Holiday Second Chance Romance (Clarice and Trevor) novel Chapter 29

29 What are Your Intentions

Evie POV

I never thought I would ever get this chance again. The chance to sit across from my daughter. To hug her and tell her that I love her. I honestly thought that I had lost her completely. I have missed her every day since she left. Not reaching out to her was the hardest thing I’ve ever done. It was

harder than leaving Andrew.

Now that she is back in our lives, I’m never letting her go. Even if she decides not to stay in our town, Andrew and I will follow her. We can make a life wherever she wants to live. I’m still afraid to ask her about Trevor. I’ve never met the man, but Loretta’s mother has often mentioned him. I should have realized the way Loretta spoke about him wasn’t just friendly. I look across the table at my daughter’s hand in Nick’s.

I can see that something is happening between her and Nick, which is surprising. I’ve not spent time with him, but he isn’t known for being jolly despite his name. When Andrew told me what Clarice had said to him the day he went to the Inn without telling me, I felt like I did the day I found out Andrew had cheated the first time. Hell every time he cheated.

I can’t explain the feeling but anyone who has been betrayed knows it. Like all the air is knocked from your lungs. Like you can’t breathe no matter how hard you try. I wish I could have protected Clarice from that feeling. I want to ask her what happened, but I don’t know if I have the right to

know.

“Mom, you

look like you’re a million miles away. Are you alright,” she asks, bringing me out of my thoughts. “I’m sorry. I’m fine. It’s nothing really. This food is delicious Nick. I can’t believe we haven’t eaten here before now.” “Mom, you’re trying to change the subject. Please tell me what you were just thinking about,” she says. “I don’t want to upset you, Clarice. Besides, I’m not sure if I have the right to ask questions.”

says. “Can

“Of course you do. You are my mom. You won’t upset me if you ask me anything,” she

Zell us what happened that brought you back home? I know what we heard outside the diner

and what you said to your dad in the Inn, but can you tell us what those two did?” I expect to see pain and sadness in her eyes, but instead she seems almost unfazed by the question.

“I had planned a surprise for Trevor. I had news I wanted to share, so I had gotten cupcakes and planned to make him dinner to celebrate. The surprise was on me though, because I walked in on a conversation between my husband and best friend that no one should have to hear. Then if finding out that the two of them were having an affair for months wasn’t bad enough, they doubled down and told me that they wanted us to be a throuple,” she says.

a a

O

29 What are Your Intentions

“What the hell is a throuple,” Andrew asks. “You can’t be serious.” Clarice gives a humorless laugh.

“I wish I wasn’t. Dad, a throuple, is three consenting adults in a relationship with each other. Trevor had the balls to tell me that he loved me most, but he loved Loretta too. That being together made the most sense since Loretta wanted both of us,” she says, making a face of disgust. Anger bubbles up inside of me. How dare they treat her so callously? I wish I had that little b**ch in front of me again. I’d do a hell of a lot more than tell her to leave.

“What the hell is wrong with them,” Andrew asks. “Calm down, Andrew. Clarice is obviously here, so whatever ridiculous ideas those two id**ts had didn’t work out for them. I’m so sorry they put you through this sweetheart. I hate how it happened, but I’m glad your home for however long, Clarice.” “I’m home for good, mom. I want to build a life here. I always did. Besides, I have more reasons to stay here than anywhere else. Nick is even going to fix up grandma’s cottage for me,” she says. She looks between me and her father before she looks at Nick with a soft smile.

“So what are your intentions with my daughter Nick,” Andrew asks, and I swat his arm. Thankfully, Clarice giggles and Nick smiles. “I plan to marry her, Andrew, as soon as she lets me. I plan to love her for the rest of my life. I plan to make sure she knows just how special she is,” he says, startling us both. I look between them, not sure what to say. They can’t have known each other that long. Especially not long enough to be talking about marriage. Clarice can’t even be divorced yet.

“I understand it’s probably a shock because we’ve only known each other a short time, but I love Nick and he loves me. I’ve found that the amount of time you know someone doesn’t mean much. I had been with Trevor for over ten years, and he didn’t love me enough not to screw my best friend. I thought he loved me but obviously not. I trust Nick. I know he would never hurt me,” she says.

I squeeze Andrew’s hand, knowing he is as worried as I am that she is rushing into this because of that pain that a**hat Trevor has caused her, but we need to support her decisions. I just pray that she doesn’t regret it. That he doesn’t break her heart.

Clarice POV

I can see the worry on both of their faces. I can’t exactly say hey, don’t worry mom and dad. Nick’s the son of Santa Claus, and I’m his one. Oh, and his sister has visions. I figure telling them about

of me and Nick. I mean nothing they say would change the baby is the best way to get off the topic anything. Nick is mine. I can’t stop the smile that spreads across my face at that thought. “What just brought that smile to your face, Claribelle,” my father asks. Nick winks at me like he knows what I’m about to say.

“I was thinking about the appointment Nick took me to earlier.” Worry creases my father’s brow as my mother sits closer to the edge of the chair. “What kind of appointment? Is everything alright, Claribelle,” my dad asks. I smile at my dad, not realizing how much I missed him calling me that. “I promise I’m fine. I’m actually better than fine. The appointment was to see our jelly bean for the

29 What are Your Intentions.

first time,” I say.

Now they both look really confused, but Nick is smiling from ear to ear. I reach into my pocket and pull out the pictures from this morning. I slide them across the table. My mother is the first to look up at me with tears in her eyes. My dad looks at me before he looks at my mother and then back at me. “You’re having a baby,” he practically whispers. “I am. The doctor said, I’m about ten weeks.” “Oh my God, I’m going to be a grandma,” my mother squeals.

“Yes, you are and dad is going to be a grandpa.” I’m not sure what I expect when I look back at my father, but anger flashing in his eyes, isn’t it. “That’s what you planned to tell him the day that ba**ard blew up your life. You were going to tell him you were pregnant with his child,” he says. I reach across the table and grip his hand, which is balled into a fist. “It was, but I’m fine dad. Everything worked out the way it was meant to. I’m happy being here with Nick and mending our relationship.”

His features soften before he looks back at Nick. “I know I have no right to say this yet, but if you

hurt

my little girl, I’ll forget that I’m a law abiding man,” he says and Nick chuckles. “I assure you, Andrew, that I will never hurt your daughter. She and the jelly bean growing in her belly are mine. Mine to love and protect,” he says.

My father goes to open his mouth, but Nick raises his hand to silence him. “I know that we will have to share the little jelly bean, but biology doesn’t make me any less of a father since Clarice

both and I are in a relationship. I will be there when she gives birth. I will be there for every nightly feeding and every diaper change. Well almost,” he says, giving me a wink. “I know you’re worried that this is too soon, but I assure you that I have never been so sure of anything in my life, and I’ve lived a long time,” he says. My father chuckles and my mother smiles.

34

Comments

LUCK DRAW >

753

H

Vote

(3/4)