Page 57 of The Complication with the Best Man
Ten minutes later, I’m seated at the breakfast bar, slowly eating my snacks and watching Finn make an omelet on the stove.
“Have you heard back from the fire station?” I ask.
My uncle put in a good word for Finn, and though the Anchorage station doesn’t need anyone at the moment, the local Lake Starlight one does. My uncle has worked out of Anchorage all his life, but around here, everyone knows everyone, so he was still able to put Finn’s resume at the top of the pile.
“I did. Meant to tell you that I have an interview on Monday.” He lifts the corner of his omelet to check it, then turns down the burner.
“That’s great news.” I reach for the glass of water Finn set in front of me a couple of minutes ago.
“Yeah, I’ll have to call your uncle back to thank him.”
“I’m sure he doesn’t mind. It’s one of the perks of having such a large family.” I take a sip of my water then set down the drink.
Finn looks at me over his shoulder. “Is it ever overwhelming to have such a big family?”
I seesaw my head back and forth for a moment. “It can be at times. Mostly when there’s a big event, andeveryoneis going to be there. Or if something big is going on and everyone is talking about it, and you find yourself somehow involved.” I point at my stomach and chuckle.
“I’m sure the news about our baby must have made your phone ring.”
Hearing the words “our baby” from Finn’s mouth does something to me. Something it should not. I brush off the feeling.
“You have no idea how many calls and texts I had to field.” I shake my head. “It took a few days to get through them all.”
“But do you like it?” He turns off the burner and plates his omelet.
I nod. “I do. Wouldn’t have it any other way. I mean, in a family this size, it’s almost like there are little subsections of family units. I’m closest with my cousins who are around my own age. But I know that if anything ever happened, and I needed someone in my family to step up, they’d all do so in a heartbeat. There’s something comforting about that.” I shrug.
He grabs a fork and a knife from the cutlery drawer and stands opposite from where I sit, cutting into his dinner.
“Do you come from a big family?”
Finn shakes his head and frowns. “No, it’s just me and my parents. Neither of them had any siblings and both sets of grandparents have passed so…”
My chest squeezes. Jeez, I’d hate that. I’d feel so alone. My family can be overbearing and intrusive at times, but I can’t imagine not having them in my life.
“How do you feel about…” I was going to say being a part of a large family, but that’s not exactly true, is it? Despite being my child’s father, we’re not together, and he’ll always have one foot on the outside. “…our child being part of such a big family?”
He finishes chewing and smiles at me. “I love it. For all the reasons you said. I like knowing that he or she will be surrounded by so many people who love them.”
The tension in my chest eases.
“Have you told your parents about the baby?” I’ve been curious but haven’t wanted to ask.
“Kind of had to since I relocated here.” He brings his fork to his mouth.
“How did they take the news?” I brace myself.
“They were surprised… obviously. They thought I was getting married for love.”
“Did you tell them the truth?”
He shakes his head. “Didn’t see the point. I might in the future.” He shrugs. “I don’t know.”
“They must hate me for taking their only son away.” I frown.
His forehead wrinkles. “Not at all. Honestly, I think they were proud of me in a weird way. For taking responsibility.”
“Most guys wouldn’t have, you know.” Our eyes lock and hold as I say, “Or at least to the extent that you are.”
