The Risk Takers

Part 25 | Curve Ball

I'm holding onto our bundle of sonograms as we make the short drive home and Liam and I are still in awe over the little bean in my belly. It is too soon to determine the sex but they were able to see a perfect bean shape on the monitor. When we pull back into my parking space Liam cuts the ignition and then looks at me, "Well, should we call your mother or my mother first?" He asks me and I glance to the picture one more time before answering him, "My mother. We need to tell your mom about the Topher fiasco too which will be a longer conversation. I think it's best that she knows he's made a surprise appearance in our lives."

Liam gives me a slight nod, "Yeah I thought about that too. As far as I know they haven't spoken since he left her house in Highland Park ten years ago. I don't even know if he knows that she moved to Austin."

"Who knows, I feel like they could have been in touch this whole time and she wouldn't say anything to us about it." Liam gives me an annoyed side eye. He knows even after all this time that I can't stand his mother and even on our wedding day she made it known that she thought Liam could do better. I bend down and grab my phone that is tucked away in my emerald Chanel bag and scroll to find my mom's number. I tap the audio so it's played through the speakers of my car, so Liam and I can both loudly hear her when she says, "Well hello Ellie, I was just telling your father that it has been some time since I have spoken with you."

Liam and I glance to each other before I answer, "I know mom, life has been crazy busy here in L.A. Oh also Liam is in the car with me."

"Hello Mrs. Adler," Liam says and my mom politely greets him back.

"Oh Ellie, I've been meaning to tell you. Guess who moved back to Highland Park last week? Derek Atwater, remember Derek from highschool?" My mom asks me like I could ever actually forget Derek. I also like that I haven't spoken to her in over a month and the first thing she decides to bring up is Derek while I have Liam on the phone with me.

"Yep mom, we both remember Derek. We're still friends on Facebook."

"Well I guess he moved back here from Northern California and rumor has it that he wants to get into politics here in Texas. Can you imagine Derek being our mayor or governor? Or hell even Senator?" My mom sounds like this could possibly be the coolest scenario to witness but I just roll my eyes to Liam.

"Well if Derek is still our same old Derek I'm sure he'll enjoy campaigning and having everyone ooh and ah him as he moves his way up the ladder," I say flatly knowing how annoying it would be to have my mom save all of his articles in newspapers and drive around to all his different rally's to watch him speak. I really wouldn't enjoy seeing or hearing about Derek all over my home town. I decide to quickly change the subject before she volunteers me for his future campaigns.

"Anyway mom, I was actually calling to tell you something. Liam and I have some exciting news!" I give one more glance to Liam as my mom stays quiet on the other end. I hold up the sonogram even though she can't see it and say, "Liam and I are having a baby!"

Liam and I are smiling as we are expecting squeals of delight from my mother. However, I hear silence on the other end and at first I thought we had dropped the call.

"Mom?" I ask again to see if we have a bad connection but she quickly says, "Oh, that's....well that sure is exciting news isn't it?" Frowning at her lack of enthusiasm I look to Liam and he simply shrugs. This is not the response I was hoping for.

"Yes mom, you and dad are going to be grandparents in eight months!" I say again with a little more enthusiasm. Liam reaches across the console and places his hand on my knee for comfort. He can tell her lack of response has me frustrated.

"I know El, that is just...so...wonderful! How are you going to do this while both of you work over sixty hours of work a week?" She asks with a defensive tone to her voice. She went from unenthusiastic to judgmental in three seconds flat.