**Whirlwind of Secrets: A Drama in Katherine’s Home**
Katherine paced the cramped kitchen of their flat in an old part of Pineborough, clutching her phone. Her heart raced as she dialed her husband’s number.
“Oliver, are you coming home soon?” Her voice trembled, thick with unease.
“Soon, just wrapping things up,” Oliver replied, distracted. “Why, is something wrong?”
“Hurry up. We need to talk,” Katherine blurted, her tone strained.
“What’s happened?” A note of alarm crept into his voice.
“Just get here—you’ll see,” she exhaled sharply before hanging up.
Oliver dropped everything and rushed home, his stomach tied in knots. What could be so urgent? His mind raced through worst-case scenarios.
Twenty minutes later, he burst through the door, tossing his briefcase aside.
“Katie, what’s going on?” he asked, catching his breath.
Katherine stood in the hallway, pale-faced, her eyes wide with worry.
“Change, wash up,” she said, nudging him toward the bathroom, feigning calm. “It’s not an emergency, but it *is* serious.”
Oliver quickly freshened up and stepped into the living room. Katherine led him to their daughter Evie’s bedroom. The girl sat curled on her bed, knees hugged tight, eyes red from crying.
“Alright, what’s happened?” Oliver kept his voice steady.
“Ask *your* daughter,” Katherine snapped, folding her arms. “Go on, Evie—tell your father what you’ve planned!”
Evie stared at the floor, silent. Oliver clenched his jaw, irritation rising.
“Enough!” He slammed a hand on the dresser. “Either someone tells me plainly what’s going on, or I’m off to bed, and you lot can sort it out yourselves!”
Katherine shot Evie a look, then sighed.
“Our little princess is getting married! Right now, no delays!”
Oliver froze, staring at Evie. “*Married?* To who, exactly?”
Silence. Katherine cut in:
“To Liam Carter. That lad who’s been round lately, remember?”
Oliver frowned, picturing the lanky, quiet boy. “Right. Evie—is this true?”
When she kept quiet, he raised his voice:
“Stop with the silent treatment! Do I need to beg for answers?”
“We’re in love!” Evie burst out, voice shaking. “Liam’s perfect, and we *are* getting married!”
Oliver sank onto a chair, exhaling heavily.
“At least we’ve got somewhere,” he muttered. “He’s at uni with you?”
“Yes, same course,” Evie mumbled.
“First *year*,” Oliver groaned. “Kids…”
“We’re *not* kids!” Evie flared. “We’re eighteen—proper adults!”
“Adults, eh?” Oliver pinched the bridge of his nose. “Fine. ‘Adult’ questions, then. Where will you live? How will you pay bills? Or did love magically sort that?”
“None of that matters!” Evie cried. “Love’s enough!”
Oliver shook his head, torn between frustration and sympathy.
“Evie, are you *hearing* yourself? Love’s grand, but roofs and meals aren’t free. No one’s against Liam—bring him round, meet his folks. Rushing helps no one. Right, Kate?”
Katherine nodded, but her frown deepened.
“True. But… there’s a snag. They *do* need to rush.”
“Oh God, is Liam getting conscripted?” Oliver frowned.
“Not Liam. Not conscription,” Katherine said, eyes locked on Evie.
Evie gulped. “We’re… having a baby.”
Oliver went rigid. “*A baby?*”
“Yes! We’re keeping it!” Evie shot up, defiant.
“No one’s saying otherwise,” Oliver snapped. “But let’s be smart. Do Liam’s parents know?”
“He was meant to tell them today,” Evie whispered.
“And?”
“Not yet…”
“Right. When he calls, you tell me. Now, let me eat—your theatrics starve a man.”
At the table, Katherine set down a bowl of stew, hands unsteady.
“What do we do?” she whispered.
“Dunno, love,” Oliver admitted, staring at his plate. “Let’s hear what his parents say first.”
Before they finished, Evie’s phone rang. She bolted out, then returned, pale.
“It’s Liam’s mum. She wants to talk to you.”
Katherine shook her head, panicked. Oliver switched to speaker, finger to lips.
“Hello, Oliver here. Evie’s father.”
“Naomi Carter. Liam’s mother.” The voice was icy. “Our son just announced he’s *involved* with your daughter. Given her *condition*, it’s clear they’ve been reckless. Are you aware?”
“We’ve spoken to Evie,” Oliver said carefully.
“Good. Then know this—we *forbid* this nonsense! Liam needs his degree, a career. Marriage—and a *baby*—at eighteen? Not happening.”
“Listen, *we’re* not thrilled either,” Oliver countered. “But there’s a baby. Your son’s baby. What’s your solution?”
“Your problem, Oliver,” Naomi spat. “First, is it even Liam’s? Second, this ‘trapped him with a baby’ scheme won’t work. I won’t let your daughter ruin his life. Liam agrees—he said to leave him alone. Goodbye.”
The line died. Oliver glanced at Katherine and Evie—the girl trembling, tears streaming.
“Heard that?” he growled. “Well, we’ll manage. Baby’s innocent. Take a gap year, we’ll help. But those—” He punched the table.
Katherine nodded. “Evie sleeps with us tonight. You take her room.”
An hour later, the doorbell rang. Oliver opened it to find Liam—pale but resolute.
“Liam?” Evie gasped.
“I’m here for you,” he said firmly, meeting Oliver’s gaze.
“Where to?” Oliver crossed his arms.
“Dunno yet. We’ll rent somewhere. We’re adults. Don’t stop us.”
“Your *mother*,” Oliver stressed, “said you’d cut ties.”
“Her choice, not mine,” Liam said. “I took my things and left.”
Oliver arched a brow. “And money? Rent?”
“I’ve got savings—freelance work, a decent blog. We’ll manage.”
“Not bad,” Oliver admitted. “Kate?”
Katherine hesitated. “Not tonight, surely?”
“Right,” Oliver said. “Here’s the deal. You’re set on this?”
“Yes!” they chorused.
“Then we’ll help—*if* you patch things with his parents. Evie stays tonight. Liam, crash on the sofa. No rash moves. No dropping out—Liam, *especially* you. Evie takes maternity leave, catches up later. We’ll chip in, but *you* work. Small wedding now, big party later. Agreed?”
Liam nodded. Evie pouted.
“But I wanted a *proper* wedding!”
“Not now,” Liam said firmly.
“Deal,” Oliver concluded. “Now, *sleep*.”
Later, Katherine squeezed Oliver’s hand in the kitchen.
“How’d you decide so fast?”
“After that witch’s call?” Oliver snorted. “Thought he was spineless. But he stood firm. That’s who I’d trust with our girl.”
Katherine smiled, kissing him. For the first time that night, peace settled—and hope flickered that their family could weather any storm.
