Page 5 of Over and Above (Mount Hope #4)
Chapter Five
Magnus
Diesel’s text came at the perfect time. It was a sleepy weeknight leading up to the big Fourth of July weekend, yet I’d booked plenty of servers for the whole week to ensure we were ready for the rush. Accordingly, I wasn’t needed to serve as a bartender or emergency waitstaff. I’d also been curious how Maren was holding up because every update from Diesel was another report of her ongoing morning sickness. And if I was…curious where Eric was concerned, well, that was simply a bonus.
I had our kitchen put together a large order then headed to Eric’s nearby house in a historic neighborhood filled with other large homes. I also owned an older home, but my neighborhood was decidedly more working class, dotted with small homes from the 1930s and 40s. While I was debating whether to ring the front bell or go to the side door, Diesel met me in the driveway, where his beloved ancient sports car was already parked. He would need something more carseat-friendly, but that was a conversation for another time.
“Dad to the rescue.” I held out the big bag of food and the drink I’d picked for Maren.
“Thanks.” Diesel motioned for me to follow him to the kitchen door. “Come in.”
“You sure that’s okay?” This wasn’t our house, and Diesel could be a bit clueless about things like social norms.
“Maren and I want to talk to you and Eric.” Diesel set the bag of food on the counter and started unpacking it. In keeping with the rest of the house, the kitchen was large and expansive, tastefully renovated with stainless steel appliances and newer white cabinetry.
Uh-oh. Diesel didn’t usually do serious talks. My gut hadn’t exactly unclenched since the news of Maren’s pregnancy, so I wasn’t surprised when a fresh cramp hit. Eric and I were undoubtedly in a race to see who could spring an ulcer by winter.
“That sounds ominous.”
“It’s…not.” Diesel was the worst liar, complete with shifty eyes and quirked lips. He fetched a plate from a cabinet and plated Maren’s food for her.
“You don’t sound very sure.” Following Diesel’s lead, I grabbed a plate and arranged some food for Eric. “I brought Eric steak bites and his own order of smashed potatoes. Maybe that will soften him for whatever you and Maren want to tell us.”
“Here’s hoping.” Diesel led the way into the living room, where Maren was sitting on the couch talking with Eric, who was sitting in a recliner. He looked tired, with heavy eyes and slumped shoulders, and I wished I had more than food to offer.
“Dinner.” I held out the plate.
“For me too?” Eric’s eyes widened.
“Yeah. Figured I’d bring enough for the family. I remembered your other kid likes bacon, so I brought a personal pizza for them with bacon and extra cheese. It’s in a box on the kitchen counter.”
“Thanks.” His expression was softer than I’d seen it since that night in March. He called out to Wren that there was pizza in the kitchen before starting on his food. I liked watching Eric eat. Not only did he always take the time to taste each bite, but his reactions to nuances in flavors and texture played across his face like a movie.
“Oh my gosh, I think this food may actually stay down,” Maren raved from the couch. Diesel had perched next to her, looking on adoringly as she shoveled up more sesame noodles. “You’re amazing.”
“Nah, you’re the one growing a whole human.” I gestured vaguely as I sat on a padded ottoman near Eric. Solidarity for my fellow grandpa-to-be and all. “I merely gave an order to the kitchen.”
“Well, thanks.” Maren made a scratchy noise, clearing her throat.
“Do you need a drink, honey?” Eric set aside his plate, papa bear ready to spring into action.
“I picked her up an extra limeade too. It’s in the kitchen.”
“I’ll go fetch that.” Eric hopped up before I could and retrieved the drink. Once he returned, we all sat in awkward silence until I simply couldn’t stand the suspense.
“So, you wanted to talk to Eric and me?” I stared right at Diesel, but it was Maren who spoke.
“We want to live together.” Maren grabbed Diesel’s hand, the two of them looking impossibly young next to each other on the couch. “It will make taking care of the baby a lot easier. And I’m not opposed to it for…other reasons.”
“I see.” Eric’s normally pale face turned ruddy.
