Forever You - Evening the Score // Book Two

Chapter 7

If Anne was curious as to why Elena and Harry insisted on coming up to see her in the middle of the week, she didn't let on.  Elena knew Anne was just thrilled to have them around her no matter what the consequence.  Although she suspected when Anne found out why they'd come, her excitement would increase double. 

Anne immediately drew Elena into her arms, kissing her on the cheek as she did.  Elena would never get used to how good it felt to hug Anne.  When she pulled away she put her hands to Elena's face,

"How's my girl?"

Elena smiled,

"Great."

Harry cleared his throat, causing both of them to turn to look at him.  He raised his eyebrows,

"I mean...I am blood related."

Anne shook her head as she turned back to Elena,

"I think he's jealous."

"I am no such thing."  Harry retorted as he pulled his mother in for a hug.

Anne immediately set a plate of food down in front of them in the kitchen.  She glanced over at Elena,

"Would you like some wine dear?"

Elena glanced at Harry.  He cleared his throat,

"Uh, mum...we have some news.  But first we need to call Elena's parents."

Anne pulled her eyebrows together as she sat down across from them at the table.  Worry crossed her features as she reached out for Harry's hand.

"Mom?"  Elena asked as she heard her mother answer the phone.

"Yes."  Carolyn answered, a bit garbled, "Yes, honey we're here."  She said, much more clearly as her face popped on Elena's screen.  Frank, Elena's father was seated behind her,

"Good morning, Honey!"  He waved. 

"Dad it's almost five here."  Elena reminded him. 

He laughed,

"Right.  What's so important?  Your mother said we had to be here."

Elena took a deep breath as she situated herself in her seat,

"Right.  Ok."  She looked up at Harry who gave her the most reassuring smile.  She turned back to the screen, "In about 7 months...we're going to have an addition."

Anne immediately put her hand to her mouth as did Carolyn.  Frank on the other hand didn't understand,

"An addition?"  He asked, "To what?  Harry's house?"

"Frank!"  Carolyn scolded as she swatted at him, "Your daughter is pregnant!"

"Ooooooh."  He smiled and held his thumb up, "That is amazing news, Honey."

Carolyn was in the middle of a bout of tears,

"I'm buying a plane ticket tomorrow.  I'll be there as soon as I can."

Elena's smile faded,

"Mom...you don't have-"

"Don't even argue with me, young lady.  I'm going to make sure my baby is ok."

Elena nodded without hesitation,

"Alright."

"Let me talk to Anne."  Carolyn commanded just as Elena handed her phone over to Harry's mother.  Anne quickly grabbed the phone and stood up to walk away from the table,

"I have so many ideas-"

"I'm thinking mint green-"

"With some wall art, I could have someone come in and paint a mural."