Page 49 of Living for Truth (Broken Shelves #2)

Morgan

H annah’s nervous, which means she’s stressed, which isn’t good for her or the babies, and I’m in overprotective dad mode.

Aly is hungry and a little cranky, so I’m hoping we can get in, get out, and go get some food for my girls.

Aly clings to Hannah’s arm as we walk into her parents’ house.

It’s filled to the brim with people I don’t recognize.

I catch the eyes of the cousin who sat with us—Talmage—and he gives me an acknowledging head nod while he intently listens to the older gentleman who’s gesturing wildly while he talks.

That grabs the older man’s attention, and he abandons Talmage to hobble over to us with a grin stretched across his weathered face.

“Hannah, it’s so good to see you.” He wraps his arms around her in a hug and squeezes her so hard I worry she can’ t breathe.

“You too, Grandpa. This is my boyfriend, Morgan, and his daughter, Alyssa. Alyssa, Morgan, this is my Grandpa Monson.”

Grandpa Monson’s bushy eyebrows shoot to his non-existent hairline, and he appraises me quickly.

“Well.” He clears his throat. “Lovely to meet you, Morgan and Alyssa. I didn’t know Hannah was seeing anyone. Do I hear wedding bells on the horizon, then?”

Hannah’s hand finds mine, and I give her a reassuring squeeze.

“ Grandpa ,” Hannah groans. “We’re taking things slow.”

“Never too soon to think about eternity, Hannah. Wouldn't want you to be left out of the Celestial Kingdom because you’re waiting.” Grandpa Monson gives Hannah a reassuring pat on her hand.

It hits me then. He probably doesn’t know she left the church.

Before anyone can respond, Grandpa Monson says, “It was nice to meet your new family, my dear. I need to finish telling Talmage about a nice girl in our ward so he can get married!” Grandpa hobbles back over to Talmage and sits down, immediately placing his hand on Talmage’s shoulder, and Hannah’s own shoulders relax.

Jake is talking to a group of kids his age, leaning in pretty close to a brunette girl wearing a yellow dress. I wonder if that’s the girl he wanted to get flowers for.

“I’m going to see if Jake will come talk to us downstairs really fast,” Hannah says and makes her way to her brother.

He turns to her and wraps her in a hug. She whispers to him, and he nods his head quickly, then we all head down the stairs and close the basement door.

“Hannah, I’m sorry for what Mom did. I told her she was wrong for doing it, but she didn’t want to listen. She’s been so mean lately, and she’s been talking badly about you behind your back,” Jake rushes out as soon as we’re alone.

“It’s okay, Jake. It’s not your fault, and I don’t blame you at all, okay?

Mom and I have our issues, and that’s between us.

I wanted to tell you some things before you leave, and I’m sorry I’m doing it literally the day before you go, but I didn’t want Mom to have more time to bully you into telling her.

” Hannah takes a deep breath, waiting for Jake to nod before she speaks again.

“I’ve left the church. I don’t want a lecture on it, but I think it’s fair that you know. Morgan and I are unofficially engaged, and I’m pregnant. With twins. Girls.”

Jake’s eyes turn into saucers at the news, and he looks down at her belly, then back to her, then up to me. “How far along are you?” he whispers.

Hannah gives him a watery smile. “Almost seventeen weeks.”

Jake’s own eyes fill with tears, and he makes a choked sound in the back of his throat.

“I know you probably didn’t think I noticed things, but I remember how excited you were when you got pregnant the first time.

I remember how devastated you were at the losses.

I was so happy you divorced that douchebag.

I wanted to help you so badly when you were locked in your room for a week after you moved in.

I know we aren’t super close, but I want you to know I’m so happy for you, Hannah.

I don’t care if you’ve left the church. I just care that you’re safe and happy. I’m so excited to meet my nieces.”

Jake looks over at Aly and kneels down to be at her eye level. “I don’t think we properly met, but I’m Jake. I guess I’m going to be your uncle. What’s your name?”

“Alyssa. But… all of my aunts and uncles call me Aly. You can call me Aly, too,” Aly whispers with a shy smile.

