Who really killed Wanda Day! - Wedding Bells (DAY! Series Book 2)

Chapter 14 - Spilling Secrets, A Stalker, And A Surprise

Nervously, Belle paced around her room, almost wearing a hole in the carpet. She had been wanting to talk to her mother for weeks, but it was hard. Every time she was alone with her, Belle lost heart. It wasn't that she didn't trust her mom, but she was afraid that her parents wouldn't approve of her relationship with Thommy, as he was three years older and worked for them.

But now, today, this fateful Sunday, Belle decided it was time to take the plunge. After all, she wanted to 'do' something with him, and for that, she needed her mother's seal of approval and assistance. Besides, she knew she loved Thommy, and she couldn't imagine her life without him. After eight months of blissful togetherness, Belle was ready to take their relationship to the next level. Today.

"Why are you running around here like a headless chicken?" Wanda asked, who had materialized in the doorway, a basket of laundry in hand. "Do you have any dirty clothes that need washing? I'm about to start a load, and I'd be more than happy to add yours to the mix."

Belle gulped audibly. "Mom, we need to talk," she declared, cutting straight to the chase. Her heart was racing a mile a minute, lodged firmly in her throat, but she knew this was a now-or-never moment.

"Please don't tell me you're pregnant," Wanda responded, cocking her head to the side. In the back of her mind, she couldn't help but ponder the hilarity of the situation if her child, still gestating in her womb, were to enter the world simultaneously with her grandchild.

"NO!" Belle waved her hands frantically. "I'm not! But..."

"There's a boy, huh?" A knowing smile spread across her face. Wanda placed the laundry basket on the floor and stepped further into her daughter's room. "I've known it for a few weeks. You're in love, aren't you?"

"How did you know?" Belle asked, completely horrified. "And why didn't you say anything about it?"

Wanda calmly made her way over to the bed and plopped down on her back. She patted the spot next to her, and Belle obediently followed suit. "Honey, I... I was hoping you'd come to me when the time was right," Wanda said gently. "Your father and I agreed long ago that we'd give you space as long as you were being responsible. I'm not one to pry, so why should I push you and grill you about your personal life? You're a smart cookie, Belle, and I knew you'd open up to me when you were good and ready." She then rolled onto her stomach and gazed at her daughter expectantly.

"He... he makes me happy, you know?" Belle began, a giddy smile blossoming on her face that she couldn't suppress. She mirrored her mother's position, rolling onto her stomach as well, her eyes glued to her fidgeting fingers. "I trust him. He never pressured me or made me do anything I wasn't comfortable with. It's... I'm genuinely happy. With him."

"Have you..."

"No, no, not yet," Belle interjected hastily. This was one of the parts she had been dreading. "But..." She took a deep breath, mustering up her courage. "That's why I wanted to talk to you. We've actually been... together for quite some time now. It started... back in March. And then in May, we made it official. It's... I feel safe with him, you know? And I... I think I'm ready."

"Whoa there!" Wanda exclaimed, sitting up abruptly. She swallowed hard and gazed at her daughter. Seventeen - so mature, and yet still her little girl. "I suppose that means we'll have to take you to see a gynecologist, huh? I'm way too young to be a grandma!"

Belle let out a soft chuckle, feeling a sense of relief wash over her, though she knew the toughest part was still ahead. But first, she wanted to savor this moment a little longer before revealing the whole truth to her mother. "You're not mad at me?" she asked tentatively.