Speak To Me

(Alder)

I hung up the phone before letting out a sigh of relief as I couldn't wait to get the hell out of here. It's beginning to get harder and harder to leave Jolie every morning now that we are practically living together..

But I have a company to run. Now there is an even bigger reason to work harder because in nine months..I'm going to be a dad.. An actual dad..I can't believe it.

Jolie is making every single one of my dreams come true. I mean..I know the timing is a little extreme..but honestly, I wouldn't change a single thing about how our story is going.

There is just one problem though...

I haven't told my mom yet..or any of my family for that matter. I just know she is going to freak the hell out.

"Sir, your mother is on line three." My secretary Hope informed me over the intercom making a heavy sigh escape me.

This is the third time she has called today. She knows something is up and I'm starting to realize that an Alvarez does not give up easily. I am finding that to be very true...especially since I spend a lot of time with my grandparents now.

My grandparents already know about Jolie..and they seem to like her a lot. We actually had dinner with them two times this week so I'm hoping Mom didn't catch wind of that. They don't know about the pregnancy yet though either..so at least I know that's not why she is calling. "Thanks Hope, you can take off early, I can handle everything else."

I pressed the button on my work phone before placing the receiver to my ear.

"Alder David King..I swear to God if you keep avoiding me, I will fly down there myself-"

"Mom..I'm not avoiding you. I've just been busy okay? Now what's going on?" Damn..she has never been like this before. She even used my middle name..

My mom is incredible..she is the definition of Mama Bear and will kick anyone's ass who messes with her kids..not just the blood-related kids either.

My father learned that lesson very quickly..especially when he tried to blackmail me into marrying one of his client's daughters..

Yeah, mom didn't like that one bit. Obviously I didn't..and my dad is in prison now..so you can see who won that argument.

"Alder..you usually aren't like this. I'm getting worried. You aren't even answering Ben or Caspian's calls.." She said more gently this time..the worry very clear in her voice.

"If you were back in Washington doing this, fine..I could just pop into your work and make sure everything was okay. But you are in New York..it's a little harder to do that."

"I know Mom..I've just been busy with the new clients and helping Grandpa with some stuff." I tried to pacify her, knowing she wasn't a fan of Jolie..I told her it was a misunderstanding and that her ex set it all up..but she was still weary.

"Wait..you are helping Grandpa out..with what type of stuff Alder?!" She began to panic..I couldn't help but laugh.

"Like taxes and expense reports...you know he is retired mom..he doesn't do that stuff anymore."

"Mhm..sure he doesn't..that man will never fully retire." Mom grumbled under her breath as I sat back in my chair a little.

"How's everything going over there? Robin is handling the pregnancy okay?" I asked about my other sister-in-law. Knowing my half-brother Ben was stressed the hell out about the babies coming..twins at that.

Oh god..what if Jolie and I had twins too..actually, that would be freaking incredible..and if they were girls at that..they would look just like her too I bet.

"Alder, are you listening?" My mom asked, making me sit up straighter as I tried to focus again.

"Yeah, sorry, it's just been a long day." I lied, trying to cover up the fact that Jolie was all that occupied my mind.

"Maybe you should take a few days off and come back home..it might do you good..I miss you..we all miss you. Our family doesn't feel the same with you gone..but I'm also proud of you. You have grown into such an incredible man.." She choked out at the end, making me sigh..damn..she didn't even know the guilt that was piling up.

Okay..I felt horrible for lying now..I am pretty much engaged with a child on the way and she doesn't even know..fuck.

"Mom..there is something I need to tell you.." I can at least tell her that Jolie and I are officially together..

"What is it? You can tell me anything, Alder." She said in her nurturing voice as I felt like even more of an asshole.

"Jolie and I, well..we are still together..and things are starting to get serious." God, was I sweating now?

"How serious?" Mom countered, making me pause for a moment as I closed my eyes before saying this.

"I'm in love with her and I'm planning on marrying her."

That's when it was my mom's turn to go silent. I felt the words hanging between us as she seemed to be absorbing them.

"She's incredible Mom..you are going to love her when you meet her and I swear you two will get along so well."

"Oh, so I can meet her?" She asked, making my stomach drop.

"I mean..when the time is right..I don't want to pressure anyone."

"Alder..you just told me you planned on marrying this girl..I think the time is right."

"Wait..what does that mean?!" I blurted, feeling like a teenager all of a sudden. How could a woman so small be this intimidating?!

"It means I will be coming to visit very soon..and I hope I can meet this lovely girl that seems to have captured my oldest son's heart." Her words were almost threatening as I tried to swallow down the nerves that began to rise.

"I will send over my flight itinerary soon..love you Alder."

And with that..she hung up..

What the hell?! God..how much more of a coward could I be? I mean..I know I should just tell my mom no and put my damn foot down..but our family is different.

We are close..really close and we have each other's back no matter what. So me keeping this from them..yeah, I'm in big trouble..huge fucking trouble, and when my mom gets here in person. I don't think I can keep the pregnancy a secret..she will know something is up. "Shit, I need to warn Jolie." I grumbled, going to grab my cell phone when a notification immediately went off.

That's when I saw my mom had already texted. It's been like five minutes!

From Mom: See you tomorrow morning!! Love you son and can't wait to meet Jolie.

Attached was her flight itinerary for tomorrow at 9 a.m..and I knew she could've flown in tonight if she wanted to..so at least she loves me enough to give me a few hours to prepare.. Yeah, this might be a disaster..

I have a feeling all hell is about to break loose.