Unexpectedly Expecting || BWWM

26 Weeks

But what struck me the most was how he paid attention to me—making sure I had enough water, cutting my bread when I struggled to reach it, even nudging the salt closer to me without a word. It wasn't overbearing; it was just...thoughtful.

"So, Dean, when will I be meeting your parents." My mother says finally calling him by his first name. I fought the urge to roll my eyes as she acted as if him and I were in an actual relationship. That's not his style.

Dean paused and I could feel him tense next to me. I already knew how his father felt, but his mother seemed to be more difficult. And given how the media is still watching our every move, she was even more difficult. He has been ignoring her since that press conference.

"Uhm, my Father is alittle more available than my Mother. I can see what I can do." He responds sounding business again.

"You've already met his Father, Mom. At the book store, My boss." I say hoping she doesn't ask Dean too much about his Mother.

"Oh right Jeffrey. He's a sweetheart, isn't he? Now what is it about your Mother? Is she busy with the company or other things?"

I sigh. I should've known she wouldn't let it go.

"No, she's just busy with ruining my life." Dean says putting his fork down and smiling.

My mother looks at him slightly shocked at his admittance. She didn't know how to respond to this and neither did I.

"She rather me have nothing to do with Ivory and marry someone just for business." Dean continues talking as if it he was answering a common question.

"Really...and do you not want to get married?" My mother asks and I almost want to tape her mouth shut. It was an obvious answer. He didn't even want to be a father before I came around, why would he want to get married.

"I do."

I look to him shocked by his answer. Dean Keller was not known to be the type to settle down. And I learned that while 4 months pregnant.

"I want to get married to whoever I choose. Not an arranged marriage." He continues giving attention back to his food probably happy he's not talking about his mother anymore.

My mother looked at him and had a small smile on her face. She then looked at me and gave me a slight nod with a wink and I looked at her with a confused look, starting to feel hot.

When dinner was over, and the plates were cleared, I found myself lingering in the dining room while Dean helped my mom clean up.

"You're different here," I said quietly when he returned, his sleeves rolled up and his hair slightly ruffled from drying dishes.

He looked at me, his expression curious. "Different how?"

"Less polished. More..." I hesitated, searching for the right word. "Real."

He smiled, but there was a vulnerability in it that caught me off guard. "Maybe this is just me trying to prove I'm worth it."

I didn't know how to respond to that, so I didn't. Instead, I nodded toward the couch. "You should relax. You've earned it."

He held my gaze for a moment, searching my face, before finally nodding. "Only if you do, too."

"I will soon. Go ahead."

I watched him walk off to the living room and disappear behind the wall, his shoulders slumping slightly as if the weight of the day was finally catching up to him. I exhaled quietly, my chest tightening in a way I wasn't ready to acknowledge.

As I dried my hands and began putting the dishes away, my mother came up beside me, taking the plates from my grasp.

"He's alright," she said casually, her tone light but knowing.