The Virgin Cowboy Billionaire’s Secret Baby(17)
Beth’s eyebrow climbed slowly. “Okay…”
“So she, um…”
“She asked you to be the donor, didn’t she?”
He blinked. “How’d you know?”
“Oh, for God’s sake.” She rolled her eyes. “As close as you two were back then, I’d have guessed even if she hadn’t shown up out of the blue the other day needing to talk to you.”
“Okay, fair enough.”
“So, I’m assuming she wants to use them now?”
“Well, that’s just it—she already has.”
Beth’s lips parted. “So, she’s pregnant?”
Matt nodded.
“Dara Marley. Is pregnant. With your baby.”
He nodded again.
A laugh burst out of her, and she clapped her hand over her mouth. “I’m sorry. I’m… I’m sorry.”
“What’s so funny?”
“It’s…” She lowered her hand and shook her head. “I mean, it’s wonderful. But oh God, Mom’s going to be pissed.”
“Yeah.” Matt tried to laugh but couldn’t. “Shit.”
“I really didn’t mean to laugh.” She cleared her throat, her expression turning serious. “That was just not what I expected.”
“It’s okay. The situation is kinda crazy.”
“Kinda?”
“Yeah.” He set his coffee cup beside the bowl of batter and then rubbed his eyes with his thumb and forefinger. “We went into it with the assumption she’d eventually be having kids with her future husband, but then the asshole walked out on her right after she got pregnant. She didn’t even find out about the baby until she’d been served with divorce papers.”
Beth huffed. “Oh, what a winner.”
“Right?” He took a deep breath. “So she came to me to see if I wanted to play an active role in the kid’s life. If I wanted to…” He hesitated, the words still a struggle to form. “If I wanted to be the kid’s dad.”
Beth’s eyes widened. “And you said…?”
“Yes, of course.” He shrugged. “The baby’s biologically mine. And deserves a father.” He paused and couldn’t help smiling a little. “And, I mean, it’s hard not to warm up to the idea, you know? I’m gonna be a dad.” That time, the words did come easily. More to himself, he whispered, “I’m gonna be a dad.”
Beth smiled and hugged him gently. “And this baby’s gonna be one lucky kid.”
Matt laughed, hugging her back. As he released her, his stomach tightened. “Now if I can just figure out how to tell Mom and Dad.”
Beth grimaced. “Yeah. Good luck with that.”
“We tried to tell them last night, but Mom was making it known she was not happy with Dara even sitting at the same table. So we, uh—”
“Wisely kept your traps shut?”
“Yeah. That.” He rested his hands on the edge of the counter and leaned on them. “Why am I freaking out about this? I don’t need Mom’s approval.”
“You don’t need, but believe me, I get it. Every time we talk with Mom, I walk away wondering why I bother and why I care so much, but…” She shook her head, gesturing at their surroundings. “Having all this yanked out from under me…”
“I know. I understand.” He frowned. “And all the money in the world won’t buy us reasonable parents.”
“No, it definitely won’t. And the thing is, you’re about to be a dad. It makes perfect sense you’d want Mom and Dad’s support.”
He turned to her but didn’t speak.
She continued, “Families are supposed to support each other, especially with things like this. You and Dara could have all the money in the world and have everything money can buy, but you can’t call your bank at three in the morning when the baby’s got a fever and you don’t know if you should go to the ER.”
Matt’s chest tightened, and he took a couple of breaths just in case there really was a panic attack on the way. As the feeling receded, he said, “Yeah. Exactly. I have no idea what I’m doing. I mean, Dara probably does.”
“She’s never done it before either. It’s going to be a shock for both of you.” Beth’s eyebrows pinched together. “Support isn’t really optional with a new baby, you know?”
He exhaled. “And support isn’t really guaranteed when you’re having a baby with someone our parents can’t stand. Especially someone you’re not married to or even dating.”
Beth didn’t answer. Her lips quirked, and she studied him as if there was a question on her mind, but she wasn’t sure if she should ask.