Reality Ever After

by Checketts, Cami

  Her dad noticed Sydney. His voice changed to a softer tone. “Oh, hello, sweetheart.”

  Dad offered his cheek to her. She walked to his side, stood on tiptoes to kiss him, and wrapped her arms around his large frame.

  “How are you this morning, love?”

  “I’m okay. Can you please stop arguing?”

  “We’re not arguing,” he insisted.

  “You’re arguing so well, you can’t even tell there are seven letters in the word.”

  Her dad chuckled.

  Her mother looked her up and down. “Your skirt is too short. Go change.” No cheek was offered for a kiss or even an attempt at a good morning salutation.

  “Mom, come on, everybody wears skirts like this.”

  Her mother arched a perfectly waxed eyebrow. “Don’t talk back to me, Sydney. You are not everybody. You’re my daughter. Now go change.”

  “What a pain in the butt,” Sydney muttered as she turned to leave.

  “Watch your tongue, young lady.” Caroline turned her back on Sydney to continue her fight with her dad. “We will go to my father’s house. He’s lonely and needs us. Besides, it would be good for Sydney. You’re too easy on her. My father won’t put up with her attitude.”

  “Her attitude? She doesn’t have an attitude. Sydney is an angel.”

  “To you, maybe.”

  Sydney slowly climbed the stairs, drawn to their argument like a person witnessing a horrific traffic accident. She wanted to run away, but couldn’t. She changed into jeans, tossing her skirt in her backpack. She’d switch on the way to school.

  “‘You’re not everybody. You’re my daughter,’” she mocked her mother. “Like she cares that I’m her daughter. She just wants to lock me away. If she had a tower and dragon to guard it, she’d use it.”

  Granny lingered on the edge of her bed, laughing. “If I had legs like that I’d show them off.” She glanced heavenward. “Just kidding.” She continued in a monotone voice, “You need to be modest, my love.”

  Sydney wished she could hug her grandmother. “Why couldn’t you be my mom? Then I wouldn’t even have to keep this secret about the baby. You’d deal with it so great.”

  “Ha. I’m a lot more fun now that I’m dead. Don’t kid yourself, love, I wasn’t that great of a mother.” She gazed at Sydney fondly. “You’ll be a hundred times the mother your mom or I could ever be.”

  Sydney blinked back the emotion building in her eyes and laid a protective hand on her abdomen. She and Crew’s baby. They would both love and spoil him or her. She grew more excited about the baby every day. “Thanks, Granny.”

  “Have a great day, love, I’ll be watching over you.” Then her angel disappeared.

  Sydney dashed toward the kitchen, but had to slow her pace as she tasted last night’s dinner.

  “You can’t coddle Sydney her entire life,” Caroline yelled.

  “Mom, Dad,” Sydney interrupted, taking shallow breaths to prevent the inevitable. “Can you please stop?”

  They both looked at her.

  “Better,” her mom said, “but I wish you wouldn’t wear jeans. I’ve bought you so many nice skirts and slacks.”

  Didn’t her mother realize she was seventeen, not seventy?

  “You look beautiful.” Her dad beamed at her. “What would you like for breakfast?”

  “I don’t have time for breakfast,” Sydney said, loving her dad’s praise.

  “At least grab a granola bar or something,” her dad insisted. “I bought you some of those Carnation instant breakfast drinks for when you’re in a hurry.”

  “She doesn’t need breakfast,” Caroline said. “Her stomach isn’t as flat as it used to be.”

  Sydney fought the red creeping into her face. Was she starting to show? Had her mother somehow guessed Sydney’s secret?

  “She’s too thin! I won’t have you cramming your messed up diet methods down our daughter’s throat!”

  “My messed up diet methods? Last time I checked you liked how thin Sydney and I looked. Do you want our daughter to be a blimp?”

  “Stop it!” The stress got to her. She rushed for the laundry room bathroom. She could sense her parents hovering behind her as she leaned back from the toilet moments later.

  “I told you she was still sick,” her dad said.

  “What do you want me to do?” Caroline asked. “Dr. Saunders says she has the flu. He told me she’d get over it.”

  Dr. Saunders was a saint who covered for Sydney when her mom hauled her in for a checkup, but he couldn’t do that forever. Even though she was dreading the confrontation, it was time to come clean. Maybe when she and Crew told her parents the truth they’d be yelling at her instead of each other.

  “Well, she’s not getting over it. You’d better take her back in. Insist on some blood work this time.”

  “No.” Sydney struggled to her feet, trying to smile at her dad through her queasiness. “I’m fine. It was probably something I ate.”

  “Honey, you don’t look fine,” her dad protested.

