Thanks for the reviews, for those who did.
TRICIA is Nina Dobrev. That is always how I pictured her. I like her hair... dunno why, just do.
Please keep reviewing. I have noticed a drop. Do you guys still like this story? I am starting to worry..
Review!!!
Almost 28 Weeks Along
Named Young Love by Gavin DeGraw. The title fits.
Pregnant? "Pregnant?!" I questioned him.
AJ nodded, his face tight. "Yes," he confirmed, scratching the back of his neck.
"Like me?" I asked, sitting up a little more.
AJ nodded again. "I think there is only one kind, Gabi," he assured me. "We didn't mean for it to happen, Gabriella, I swear. We were being safe, very safe, as safe as you can be," he told me.
"Apparently not, AJ," I replied, feeling a weird sense of deja vu.
He started pacing. "We used a condom every time, Gab," he stated. "Just this one time," he started. "This one time, it broke, but it was only once," he said.
"Once is all it takes," I mumbled. I leaned back a little. I felt that sense of needing to sit down, even though I already was, so leaning back felt appropriate.
"I know," he agreed. "She figured out she might be last night," he went on. "She called me completely freaking, so I went to her. I snuck out, down the tree, and went to her. We talked all night, about it, how it was probably just stress because of school ending. In the morning, she woke me up. She ordered me to go to school, we fought about it for fifteen minutes. She said if I didn't go, she would be very pissed, and tell Mom, so I went after she yelled at me for another minute or two. She stayed home, called her sister, so she could pick her up," he told me.
"Can we get to the point where she is sure she's pregnant?" I wondered.
AJ stopped his pacing, then stood in front of me. "I tried texting her all day, she wasn't answering, I was getting really worried. After school, she finally called me. Her sister and her got every single pregnancy test they could find, they all came out positive," he informed me. I let out a breath, then ran a hand down my face. "She screamed at me for a while, said she didn't want to talk to me ever again. I tried calling her back, she turned off her phone. I don't know what to do Gabi, about anything," he admitted.
I grabbed his hand and pulled him towards me. He sat on the couch next to me. I felt bad for them, both of them. I know how trapped they feel, how they feel like the world is ending, that nothing will ever be the same from this point on. It's not how you should feel when you get pregnant, but when you are in high school and pregnant, it is how you feel. "I know how you feel, Age," I mumbled, a consoling hand on his shoulder.
He shook his head. "No, you don't, Gabriella," he responded in a low, cracky voice. "You're married, you're out of college, this is your time to have babies," he reminded me. "Tricia is seventeen, I'm eighteen, this is not our time," he said. "She's not even a senior," he commented, his head falling to his hands. "I ruined everything for her, at least I am graduating, going to college," he muttered on. "If I am, I don't know anymore. This is all so wrong, Gabriella," he told me, lifting his head. "It wasn't supposed to be like this, I was supposed to go to U of A this fall, she was supposed to follow. We were going to graduate, then get married, and have kids, not before she even finishes high school."
I pulled him into a hug. He didn't cry, but I felt like he wanted to. Maybe it's some mother thing kicking in. "I know this feels like the end of the world," I said into his ear, my hand moving up and down his back to calm him down. "But, it's not, it's just the beginning," I whispered.
"She doesn't even want to talk to me, she hates me," he replied in a somber voice.
We were still hugging. "She doesn't hate you," I assured him. We pulled away from each other. "I know you guys are only teenagers, but being the nosey big sister I am, I watched you two fall for each other," I told him. He smiled a little for a moment. "I know what you have is real, do you know how remarkable that is for high school students?" I asked. "That is a really small statistic, but I know it happens, look at Troy and I," I carried on, my arm looped through his. "The point is, I know it's real. She doesn't hate you, she loves you, she is just very scared," I went on just as the front door opened.
Mickey didn't bark, so I knew it was Troy. He walked over, looking really sexy in his fireman shirt, but I shouldn't be thinking about that right now. "Hey," he greeted, looking at me with a smile, then AJ with a look of confusion. AJ didn't even look at him, his eyes were glued to his shoes.
"Hey," I repeated, leaning over to kiss him before he sat down on the recliner.
AJ was very quiet, I looked a little frazzled, so it didn't take Troy long to guess anything. "So, what's up?" he questioned.
"Tricia is," I started, making AJ's posture tighten. "Tricia's pregnant," I told Troy.
Troy's eyebrows raised. "I.. don't think I know what to say," he said honestly.
"Me neither," AJ mumbled quietly, taking his phone out of his pocket. "I'm going to try and call her again," he told us, standing up, then went out onto the porch.
As soon as he was gone, Troy took his spot next to me. "I thought they were being safe," he said to me.
"They were," I replied.
He started again before I could tell him the rest. "I guess not. Gabriella, I talked to him right before they has sex for the first time, he told me they were both ready. I told him to be careful, even if he knew it felt better without a condom, to use one. He said he would. We may not have used one after we got back together, but we're both adults, they are just kids," he informed me.
