Author's Note: FINALLY a new chapter. I apologize for putting this story on such a long hiatus but I am grateful to ALL my readers/reviewers. I hope you all are still around because you ARE my inspiration 3. Hope all has been well with you since my last update.
*The title of this chapter is named after a song by Fantasia*
After having an amazing time on their date, Matt drove Rhonda back home like and kissed her goodnight like a true gentleman. He also told her that he'd give her a ride to the airport the next day which, of course, Rhonda truly appreciated. As soon as Rhonda made it upstairs to her apartment, she immediately took a shower and then closed her eyes for the rest of the night.
Back in Hillwood, it was nearly two in the morning when Harold and Sid finished their shifts at Sparkle Grub, a fairly new restaurant franchise. Sid has been employed as a waiter there for over ten months while Harold just completed his first shift as a grill cook. Although the latter just finished his first of five training days, he was getting paid for it which will certainly come in handy. Harold thanked Sid again for helping him get the job and they exchanged hugs.
Meanwhile, Patty was fast asleep in her bed wearing maternity pajamas, snoring lightly. Recently, her parents had dug into their savings to finance a two-bedroom apartment for Patty and even paid two months of rent for her as a head start. She lived on the fourth floor of a six-story apartment building. Patty planned to continue working until her eight month of pregnancy, which was only a couple of months away. Her sleep was interrupted by the sound of heavy pounding on the door. Groaning with annoyance, she got out of bed and tiredly waddled out of the bedroom, through the living room and to the front door. Not only was Patty's slumber disturbed but it was well past 2:00AM; so naturally, she was tempted to scream at whoever was on the other side of the door. Instead, however, she looked through the peephole and saw the unexpected presence of her boyfriend.
Patty opened the door and grunted." Harold, what are you doing here at this time?"
"I came to see you, babe," Harold replied, coolly.
"You couldn't call first?" Patty asked, in a grumpy tone.
"I did but you wouldn't answer my calls."
Patty was stumped right there; Harold was absolutely right and she couldn't argue.
"Are you gonna let me in, Patty?"
Patty rolled her eyes and stepped aside so Harold can enter the apartment. She closed and locked the door behind her and then she took a seat beside Harold on the sofa.
"Well, you do know why I'm mad at you, don't you?" Patty stated.
"Yeah," Harold shrugged." But take a look at me now, babe."
Patty glanced at him briefly and then shrugged." Um….I don't get it."
"Really—take a good look at me, Patty, and tell me what you see," Harold smirked.
"Harold, what kind of game are you playing?" Patty groaned." I'm not in the—"
Patty paused when she watched Harold place his finger over the logo on his shirt that read: Sparkle Grub. Suddenly, she realized that he was wearing a black uniform along with an apron. The stains of hard labor didn't look too flattering but she finally realized something important—her man is employed!
"Harold, you—you're working now?" Patty responded, happily.
Harold nodded and returned her smile." Yes, babe, I'm working."
"Oh Harold….."
Patty leaned towards Harold and kissed him to express just how pleased and proud she was. For the next twenty minutes or so, Harold talked to Patty about everything concerning the job and their future. She was more than delighted to hear Harold being serious and responsible about something for a change. Having been together for so long, Patty had to be reminded exactly why she was so in love with Harold and indeed, there was a reason.
Harold took Patty's hand and rubbed it affectionately.
"I told you, babe, I'm gonna take care of you," he said, sincerely." I'm gonna take care of us."
"I believe you," Patty assured him.
They kissed each other again and smiled, happily.
"Come on, babe, let's go to bed," Patty told him, standing up.
"In a minute—I'm still kinda hungry," Harold said." Got anything to eat?"
"Help yourself; make yourself at home," Patty replied.
Harold stood up and started walking towards the kitchen.
"Don't mind if I do, babe," Harold said." So, when am I moving in?"
Patty didn't respond, she just smiled as an answer. In all honesty, she thought it would be a cold day in Hell before Harold ever left his parents' house, being a 'Momma's boy' and all. Of course, he was more than welcome to live with Patty. After all, they were going to have a family of their own soon.