  “I’m good, Daddy. I need to go. I’m going to be late for school,” Sydney said.

  “Why don’t you stay home today?”

  “I can’t stay home with her,” Caroline said, “I have Bible study group and an eyelash appointment.”

  “You’ll have to cancel them.”

  Sydney wanted to tell them that she could stay home by herself, would prefer it actually. She’d rather go to school and see Crew than be stuck home with her mother, no matter how sick she was.

  “I can’t. The study group is here and Jamie fit me into her schedule before she goes on vacation. If I don’t get my lashes done today it will be two weeks before she’s back. I’d look horrible.”

  “Your eyelashes are more important than our daughter?”

  Sydney slipped out the back door, closing it firmly on their elevated voices. She wondered how long it would be before they noticed she’d disappeared. She climbed into her rusted Nissan Sentra. The car wasn’t much, but she’d paid for it with her earnings from teaching dance and working at the Snow Shack. She was proud to own it.

  Her stomach rumbled as she fastened her seat belt. Pulling a sleeve of Saltines from her backpack, she nibbled on one.

  Fleeing from the house of disagreement, she finally relaxed. Music blared from the stereo. Warm spring wind rushed through her hair. She slid out of her jeans and into her skirt as she drove.

  The saltines worked their magic. She felt close to human as she strode through the front doors of Malad High.

  “Hi, Sydney.”

  “Hey, Sydney.”

  She smiled as she slowed her pace to greet her friends.

  “Hello, Syd.” The voice was deep, throaty, absolutely inspiring. Her friends faded away with knowing smiles and a few envious glances.

  “Hi, Crew.” She turned to face him.

  His handsome face studied her, pausing for a bit too long on her legs.

  “I like your skirt,” he said.

  “Thanks.”

  Crew gently took her arm. “Do you have time for a walk?"

  “No,” she said. “You get me into trouble.”

  “I’ll try not to do anything too troubling.” His smile about did her in.

  “Disappointing,” she managed, trying to remember to breathe, in and out, in and out. She didn’t want to throw up again this morning, especially in front of Crew.

  He escorted her behind the school.

  “How are you feeling today?”

  “So-so. I’ve only thrown up once.”

  “Better than yesterday then.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Take care of my baby.” Crew gently patted her stomach. “Are you getting more...excited about it?”

  “Depends on the hour. When I’m puking, not so much.” She instantly regretted her flippant words. She might not be excited, but she was falling in love with the little spirit inside her and she loved the little one’s father more than she’d
ever dreamed she could love someone.

  His slow smile caressed her. “You know what I like about you, Syd?”

  “I’m sure the list is long.”

  “It is.” He brushed a hand down her cheek and she trembled as he leaned closer. “You’re beautiful, smart, funny, and so strong.”

  “Ha!” she laughed. “I’m not strong. I cry all the time. I can’t stop throwing up. I’m scared to death to tell my parents.”

  Crew gently caught her chin, raising her face until she had no choice but to look him fully in the eyes. “You’re strong. I love you.”

  Sydney’s pulse accelerated. His face began a gradual descent toward hers. She melted into his arms. All that mattered was Crew. His gentle kiss was reassuring and filled with love. He liked to tease her about getting into trouble, but she knew he had been working on repenting and would wait until they were married to do more than kiss. She was so lucky to have him.

  He pulled back. “So Sunday night we’ll break the news?”

  She tried to smile. “Are you afraid?”

  “Are you kidding?” Crew arched an eyebrow. “I’m terrified.”

  “Yeah, right.” Sydney eyed the chest muscles rippling underneath his t-shirt. “Why would you ever be afraid of anything?”

  “What if your dad says no?” A slow, irresistible smile crawled across the sculpted planes of his face. “I’ll have to kidnap you and run to Vegas. I can’t stay away from you.”

  Warmth encompassed her. He wanted to be with her. He told her all the time, but she needed the reassurance.

  “You won’t have to kidnap me. I’ll be running to you.” Sydney moved closer to him. His arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her in. Her pulse resounded in her ears like the pounding cadence of the marching band. She focused on the sensuous curve of his mouth. He smiled, then his lips softened as they gently brushed hers.

  As the kiss grew in intensity, she felt the nausea rising inside of her. She wrenched her face from his, relieving herself on the grass. Crew knelt down beside her, using his sleeve to wipe her face.

  She turned away. “Oh, Crew, I’m sorry.” She was crying now and couldn’t stop. “That was nasty.”

  He lifted her into his arms, cradling her against him. Standing slowly, he moved away from the smell. “It’s okay, sweetie. It’s okay,” he soothed.

  He kissed her forehead, her cheek. “I love you, Syd. You’ll feel better soon. I bet by the time we’re married the sickness will be over.”