“With Declan and Jonas leaving the basement empty, I thought maybe we could rent from you,” Maren continued, eyes big as she spoke mainly to Eric. “I thought about the carriage house since Sean and Denver are moving too, but carrying the baby up and down from the loft isn’t the most practical.”
There wasn’t much practical about this situation, but I stayed quiet. And so did Eric, which left Diesel to plead his case.
“I’m making decent money, but peak summer tourism season is no time to look for an apartment. Everyone’s doing short-term vacation rentals for maximum profits.” Diesel gestured with both hands, almost bopping Maren in the face. To her credit, she didn’t even blink, merely snagged his hand in hers again. “I’ve called around, and Maren’s done the internet search thing, and a lot of people don’t even want to think about renting to anyone under twenty-one.”
“And I’ve been too sick with this stupid nausea and fatigue to look for work, which makes people even less likely to want to rent to us.” Maren looked down at her and Diesel’s linked hands.
Since Eric seemed too shell-shocked to reply, I spoke up. “I’d offer for Maren to stay with Diesel and me, but I’ll add- there’s only one bathroom. It’s a tiny house with a decent yard for the dogs.”
“Thank you.” Maren’s pursed lips said exactly what she thought of that offer. “The basement here has its own bathroom, a kitchenette, and enough space for both of us and some baby gear until we can get our own place. And we’ll pay whatever Jonas was paying.”
“Absolutely.” Diesel nodded so hard I was afraid for his spinal column. “You can make it all official with a lease.”
“And it would be nice to have you around, Dad.” Maren went in for the kill, complete with soft eyes and a tilted chin. “You know, to bug me into hydrating and eating protein. You’ll be able to see the baby too.”
Eric swallowed hard, undoubtedly at the reminder that there would be a baby at the end of all this. Heck, I had to gulp myself.
“That’s a good point. You—you both— are going to need all the help you can get.” Eric grimaced, clearly having to work for each measured word. “Yes, you can have the basement.”
“Thank you, Dad.” Maren clapped her hands before resuming devouring her plate of food.
“Thanks,” I said in a low voice to Eric. “I appreciate it too.”
“There’s one teeny little other thing.” Maren looked up from her nearly empty plate. “Health insurance.”
“The reality of healthcare in America.” Groaning, Eric set aside his own plate and leaned back in his chair. “I need to call ours. If you’re for sure not going back to school, I’m not sure how long they’ll cover you, but we should have options?—”
“I’m going to be on Diesel’s insurance.” Maren was back to clinging to Diesel’s hand. “He’s full-time now with a good benefits package. Even if my current insurance will keep covering me, the baby will need insurance too.”
“Decent point. Like a domestic partnership clause?” I was somewhat familiar with that, thanks to a few of our full-time servers. “That’s why you need to live together?”
“We’re getting married.”
The room went deathly quiet. To the point that I had to glance over and make sure Eric wasn’t stroking out.
I took a breath and released it while counting to ten, a practice that had served me very well all these years raising Diesel.
“While Eric collects the pieces of his brain, I have to go on record that marrying for insurance reasons isn’t ideal.”
“Gee. Thanks, Dad.” Diesel glared at me.
“I speak from experience.” I met his angry stare, holding his gaze. He knew all the ins and outs of my relationship with his mother, along with various others I’d had over the years. “It’s a huge decision.”
“Like having a baby. Our lives are linked from now on, regardless.” Maren’s expression turned decidedly queasy again.
“And…um…we might love each other.” Diesel didn’t sound particularly certain and kept glancing at Maren like she was about to object.
However, in a shocker, she squeezed his hand.
“Yes. I love Diesel, and we’ll get married for real next year after the baby is here so everyone can come.”
“Waiting for the baby is a good idea.” I tried to keep the calm tone this conversation desperately needed.
“Back up.” Eric sounded the opposite of calm, voice wavering. “ For real. As opposed to?”
“A quiet elopement at the courthouse.” Maren’s voice had the same clipped, efficient tones I’d heard Eric use when stressed. “The real wedding will be next year likely.”
“Maren Jane, please tell me you haven’t already done this.”