Dillion and I bring out the coffee carafe, the half and half, sugar, and mugs. It just seems easier than carrying full mugs of coffee with my nerves and shaking hands. It really wasn't an option.

As we place everything on the table, I find Alex and Mom in an animated conversation about cats. In Alex's lap is my mom's calico. "You know, I forgot to ask you the cat's name?" Alex says, while stroking the cat's fur.

I pause a moment behind my mom, because I just can't wait to see his reaction.

"Baby," Mom says, proudly. My eyes meet his, and I know exactly what is going on in his head as he desperately struggles not to laugh.

"The perfect name, don't you think, Alex?" I ask, holding his feet to the fire, just to see if he can keep it together.

He is biting his bottom lip, and I'm savoring this moment. He picks up the cat and faces her towards him. They are practically nose-to-nose. I believe he is doing this on purpose, so my mom can't see his face. "You have a perfect name, Baby," he affirms. "I can't imagine a better name for a cat."

My brother asks my Mom to pass him some more bacon, as I sit down next to Alex and take Baby out of his hands, releasing her back to the floor. "Nice save," I whisper.

"Seriously, you are evil. You know how hard that was," he whispers back. "Can't believe they named their baby, Cat and their cat, Baby." He chuckles just thinking about it and I laugh too.

"What are you two giggling about?" my Mom asks.

"Something silly," I say, blowing it off. "Did Dad say when he might be back?" I ask not only to distract her but also because it is pretty crucial to the next part of my plan.

"He's gone out golfing with some friends. He probably won't be back until this afternoon sometime."

"Golf?" my brother scoffs. "One of the worst sports in the world. I don't know which is worse, playing it or watching it."

"You know how much your father enjoys it."

"Yes, because he made me play it all throughout high school. I think it's one of the things that drove me to drink," Dillion teases.

"It's not that bad," Mom admonishes.

"Mom, think about it, it is literally the word flog written backward," Dillion spouts.

This statement nearly kills Alex, who has just taken a sip of hot coffee that he is desperate to swallow so he doesn't spray my mom in laughter. I pat his back until he gets control as he coughs and sputters.

"Sorry, Alex," Dillion says, "but it's true."

Mom just shakes her head at him. She does this often, usually whenever my brother opens his mouth. "Are you okay, Alex?" she asks, genuinely concerned.

Alex nods, coughs, and finally sputters, "I'm fine, thank you."

"Mom," I say, getting her attention. "I want to talk to you about something since Dad isn't around."

Her body stiffens. "Okay," she says cautiously. I hate that this is her response to everything. She constantly lives life waiting for the other shoe to drop. I understand it's a reaction to everything she has had to deal with, regarding both my brother's issues and my Dad's... well, his entire personality really. I just wish I didn't have to bring more drama into her life.

Alex is staring at me, and so is Dillion. The room has gone silent and I clench my folded hands in my lap, trying to summon some courage from anywhere to get through this.

"Liam and I ... we broke up."

"Oh, Cat. I'm so sorry. Why?" Mom asks.

"We've been growing apart for a long time. We want different things... " I say, trying to work my way up to the rest, but my brother jumps in with, "And he's been cheating on her."

"WHAT!?" Mom exclaims, looking stunned. "He slept with other women?!"

"No, but he did just about everything else," I say sadly, and Alex reaches over and takes my hand in his.

"So, you are both aware of this?!" she asks with an accusatory glance at both Alex and Dillion.

"Yes," they say in unison.

"So you're worried about your dad and his response to this," she states more than asks.

Dillion puts his hand on my Mom's shoulder. "Mom, there's more to it than that."

Her worried eyes don't leave my face. "Tell me."

I open my mouth, but nothing will come out. I shut it again. Damn, why is this always so hard? You'd think it would get easier with each person told, but it doesn't. It feels like a knife to the chest every time I'm forced to say it.

"You can say it, Cat," my brother encourages and I look at Alex and he nods in agreement. I take a deep breath and blurt it out.

"I'm pregnant."

I see her wince, then watch her shut down, just like I knew she would. It's too much for her to handle and she'll need time to process, but I want to give her the rest of the information first.

"We were taking precautions. I don't want you to think we were careless, but school has been really stressful and I wasn't sleeping well. My doctor prescribed a sleep aid, and it counteracted the birth control. It was a mistake, a stupid mistake, but I've been to the OB. The pregnancy is real and viable. I heard the baby's heartbeat."

At those last words, Mom snaps back to reality. "My baby is going to a mother." Tears fill her eyes.

"Looks that way," I sigh.

"Oh, Cat." My mom gets up and comes over to me. Alex lets go of my hand and as I stand up, my mom immediately embraces me. "You must be so scared!"