"I know, Troy, if you had let me finish I would have told you that they did use a condom every time, it broke once," I filled him in. "Tricia yelled at him, then turned off her phone, he hasn't been able to contact her. He's really scared, Troy," I told him.
"He should be!" Troy exclaimed lowly back to me. "I'm scared when I am twenty four, married, and have a stable life," he added.
My eyes lowered. "You're scared?! I'm scared! I'm having two human beings ripped out of me in about two months," I reminded him. "You telling him he should be scared, and that everything is all fucked up will not help him," I said. "They are both scared, she refuses to talk to him, you adding you two cents in does nothing to help the situation."
"They aren't being ripped out, they are more of sliding out," he corrected. "Nothing can help this situation," he finished.
"Is they are just easily sliding on out, you can do it!" I stated just as AJ came back in, pocketing his phone.
He looked a teeny tiny bit better. "Tricia's phone was on, her sister answered. She said Trish is practically breaking down, she's bringing her over because she keeps asking for me," he informed us. "I'm going to go out front and wait," he said, then jogged to the front door.
I went to get up, but couldn't manage it. "This would be so much more dramatic if I could do this myself," I mumbled as Troy helped me. Once I was up, I turned to face him. "You're being a dick," I accused before walking away.
"I'm being a dick?" Troy questioned, trailing me. "Is this you or pregnancy hormones?" he wondered.
I stopped in the kitchen to turn on him. "This is me," I answered. "You have no idea how scared I am to give birth two months from now, and you generalizing it by saying they are sliding on out, pisses me off," I admitted. "Our little brother just found out he impregnated his girlfriend, Troy. He's scared, he's blaming himself, he is lost right now, and you are agreeing with him," I went on. "I went through this same exact thing in high school, I know how they feel, I really know how she feels seeing as we are both pregnant," I told him. "I thought you, being the caring guy you are, would help, but you are not, and that surprises me."
"We both went through the same thing in high school. I may not have known you were pregnant, but I knew something was wrong, I was as lost and worried as you were. I get that they need help, I do, but telling them everything is okay, that it's all fine, is not the thing to do. They are in high school, this is not a good thing, not right now," he stated.
I started tearing up. "They understand that this is not the right time, that this was not supposed to happen right now. You telling them will just make them feel worse than they already are," I replied. His face looked a little guilty once he saw the tears. "Yes, for your information, the crying is part of the hormones because you're being a jerk," I muttered.
Troy wrapped his arms around me, and I didn't even try to resist. I rested against him, my arms around his middle with my face buried in his neck. I felt his hand move through my hair. "I'm sorry," he apologized. "I know how scared you are about giving birth," he murmured into my ear. I sniffled in response. "You've heard horror stories from your sisters and parents, you saw that awful video of it, it doesn't help, I know. I also know that you are a very strong woman, so that means you can do this. You can give birth, you will give birth, and I will be there right next to you, you know this," he went on.
"I'm sorry for calling you a dick and a jerk," I apologized, smelling him. "And, for making this all about me when AJ and Tricia are going through something major right now," I added.
"Hey, we're going through something major, too," he reminded me. "Plus, I know that you will help AJ and Tricia through this," he went on. "Even if it means putting pressure on you, which I don't like since you are almost seven months pregnant with twins," he commented. "I'm going to help, too," he offered.
I pulled away to look up at him. "Really?" I wondered.
"You think I would stand by this ordeal when you did the crying thing?" he questioned me.
I wiped my eyes. "I didn't mean to, I hate the crying thing, I hate crying," I mumbled. "It does always work, though," I mentioned quietly.
Troy chuckled as we heard a car door slam outside. "I guess Tricia is here," he stated the obvious.
"They'll probably be out there for a few more minutes, I am going to go change," I told him. He nodded. "I will be down in less than five minutes, if they come if you are to be nothing but nice, if you cannot-"
"You're sexy when you tell me what to do," he said under his breath. He nodded after a mean look. "I'll be nice, and supportive, and all that womanly shit," he agreed.
I smiled before making my out of the kitchen and up the steps. "Thank you for calling me sexy," I called over my shoulder. I changed into a pair of comfy preggy jeans and a simple gray scoop neck t-shirt that I looked relatively good in. I ran a brush through my hair then threw on a pair of black flats. When I went downstairs, AJ and Tricia were there, getting Tricia a glass of water as they sat on bar stools. "Hey," I greeted them, stepping next to Troy.
"Hi, Mrs. Bolt- Gabriella," Tricia replied in a croaky voice.
I gave her a warm smile. "How are you feeling?" I asked her.
"Bad," She answered. "But, I think that is more from the news than the actual being pregnant part," she added.
"Her sister left, she had a class. Is it okay if we stay here, at least for a while?" AJ questioned. "I don't want to go home yet," he admitted.
Tricia nodded after drinking some more water. "Me either," she said.
I looked at Troy, who grabbed my hand. "Yeah, you guys can stay here for a while," he told them, making me smile at him.
