“Yes, it is,” I agree. “My parents will be arriving soon and so will your mother and Mark.” My parents love Max and I’ve gotten really close to his mother. She keeps asking when we’ll give her grandchildren. Little does she know I already have a little Max in my belly, or maybe even a little London. We don’t know which one yet. Today marks the end of the first trimester. We’ve been waiting to tell people until after I hit this milestone, just to be on the safe side. I remember the morning I took the pregnancy test. I’ve never seen Max so excited. He waited by the bathroom door and we both looked at the test together. When it came up positive, he ran around the house and we both cried with joy. He’s going to be an amazing father.
We walk inside and our staff gets everyone to their tables, with ours being in my favorite corner with the best view of the water. Derek knows exactly what we want and gets our food and drinks out to us. The pregnancy has made me super nauseous at times, but tonight, our chef made his famous chocolate cake. Nothing is going to keep me from eating it.
A lot of people walk by our table to congratulate Max and he enjoys every minute of it. Once we’re done with dinner, Derek brings out my cake and I eat every crumb of it. Max chuckles under his breath when I wipe the chocolate from my lips. “Damn, that was sexy, babe. You should’ve saved some cake for later.”
I wink. “I’m sure I can get us another piece. I’ll eat it off of you.”
“Don’t threaten me with a good time,” he teases.
“There they are,” my mother squeals. She rushes over to us and Max stands to pull her into a hug.
My dad hugs me and kisses my cheek. “I’m so happy for you and Max, sweetheart.”
“Thanks, Dad.”
He lets me go and my mother takes his place, her grip tight as she hugs me. “Oh, honey, this has been amazing. You should hear all the great things everyone is saying about this place.”
“If it wasn’t for London, this restaurant wouldn’t be what it is,” Max tells her. “I owe all the success to her.” My mother lets me go and Max takes my hand, kissing it when he lifts it to his lips. Kitty and Mark walk in the door and his smile widens. “I think it’s time I make an announcement now that our families are here. What do you think?”
My parents look at me with curious stares, but I shake my head. “You’ll find out soon,” I say to them. “For now, just sit down and relax. Dinner’s on the house tonight.”
Max squeezes my hand and pulls me toward the middle of the floor. Kitty and Mark wave at us and we wave back. I know it’s killed Max not being able to tell people our great news. Before we can get to the podium, someone steps in our way. I didn’t see him come into the restaurant, but standing right in front of us is none other than his father, Sheldon Richmond.
Max tenses and grips my hand tighter, drawing me in closer to him. “What the hell do you want?”
Sheldon lifts up his hands. “I’m not here to fight, son. I’m only here to congratulate you. You did amazing out on the water today.” If I didn’t know any better, it almost looks as if he’s sad. He doesn’t have the arrogant demeanor about him like he had a year ago. After the regatta, Max wanted nothing to do with him. Sheldon and his wife weren’t even invited to our wedding.
“Thanks,” Max says impatiently. “If you don’t mind, I have other people I need to talk to right now.”
Sheldon places a hand on Max’s arm, and for a second, it looks as if Max is about to punch him. I squeeze his hand, hoping he keeps his calm. Sheldon glances down at me and sighs. “I owe you an apology, London. I’m sorry for the things I said about you. It was wrong.”
Max scoffs. “What about your bitch of a wife? She needs to be here apologizing too.”
Sheldon shakes his head. “We’re done, son. I filed for a divorce a month ago. She’s not a part of my life anymore. I just hate it took me so long to see how wrong I’ve been. I just hope one day you can forgive me.”
Max’s shoulders slowly relax, and he looks around the restaurant. There are people watching us curiously. It’s not a secret that Max and his father have been on the outs for a while. After last year’s regatta, it was all over the headlines.
Sheldon holds out a hand and Max stares at it for a second before taking it. “I don’t know what to say,” Max says as he shakes his hand.
Tears form in Sheldon’s eyes. “Say you can forgive me. That’s all I want.”
Max lets his hand go. “It’s London’s forgiveness you need, not mine.”
Sheldon looks to me and I can see the pain in his eyes. People do change, I firmly believe that. I can’t deny Max the chance to reconcile with his father. “It’s okay,” I say. “All is forgiven.”
Max stands protectively next to me, his hard gaze on his father. “But I’m warning you, Dad. If you so much as hurt my wife again, we’re done.”
Sheldon agrees with a nod. “I won’t, son. I promise you that.”
Max releases a heavy sigh. “Good. Then stay put, I have something to say.” He drags me to the center of the room and picks up a glass and spoon from one of the tables. He taps it to get everyone’s attention. “Can I have your attention, please,” he calls out. The rooms goes quiet and everyone looks at us. Max drapes his arm over my shoulders and rubs my arm soothingly. I’m not the type who likes to