The next day seemed to have gone by rather slowly as there was a particular event that many were looking forward to—Rhonda's return. Mr. Lloyd was sitting behind the wheel of his Cadillac Escalade in front of the airport with Mrs. Lloyd in the passenger's seat, watching many passengers emerge from the building to greet their loved ones. Their eyes anxiously darted from side to side, hoping to spot their daughter amongst the sea of people walking around. After what seemed like forever, they finally saw Rhonda exiting the building pulling her wheeled luggage. Her long, black Roberto Cavalli coat hugged her body in the cold weather and practically concealed her pregnancy. Rhonda was also wearing matching pants, sweater, hat and boots.
"There's our princess," Mr. Lloyd said to his wife, proudly.
"Aw," Mrs. Lloyd smiled, with a hand over her heart.
He honked the horn of his vehicle, catching Rhonda's attention.
"Mom! Daddy!"
Music to his ears, Mr. Lloyd smiled at hearing his only daughter call him 'Daddy' and watching her waddle towards his vehicle. It seemed like yesterday when Rhonda was less than two years old, uttering her first word….daddy—and waddling towards him as she took her very first steps. Now, she was waddling because, in her womb, she was soon to become a parent herself, thus, experiencing the same joys that made her mother and father so proud when she was just a baby.
Without another thought, Mr. Lloyd emerged from his vehicle and hurried towards his daughter, hugging her with a firm gentleness.
"My little girl," he said, near tears of joy." I've missed you so much!"
"I missed you too, Dad," Rhonda responded.
"We just couldn't wait to see you, sweetheart," Mr. Lloyd continued." That's why I decided to drive here myself instead of sending a limo for you!"
Seconds later, Mr. Lloyd loosened their embrace and kissed Rhonda on the cheek. After that, he grabbed her luggage and placed it in the back of his vehicle. From there, Rhonda climbed into the backseat, reached towards the front and greeted her mother with a hug and a kiss. After everyone was settled into their seatbelts, they drove off, leaving the premises of the airport. As Mr. Lloyd drove on the highway, the three of them conversed.
"Do I dare ask how my wonderful daughter is doing in university?" Mrs. Lloyd said.
Rhonda smirked proudly and replied." Wonderful isn't the word, Mother. I'm prodigious—as always."
"That's my girl!" Mr. Lloyd chuckled, with pride.
Rhonda beamed at her father's praise.
"You never fail to make your father and me proud, sweetheart," Mrs. Lloyd continued." Even now that you're facing the toughest challenge of your life—having a baby—you're still every bit of the strong, intelligent and confident young lady that we've raised. So, I apologize once again for the way we reacted when we found out that you were pregnant."
"It's okay, Mom," Rhonda assured him.
"Well, the important thing is that we're moving forward," Mr. Lloyd insisted.
"You're wrong, dear," Mrs. Lloyd said." That is the second most important thing."
Mr. Lloyd was confused."So, what is the first most important thing?"
"Good question," Rhonda said, equally confused.
"One word—shopping!" Mrs. Lloyd cheered.
Naturally, Rhonda's parents expected her to leap for joy at that word but this time, she merely shrugged with nonchalance.
"Okay, I've shopped quite often in LA," Rhonda stated." It's pretty much the only fun thing I do when I'm not studying or doing homework."
"Have you gone shopping for the baby yet?" Mrs. Lloyd asked.
"Oh—wow….actually, I didn't," Rhonda replied.
"So, what are you waiting for, darling?" Mrs. Lloyd exclaimed." The little prince is going to arrive before you know it!"
Prince. Rhonda thought, as she rubbed her growing belly. I think that's just the name I'm going to give him.
"And if you want, you can invite Nadine and Patty," Mrs. Lloyd added." Baby gear—my treat. What do you say?"
"Mom, they would love that! We would love that!" Rhonda screamed, joyfully." You're the best!"
The Lloyd family continued to chat and catch up until they arrived home. Although it's only been three months since Rhonda went to LA, it felt so wonderful to be back in Hillwood. However, her emotions could no longer be contained when she saw the surprise sitting in the living room of the House of Lloyd. Nadine and Patty, both bulging with pregnancy, were sitting on the sofa with smiles on their faces.
With tears in her eyes, Rhonda's hands flew up to her mouth to muffle a gasp of glee. Seeing her two best friends instantly filled her up with joy. Equally tearful and happy, Nadine and Patty stood up and waddled towards Rhonda as fast as they could. The three of them embraced each other in a group hug, screaming for pure joy and exclaiming how much they missed each other.
"Oh my goodness, girls!" Rhonda cheered." My parents brought you here to surprise me, didn't they?"
