Oh no, we have one more person. My sister stands up from behind a chair, one hand on her back. No one was going to give me my cue ?
You’ve been being a pain I hear. I folded my hands across my chest, going all big sister mode on her.
She turned her attention to our mother. Mom, I’m almost out of school you should be proud of me. I would have dropped out a long time ago.
Marie, just give me a hug. I held out my hands out to her and she sighs, clearly annoyed.
I miss you at the house. She whispered into my ear before pulling away.
Where’s the boys ? I asked.
You know them. She waved it off. I’ll call them later if they didn’t change their numbers. They are always ‘busy.’ I’m starting to think they don’t like to be around us anymore.
And who is that ? She gawked, pointing to Landon and I turned to see him talking to his father.
That’s Landon, my boyfriend.
I thought Mom was lying. She mumbled under her breath.
Shall we sit ? Ruby clapped her hands together before walking to the dining room.
We all sat down. Landon next to me, with Regina on my other side and my family sitting across from me and Liam sitting next to Regina- I did however notice her sliding her chair closer to mine- and Landon’s parents at the head.
We look to the middle to see no food and Ruby hits her head before she gets up, looking oddly embarrassed, and I start to get up out of instinct to go help her. But Richard holds his hand up, signaling me to sit back down as he follows after his wife. A few moments later, Ruby and Richard brings out some type of dish-the only thing that I know of is the bread and the broccoli- my sister looks at the broccoli in distaste.
After we all get our food we make conversation my sister butting in a few times defending herself and we all end up laughing at the end and she blushes before swirling the broccoli around her plate.
So.. Why did we all have to gather here today ? Ruby asked, cutting into her food and I look at Landon, who stopped chewing.
Is it bad ? Ruby asked, putting down her utensils.
No.
Then what is it ? Regina asked.
Well… I start off and Landon squeezes my hand, encouraging me.
Do you want me to say it ? Landon asked as if we were the only two in the room and I shook my head no, even though the palm of my hands were filled with sweat.
We.. Well I’m…. Pregnant. I stuttered over the words and I dropped my head, looking down at my lap. I didn’t want to see anyone’s reaction as I felt it was bad due to hearing the small conversations die away and utensils slapping at the plates and chairs being pushed back.
I KNEW IT ! Lilly cheered, and that’s when I know she was the one to push her chair back. I snapped my head up to see her jumping up and down.
Lilly sit- Liam starts.
Shut up mister you owe me. She states and my eyes widen.
What is with you guys betting ?
It makes life interesting. Lilly shrugs innocently.
Congratulations ! Ruby rushed around the table to me. Let me see. She said, even though my stomach is still a semi-flat. I awkwardly stand up and she places her hand on my stomach and soon all the girls are standing around me.
The attention won’t be on me anymore, Thank god. My sister comments.
Okay, let her breathe. Richard tried to come to my aid against the women.
Well congrats bro. Liam clapped Landon on his back. And everyone thought it was going to be.
Oh please. Lena rolled her eyes. A girl could come up you in the streets saying you were her baby’s father and guess what ? It would be believable.
I don’t get around like that anymore. Liam defended himself.
And when was I going to know ? My Dad chimed in. He was sitting looking perplexed and disturbed that his daughter is pregnant with my boyfriend-that he just met.
Mom you didn’t tell him ? I questioned in curiosity and I snatched my eyes away from him, kind of disturbed to feel his vexed stare.
Get your panties out of a twist and go give my baby a hug. Mom addressed him. Oh and don’t forget to pay up.
He mumbles something and he gets up, walking over to me. Congrats baby girl. His voice was gruff, pulling me into a hug.
You’re not mad ?
Oh I am, I owe my paycheck to your Mom. He pulled back, his eyes narrowed in on Landon. We need to have a talk.
I was hoping you would say that, sir. Landon said and I raise my eyebrow at him. Since when has he called anybody else sir ? And Richard looks startled too.
They both departed away from the group and I felt kind of uneasy but knowing my Dad I know he wouldn’t purposely hurt me. My best friend is pregnant ! Regina rubbed my stomach as if the baby was going to kick. I’m going to be an auntie. She gloated. Well if you’ll excuse me I need the bathroom.
Well let me help you with the dishes. Seeing that everybody had lost their appetite, Ruby started picking up the dishes. Please ? I’m not paralyzed. I said after seeing the tutelage gaze she gave, she didn’t want me doing anything.
Just pick up that platter that’s it. And I do. At the corner of my eye, I see Liam go in the direction Regina left.
I knew you two were going to last. Ruby hooted, cleaning off all the plates. Now all you need is a ring.
Ring ? I choked on my saliva. Uh…
After all you are the only girl he’s ever introduce to me, and I never thought he would because.. I’m not his mother. She stopped washing the dishes, her body stiffening.
He loves you. I reassure her. You are his mother at least to him.
I still can’t believe her. She said, resuming back to cleaning. But it was never my place to say anything to him, or even Richard just a listening hear, ya’ know ?
No unfortunately. Because I did the complete opposite. He talked to her. She turned towards me the foam on her hands present and some fell to the floor.
When ? Her voice was cold and static.
A couple of days ago.
Does Richard know ? She asked. Was she nice to him ? She questioned and the first question I didn’t have the answer to.
He told me she was.
Well good, I thought I had to slap a bitch. She stated and my eyes widen before splitting out a laugh, I never thought that was coming. I’m proud of him, he finally did it. She smiled. Now, go get Landon before your Dad chews him out. She warned me. I know how cavemen work.
I almost forgot. Rushing out of the room, but I stopped taking off my heels. I continued to look for them but two voices stopped me.
Liam, stop. Regina hissed out and I quickly go to the corner not wanting to be spotted.
I can’t act like nothing happened. His voice filled the room and my eyes widen at the sudden thought that Regina and Liam had something going on.
You should be able too, like you do with all the other girls. I could hear her heels clicking on the tile floor but it was halted. Let me go. She warned him.
I look over to see him, with his back facing me and I know Regina couldn’t see me over his large frame.
You don’t want to be with me ? He sounded hurt and angry.
Liam stop this. She snatched her arm away from him. It was one night..
I care about you, why can’t you see that ? He interrupted her. I tried to find you but I couldn’t, and seeing you now..
What ? Seeing me now makes you want to sleep with me again ?
No, it makes me want to make you mine. His hand caught hers. I don’t know how to explain this. She tried to pull away again. Tell me you don’t feel it ? He pressed for an answer. Tell me you don’t care about me.
I know you’ll hurt me in the end, so why bother. She bit out and I almost face palmed myself but I hold quiet. Your sisters seem to have interesting stories about you.
Tell me. He commanded from her, ignoring her jab that he knew was her way of trying to make him stay away. A heartbeat paused was heard, or maybe that was just mine. Regina.
Yes. She submitted to him, giving up the fight.
Can I take you out on a proper date ? Maybe then I wouldn’t be so shallow of a man to you.
Yes- Before the word even slipped out of her mouth, his lips claimed hers.
Eavesdropping ? I heard someone whisper into my ear, and I turn startled to see my man.
N-no. I whisper back, knowing they are still around the corner.
Oh I think you are. He grabbed ahold of my hand, pulling me away from the couple. Come on.
So.. how did it go ? I continued to whisper to him.
Better then I thought it would be. He turned to normal conversation. You don’t have to whisper anymore.
Right.. I cleared my voice. Sorry.
So Liam and Regina ? Landon asked me. And here I thought he was never going to settle down.
Settle down ? We’re still young. You have any plans soon ? I hinted.