I woke up the next morning to the smell of coffee, which annoyed me because I am only allowed to have two cups a week. I get three if I sneak one, but no more than that. I had only fallen asleep a little after two due to my babies who would not stop moving around and kicking.
"I know when you're awake," Troy commented in his warm, sexy voice.
I groaned in response.
"You can never stay asleep when you smell coffee," he reminded me. "So, open those pretty brown eyes," he urged.
They flickered open only to see him showered, dressed, along with the coffee in his hand. "If that isn't for me, you're in trouble," I groaned, snuggling into my pillow.
"It is for you, so get up," he replied, so I did.
"This means I forgive you," I muttered, sipping on the goodness.
He chuckled, doing something with my hair. "For what?" he asked.
"Your children kept me up with their constant movement, I blamed you," I answered with smile, then kissed him. "Morning," I greeted, suddenly a little chipper. Probably due to the coffee that I so know he watered down with cream.
"Morning," he repeated. "They asleep now?" he wondered. I nodded with an 'mm-hm' because I was drinking again. "Good, then we can talk about the fact that your little brother and his pregnant girlfriend are on our couch," he told me.
I put the mug down. "You suck," I mumbled, licking my lips.
"Fine, I suck, but you're the one who let them sleep over," he reminded me.
"They were scared and didn't want to go home, what was I supposed to do? Say 'sorry, go on, tell your parents you're with child, see you later'?" I asked.
Troy shrugged. "What would do you if it was Tristin?" he questioned.
"If it was Tristin I would want him to tell me, but I would also expect his siblings and or friends to be there for him, but my son so will not be impregnating anyone until he's at least in college," I answered. "Oh, and married," I finished.
"They have to tell their parents, Brie," Troy insisted. "We didn't, we didn't have to, you had a miscarriage, she's not," he stated. "She is going to have this baby. You heard them last night, she doesn't want abortion, he doesn't want to give it up for adoption," he went on. I was quiet. "Gabriella, they cannot stay here for eight months. We're having two babies soon, they are having one, they are having one a long time away," he went on.
I sighed. "They will not be staying here more than tonight. They are going to school today, that was the deal. If they stayed over, they both go to school," I reminded him. "We'll talk over breakfast, they'll tell the parents tonight," I suggested.
"They better," he mumbled. "Go, get in the shower, I'll make breakfast and wake them up," he told me. "What do you want?" he asked me.
I thought about it. "Pancakes and sausage, a lot of sausage," I told him.
Troy kissed me. "Okay. Get in the shower," he said. "Hey, can you wear something that shows off-"
"If you even say my boobs, we'll be in a fight," I informed him. He cleared his throat as he got off the bed, and left. "Thought so."
I took my shower and changed into a pair of black pinstriped pants and black button up that went to my elbows. It put on my red ruby necklace with it, matching earrings, too, and red peep toe heels. You couldn't even see the simple studs past my wavy hair. I made it wavy today. When I went down stairs, breakfast was done, both AJ and Tricia were showered and dressed, along with eating. I instantly went for the food, Troy following me.
"Do you think you can drop a few of those buttons after school?" he questioned in my ear as I got my plate together.
"You are such a pervert," I accused, piling sausage onto my plate.
He caged me in against the counter as I kept making my plate. "Why? Because I think my wife is sexy?" he questioned as I felt his lips at the back of my neck.
"No, because these aren't my boobs you are liking so much, and because there is so much more going on right now than your want for sex, sex that I don't want," I corrected.
He chuckled. "Can't help it. They are your boobs, they are just enlarged a bit. I love your normal boobs, you know that, but these are nice, too," he told me.
"You are a perv, even if you weren't, I am so not in the mood right now," I informed him, leaving the kitchen. "Hi," I greeted, sitting down at the dinner table.
"You don't have to be," Troy said, following me. "I can do other... things," he stated. I laughed a little. "Not that," he insisted. "That was not what I meant. I were merely telling you my mood, you don't have to be, I am finishing the nursery today, so I can put my mind on that," he told me.
I smiled sweetly at him. "Don't stain anything," I mentioned.
"You know what? We are fighting," Troy responded, trying to hold back a smile himself.
I shrugged. "You brought up my boobs, I get to tease you, we are fighting," I agreed. "Are you really finishing the nursery?" I asked.
"I can't tell you, we're fighting," he replied.
I glared, then went on to eat. "I hope we're like you in six years," AJ spoke up.
Tricia smiled at us, then her smile fell a little. "We're telling our parents today," she said. "Separately. We thought it would be better for each to tell our own parents," she explained.
AJ nodded, looking from Tricia to us. "Will you be there?" he asked Troy and I. "Gretchen is going to be there for Tricia, I was just wondering if you two would be there for me," he went on.
Troy nodded. "Of course, Age," he assured him instantly. "You may not understand, but we do know how you guys feel, and eventually, things will get better than they are now. Eventually you won't be as scared, you'll have things figured out. Your parents will be pissed, but that will ware off in time," he told them.