"Terrified," I say with a half laugh, while she holds me in her arms. I long for the days when a kiss from Mom makes any hurt magically disappear as she kisses my forehead.

"I don't doubt it. I remember how scared I was when I found out that I was pregnant for the first time and I had your father for support." She suddenly thrusts me away from her, but doesn't let go. "Good LORD! Your FATHER!"

"That's why we wanted to tell you first, Mom," Dillion says. "Cat needs you, but neither of you are in this alone when it comes to Dad."

"You have both of us," Alex chimes in.

My mom nods stoically, and suddenly a look of fierce determination appears on her face. It's a look I can honestly say I have never seen before. She puts her hands on my shoulders. "We will have to tell him, of course, but do NOT let him bully you, Cat. I know you. I know you're keeping this, baby. I could see it in your face the moment you mentioned hearing that heartbeat, and I remember that moment. It's a glorious moment. You're witnessing a miracle. Don't let your father get into your head."

"You know that's easier said than done," I moan, looking down at my feet.

"Don't you dare look down, young lady!" Mom declares, taking her fingers and lifting my chin. "Be strong. You don't get to be weak anymore. You have a child to protect, and that is a lifelong commitment. No matter how old you get, or how old they get, you will never stop worrying about them or stop trying to protect them. Now listen to me, to do your best by them, you have to first stand firm and do right by you."

I take a deep breath and slowly exhale. I know she is right. She is so right. "Okay." I agree.

"What did Liam have to say about all of this?" she asks me, in a tone that implies the thought has just occurred to her.

"Liam doesn't want the baby. He wants me to have an abortion. He knows he can't handle this, and he doesn't believe I can handle it either. If I have the baby, he wants nothing to do with me."

"So this is the real reason you two are over," Mom says with her motherly wisdom.

I just shake my head yes.

"God works in mysterious ways, Cat. What you now see as a burden may actually be the key to your freedom. You don't want to be trapped in a marriage where you have doubts. Questioning if you're loved. Wondering if he ever loved you. It can be a fate worse than death."

I have a feeling she is talking about herself now, but I don't want to voice it. I think we all understand her meaning.

"Together, we will handle your father. You have a wonderful support group here, Cat. There is no reason for you to be afraid. Understand?"

Again, I just nod my head yes, too emotionally overwhelmed to do anything else.

"We'll figure all this out and once you feel strong enough, we will tell your Father, together."

"Thank you, Mom!" I respond in sheer relief as she gathers me up again for another hug. "Okay, you boys have dish duty. I'm taking my daughter out for some much-needed bonding time."

Dillion is about to protest, but my Mom levels him with a look.

"We got this, Mrs. Fischer. You and Cat go enjoy yourselves," Alex says.

"What are you going to do until I get back?" I ask Alex.

"What are you trying to imply, Tiger? That I'm not good company."

"I didn't say that," I reply to my brother.

"I'm sure we'll manage just fine," Dillion says, putting an arm around Alex. "How much trouble can we possibly get into? It's only going to be a couple of hours." Mom and I frown at him.

Alex just smiles and lets out a laugh. "Go on, you two. Go have fun. We promise the house will still stand when you return."

"Mostly," Dillion teases and gets another warning look from my mom. "Kidding," he says, with that famous grin of his.

______

Mom and I enjoy a wonderful day of pampering. She springs for a spa day, so we get facials and massages. I feel so much more relaxed as the day goes on, even though I still have my concerns about telling Dad. To be completely honest, I may be even more concerned with what Dillion may share with Alex about me.

My mom has a ton of advice about the pregnancy and about the baby. The more she talks about it, the more excited she is getting about the idea of being a Grandmom.

We go clothes shopping and she shows me some tricks on how to dress to keep from showing until it becomes unavoidable. "What are your plans for school, Cat?"

"I'm so close to finishing. I simply can't quit now."

"Well, I guess that makes sense, since you are going to need to support yourself and the baby. It will certainly be easier if you have your degree to back you up, but that is a lot of stress on you."

"I know, but I have to try."

"You're right, of course, but if it becomes too much on you, Cat... promise me you won't sacrifice your health or the baby's to push through? It's not worth it. We'll find another way."

"I promise." I think I have an entirely new wardrobe by the time we return home. There is no way I am going to fit all of this in my suitcase. I can't remember when I have had this much fun with my Mom or I felt this close to her.

We are laughing and giggling when we come in the door, but our mood is squashed when we enter the foyer and find my father is already home.

"Look who I found out on the golf course," my Dad says, beaming.

"Hey, Cat."

I can't believe I'm staring at Liam.