44

December-7 months Later-

I never thought I could look so large. My stomach was a round orb of ebony flesh. Snow had been falling like heavy rain and Forrest and Howard and even Jack did their best to keep me warm since I did live at the bar now. My father hated the idea, but mother helped keep him at bay. Arliss and Ray came over from time to time to check on me. Mother did as well, but father never came. He was upset that I moved out, but it was to be expected he knew I was going to move with my husband. Jack quieted down on his bootlegging business since the heavy snow was coming and they already have enough liquor made to still make money.

Rakes was going to target the Bondurants soon, but after he heard word that there were other bootleggers hiding up in the snowy mountains he went for them instead. Ray and Arliss had stopped after Ray had been shot. They don't mess with the business anymore. It was like he was purposely taking out the lower bootleggers until the point Jack and the others were the only ones left. Like they'd be the trophy to end all of this madness. I was sweeping up in the bar doing the usual. I could hardly see the ground my stomach was so big and even momma was surprised to how big I was. Jack and Bertha were in town and Forrest was in the back. Howard was looking me over from his corner of the bar and he got up and came over to me.

"Let me get that Eula." he said. I chuckled up at him at his offer.

"Howard, you have never swept a day in your life. Why now would you choose to help me?" I teased. Howard huffed.

"Come on you're having my niece or nephew and I don't want you to have to work. You should be taking a day off." he told. I grinned and was going to object when my eyes fell over to Forrest who was in his chair counting money. His hat propped up perfectly on his head. I decided to make the old drunk work. I smirked.

"Okay." I said and handed him the broom and began to waddle my way into the back room and slowly I leaned over and placed my arms on Forrest's shoulders and kissed his cheek.

"Hi." I replied.

"Hm." he replied and I grinned and moved around to his side and he turned to me, but was met with my stomach and he just stared at it for a moment before putting his money down on the table and just lifting his hands and slowly moving them over my stomach.

"Are you supposed to be this big?" he asked. I chuckled not really knowing. I have only seen a few pregnant white women back in Chicago. My hands slowly fell onto his hands.

"I don't think so. Mother said she was not even this big with Arliss or Ray. Maybe we are having twins." I told and Forrest's eyes widened a bit.

"Mm…two." he said as if lost in thought about it. That would be interesting to have two kids. I felt something move inside and I gasped.

"Forrest the baby's kicking." I said. He nodded slowly keeping his eyes on my stomach.

"I know…I feel it." he said in a low tone and he rubbed my stomach slowly and I smiled at how interested he seemed in my stomach. I felt a presence near and I looked up to see Howard looking in at us with mild excitement and I smiled.

"Would you like to come feel too?" I asked and Forrest looked up and over at Howard and rolled his eyes.

"Yeah Howard come over and feel." he said and Howard smiled and came over and set the broom aside and moved down and set his hands in the middle of my stomach and his eyes widen. The baby was still somewhat kicking.

"Oh my god." he said breathlessly with a large smile and he looked up and moved away. "Wow you're gonna have a baby really soon. This is too crazy."

I smiled and looked down at my stomach.

"Yes. I'm going to have a baby. It's going to hurt a lot." I replied and Forrest stood up.

"Now now, don't think about that. I'll be there with you and so will Howard and Jack and the rest of your family." he assured and kissed my forehead. I smiled more at his words and then the door of the store opened up and we all looked to see Ray and Arliss standing around. I was not expecting to see them today so seeing them now made me smile. I moved over towards them and Forrest and Howard followed. My brothers had smiles on their faces and in unison they opened their arms and embraced me and I leaned into their cold bodies. Their bodies were peppered with snow and I pulled back.

"Hey." I said happily. "What are you doing here?"

Ray smiled.

"We're running errands for mom just picking up a few things, wanted to stop by and see if you wanted to come." he explained. It's been a few months since I did anything with them and I thought grocery shopping would be perfect. I nodded and was about to agree, but Forrest was at my side.

"Too cold, Eula doesn't need to be out in such harsh weather. When the snow stops then she can go out." he explained. Arliss frowned.

"She's not going to be out in the cold all day. We know how to take care of our little sister." he said with a deep stare. Howard glared at him easing up behind me more. Ray lifted his head.

"We won't be out long. Thirty minutes the most." he said and I was shocked he was trying to negotiate with my husband. I looked at Forrest's face to see it was hard and unconvinced, but he nodded nonetheless, but not even then did he nod with permission.

"Alright." he said and turned and moved back into his little office. My siblings and I smiled with excitement like when we were kids and they helped me towards the door. Ray gave me his jacket, which was warm from already wearing it, and the two helped me to dad's car. My car was covered in snow and parked by Forrest's truck and once I was inside the back seat the two got in the front and we drove on.

"Man I can't believe we're going to be uncles. Man this is exciting."Arliss told. I smiled and kept my hands on my stomach for a moment.

"Yes soon I will be done with the small cramps and aches and pains that come with the pregnancy." I told. Arliss laughed and looked at me.

"So what color do you think it'll be?" he asked. I shrugged.

"Well I am not sure. I have never seen a colored and white baby mix before." I told him. I noticed Ray hadn't said anything and I wondered what he was thinking or if he was just listening all together. We drove into town and the snow was lightly falling now. I knew Ray must be cold when they helped me out and we were all inside the store I thanked him and gave the coat back.

"Don't mention it. You can wear it on the way back to the bar." he said. He handed me the list of what we needed and I began to move down the aisles ignoring the stares of white men and women who didn't approve of my pregnancy or the fact that I came in with two white men. I knew they were wondering if one of them was the father.