Best Mistake

Alex drove us to the airport the morning of our departure. We'd decided to catch an early flight so I could spend as much time with my parents as possible. Although it was just past six in the morning, I was so excited I was almost bouncing in my seat. Alex, on the other hand, looked very tense and uncomfortable.

"You ok?" I asked, turning down the radio.

He turned towards me slowly. "Are you unaware of what time it is?"

I frowned a little. "I'm sorry. We didn't have to get such an early flight."

"No," Alex shook his head. "It's fine," he said, giving me a reassuring smile.

Although he said it was ok, I still felt pretty bad. I looked up ahead of us and saw a Starbucks sign.

"You want some coffee?" I asked. "My treat."

He shook his head again. "I'm probably going to sleep on the plane if that's ok."

I nodded quickly. "Of course." I was planning on doing the same thing.

We got to the airport and went through all of the droning pre-flight procedures. It bugged me that even though it was almost empty, it still took us so long before we were sitting in our seats. I hadn't noticed when Alex booked the tickets that they were first class.

"I would've been just fine with coach," I mumbled as I fluffed the pillow the flight attendant gave me.

Alex sighed heavily, getting himself comfortable. "You'll be fine with first class, too." He glanced over at me. "Have you ever flown before?"

"Yeah, I went to Las Vegas when I was thirteen."

Alex's eyebrows rose as he started smirking a little.

"I'll let my mom tell you that story," I smiled, leaning my seat back a little.

Soon we were rolling down the runway, and my eyes instantly became heavy. Before I knew it, we were making our descent in Augusta. I looked over at Alex, who was barely awake himself and smiled.

We got off the plane and got our bags from baggage claim. Alex poked fun at me about my huge suitcase, but I explained it would come in handy after my mom loaded me up with things she's bought me. We got our rental car and I gave Alex directions to my moms house.

"So which one do I have to worry about more? Your mom or your dad?" he asked as we coasted down the highway.

I rocked my head from side to side, thinking about my answer. "Well, let's say if you were a guy I'd been dating for a long time, my dad would give you more trouble than my mom. But since they're about to find out we're having a baby together, my mom will probably be a little harder on you and my dad might love you."

Alex's eyes shot in my direction.

"Well, my mom always wanted me to be married before I had kids, so she definitely won't be too thrilled with the fact that this was an accident. But my dad, he's wanted me to give him grandkids since he found out I lost my virginity, so he's probably going to be stoked," I explained.

"It's a good accident, though, right?" Alex asked.

For the first time, I took his hand in mine. "A great accident," I smiled.

Alex smiled and brought my hand up to his lips, kissing it. After a few more miles, we were pulling up into my moms neighborhood.

"It's this one," I said quietly, pointing to the brick two-storied house on our left. I heard Alex exhale deeply as he pulled into the driveway and I gave his hand a reassuring squeeze.

Before he was even halfway up the driveway, I had my seatbelt off and my door cracked open. My mom and David were sitting on the patio, and when I saw my mom start running to the car, I hopped out.

I collided with my mom hard. I was hugging her so tight, but she seemed to be trying to push me away.

"Whitney Elizabeth!" she yelled, prying my arms from around her neck. "Are you pregnant?!"

I felt the blood drain from my face. I was so excited to see her I'd completely forgotten I was even pregnant, let alone that she had no idea.

I backed away slowly, my hands instinctively landing on my bump. "Surprise?"

Her mouth fell open, and soon David was next to her, his expression matching hers. Neither of them said anything as they stared at me. I heard Alex open the car door behind me and my moms eyes darted in his direction. He looked terrified as he slowly crept to my side.

"Mama, David, this is Alex," I said, holding onto his arm. "We're having this baby together."

Alex smiled a little, waving nervously. I tightened my grip on his arm just in case he got the urge to try to run away.

"You're pregnant," my mom said quietly, eyes the two of us.

I nodded, and Alex moved his arm up so his hand slid in mine.

It it was dead silent between the four of us for what seemed like the longest time. David finally cleared his throat and rubbed the back of his neck.

"Alex, I'm David," he said and awkwardly shoot Alex's hand.

"Very nice to meet you, sir," Alex mumbled.

"Let me help you with yalls luggage. Let these ladies get in the house," he said, and before Alex could object David had the trunk of the SUV opened.

I followed my mom into the house and once we were in the kitchen, she turned to glare at me.

"Why didn't you tell me you were pregnant?" she hissed.

I shrugged. "I didn't want to do it over the phone," I whispered.

She looked from me to my stomach. "You look like you're ready to have it now. How far along are you?"

"Seven months," I said, leaning against the counter.

She looked so sad as she said, "You've been keeping it from me for that long?"

I sighed. "I'm sorry, mama. I knew you'd be upset because I know you wanted me to be married before I had kids, but this just kind of happened and I didn't want you to be disappointed in me."

She shook her head before saying, "I'm more disappointed that you thought you couldn't tell me."

Before I could answer, Alex came through the door with David following him. They put our bags on the kitchen floor and Alex eased his way to my side.

My mom mildly glared at Alex, and I glared back at her, trying to get her attention. It worked, because she looked at me and smiled sweetly before saying, "Well, why don't we go have a seat in the living room? Apparently we have a lot to catch up on."

Notes