"Yes, honey, we certainly did," Mrs. Lloyd admitted.
"Absolutely," Mr. Lloyd nodded.
"Ooooh, I missed you, girls!"
"We missed you, too," Patty and Nadine responded, happily.
Rhonda's parents stated that they'd give them time to catch up in private before they all head to the mall. So, Rhonda took a seat on the sofa with her friends, holding each of their hands. The three of them smiled and examined each other's growing bellies in amazement.
"Woooooow," Nadine murmured." I can't believe how big we're getting."
"Hey, it's no difference for me," Patty shrugged." I was fat before I got pregnant and I'm going to be fat after I give birth."
"Oh Patty, stop it," Nadine scolded, playfully.
"Yeah, how many times have we told you to stop putting yourself down?" Rhonda added.
"Oh, calm down, guys," Patty responded, with a grin." What do I care about my weight? The guy I love is as chubby as can be and he adores every ounce of me."
"Aaaw, Patty, I knew Harold would come around," Rhonda said, with a smile.
"Yeah, he's moving in with me this week," Patty announced.
"That's great!"
"Sid practically lives with me and my family already," Nadine stated." Rhonda, I love him so much. He is amazing. Nowadays, I don't even view getting pregnant as a mistake. Sure, it wasn't my goal to become a mother at such a young age but when you have someone who's willing to love you and take care of you through it all, it's just—beautiful."
"It really is," Patty nodded, in agreement.
Rhonda smiled again and then she became silent after the smile faded.
"What's wrong, Rhonda?"
Rhonda shrugged." Nothing."
Patty and Nadine thought about Rhonda's sudden quietness for a brief second and then they began to figure out what she was thinking.
"Oh, do you miss Curly?" Patty asked, with concern.
Rhonda stared down at her lap and shook her head 'no'.
"It's okay if you do," Nadine insisted, rubbing Rhonda's shoulder." Don't be ashamed."
"No, I don't—"Rhonda said, then paused." Well, I don't miss having him as a boyfriend. I ended it with him, remember? But I'm not going to lie, I threw myself into my studies to keep my mind off of all the drama that transpired between us before I left for LA. His stupid suicide attempt still haunts me to this day and now that I'm back in Hillwood for winter break, it's reminding me again just how alone I am raising this baby."
Nadine and Patty exchange glances and looked back at Rhonda with compassion.
"I mean, don't get me wrong, I'm glad I have you two and my parents," Rhonda continued." But it would be nice to have some sort of stable association with the one who got me pregnant. Curly and I were never meant to be, so I don't regret breaking up with him. I just wish he didn't go so crazy about it. I would feel much better if he handled the breakup more maturely, so we could work together like adults to take care of our child. I may not want Curly back but I do want him to be in his baby's life."
"I see what you mean," Nadine told her.
"Yeah—seriously, he hasn't even found a way to contact me since I left," Rhonda spoke." He doesn't know any of details of my pregnancy—how healthy the baby is, the gender of the baby. He knows nothing because he hasn't even reached out to me and neither has his parents. I mean, does he even give a shit at this point? When he thought I was going to stay in Hillwood so we can be together, he was all happy and willing to be "Super Dad" and stuff like that but since I dumped him he decided to forget about me? Is that how it is now? He can't just leave me stuck like this. How dare he?!"
"Who knows what's been going through Curly's head lately," Nadine sighed." Nowadays, he doesn't even seem like he has a single thoughtin his head."
"I'm confused," Rhonda said, with a puzzled facial expression.
"We saw him about two weeks ago at the grocery store," Patty explained." He was just walking around all sluggishly pushing the shopping cart. He was all pale and emotionless-looking; like a zombie or something."
"He looked like he was doped out on anti-depressants or something," Nadine added.
"He's bi-polar," Rhonda reminded her.
"I know but the point is, he doesn't even seem like…..himself," Nadine insisted." You know how Curly is usually all animated and obnoxious, always making a scene wherever he's at. But now he's just so lifeless and zombie-ish, like Patty described. We wanted to ask him how he's doing but he just looked so out of it that we just decided to leave him alone."
"But why didn't you guys tell me this two weeks ago?" Rhonda asked." I mean, we call, text and skype each other all the time."
"We didn't want to give you anything to worry about," Patty replied, truthfully.
