hands up. “Don’t try to understand their reasoning. They’re Carters. They won’t see it like that.”
“Now I’ve got to spend our time here with your dad and uncles glaring at me.”
“It could be worse,” I tell him.
He scrubs a hand across his face. “You are all crazy. I don’t know why I’m standing here arguing with you. Just don’t do anything to hurt Lily.”
“Wait,” I call out when he goes to leave, curious about something. “You didn’t answer about kids…”
The corners of his lips twitch. “I’m ready whenever Lily is. Having a son or daughter that takes after their mum will be a blessing.”
“Really?” Lily asks, her voice low. She twists her fingers together in a nervous gesture. “Do you mean that?”
I watch as the hardened man’s features soften. Jaxon pulls her into his arms, gazing down at her. “Of course I did. I’m already a lucky man where you’re concerned. But having a child that follows their beautiful, kind, loving mother… I’d be blessed.”
A flush rises up her neck, to her cheeks. “We can talk about it later.”
I smile, leaving the happy couple to it.
Dad’s sharp glare is still following my movements, so I head over to him, ready to get it over with. He should know by now that he can’t control me.
“Dad, you’re going to give yourself an aneurism. What is it?”
“Look, I know we said we wouldn’t interfere when you guys found someone, but I’m not ready to be a granddad. Not yet. I just got over you three moving out. And you aren’t allowed to date until you’re twenty-eight. We agreed. Ask your mum. I made the promise when you were a baby, and you know I can’t break my promises.”
Seeing the rare seriousness coming from him, I walk over and hug him. “Dad, even if I was ready for kids—which I’m not—you wouldn’t be losing us. You’d be gaining another person, one who will love you.” I take a deep breath. “And just to add: not your promise to make.”
His eyes are watery when he stares up at me. “I know, but they’d have Carter blood.”
My nose crinkles at the statement. “Um, what does that have to do with anything?”
A tear slips down his cheek. “It means less food for me. I can’t deal with that kind of loss. Feeding you three growing up nearly had me starving to death.”
“Oh my God, Dad,” I groan, glancing at Mum when she steps over.
“Is he giving you the speech about food, because I had to hear it all night whilst I was baking.”
A cunning thought enters my mind, and I let my shoulders sag as a sniffle escapes me. I pretend to wipe a tear away, letting my eyes tear up.
“Baby, what’s wrong?” Mum asks, glaring down at my dad.
“I just… I just thought Dad loved me,” I sniffle, resting my head on Mum’s shoulder.
Dad stands, reaching for my hand, and I pretend to flinch. “Hey, I do,” he explains softly. “I didn’t mean to upset you.”
I fake sob, letting the tears fall. “But you won’t love my baby. You’d be such a great granddad, but my kid won’t know because you’ll hate him or her.”
“Max,” Mum snaps.
“What? I didn’t—I didn’t mean that,” he rushes out. “Baby, Hayden, I didn’t mean it like that. I swear.”
“But you did,” I cry. “And you said we nearly killed you.”
He forces out a laugh, gulping when Mum tenses. “I was joking, sweetheart. I tell you what, when you have babies in the very far future, I’ll give them half my food.”
Mum snorts. “Like that will happen. He ate my last chocolate bar when I was pregnant with you, claiming he had my food cravings.”
“I did,” he snaps, but then softens his voice when he turns to me. “I’m going to love my grandkids no matter what. Why don’t I go to the car and get you your favourite cupcake?”
“We brought them all in,” Mum tells him.
Shuffling on his feet, he glances at the floor. “I may have left a few in the car.”
“Max, go get them. Now.”
“Are we good?”
I shrug, looking away. “Depends. Hearing I’m your favourite always helps.”
“You’re my favourite,” he claims, pulling me into his arms. “I’m sorry for upsetting you. Your mum not letting me eat any cupcakes last night has made me irritable. But then she happily went and shared my yummy goods with the others.” He puffs out a breath. “And the more mouths we have to feed, the more I lose.”
“It’s okay, Dad.