I smiled at my husband, then to AJ and Tricia. "You two will be okay in time, too," I carried on. "The first three months suck," I honestly told Tricia, who nodded. "Morning sickness is horrible, but after, it gets easier," I said.
"Finish eating, you have to leave soon," Troy instructed. "And, I have to finish painting the nursery." I decided to make the babies' room a milk chocolate brown with purple and blue stuff in it. The cribs, separately, will have blue and purple attachments and blankets. We found white rocking chairs, one with blue stenciling, one with purple. We're still working on it. Our parents got us cribs, we know this because they told us not to buy them. My baby shower is Sunday. Today is Friday. I'm excited.
I should have been more understanding and supportive, I get that. AJ was seriously shaking with fear, scared out of his mind at the thought of telling our mother he got Tricia pregnant. To me, for some reason, it wasn't that big of a deal, but I know it should have been. It was a relief for me to know they really love each other. It was a relief to me to know that they were both acting like adults with this, for the most part. It was a relief to me that they are really willing to try and work this out so neither of them have to give up their dreams. They don't know what they are going to do yet, but Tricia told AJ he was not going to not go to college, he had to. Just like she was going to finish high school.
I should have been more understanding and supportive, I get that, but I really have to pee. While we stood outside my childhood home, I tried to act like I didn't, but Troy knows the 'I have to pee' face, so he commented on it. "There are bushes over there if you really gotta go," he offered, pointing towards them.
Yeah, we're still 'fighting' a bit. "Oh, yeah, look," I agreed, pointing the other way, making him turn his head, which I then smacked.
"Ow, Brie," he whined, rubbing the spot I smack. "You have rings on that hand," he mumbled.
"Only another minute, I swear," AJ promised, trying to work up courage to enter the house.
I patted his shoulder. "Buddy, I don't think I have a minute, I have a baby using my bladder as a trampoline," I told him.
"Can we go in before she blames me for that, then hits me again?" Troy questioned.
"AJ, I love you, but I am going in," I stated, breaking our stance to go up the steps, and into the house. "Hi, Mami, Richard, I'll hug you after I pee," I called out as I ran for the bathroom. I did my business quickly, then went back out to the living room where my parents were. AJ was there already, Troy, too. I hugged Richard and then my mom. "Hi, Mami," I greeted.
She wouldn't let me go for a moment. "Hello, mija, how are you feeling?" she wondered.
I shrugged. "Alright. I napped today, so not too tired yet. We ate before coming over, too, so good there. I had to pee, but I took care of that," I listed off. "Troy finished the nursery today," I informed her.
She smiled. "Good, we'll be putting a lot of things in there this weekend," she reminded me. "I know you don't like pink, but I couldn't help but get a few things pink. Most of it is light purple, though, I swear," she added.
I rolled my eyes. "I know even though it said on the invitation light purple is preferred, I'll be getting some pink things, especially since Sharpay is gonna be there," I told her. I looked over at AJ, who I gave a little nod, then looked like he was going to cry.
"Mom, Dad," he started, making them both look over. "We have to talk about something. Can you please sit down?" he asked.
They looked confused, then did as they were asked. "What's going on, son?" Richard questioned.
I took a seat on the armchair myself, with Troy on the arm of the chair itself, with an arm around me. "I'm going to get to that, Dad, just let me explain a little first," he replied. "Actually, there is nothing really to explain, and I need to get this off my chest. I- Tricia is pregnant," he blurted out.
They were both shocked for a moment. "What do you mean she is pregnant?" my mother quickly asked, standing up. Richard was too shocked, still.
"I mean she's pregnant," AJ responded simply.
"Is it yours?" she wondered.
He scoffed. "Yes, Mom, it's mine. Tricia would never cheat on me," he answered. "We don't know what to do yet, but we know we want the baby, and we know we want to be together," he told them.
"You don't know anything," Mami replied.
I wanted to say something, but knowing me so well, Troy wrapped an arm around me, which made me look at him. He gave his head a little shake in 'no' so I wouldn't. This was feeling a lot like deja vu again. It was like when my mom found out Troy and I had sex, she said I didn't love him, I loved having sex with him.
"Mom, I don't know how yet, but me and Tricia are gonna make this work," AJ insisted."We love each other, and we love this baby," he told her.
"You're barely eighteen, AJ!" my mother exclaimed. "You don't know how to raise another life, you haven't even graduated from high school! That girl isn't even a legal adult," she reminded him.
AJ's face tightened. "That girl's name is Tricia, and she's everything to me," he replied. "Don't you know that I know that this wasn't supposed to happen?" he questioned. "That I know that I have ruined a lot for her? She is only seventeen, she is only a junior, and she is pregnant with my child. She spent the whole night telling me that I haven't ruined her life, that she loves me, but I can't believe her," he informed our mother.
"The whole night?" Mami asked, looking towards Troy and I. Oops. "I thought you were staying at Gabi's," she commented.