"Yeah, we weren't even sure if you wanted to even hear his name after everything that happened before you left," Nadine explained.
Rhonda stared down at her lap yet again and shook her head, trying to process this unpleasant information.
"Look, all I'm saying is maybe you should give Curly the benefit of the doubt," Nadine suggested." I don't think he's purposely avoiding you or the baby that he helped you create; maybe he just needs time to heal and pull himself together."
"Yeah and rumor has it he did spend a few weeks in a psychiatric hospital," Patty said." You even said yourself that you wanted him to get help. Right?"
Rhonda sighed and replied." Right."
"So, don't worry, honey," Nadine said, giving Rhonda a comforting squeeze on her shoulder." I'm sure he'll get reasonably better before the baby is born. Well, Curly Gammelthorpe will always be Curly Gammelthorpe but, you know what I mean."
Rhonda and Patty laughed at Nadine's last statement.
"It's going to be fine, Rhonda," Patty assured her.
"Aw, you girls are the best," Rhonda said, gently squeezing her friends' hands." You always cheer me up."
"No, you are the best," Nadine insisted." Seriously Rhonda, you're my hero. I might go on and on about how happy and lucky I am to have Sid support me through this pregnancy but I don't know what I'd do if I had to be all alone on the other side of America, going to school, studying and doing homework all while I'm preparing to soon become somebody's mother."
"Ugh, don't remind me," Rhonda groaned.
"No, Rhonda, I'm not trying to rub it in," Nadine assured her." Listen to me, girl. I'm just telling you how strong you are being able to do this without a guy around. I don't know if I could be that strong."
"Neither do I," Patty admitted." I do expect a lot from Harold…..and rightfully so, he did get me pregnant, after all. And God knows he gets on my last nerve at times but he's taking really good care of me. I don't think I could do this without him. So Nadine's right; Rhonda, you are strong. Don't ever doubt yourself."
"Hey, even a diva bitch like me doubts herself at times," Rhonda joked.
They all giggled for a few seconds.
"Precisely why we need to raise a toast," Nadine declared, lifting her hand into the air." Pretend we have a champagne glass in our hands."
Patty and Rhonda exchanged confused glances and then looked back at Nadine.
"Hey, stop looking at me like I'm a weirdo and just raise your invisible champagne glasses in the air!" Nadine exclaimed.
Patty and Rhonda giggled but they did as told.
"I'd like to raise a toast to…" Nadine began.
"This beautiful diva bitch right here?" Rhonda joked, patting herself on the chest.
"No, bitch—to all of us," Nadine shot back, playfully." But yeah, especially you."
"Aaaaw," Rhonda cooed, feeling fluttered.
"I'd like to raise a toast to you, me, Patty and all the other baby mamas in the world," Nadine stated.
"Baby mamas? Ghetto much?" Patty reacted, with a chuckle.
"Girl please, we all got our asses knocked up on prom night and our men didn't even put a ring on it," Nadine smirked." We didn't conceive these babies in a "traditional" fashion, therefore, we are their baby mamas."
Patty shrugged and chuckled again." I guess."
"Good point; I may be a rich, white Catholic girl but I'm as hood as they come…okay?" Rhonda said, imitating a "ghetto accent"." So fuck it; let's toast."
"Fuck it," Patty agreed, raising her invisible glass higher.
"To the baby mamas?" Rhonda said.
"To the baby mamas!" Patty and Nadine cheered in unison.
They clinked their invisible champagne glasses together and laughed yet again. Once again, the three girls embraced each other, relishing being together again for the time being. As promised, the Lloyds took the three of them out to go shopping for baby clothes and accessories. They had a ball and they couldn't stop smiling if they tried. To top off that wonderful night, they had dinner at the restaurant that Sid and Harold worked at. Harold cooked most of the meals that ultimately went to their tables. Although Sid was their server and he made sure that the three of them were granted discounts, Rhonda still tipped him very generously for his service.
Later on that night, the girls all spent the night at Rhonda's, talking for hours and reminiscing about old times until they finally went to sleep. Rhonda's first day back home was fun and amazing but she decided that a conversation with Curly was overdue. She needed to know how he was doing and discuss a parenting plan for their unborn child. Even though Patty and Nadine suggested that she gives Curly time and space, Rhonda insisted on having a talk with him, in person, as soon as possible. So, that's exactly what she prepared to do the following day. Will it go well?