved further into the room after that, dropping down into my father's seat since he wasn't inside yet.
Lucia released Brynn from the last hug to be given and then turned to answer my question. "She has some studying to do, but she'll be here. Probably only for dessert, though."
At the mention of dessert, I slid Brynn's dish across the table.
Lorna peeked at it through the clear, plastic wrap on top and then leveled a look my way-a playful one.
"You made this?" she asked, raising an eyebrow. "All by yourself?"
I shook my head and pointed at Brynn, giving credit where credit was due.
With no shame, Lorna peeled back the covering, took a spoon from the basket at the center of the table and dipped it into Brynn's bowl. I covered my face with my hand, feeling heat flash across my forehead at her behavior.
"I hope you like it," Brynn said through a smile, sounding kind of shy.
Lorna nodded and gave a thumbs-up as she chewed. "It's delicious!"
Brynn laughed, and again, I was glad she wasn't offended by my family.
Lorna disappeared with the bowl-either to refrigerate it or to sneak another taste-and I caught my mom staring at Brynn. My shoulders tensed as I wondered what she'd say next.
"You're five months, is that right?" she asked.
"Yes, ma'am," Brynn answered.
"Sit. Please," Ma insisted, waiting until Brynn was in a chair to continue. "And you're blessing me with another girl," came my mother's words, accompanied by a content smile.
Another polite, "Yes, ma'am," left Brynn's mouth.
"Have you two thought of any names?"
Brynn glanced my way when my mother asked the question and then shook her head. "Um … no. We haven't really had a chance to think of-"
"My mother's name is Perla," Ma cut in. "I think it's a beautiful choice."
My face felt hot again when she started being pushy. That meant she felt comfortable with Brynn, though, which was both a good and a bad thing.
"We'll discuss names when we're ready, but thanks for the input," I interjected, hoping to stop my mother before she got too far ahead of herself.
Rosalina looked up from her phone and laughed.
Ma glared at me teasingly and then shifted her gaze back to Brynn. "Did Marco tell you this will be my third grandchild?" she asked with pride.
Brynn nodded. "He did, actually. And not a single boy," she added with a smile.
My mother laughed. "Aye dios mio. Sometimes, I ask God what I did to deserve this," she teased. "Girls are just so high maintenance."
Brynn agreed quickly. "I'm already having nightmares about having someone else's hair to do every day."
"Don't let Ma scare you," Lucia chimed in. "Raising Rosalina was a piece of cake … right up until she learned how to talk," she joked, smiling at her daughter when she glared across the table.