"I did, so did Tricia," he corrected. "I know we shouldn't have, but we were too scared to come home, so Troy and Gabi said we could stay over for only one night, and only if we promised to go to school," he explained.
My mother turned on us. "You knew about this?" she questioned. "You knew and you did not tell me?" she asked.
"We knew AJ should be the one to tell you," Troy answered.
Mami shook her head at us. "Do you agree with him about this?" she wondered, her eyes on me.
"It's their choice, Mami, if they want to do this, they will," I replied. "You can't stop them," I assured her.
"Like hell I can't," she denied.
Richard finally stood up, out of his shock. "Maria," he started, but no one let him finish.
"You can't, Mami," I insisted. "It's their decision, one they've already made."
She scoffed. "And, I am guessing you support it," she mumbled.
"We both do," Troy spoke up, his arm around me, his free hand intertwined with mine.
"How can you be so stupid, Aaron-James?" she turned on AJ. "With your background how can you do this to yourself?" she asked him. He looked immensely guilty with my mother bringing up his past. She went about it for another five minutes with Richard interrupting with 'Maria' only to have her go on.
I couldn't hold back after that long. "Will you just stop, Mami?" I questioned, but it sounded like a demand. She looked at me. "He knows this wasn't supposed to happen now, that this is not the right time, that everything for him is about to change, be completely different, and you drilling it into him is not helping, it's making it worse," I stated.
"Don't try to compare him to you, you two are different. You're married, you're old enough-"
"I am now," I agreed. "But I knew how he felt once," I admitted.
She looked confused. "What are you talking about?"
Troy squeezed my hand, knowing that it has to come out. "In high school, the same thing happened to us," he informed her. "I got Gabriella pregnant."
All three of them were shocked. "I didn't have an abortion, or the baby, obviously. I had a miscarriage. But, for a few days, I felt the way AJ does," I added on.
Mami was the one I was worried about reacting badly, and she did, but not in the way I thought. "I can't even be here right now," she said aloud, then walked out of the room, up the steps, and was out of sight.
Richard told us he would go talk to her, but it wouldn't be any help, something we knew. He hugged AJ, which AJ was happy to do, then went on his way. "You sure you want to stay here tonight, Age?" Troy asked when we decided to leave.
AJ nodded. "Yeah, it's gonna be like Antarctica, frigid, but you two have done enough," he assured us. "Besides, I'd rather be closer to Tricia with her right across the street," he said.
I hugged him. "Everything will be fine, AJ, it will be," I reassured him.
"Thanks for sticking up for me in there," he whispered back to me. When we pulled away, he looked at us strangely. "Did that really happen to you in high school?" he questioned.
We nodded. "Yeah, but it won't happen to you," Troy stated.
-
Troy worked the next day, but it being a Saturday, I didn't. I slept in, or at least, tried to. I had a horrible dream about childbirth, one I do not want to have again because the pain was excruciating (I hope it doesn't hurt that much in real life) and during it, my mom was yelling at me for getting pregnant. I went in the shower around ten, taking my time. When I got out, I changed into a pair of gray form fitting stretchy sweatpants, and an dark forest green shirt that went to my elbows and had buttons at the bust. My hair was parted at the side, tumbling down my back in waves. Pre-natal vitamins make your hair grow, man. Once I have the babies, I'm gonna set up an appointment with Belle. I also had socks covering my feet.
My back was killing me, my boobs hurt, I had to pee every ten minutes, I was weirdly not hungry, and I felt like crying as soon as I woke up because of my mother. Not to mention the fact that I started watching Lifetime movies, movies I am not allowed to watch because I am pregnant and very emotional.
So, went Troy came home at six after finishing his twelve hour shift, I was crying. Badly crying, along with Kleenexes all around me. And, he brought Tommy with him.
"I do not think I am qualified to handle this," he stated as soon as he saw me.
Troy saw the little logo in the corner of the t.v. screen, then knew why I was crying. "Brie, you aren't allowed to watch the Lifetime Movie Network since you've been pregnant, this happens," he reminded me, sitting down next to me. Tommy went off to the kitchen.
I shook my head, wiping my eye with the tissue. "I h-had to," I stuttered. "It was about this teenage girl," I started, sniffling. "Who had to give her baby up for adoption," I told him.
"Baby, those are the worse ones for you to watch," he stated. "Remember a few weeks ago when you watched that prostitution movie? And, the girl died? You cried for almost an hour," he told me.
I looked at him before tearing up again. "Why would you remind me of that? It's not enough that my mother hates me, but I have to remember that movie about that poor mother with a dead prostitute daughter? It was based on a true story, Troy!" I exclaimed.
"Brie," he whined, hugging me. "Your mom doesn't hate you," he assured me, kissing my hair.
I snuggled into his shoulder. "You saw the way she looked at me. She was so disappointed when we told her about the miscarriage," I whispered. I pulled away from Troy, my crying almost done. "I don't even want to have my baby shower tomorrow if she won't be happy to be there," I admitted.
