A Secret Love (new chapter every weekend)

Chapter 6

"You know, don't you?" Daisy said, her heart pounding. She wanted to reach for her husband's hand and hold on tight. His touch had a calming effect on her nerves, but she didn't dare show any affection for him.

"Know what?" Gayle said, her eyes filled with anger.

"Know that-"

"Not so fast," Jason said. "Let her reveal her hand first." He raised an eyebrow at his mother-in-law. "Go ahead, Gayle. It's obvious by your demeanor that you know something. Lay your cards on the table."

Gayle leaned forward slightly. "I talked to Hilda Swenson last night. She and her husband just got back from Las Vegas. She told me they were walking the strip Friday night when they saw you two coming out of a wedding chapel."

Daisy closed her eyes, swearing silently.

Jason sighed heavily and then confessed everything to them.

"There will be no annulment," Eloise stated.

"With all due respect, Miss Eloise," Jason said to Daisy's grandmother. "That is a decision Daisy and I will make together." He smiled at her. "But let me assure you that an annulment is the last thing I want. I'm committed to Daisy and our marriage."

"I will admit the morning after I wanted an annulment," Daisy confessed. "I was panicking and overwhelmed. After I calmed down and took time to think it over, I felt better about us." She reached for Jason's hand. "I promised him that I would give my all to our marriage. It's a promise I intend to keep."

"Good." Gayle beamed at them. "I'm not thrilled with how it happened, but I'm happy you're married. Eloise and I prayed you two would get together. You're perfect for each other."

"Now let's address the elephant in the room," Eloise said, folding her hands on her lap and looked at her granddaughter. "Your brother. He isn't going to be happy with your news."

Daisy pinched the bridge of her nose. "I know that, Gran, and we're not looking forward to telling him."

"You need to do it," Gayle said. "The sooner the better. The longer you keep him in the dark the more angrier he's going to be when he finds out."

"I'm not worried about my relationship with him," Daisy said. "He will always be my brother. I'm worried about Jason's relationships with him. I'm afraid he won't want to have anything to do with Jason, once he learns the truth."

"That is a risk I'm willing to take, sweetheart," Jason said. "You know that."

"Then we should tell him by the weekend," Daisy said.

"We'll figure out a day and time later," Jason said, checking his watch.

"Why don't we have a family dinner here?" Eloise suggested. "You can break the news to him afterwards. Tomorrow night, say six o'clock?"

Daisy glanced at Jason. "Will that work for you?"

"Sure."

"When do you want to tell your parents?" Daisy asked him.

"Right now they are in Belize, on vacation," Jason informed her. "I will call them later. Although, I doubt they will care that we got married. You know how my parents are."

"Self-absorbed," Daisy said.

"Exactly," Jason muttered.

Daisy rested her hand on his arm and said, "Would you like me to call them for you? I have your mom's cell number."

"Please," Jason said. "Don't get me wrong. I love my parents, but talking to them tends to put me in a bad mood."

"Then I'll take care of it," Daisy said. "I should get going. I need to get some work done, in that monstrosity of a house."

Jason shook his head with a grin and explained to Daisy's family, "We're house sitting for a friend of mine. His place-"

"Makes the White House look like a shack," Daisy cut in. "The man likes expensive things."

"How long will you be house sitting?" Gayle asked.

"A month," Jason said.

"Any longer and he would be house sitting alone." Daisy got to her feet and Jason quickly followed suit.

After they said goodbye to Gayle and Eloise, Jason walked Daisy to her car.

"I wish we could take the day off and spend it together," Jason said, opening Daisy's car door for her.

"Me too." She tossed her purse on the passenger seat and turned to look at him. "What time should I expect you tonight?"

"I'll be home by six." Jason kissed her on the lips. "Drive safe, and have a good day."

"You too." Daisy slid behind the wheel and Jason shut the car door. She connected her phone to her car's Bluetooth system and then fastened her seat belt. Starting the car, she waited for Jason to go first and fell in behind him.

While she headed out of the neighborhood she called Jason's mom.

"Hello?" Sheri Cooper said, answering on the third ring.

"Hello, Mrs. Cooper," Daisy said. "How are you?"

"Daisy!" Sheri cried. "It's been awhile. I'm doing great. How about you?"

"I'm doing well," Daisy replied. "How's your vacation going?"

"Wonderful," Sheri said. "Lawrence and I are going scuba diving this morning. This afternoon we're going to explore Maya ruins. There's so much to see and do here."

"Sounds fun." Daisy cleared her throat. "I called you because I have some news to share with you."

"Good news only, dear," Sheri said. "I'm on vacation. I don't want it to be ruined."

"Oh, okay." Daisy swallowed hard. "Your son and I got married on Friday night, in Vegas." She didn't tell her about the events that led up to and after the wedding. Somethings your mother-in-law didn't need to know.

"Welcome to the family, dear," Sheri said. "Now you will have to forgive me, but Lawrence and I have to get our scuba gear on. Talk to you later."

Before Daisy could respond, Sheri ended the call. She shook her head. "Women needs a reality check," she murmured.

She ended the call and tried her dad's phone. It rang five times and went to voicemail. Her stomach clenching with fear, she breathed deeply. "Where are you, Dad?"

A/N: Hey, everyone! I hope you all are having a great week. Thanks for your support. I appreciate you. Hope you enjoyed the chapter and have a great weekend. :)