"I still don't see why we have to visit your parents now" Alexis said from the passenger seat of Randy's blue Ferrari Spider. She had a white knuckled grip on the seatbelt and vowed to beg Randy's dad to drive her back to Randy's apartment. She also vowed to herself that she would never let Randy drive if she was with him especially after she had the babies.
"Hun we're in St. Louis and I've met your mom so its only fair that you meet my parents. It won't be that bad I swear. I told my mom about you being pregnant like after we got back together and she was so happy. 'My baby is having a baby of his own. I'm finally going to be a grandma'" Randy said imitating his mother. He pulled up into his parent's driveway and turned off the ignition. Alexis felt herself get pale when he turned the car off. Randy looked over at her and laughed "honey calm down its not like I'm asking you to walk into a den of tigers who haven't eaten in a week".
"You've already met and known my family before I even met you. I mean, we're engaged, and I'm having your kids, and I am just now going to meet your family. Maybe if you saw things from my prospective, you'd think before telling me to calm down and not worry. Oh and word of warning don't take me to a zoo while I'm pregnant" Alexis said before getting out of the car and slamming the door as hard as she could, knowing that it wouldn't make Randy very happy since he was (over)protective about his car.
"Be glad you are a girl and pregnant" Randy said through his teeth, coming to stand by Alexis. She looked at him, eyebrow raised.
"Bring it, bitch" she said doing the famous hand motions The Rock always did. "I ain't scared, ask Mark I've kicked his ass enough that he knows I won't back down from a fight". Randy rolled his eyes and pulled Alexis to the door.
"Do you know how much trouble I'd be in with my parents if I even jokingly raised my hand to you?" Randy asked her, knocking on the door. "Not that I would anyway cause its wrong" Randy got out before the door opened and Randy's mom stood on the other side, a pleasant smile on her face.
"Well don't just stand there come on in" she said pulling Randy by the arm inside. He laughed and walked in, pulling Alexis with him. She walked in, nervously looking around.
"Sweetie no need to look like a deer in headlights" Randy's mom told Alexis, seeing her look. "I'm Ellen, Randy's mother" Ellen stuck her hand out for Alexis to shake, and she did hoping that her palm wasn't sweating too much. A brunette, young girl came down from upstairs and smiled at Alexis, holding out her hand.
"I'm Michelle, Randy's sister" she said shaking Alexis' hand.
"I'm Alexis but I guess you probably already knew that" she said, knowing that Randy had talked about her to his family a few times. All of a sudden there was the sound of a door opening somewhere at the back of the house and Randy's dad, Bob and brother, Nathan walked into the living room.
"You must be Alexis" Bob said sticking out his hand "I'm Bob, that's my youngest Nathan" Nathan nodded his head in Alexis' direction as a greeting and sat by his mother.
"My family likes to shake hands" Randy said, smiling cheekily at Alexis "you'll get used to it".
"This coming from the boy who came home and stayed on the couch for a week because he caught the flu from a young fan by shaking their hand and wanted his mommy to fix him chicken soup all the time" Michelle spoke up from where she had been sat beside Alexis. Randy glared at her but didn't retort.
"I've been outside with Nathan cleaning up the grill" Bob said, breaking up the verbal confrontation "I thought we could eat some barbecue and eat outside since its so beautiful out today".
"That sounds nice" Alexis said to Bob. Everyone got up then and made their way outside. Bob was right it was beautiful out. There was a slight breeze and the sun was shining warmly. Bob and Randy navigated toward the grill, Ellen, Alexis, and Michelle went to a picnic table to talk and Nathan went and picked up a basketball and started dribbling it around in the grass.
"So Alexis" Ellen said, smiling "tell me about where you grew up. What was that like?"
"Well I was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia. When I was really small I had some sleeping insomnia thing and my dad used to take me outside to look at the stars and tell me all these stories about the galaxies and constellations. Then when I was 11 my dad got a brain tumor. He died 6 weeks later because it was inoperable" Alexis looked sad for a minute before looking up at Ellen with a smile. "And its been my mom and my brother Mark ever since".
