**Whirlwind of Family Secrets: Drama in Katherine’s Home**
Katherine paced the cramped kitchen of their flat in an old part of Pineborough, clutching her phone tightly. Her heart raced as she dialled her husband’s number.
“James, are you coming home soon?” Her voice trembled, betraying her anxiety.
“Almost done, just wrapping up,” James replied, clearly preoccupied. “Everything alright?”
“Hurry up, we need to talk,” Katherine blurted, her tone laced with urgency.
“Is it serious?” Worry crept into his voice.
“Just get home, you’ll see,” she exhaled and hung up.
James dropped everything and sped home, his gut twisting with dread. What could’ve happened? His mind raced through worst-case scenarios, bracing for the unknown.
Twenty minutes later, he burst through the door, tossing his briefcase aside.
“Kate, what’s going on?” he panted.
Katherine met him in the hallway, her face pale, eyes wide with unease.
“Change your clothes, wash up,” she said, forcing calm as she nudged him toward the bathroom. “It’s not an emergency, but this is serious.”
James freshened up quickly and stepped into the living room. Katherine led him to their daughter Lily’s bedroom. The girl sat curled up on the bed, her eyes red from crying.
“Right, what’s all this about?” James asked, keeping his voice steady.
“Ask your daughter,” Katherine snapped, crossing her arms. “Go on, Lily, tell your father what you’ve gone and done!”
Lily stared at the floor, stubbornly silent. James felt irritation bubble up inside him.
“Enough!” He slammed a hand on the desk. “Either you both tell me what’s happening calmly, or I’m going to bed and you can sort it out yourselves!”
Katherine shot Lily a look, then broke the silence.
“Our little princess wants to get married! Right now, no delays!”
James froze, processing the words.
“Married?” He stared at Lily. “To who, if you don’t mind me asking?”
Lily stayed quiet, turning to the window. Katherine continued,
“Nathan Fowler. You remember him—he’s been coming round lately?”
“Oh, that lad,” James nodded, recalling the lanky young man. “So, Lily, is this true?”
His daughter stayed mute, and James raised his voice.
“Stop with the silent treatment! Do I have to beg on my knees to know what’s going on here?”
“Nathan and I love each other!” Lily burst out, her voice shaking. “He’s the best, and we’re getting married!”
James sank into a chair with a heavy sigh.
“Well, at least we’re getting somewhere,” he muttered. “He’s at uni with you, then?”
“Yeah, same course,” Lily mumbled.
“First year,” James said flatly. “Bloody kids…”
“We’re not kids!” Lily flared up. “We’re eighteen—adults!”
“Adults, are you?” James narrowed his eyes. “Then let’s talk like adults. You love each other, fine. But where will you live? How will you pay for anything? Have you even thought about that?”
“That doesn’t matter!” Lily cried. “When you’re in love, nothing else counts!”
James shook his head, exhaustion and frustration battling with the need to understand.
“Lily, how old are you again? You’re acting like a child. Love’s great, but you need a roof over your heads. Food on the table. What’s the rush? No one’s against Nathan—let him come round, meet us properly, his parents too. Right, Kate?”
Katherine nodded, but her face darkened.
“Right,” she said quietly. “But there’s a catch. They *do* have a reason to rush.”
“What, Nathan’s being drafted?” James frowned.
“No, not that. And not him,” Katherine glanced at Lily. “Lily, why don’t *you* tell him?”
“I’m not hiding it,” Lily muttered. “Nathan and I are having a baby.”
James went still, the words echoing in his head.
“A baby?” he repeated slowly. “And what exactly do you plan to do?”
“Get married! Have the baby!” Lily jumped up. “And don’t you dare try to stop us!”
“Calm down!” James barked. “No one’s stopping you. But let’s be practical. Do Nathan’s parents know?”
“He was supposed to tell them today,” Lily said quietly. “We agreed we’d each talk to our own families.”
“And he hasn’t called yet?”
“No…”
“Alright, when he does, let me know. For now, let me eat—I’m starving after all this drama.”
In the kitchen, Katherine set a bowl of hot soup in front of James, but her hands shook.
“What do we do?” she whispered.
“Don’t know, love,” James admitted, staring into the bowl. “Let’s wait and see what his parents say. Maybe we’ll figure something out together.”
Before they could finish, Lily’s phone rang. She darted out, clutching it, then whispered,
“It’s Nathan’s mum. She wants to talk to you.”
Katherine waved her hands, refusing the phone. James sighed, put it on speaker, and pressed a finger to his lips.
“Hello, this is James, Lily’s father.”
“Hello, this is Margaret, Nathan’s mother,” came a cold, sharp voice. “Our son just told us he’s involved with your daughter. And given her… *situation*, they’ve clearly taken things too far. They’ve got plans, apparently. Are you aware?”
“Yes, we’ve spoken to Lily,” James said evenly.
“Good. Then know this—we *absolutely* refuse to entertain this nonsense!” She spat the last word. “Nathan needs to focus on his degree, build a career. Marriage in his first year, let alone a *baby*—that’s not happening.”
“Look, we weren’t exactly thrilled either,” James replied, keeping his cool. “But Lily *is* pregnant. With *your son’s* child, mind you. What do you propose we do about that?”
“That’s *your* problem, James,” Margaret snapped. “First, I’m not even convinced it’s Nathan’s. Second, this ‘I’m pregnant, now marry me’ act won’t fly with us. Your daughter wants a ring—especially from a lad with prospects, a flat, stability. I get it. But as his mother, I’ll make sure this doesn’t happen. My husband agrees. We’ve spoken to Nathan, and he’s on our side. He asked me to tell your daughter to leave him alone. She can do what she wants—keep it or not—that’s *her* business. Goodbye.”
The dial tone hit like a slap. James looked between Katherine and Lily. The girl trembled, tears streaming down her face.
“Right. Heard that?” James said grimly. “We’ll manage. A baby’s innocent—we’ll help you, Lily. Take a gap year, go back to uni after. We’ll chip in with money and childcare. As for *them*… we’ll deal with it later. Absolute scum!” He punched the table. “Go on, cry if you need to, but not for long. We’ll get through this.”
Katherine nodded and said softly,
“I’ll take Lily to our room tonight, make sure she doesn’t do anything daft. You sleep in hers.”
An hour later, the doorbell rang. Grumbling, James went to answer. Nathan stood there—pale but determined.
“Nathan?” Lily gasped, rushing to him. “You came for me?”
“Yeah, I did,” Nathan said firmly, meeting James and Katherine’s eyes. “I’m taking Lily with me.”
“Where to, exactly?” James raised a brow.
“Not sure yet. We’ll rent a place. We’re adults, and I’m asking you not to interfere.”
“Hold on,” James held up a hand. “Your mother said you’re all against this—including you.”
“That’s *her* decision,” Nathan shot back. “Dad just nods along. I pretended to agree, then grabbed my passport, wallet, and came straight here.”
“Interesting,” James studied him. “How will you afford it? Got a place lined up?”
“I’ve got savings from freelance work. I run a blog—got a following. Enough for rent and food till I earn more.”
“Not bad,” James admitted, hiding his surprise. “Kate? What d’you reckon? Shall we let her go? Lad’s got more spine than I thought.”
“I don’t know,” Katherine faltered. “Not at this hour.”
“Fair point,” James agreed. “Right, then. You two still set on marrying?”
“Yes!” Lily and Nathan replied in unison.
“Keeping the baby?”
“*Yes.*”
“Then we’ll back you—with conditions. First”With the storm far from over but hope glimmering on the horizon, they all turned in for the night, knowing tomorrow would bring the first steps of their new, uncharted life together.”