Family Time

"Oh, sweetheart, can't you stay a bit longer?" Mom pleaded with me as I kissed her cheek. "It's still too hot out, anyway. Jax will get sunburnt if you go now."

"We would if we could, but Ryan and I have to, um… run some errands." I said lamely, clearing my throat. "Anyway, thanks for brunch. Ryan just loves your cooking, especially since I can't even boil an egg. And little Jax here loves seeing his grandparents." I adjusted my hold on the baby, kissing the top of his head.

Looking around, I saw that Ryan had already stepped out of the house, and into the blinding sunlight. In profile, he looks striking: tall, well-built, his long hair in a ponytail. He put on his sunglasses and started fiddling with his phone. I, however, lingered in the shade of the patio for a bit, hesitant to leave.

This was my childhood home, a large two-level house in a private subdivision. The wrought iron grills on the windows were sparkling clean, as usual; the path leading to the gate was paved with clay bricks. I've hosted many parties here over the years, and everyone was always complimentary of my home. I didn't move out until I was 24—until Ryan and I decided to live together.

"You're always welcome here, Allie," Dad said as he wrapped me in a hug. He released me and looked at Jax's squinted eyes. "As are you, my favorite grandson."

I laughed. "Dad, Jax is your only grandson."

"No plans on giving me another grandkid yet, eh?"

Ryan's head turned at this, and he stepped closer to cut in. "Nah — one is quite enough for now." He took Jax from my arms as deftly as he could while still keeping a careful distance from my father.

Dad scoffed. "Well, I suppose it's for the best, seeing as it's hard enough for you to provide for this one."

"Dad — " I chided him, knowing full well where this was going. We've been down this road many times since Ryan and I announced my pregnancy.

"It's okay, Allie," Ryan said stiffly. He turned to my father, looking him dead in the eyes. "Yes, Dad, it's hard for me to provide for my family. I can't imagine how you managed to provide for two families at the same time."

Mom gripped Dad's arm helplessly and made a shrill, hushing noise. "Will you keep it down! The neighbors — "

Dad shrugged her off and pointed a finger in Ryan's face. "Listen here, you inbred son of a — "

"Dad, please!" I stepped between the two men, the weight of Jax heavy in my suddenly tired arms. I turned, looking up at Ryan's blazing eyes with my own desperate, tear-filled ones. "Ry, let's just go."