  She couldn’t stop the tears racing down her cheeks. “I hope so. I hate this.”

  “But I love you.” He lowered her onto her feet but kept her close, simply hugging her in his strong arms.

  Through her tears she managed a smile. “What’s not to love?”

  He laughed and hugged her closer.

  Chapter Three

  Lifting weights at the small Total Fitness gym was such a release for Sydney. She hadn’t been here for a few weeks, worried it would hurt the baby, but the doctor told her she could continue to do most of the exercises she’d been doing.

  “Excuse me?” The voice was deep and husky, really nice.

  Sydney turned her head to match the voice to a face. A handsome face. Aristocratic, straight angles, the perfect length of dark stubble, and lips that any female would be jealous of…or want to kiss. That face belonged on the big screen, not less than five feet away with a perfectly sculpted body leaning against the cable machine. How had she not noticed him approach and what was he doing here? She knew most people in town and she definitely would’ve remembered him.

  “What does a guy have to do to get your attention?”

  Dark eyes studied her, a full mouth curved into an inviting smile. Too inviting.

  “Excuse me?” Sydney said.

  Was he flirting with her? Everyone in Malad knew she was with Crew, so she hadn’t been flirted with in a long time. It was shocking and flattering, but she almost felt like she was cheating on Crew just looking at him.

  “I’ve been at the free weights for twenty minutes and you haven’t glanced my way once.”

  “Why would I glance your way?”

  “Well, maybe you’re attracted to me.”

  “Why would I be attracted to you?” The guy knew he was smoking hot and it bugged her. Crew was hotter and he would never act like that. This guy was a different kind of hot. Not bulky with muscles, but lean with pent-up power. His over confidence, the very thing that rubbed her the wrong way, also created a magnet that even Syd could feel pulling at her.

  “Some women think I’m attractive.”

  Granny floated behind the guy. “Who does he think he is, James Bond?”

  Sydney hid a smile. “Your momma doesn’t count.”

  “My momma?” He chuckled. “She thinks I’m perfect, but what about you?”

  “Sorry, no.” Sydney turned her gaze, if not her concentration, back to the cable machine.

  “Whoa, whoa, I thought you might be hard to get, but this is ridiculous.”

  “I’m more than hard to get.” She tugged on the cable for a tricep pulldown and risked another glance in his direction. She couldn’t help but enjoy the view and almost found herself smiling at the conversation. Crew was the only one she flirted with. She’d always felt awkward around other boys who paid her attention. This was kind of fun. Then the guilt hit, she almost let go of the rope and touched her stomach. She was pregnant with Crew’s baby. She shouldn’t allow this guy to flirt with her.

  “That’s right, love, tell him off,” Granny encouraged.

  “Why?” he asked.

  “I’m engaged.” That ought to get him to leave her alone.

  “Engaged.” His eyebrows shot up in surprise.

  “Exactly.”

  “Engaged?”

  “Yes.”

  “Engaged?”

  “He is slow,” Granny said.

  Sydney shook her head, biting back a laugh. “E-n-g-a-g-e-d,” she spelled out for him. “Maybe you should ease up on the roids, they’re impairing your thought process.”

  “Ha, good one!” Granny waved goodbye. “I’m off, love, way to put him in his place.”

  Sydney smiled, careful not to say anything so people didn’t think she was crazy. Granny didn’t usually show up when other people were around. She let go of the rope and headed for the free weight section.

  “Engaged, huh?”

  Snot, he followed her.

  “What part of those two syllables are difficult for you?” she asked.

  “You’re too young to be engaged. Are you even out of high school?”

  “Marching in the cap and gown next week.”

  He shook his head. “Where’s your ring? I checked. There’s no ring.” He picked up her left hand, looking suspiciously at her empty third finger. “That isn’t really fair, you know, not wearing a ring.”

  Sydney stole her hand back, not wanting to admit to him that she didn’t have a ring. Could Crew even afford one? Maybe he’d get her a band for the wedding.

  “It’s harmful to a guy’s self-esteem,” he continued. “A beautiful woman turning him down cold for no apparent reason. Then to discover that she’s engaged! That’s harsh.”

  “I’m sure you’ll recover. You seem to have an abundance of self-esteem.”

  Sydney hurried to the entrance, grabbed her keys, and left. She needed to get away from that guy. He was too good-looking and too interested. She had no right to even think about another man. She was committed to Crew and that was exactly what she wanted.

  Chapter Four

  Sydney studied the road outside her bedroom window. She waited for Crew to come as she had so often in the past eight months, but for the first time in their courtship she felt dread instead of anticipation. Her hands pressed against her stomach.

  “So, tonight’s the night?” