“What?” Her mother’s eyes widened again. “But you said you love him.”

“His parents are awful,” she muttered. “Especially his mother. They treated me like a gold-digger, and it made me feel like one. I know I never really talked about what happened in Christchurch, but you must have heard.” Donna nodded. “None of those rumors were true, but they still made me feel cheap. I can’t deal with feeling that way for the rest of my life.”

“Honey, you marry the man, not his parents.”

“I can’t ask him to distance himself from his parents for my benefit. It wouldn’t be fair.” She drew back a bit and studied her mother’s face, every beloved line and freckle of it. “I couldn’t stop seeing you because of a man. How could I ask him to stop seeing his mum?”

“Sometimes you have to make sacrifices for love.”

Her statement shocked Aria silent. When had her mother become so practical? She sputtered. “Shouldn’t you be on my side, Mum?”

Donna squeezed her shoulders and glanced up as the door opened wider and Justin and Cooper strode in. “I’m always on your side, love.”

“Hey, baby sis.” Cooper scooped her into a bear hug while Justin stood scowling in the doorway. “Dad texted and said you have some big news.”

Of course he had. Nothing stayed secret for long in the Simons household.

“I’m having a baby,” she said, resigned to the fact that everyone in the town would know by morning.

“Congratulations!” Cooper gathered her into another hug. He was the first person to congratulate her. She felt stirrings of excitement. A mother. She was going to be a mother, and her brothers had proved already that they would make great uncles. Kids loved them. Cooper, especially. She couldn’t ask for better support. The thought comforted her.

“How far along are you?” Cooper asked.

“A couple of months,” she replied. “You’re really happy for me?”

“You’ll be a fantastic mum,” he said. “And you’re going to get so porky.”

Aria thumped his arm but smiled. This was brotherly affection at its best.

“It’s Lockwood’s baby, isn’t it?” Justin wasn’t smiling. She nodded. “Where is he?” His tone was harsh. “Anyone can see you’re a wreck, Ri, so either you haven’t told him or he’s neglecting his duty. He should be here to help you through it.”

“That’s not fair,” she argued. “He’s been very supportive.”

The confrontational set of Justin’s shoulders was a challenge. “Then, why are you in this state?”

“I’m just emotional,” she said, brushing it off. “It’s no big deal.”

“I’m going to kill him,” Justin barked, spinning on his heel and marching toward the door.