"Gabriella," he murmured, kissing my forehead. "We're not going to-"
"These are her first grandchildren from me," I went on. "Children, not child, I am having two," I said. "I want my mom to be happy, I want her to usher my around tomorrow, annoying me, but she won't. She won't because I had a miscarriage in high school, she won't because I knew about AJ first, she won't because I'm trying to support him, not tear him down," I stated.
Troy nodded for a second. "Alright, you had your chance to rant, here is my reasoning. Your mother does not hate you, like you could never hate Carmin. She will go to your baby shower tomorrow, which you are having, and she will be happy for you, me, and her grandchildren," he told me. "Yes, she is pissed, but she loves you. You will both suck it up for your children, her grandchildren, and be nice tomorrow," he said.
"I shouldn't have to suck it up! I'm the pregnant one here," I reminded him. "Why do I have to be the bigger person?" I asked. "Metaphorically, we both know I am physically," I added.
"Baby, you know I love you more than anything else," he started nicely. "Because of this, I am telling you that you are going to go to your baby shower tomorrow, you will have fun, and you will collect the loot I know you are dying to see," he told me.
Tommy reappeared, a sandwich in his hand, a beer in the other. Uh, it's barely three thirty, does he need to drink that? "Am I getting paid for helping you finish painting the babies' room?" he questioned, putting his feet up.
"Tommy," Troy sighed, shaking his head.
"What? We did a damn fine job in there, not one smudge," he said.
Troy settled back on the couch next to me. "I'm the one who painted, you," he stopped for a second. "Well, you did that," he finished, looking our friend over. "You ate, drank, then critcized my hand movements," he went on.
Tommy swallowed. "My dad was a painter! I know how to do it right," he defended. "By the way, Gabi, Tanya wants you to call her," he informed me.
"You're talking to Tanya now? Are you gonna do a switcheroo again? I don't think Kara, or my hormones for that matter, can take it," I mentioned.
Tommy laughed. "Ha, funny one, no," he denied. "We were friends before we got together, and now that she is happy with that Kevin guy, kinda generic name if you ask me, we're reconnecting, but not in the physical manner in which we used to," he stated. Troy and I were both silent. Tommy used some nice phrasing in there. "I'm with a teacher, too, I learn things," he commented. "You better have that baby shower, do you have any idea how excited Kara is for that?" he questioned.
I opened my mouth to reply with Troy's hand clasped over it. "What Gabriella was about to say is that she's excited, too, and she can't wait for it because her, along with her sisters, mother, and friends have been planning it for nearly three weeks, and her husband does not have the strength to reschedule it when tomorrow is a perfectly acceptable day to have the baby shower," he said for me. "Right?" he asked me.
His hand dropped. I groaned. "Yes," I mumbled in agreement.
"That's my girl," he replied, kissing my hair. "You hungry?" he wondered.
I shrugged, hungry for the first time today. I nodded. "My back feels like it's been tore in half, too," I informed him. "And, my ankles are swollen, plus," I went on, holding up my bare left hand. "My wedding and engagement rings don't fit anymore!" I exclaimed sadly. "I woke up today, then felt that I couldn't feel my finger, they cut off circulation last night," I grumbled.
"Are you okay?" he asked, looking over my ring finger.
I nodded again. "Yeah, circulation came back after five minutes, but I don't like it," I stated. I want my rings back!
"Let's deal with one thing at a time. What do you want to eat?" he questioned, lacing our fingers together.
"Nothing in there," I answered, gesturing towards the kitchen. I only saw now that Tommy got into the next Lifetime movie. I thought about it. "Pizza, greasy pizza, with peperoni, sausage, and extra cheese," I told him. "I'll eat some fruit before it, just because I know you'll want me to," I added on for his benefit. He keeps insisting I eat healthy.
"I'll order," he responded, getting up. "You, pick up those tissues," he ordered Tommy.
It made him pay attention. "Why me?" he whined.
"Because," Troy answered. "You took the last beer," he finished. "And, for the looks of it, ate the rest of the cheese," he added, then went for the phone.
We got pizza soon after that, which Tommy stayed for. Then, once he was done eating, his brother magically appeared to take him home. His car isn't working too well right now. Him and Troy and gonna fix it tomorrow, along with the on going process of rebuilding Troy's motorcycle. Chad is joining in, plus many of the other guys, except Zeke, Junior will be here, though. My baby shower is in the party room of Zeke's restaurant, or rather, the restaurant he is opening. We are a bit of a test run, if you want to think about it that way.
Troy sat behind me for a while, massaging my back for me. It helped a little, plus it was fun just for him to do it. AJ called, Mami is giving him the silent treatment, Richard is trying to deal with it the best he can, and try to get Mami to talk to him. Tricia's parents were pissed at first, they needed time to talk about it. When they talked to her again, they told her that she better finish high school, and they'll help her anyway they can, but it better be her and AJ taking care of the baby, no grandparents or aunts or uncles taking over. She assured them her and AJ were taking full responsibility. They are getting together tonight to talk, think about things, start to figure out what they can. Felix and AJ already had a long talk, I know this because I am the nosey sister.