Jake grins. “Nice to meet you, Aly. I can’t wait to get to know you better.” He frowns and stands. “Now I really wish I weren’t going,” he says more to himself than to anyone else.

“There will be plenty of time to get to know her and the twins when you get back. I promise to write letters and send pictures. You have more freedom with phone calls, so call when you can,” Hannah says, wrapping her little brother in a hug.

“I won’t tell Mom, promise,” he whispers before they break apart.

“I think we’re going to head out, I don’t want to see Mom right now, and I just wanted to talk to you.” Hannah sniffs. “Be safe out there, please. Don’t get yourself in dangerous situations.”

“I won’t. Love you, Hannah.”

“Love you, too, Jake.”

Jake rushes back up the stairs to greet the rest of the party while Hannah takes a second to compose herself.

“Alright, I’m starving. Let’s get lunch,” she says after a minute, but before we can get up the stairs, Shelly bursts through the basement door.

“Were you even going to introduce me?” Shelly snaps in lieu of “hello.”

“Hello, Mother. We were just leaving.”

“You can’t stay to celebrate your brother? That’s selfish of you, Hannah.” Shelly shakes her head.

“Jake is aware we aren’t planning on staying. I already spoke with him and wished him luck.” Hannah inches closer to me, and Aly moves to stand behind my back. She’s never seen someone speak to their child this way, and Shelly gives off intimidating vibes.

My mom is always gently scolding us or joking with us when we’re at her house. If she needs to have a serious conversation, she always makes sure it’s in private, and even then, she’s kind and gentle.

“You won’t even introduce me to my own future grandchild? I heard you are engaged. Don’t you think that’s something I should know?” If looks could kill, Hannah would not be standing right now. The look Shelly gives her is so full of indignation and hatred.

“I made the choice not to introduce Alyssa to you, Mrs. Layton,” I interject, and Shelly turns her acidic look on me instead. “I refuse to stand here and let you spit vitriol towards my future wife, and I would never subject Alyssa to your hateful words and ugly attitude.”

Shelly rears back as if I’ve slapped her. “How dare you come to my house and insult me?”

“I didn’t want to tell you about the engagement.

After the way you treated me I wasn’t going to allow you to be part of my life.

If you want any part in my life or your grandchildren’s lives, you need to seriously rethink how you treat me and my family.

” Hannah’s eyes widen when she realizes the slip up. I hope Shelly doesn’t catch it.

She does.

“You’re pregnant?” Shelly gasps and literally clutches her pearls while shaking her head. “I knew you were living in sin with him, but this? It’ll take a lot to save you, Hannah. What makes you think this baby will survive when the others didn’t?”

Hannah looks at me, and I nod imperceptibly to let her know I’m okay with whatever she wants to tell her.

She takes a big breath before she says, “I’m almost seventeen weeks. The doctor ran multiple tests, and it’s most likely Liam was the issue before, not me. The babies are growing as they should, and I haven’t had any problems.”

“You’re having more than one?!”

“Two girls,” Hannah confirms. “And they will not grow up the way I did. They’ll grow up in a house knowing what unconditional love looks and feels like. Like I said before, if you want to be part of their lives, you will need to rethink how you treat me and my family.”

Shelly sputters but can’t say anything before Hannah is up the stairs, and we’re following her closely behind. Hannah ignores the people calling her name and wanting to talk to her, choosing instead to rush to the car.

Once we’ve pulled out of the neighborhood, Aly says very quietly, “You and I are a lot alike, aren’t we, Hannah?”

“Why do you say that, sweetheart?” Hannah asks.

“We both have moms who don’t love us the way they should.”

Hannah sighs. “No, they don’t. But you know what we have?”

“What?”

“We have each other.” Hannah looks over her shoulder at Aly in the backseat and gives her a sad smile.

“I’m glad we have each other.”

“Me too, sweetheart. I’m also glad we have your dad.”

“Yeah, he’s okay,” Aly jokes, and I glare at her in the mirror, making her and Hannah burst out laughing.

“Alright, troublemakers, what are we having for lunch?”

“Pizza!” Hannah and Aly say in unison, and we all laugh.

I’m pretty glad to have these two by my side, too.