The Right Kind of Wrong: A Brother's Best Friend Romance by Fabiola Francisco (open ebook .TXT) 📗

you were coming, I would’ve made breakfast.” Charlene begins moving around the apartment.

“Mom, calm down. I didn’t want you to stress. Besides, I wanted to surprise you.” Ally hugs her mom. “Let’s talk.”

They sit on the sofa, and I take the armchair next to them. I give them their time to talk, offering to make coffee and tea.

“I have decaf. Would you prefer that over tea?” Charlene looks at Ally.

“Yes, please.” She smiles up at me.

“Coming right up.” I clap my hands and give them their space to reconnect. I know how much Ally missed her mom, and I want to make sure she can talk without interruptions or feeling the need to include me.

“Do you need help?” Charlene appears in the kitchen as I’m placing the mugs, steaming milk, and coffee on a tray.

“I’ve got it. Go back in there.” I motion to the living room.

Instead, she crosses her arms and stares at me. “Everton, huh?”

“I think it’s a great place to raise our son.” I nod. “Besides, I can work from anywhere, fortunately.”

“I want to make sure you’ve thought about this. Everton is very different than the pace and lifestyle you’re used to. Ally will adjust. It’s in her blood to live in a place like that, even if she can happily live in a big city.”

“I know. It took me a bit to wrap my head around it, but I like the town, and I want to be where she is.” I open up to Charlene.

She smiles, placing her hand on my arm.

“I want to marry her,” I confess. All I’ve thought about since last night is buying a ring and getting down on one knee.

“I wouldn’t expect anything less.”

“Not because she’s pregnant, but because I love her,” I explain, wanting it to be understood that when I marry Ally, it will be out of love and not convenience.

“Like I said, I wouldn’t expect anything less. That day you came to see me after Easton’s wedding, I saw you looking at the photos I have, specifically the one of Ally. I figured something was brewing.”

I crack a smile and chuckle. “Nothing gets past you,” I joke.

“She’s my daughter, and you’re like a son. I’ve known you for many years, Camden. Be good to her.”

“I will. So, do I have your blessing?” I lift my eyebrows and give her my best smile.

“You do, and I’m positive you have James’s as well.” Her eyes mist over, and I hug her. I also wish he were here to watch his kids get married and build their families.

“Mom? Are you okay?” Charlene and I step back to look at Ally by the kitchen entrance.

“Of course.” Charlene wipes under her eyes. “We were just talking about your father and how much I wish he were here to meet your baby boy.”

“Mom…” Ally says quietly, walking toward her mother. “I wish he were here, too, but he’s watching over us.” Her words choke up as she hugs her mom.

“I’ll set the coffee in the living room,” I say before carrying the tray out of the kitchen.

Once I set the tray on the coffee table, I walk to the family photos and grab one with James.

“Sir, I’d like to marry your daughter. Charlene gave me her blessing, but I’d like yours, too.” Goosebumps fill my skin as I stare at the most hardworking man I knew, and one of the best people I’ve come across in my life. When I hear Ally and Charlene walking into the living room, I place the frame where it was and sit on the chair.

Charlene smiles at me, knowing something no one else does and asks us about our plans for the future.

- - - - -

“Thank you for coming with me today,” Ally says as we drive back to Richmond. Her eyes close as her breathing becomes steady.

“You don’t need to thank me.” I lift her hand and kiss the top of it.

“I’m so ready for a nap.” She pats her stomach and smiles. “Wanna nap with me?” She turns her head slightly, opening one eye. I turn my attention back to the road and nod.

Quiet peace enters me as Ally holds my hand with both of hers, her thumb stroking my skin. This moment is perfect, and I plan to make it permanent soon. I begin to formulate a plan, think of ways to propose, and what type of ring suits Ally. We’ve got a future to plan that includes her taking my last name.

When we get home, Ally goes straight to my room, getting under the covers as promised. I watch her for a moment before joining her and wrapping my arms around her body.

“Now that we know it’s a boy, should we choose our son’s name?” Her breath fans across my chin.

“I’ve got a few ideas, including those I mentioned a while ago. You?” I brush her hair away from her face, so I’ve got a clear view of those green eyes.

She nods, and her smile grows.

“We know his middle name will be James.”

Ally nods, tucking her lips into her mouth. “Thank you for that,” she whispers.

“No need to thank me, babe.” I kiss her.

“Tell me your ideas.” She perks up and cuddles into me.

“I already mentioned Jasper, Isaac, and Liam. I also like Ryker, Andrew, and Reilly,” I say.

Her expression is pensive. “I thought of Walker or Colton. I like Ryker, too.”

“And I like Walker. So, Walker or Ryker?” I ask, and she yawns in response. Chuckling, I kiss her forehead. “How about we sleep on it and see our favorites after a nap?”

“Yes,” she nods, her eyes already closing.

“Sleep, Kiwi. I’ve got you.”

Before long, my eyes are also closing, and I dream of a brown-haired boy with green eyes calling me Daddy.

chapter 31

Allyson

The past couple of weeks have been interesting. Camden and I have gotten used to living together since I bombarded his life and moved to Richmond without any real plan but to be with him.

Faith has been helping