"What about how you and Randy met?" Michelle asked. Alexis smiled at the memory.
"I was backstage with my brother when he came into the locker room. I thought 'wow he looks even better in person than he does on tv' and we shook hands and it was like an electric bolt shot through me. I knew right then that he'd be my boyfriend. Then later on he asked me out and I accepted and we've had a great time ever since" Alexis left out the breakup part because it wasn't really important.
"So that's your girl" Bob said gesturing to Alexis with the spatula he was holding. He was wearing a red apron that said 'Kiss the Cook' and a white chefs hat.
"Yeah" Randy said, looking at Alexis with a smile playing on his lips. "That's the future mother of my children". Randy dazedly stared at Alexis, off in his own little world. When she felt eyes on her Alexis looked up. She saw Randy looking at her and smiled at him. He blew her a kiss and she pretended to catch it and place it on her lips.
"Foods ready" Bob called out, breaking the moment that Alexis and Randy had going. He took the pile of meat that he had grilled up and took it over to the table. Everyone started digging in. Alexis dipped one of her fries in ketchup. She held it up to Randy's lips.
"Here hun have a fry" she said cutely. Randy leaned away and looked at her with a semi-serious incredulous expression.
"Honey I'm kinda sorta allergic to ketchup" he said. Alexis' eyes got wide and she dropped the fry on the ground. She put a hand to her mouth and tears came to her eyes.
"I'm sorry" she gasped out, getting up and running inside.
"Shit" Randy said standing up.
"Son what was that about?" Bob asked, looking up at Randy with a confused expression.
Randy sighed and looked at his dad "Lexi was in an abusive relationship a while back. Her boyfriend once beat her up because she brought home some fish to eat and he was allergic to it. Now I gotta go find her". Randy then sprinted inside to find Alexis. Randy saw that the front door was open so he went toward it. He knew Alexis didn't leave because he had the key to the car in his pocket. He found her sitting on the front porch swing, swinging herself with her legs, staring out at the street in front. Alexis had tears silently running down her cheek and she looked miserable. Randy went and sat down beside her. Alexis took a shaky breath and spoke without looking at him.
"I'm sorry" she said quietly "are you mad?" Randy took Alexis' hand in his and made her look at him.
"Sweetheart there was no way you could have known that I was allergic to ketchup. Don't beat yourself up over it. I know it's hard for you to realize that I'm not going to hurt you over something like this, because of what has happened in the past. If I could, I'd go find this Drake guy and kick his ass for what he did to you." Randy kissed Alexis lightly on the lips before continuing. "Sweetie, you got to know that I would never do anything to hurt you. So you handed me a french fry that had ketchup on it. Big deal, I didn't eat it. It's like I already told you, you couldn't have known I was allergic to ketchup or anything. I love you, and I love those two children you are carrying right now. Nothing is ever going to change that."
"1556 Jackson Avenue" Alexis said from her position in Randy's arms. He pulled back and look at her with a confused expression. She giggled and explained "Drake's last known residence". Randy laughed and kissed Alexis on the forehead.
"OK next time we're in Atlanta I'll get Mark and John and we'll go kick his ass" Randy said "but now let's go back and eat. I'm starving. Hey I'll even let you feed me some fries, but not with ketchup maybe mayonnaise though" Alexis laughed and smacked Randy on the arm. Randy and Alexis went back out and finished eating. After dinner Randy's mom told everyone they were going inside to watch a movie.
"Let's watch Steel Magnolias mom" Michelle said, sitting on the loveseat.
"Ewww no way no chick flicks" Randy called out, making a face.
"I'd like to see that actually. It's been so long since I've saw it" Alexis said poking Randy. He poked her back in the stomach and she smacked him.
"One of your babies just kicked me when you did that" she said, smacking Randy again.
