Page 45 of Slap Shot Surprise
“I’m pregnant.”
Silence. Suddenly ten pairs of eyes were on me. Thebowl of potato salad hovered above the table in my dad’s hand.
“You’re what now?” Veronica asked.
“I’m pregnant.” I touched my stomach. “I know it’s a bit of a surprise. It wasn’t, um, planned.”
No one spoke. I looked helplessly at Ari.
“Well, I love surprises,” she said brightly. “And if you have a boy, he and Truman will be cousinsandbest friends! Even if it’s a girl, I bet they’ll be best friends!”
I gave her a grateful smile.
“But—who—I mean—well!” My dad laughed nervously, setting the potato salad down. “This is certainly an interesting turn of events.”
“Who’s the father?” demanded Devlin, always one to get down to business.
“The father is someone I met at a wedding in July. We sort of...hung out together that night, but we’re not dating. He lives in Chicago.”
“What’s his name?” Kelly asked.
This was the part I’d been dreading. “Joe Lupo.”
“JoeLupo?” Austin repeated.
“Not Joe Lupo, the hockey player,” said Dashiel, his head cocked and his eyes narrowed.
“Yes. That Joe Lupo.”
More silence. Someone growled—I think it was Austin. Xander cracked his knuckles.
“There’s no need to be upset,” I said calmly. “I’ve spoken to Joe, and we have an understanding.”
“He’s gonna understand my fist in his?—”
“Xander, that’s not going to be necessary.” I met his dark, angry eyes. “We’re good.”
Veronica’s jaw was still hanging open, but when I mether eyes, she understood the silent plea for help. “Wow! Congratulations, Mabel! You’re going to be an amazing mom.”
“Thanks.” I smiled at her. “Now that the shock is wearing off, I’m getting a little more excited.”
“So you’re due in, what, April?” asked Lexi.
“Yes.” Then I looked at Kelly, who was also pregnant, due in a couple months. “I’m sure I’ll be coming to all of you for advice.”
Kelly smiled warmly. “We’ll be here to give it. I’m happy for you, Mabel.”
“Well, I think this is wonderful,” Julia said. “There’s certainly nothing George and I love more than grandchildren, so adding one more to the bunch is the best gift anyone could give us.”
My father recovered enough to nod. “That’s right. I feel like the luckiest guy in the world right now. Congratulations, honey.”
I smiled at him, my eyes filling with grateful tears. “Thanks, Dad.”
By evening, the text thread I had with my sisters-in-law had blown up.
Veronica
OMFG JOELUPO