After my massage, Troy ordered me to a bubble bath, something I was happy to go along with. I spent an hour in there, relaxing. It helped with my back a little, too. On an embarrassing note, I needed Troy to help me out of the tub. When I went downstairs wearing pajama pants and one of Troy's t-shirts, I decided to have seconds on the pizza.
"Hey," Troy got my attention as he came up from downstairs, Mickey at his feet.
I smiled at him, then patted Mickey's when when he looked up at me for attention. His eyes begged for my crust, so I gave it to him.
"Your mom call?" he questioned, kissing me after I took a sip of my applejuice. I dunno, with this pregnancy, I love Troy's smell and applejuice. Can't get enough of them.
I frowned. "Are you trying to make me cry?" I questioned, crossing my arms.
He shook his head. "Exactly the opposite, just wondering is all," he insisted. "I didn't think she would, where do you think you get your stubbornness from?" he asked rhetorically. I glared a little. "Anyways, turn around," he ordered. I sighed, then did as told. "I know you've been sad all day, because of your mom, and those damn Lifetime movies, so I thought this might help," he suggested as I felt something cold on my neck. I looked down, my wedding ring and engagement rings on a silver chain. "You may not be wearing them on your finger, but you're wearing them."
I smiled very wide. I turned around to face him. I hugged him. "It's perfect," I murmured, holding onto him tightly.
"Everything is going to be alright, babe," he assured me in my ear, his arms around me as well. "Your mom will get over the fact that you had a miscarriage along with the fact that Tricia is pregnant. She'll not only get over it, but she'll be supportive soon enough, and help. You are going to have the baby shower tomorrow, you will hang out with friends and family, and have a good time, even if your mom is not exactly acting normal right now. And, you will be fine when you give birth, I'll be right there next to you, you really should stop worrying so much when we have about three months left in the pregnancy."
I pulled away. "How did you-?" I stopped.
"How did I know that you're really worried, scared, and had a dream about it last night? A few, actually," he informed me. I nodded. "I know you, I know when you are sleeping peacefully, I know when you're dreaming," he told me. "I realize that you're scared, I understand that, I realize you're worried, I understand that, too," he went on. "But, you are going to be fine, we already agreed on getting an epidural, remember? I'll be right there next to you, holding your hand, feeding you those meaningless ice chips," he reminded me. "Your are the strongest woman I know, you'll be able to do this," he reassured me.
"I am excited for it," I mumbled. "I'm excited for the babies to come, and meet them, I am," I repeated. "I just can't help but be afraid of the pain," I admitted.
"I know," he replied, giving me a small smile. "You know your dreams are worse than real life, right?" he questioned.
I nodded. "I know," I whispered.
"Come here," he urged, wrapping his arms around me again. "Everything is gonna be alright."
I went to my baby shower, of course, and tried to be in a good mood about that fact that my mother and I aren't talking because of something that happened in high school. Oh, yeah AJ, too. It still sucked.
"I swear, Gabi, you're killing me," Belle repeated as we sat down for lunch. The plan was for everyone to get here, mingle, talk, look and see how big I am, lunch, presents, then done. A little talking after, too. I made them promise no games, uh uh, I am not that kind of woman who makes all her friends and family plan those horrible games. I refuse. I have to admit, happily, that the present pile is huge. Yay. I am allowed to be happy my children are getting a lot of stuff, aren't I?
I rolled my eyes, running a hand through my wavy hair. I wore a light blue curve-hugging dress that went to right above my knees. Over top of it, I wore a white over coat that was more for fashion, than to keep me warm, but it was doing a pretty good job. It went a little past my but. I wore black knee-high boots with it, boots that have a little bit of a heel. (They actually stop right below my knee.) I did my make up really well, and wore my rings necklace with it, along with a few bracelets.
"Belle, can you please stop saying that? I liked it better when you kept saying I was kidding you," I replied, crossing my legs. My back hurts, my feet hurt, I've peed more times than I can count, my stomach had been touched so many times I'm sure Carmin and Tristin both are pissed by now too, and my mother has barely looked at me all day. Fun.
"You're doing both, chica," Serena responded. "The fact that you look that good this far into your pregnancy is killing both of us, and the fact that you had a miscarriage in high school and did not tell us is making her say the other thing," she finished. "why didn't you tell us?" she asked.
I sighed, looking down. I thought my mom would tell them, but she didn't, I accidentally spilled the beans. They already know about AJ. "I- it was a long time ago, guys," I mumbled. "It- it hurt at the time, a lot, and since it was a miscarriage I didn't think you guys had to know," I got out. "Troy knows, my best friends know, but only because I needed to tell them, I needed someone other than Troy to help me. If you two had been home at the time, both of you, badgering me about it, you would have known," I told them. "I'm sorry, please don't be mad at me, Mami already is," I pleaded.