"Aww I sorry babies" Randy said, kissing Alexis' belly. "But mommy thinks daddy is going to watch a chick flick and we aren't huh lil man?"
"I'll have you know our daughter is on my side" Alexis said thumping Randy above the eyebrow making him screech like a little girl.
"That hurt" he said, poutingly. "You should make it up to me by saying we don't have to watch the chick flick".
"Randy if you don't side with me then you'll be sleeping on the couch" Alexis said threateningly. Randy's eyes widened and he sighed.
"Ok ok fine we can watch the chick flick" he said looking like a little kid who didn't get his way. Ellen smiled and put the movie in.
"Wimp" Bob said looking at his eldest son and shaking his head.
"Hey that couch is uncomfortable. Plus I can't sleep when Alexis isn't there" Randy said, putting his head down and blushing.
"Awww" Alexis said, wrapping her arms around Randy's shoulder and pulling him to her. He laughed and cuddled up to her.
M'Lynn: crying I'm fine, I'm fine, I'm fine. screaming M'Lynn: I'm fine! I can jog all the way to Texas and back, but my daughter can't! She never could! Oh God! I am so mad I don't know what to do! I wanna know why! I wanna know why Shelby's life is over! I wanna know how that baby ever know how wonderful his mother was! Will he ever know what she went through for him! Oh God I wanna know why? Why? Lord, I wish I could understand! In a firm tone M'Lynn: No! No! No! It's not supposed to happen this way! I'm supposed to go first. I've always been ready to go first! I-I don't think I can take this! I-I don't think I can take this! I-I just wanna hit somebody 'til they feel as bad as I do! I just wanna hit something! I wanna hit it hard! continues sobbing Clairee: Here! Grabs Ouiser by the shoulder and positions her in front of M'Lynn Clairee: Hit this! Go ahead M'Lynn, slap her! Ouiser Boudreaux: Taken aback and confused Are you crazy? Clairee: Hit her! Ouiser Boudreaux: Are you high, Clairee? Truvy: In a frightened tone Clairee, have you lost your mind? Clairee: We'll sell t-shirts sayin' "I SLAPPED OUISER BOUDREAUX!" Hit her! Annelle: in a scared tone Ms. Clairee, enough! Clairee: Ouiser, this is your chance to do something for your fellow man! Knock her lights out, M'Lynn! Ouiser Boudreaux: snatches away Let go o' me! Clairee: M'LYNN, YOU JUST MISSED THE CHANCE OF A LIFETIME! HALF O' CHIQUAPIN PARISH'LL GIVE THEIR EYE-TEETH TO TAKE A WHACK O' OUISER!
At the end of the movie all of the women were sitting there crying. Bob and Nathan were sitting looking bored and Randy seemed to be staring at the wall. Alexis nudged his arm "baby will you go get me a drink".
"Yeah" Randy said clearing his throat "sure honey" he got up hurriedly and walked toward the kitchen, Lexi thought she saw him wipe at his eye but wasn't sure. Randy returned with a coke and handed the can to Alexis. It looked like he had washed his face but Alexis couldn't tell.
"Let's watch something different now. Put in Freddy vs. Jason" Randy told his mom. She rolled her eyes and put in the movie. Alexis sat sideways on the couch where she was leaning against Randy's side. He put his arm over her shoulder and put his hand on her stomach, his favorite place for it nowadays and did what he always did, started rubbing. After a while Alexis got bored of the movie and put her head on Randy's chest. She closed her eyes and fell asleep inhailing Randy's cologne.
When the movie finished Randy looked at his watch "damn we need to go. It's going on 11 pm already".
"Looks like you'll be carrying your future bride" Bob said gesturing to Alexis. Randy looked down and smiled, seeing that Alexis was asleep. He stood up and carefully picked her up in his arms, making sure he had a good grip on her. He then said goodbye to his family before going back to his apartment with Alexis. He thought about what Alexis had said before and made a point to try and drive more carefully. He got them home in one piece and took Alexis up to bed.