I'm holding onto our bundle of sonograms as we make the short drive home and Liam and I are still in awe over the little bean in my belly. It is too soon to determine the sex but they were able to see a perfect bean shape on the monitor. When we pull back into my parking space Liam cuts the ignition and then looks at me, "Well, should we call your mother or my mother first?" He asks me and I glance to the picture one more time before answering him, "My mother. We need to tell your mom about the Topher fiasco too which will be a longer conversation. I think it's best that she knows he's made a surprise appearance in our lives."

Liam gives me a slight nod, "Yeah I thought about that too. As far as I know they haven't spoken since he left her house in Highland Park ten years ago. I don't even know if he knows that she moved to Austin."

"Who knows, I feel like they could have been in touch this whole time and she wouldn't say anything to us about it." Liam gives me an annoyed side eye. He knows even after all this time that I can't stand his mother and even on our wedding day she made it known that she thought Liam could do better. I bend down and grab my phone that is tucked away in my emerald Chanel bag and scroll to find my mom's number. I tap the audio so it's played through the speakers of my car, so Liam and I can both loudly hear her when she says, "Well hello Ellie, I was just telling your father that it has been some time since I have spoken with you."

Liam and I glance to each other before I answer, "I know mom, life has been crazy busy here in L.A. Oh also Liam is in the car with me."

"Hello Mrs. Adler," Liam says and my mom politely greets him back.

"Oh Ellie, I've been meaning to tell you. Guess who moved back to Highland Park last week? Derek Atwater, remember Derek from highschool?" My mom asks me like I could ever actually forget Derek. I also like that I haven't spoken to her in over a month and the first thing she decides to bring up is Derek while I have Liam on the phone with me.

"Yep mom, we both remember Derek. We're still friends on Facebook."

"Well I guess he moved back here from Northern California and rumor has it that he wants to get into politics here in Texas. Can you imagine Derek being our mayor or governor? Or hell even Senator?" My mom sounds like this could possibly be the coolest scenario to witness but I just roll my eyes to Liam.

"Well if Derek is still our same old Derek I'm sure he'll enjoy campaigning and having everyone ooh and ah him as he moves his way up the ladder," I say flatly knowing how annoying it would be to have my mom save all of his articles in newspapers and drive around to all his different rally's to watch him speak. I really wouldn't enjoy seeing or hearing about Derek all over my home town. I decide to quickly change the subject before she volunteers me for his future campaigns.

"Anyway mom, I was actually calling to tell you something. Liam and I have some exciting news!" I give one more glance to Liam as my mom stays quiet on the other end. I hold up the sonogram even though she can't see it and say, "Liam and I are having a baby!"

Liam and I are smiling as we are expecting squeals of delight from my mother. However, I hear silence on the other end and at first I thought we had dropped the call.

"Mom?" I ask again to see if we have a bad connection but she quickly says, "Oh, that's....well that sure is exciting news isn't it?" Frowning at her lack of enthusiasm I look to Liam and he simply shrugs. This is not the response I was hoping for.

"Yes mom, you and dad are going to be grandparents in eight months!" I say again with a little more enthusiasm. Liam reaches across the console and places his hand on my knee for comfort. He can tell her lack of response has me frustrated.

"I know El, that is just...so...wonderful! How are you going to do this while both of you work over sixty hours of work a week?" She asks with a defensive tone to her voice. She went from unenthusiastic to judgmental in three seconds flat.

Liam cuts in this time, "Oh well, I think Ellie is going to cut down on hours at work. I'll probably stay undercover a little longer instead of making the switch to detective. We'll figure it out." I nod along to his words before she responds, "Both of your careers seem a bit unpractical when it comes to having a new born. I would hate to leave the care of the baby to a nanny or have Ellie sacrifice everything she's worked for to stay home."

My stomach forms a pit as I look to Liam. I don't understand why she is being so negative. I honestly thought she'd be jumping for joy that she will finally have a grandchild. I'm in my late twenties, I have been married for several years and we both have steady jobs. What is she so concerned about? Isn't this what happens? First comes love, then comes marriage then comes a baby in a baby carriage.