They both hugged me for a moment. "We're not mad," Belle told me.
Serena nodded. "But, you do know we are here for you, right?" she questioned.
I hugged them back. "Of course," I assured them. "I love you two, you know that, we're sisters," I said.
"If you were a true sister you would tell us the names of the babies," Belle mentioned.
I laughed. "Nice try," I replied. "You'll find out in less than three months, like everyone else," I told them.
"Fine, I'll have you know that almost all the girl things I got you were pink," Serena told me.
She did get me, well Carmin, pink outfits. I found this out once I started opening presents. All the outfits were so cute, pink or not, I loved them all. There was a lot of basketballs on Tristin's clothes, but I didn't mind. I'm kind of rooting for him to play basketball, even if Troy isn't. I did get mostly purple clothes for Carmin, which I was happy about. I got so much clothes, making me very thankful 'cause Troy and I didn't even start shopping for their clothes yet. We're on top of things, right? On top of the many outfits I got, in all sizes, I got two high chairs, one of those things that you bathe the baby in in the bath tub, some baby toys, bottles, bibs, two baby carriers, almost everything.
In the end, all Troy and I needed to do was figure out the stroller situation (buy two or the kind that is two in one?), buy some more clothes, then finish up decorating the nursery. Thinking of that, Troy and I ordered these big name pillows (they weren't that fluffy, just soft and smushy) that we are going to hang on the wall, that of course, that are their names. One ir purple, one is blue, they are going on the wall next to the cribs. The cribs aren't against opposite walls, or in the middle of the room, but in the middle of the wall and the middle of the room, across from each other.
Once all the many gifts were opened (it took forever) my mom and Lucy disappeared. Lucy flew in this morning for the baby shower and is leaving tonight way late in the night. She is busy with work right now, but didn't want to miss this. They were gone for about fifteen minutes, the cousins who came and a few aunts left soon after, I assume to help them with the cribs. Ana did not come, thank God.
I passed the time by hanging out with Tanya, someone I have not seen lately. She's been busy with her new boy toy. "I can't believe how big you've gotten," she cooed against my stomach.
I smiled. "I know, I'm huge," I agreed. "I really don't mind that much," I added. "It is harder to.. you know, though," I mentioned.
Tanya laughed. "It should be. I miss hanging out with you, Gab," she informed me.
"I miss you, too, Tanya, but it's not like you haven't been busy," I commented. She smiled sheepishly. "So, who is this new guy? I can't believe I had to hear about it from Tommy," I accused. "Tommy!"
"I'm sorry," she apologized. "We've only talked a few times, me and him, and it came up," she told me. "His name is Kevin Markson, he's twenty five, he's a vet, and is so sexy," she breathed, in heat. I laughed. "Seriously, he's the Troy to my Gabriella," she insisted.
I laughed again. "That means the sex is great," I replied. She nodded, her eyes wide.
"He's so sweet, too. We're the opposite of what Tommy and I were. We fight once in a while, but not even close to as much, he is so caring, Gabi," she went on about him. "He owns two dogs, too. Their names are Sam and Kesha," she finished.
"I'm happy you're happy," I responded, obviously seeing how much she likes him.
"I am," she stated. "Once the nursery is organized, and the family drama had settled down, call me, we'll come over for dinner. Troy would like him, he is obsessed with old cars like he is," she added.
I nodded, noticing that she was looking behind me. I turned to see my mother, along with Troy's, standing behind two light wooden cribs, one with blue attachments and things inside, one with purple. Adorable! Everyone got quiet for a moment so they could talk. "These babies are Troy and Gabriella's first ones, Lord help them," my mother started, making everyone laugh.
"These are also my first grandbabies," Lucy carried on.
"So, per tradition, we decided to get them cribs, as I have all my other children," Mami said. Well, the whole family got Belle's, but it counts. "Mija, we can't wait for the babies to get here, we're all so excited," she assured me, talking to me for the first time tonight.
I felt my eyes water. Lucy nodded. "But just becasue we can't wait doesn't mean you should be having them anytime soon," she teased. I laughed, standing up.
I walked over to my mom, hugging her tightly. She hugged me back just as tight. "Thank you, Mami," I whispered in her ear, desperately trying to keep the tears away.
"I'm sorry, mija," she apologized, pulling away a little. "I love you, you know that," she told me.
I nodded, blinking the tears away. I moved to Lucy. "Thank you, Mom," I repeated, hugging her.
I hugged my mom again, happy she wasn't mad at me anymore. I then gushed over the cribs, excited.
Everything is coming together now. I'm even sure AJ and Tricia will be fine, eventually.
Here it is.
Next chapter is a big time jump.. then babies! Sorry about the Gabi/Maria reunion, more will be said about it next chapter.
Review please. I've noticed a drop, which is worrying me.
REVIEW!!!
-- Kayleigh