"Mom, we'll figure it out alright? I have some time. I'm not sure why you are hounding me about this now but just know Liam and I will be fine. We have months to focus on this and figure out a way to make it work." I snap and Liam glances to me. I'm not usually bitchy to my mom but her lack of support and enthusiasm has me beyond annoyed. She's quiet again and I slump back in my seat waiting for her response. It feels like the silence is ever growing and I shake my head at her. Suddenly, I hear a sniffle coming out of the speakers and both Liam and I look to each other in confusion. Is my mother crying? I throw my hands up in the air but Liam grabs my hand trying to calm me down. Why is she so upset that I am pregnant?

Finally she breaks the frustrating silence when she says, "I'm sorry Ellie, I am happy for you guys I am. I just...I also have some news for you."

"What?" I snap a bit harsher than I intended but I am completely baffled at her behavior.

"We were going to wait until you guys came out for Thanksgiving to tell you but..." There's an unevenness to her voice that's scaring me. Liam feels the panic too and he continues to hold my hand. "Your father is sick honey. A couple of weeks ago they found some tumors in his brain. He was feeling off for awhile when he finally decided to get checked out. They are too big and it would be too dangerous to try and remove them at this stage. They gave him about six months to a year." I hear her break out in sobs while I sit in my seat stunned. My heart feels like a fist in my chest and my hands fly up to my mouth to stifle a sob. How can we have just gotten the best and worst news of my life in the same day? How can I enjoy preparing for parenthood when I am about to lose one of my own parents? Liam immediately grabs me and pulls me out of my seat. He drags me across the middle of the car and hoists me into his lap right before I burst into tears. He cuts the call knowing I need a minute to process and I continue to sob into his chest. I feel his chin on the top of my head as he holds one hand in my hair and the other around my waist. I now have a million questions but I know it's probably incredibly painful for my mother to answer them all. And now she's probably torn about her excitement to be a grandparent knowing my father won't be around to know my child. She probably didn't know how to process it so she went defensive instead of supportive. Liam pulls my face away from his soaked shirt and I shake my head at him, "How is this possible? It's not fair Liam."

He nods, "I know, I honestly can't believe it either. I'm so sorry love. I am so sorry."

He lets me cry into him for I don't know how long but when my eyes are swollen and my face burns from my tears, he finally leads me back into the house. He carries me upstairs and helps me change into sweatpants and one of his soft t-shirts. I feel numb but my brain continues to throw so many questions and emotions my way. I'm exhausted and still in shock. How could she wait an entire month before telling me he was sick? How could she have gone another month with that kind of secret? I was miserable keeping my pregnancy from Liam I can't imagine how my parents have been feeling.

Liam opening the bedroom door distracts me and I watch as he carries in a teacup. He places it gingerly on the nightstand before sitting next to me. He pulls me back into him before saying, "Did you want to call your mom back? Or do you want to process a little longer?"

I shake my head, "I don't think I could handle talking to her right now. The news is hard enough but hearing her cry....I just can't do it right now." I feel Liam nod and he rests his cheek on the top of my head. Between work, Topher, the baby and my father I literally might have a mental breakdown. I didn't realize I had my head open until Liam says, "I know, all this at the same time is too much for anyone. I think you just need to think about what situation you want to tackle first and I'll support whichever way you want to go."

"I hadn't thought about it like that. But you're right I can't do all this at once. I can't fix my job while worrying about my dad while trying to take down Topher while trying to prepare myself for becoming a mother. I can't do it."

"Well Harper comes in tomorrow afternoon. Maybe she can help you figure things out."

I had forgotten that I was supposed to be getting my guest room ready for Harper's arrival tomorrow afternoon. My head must still be open because Liam pulls away from me and says, "I'll go get the room ready. If you need anything shout to me. I'll be down the hall." He kisses me on top of my head before taking his warmth away and leaving me in bed. I hear him trot down the hall and the next wave of emotions comes over me as I stuff my face into my fluffy pillow and bawl my eyes out all over again.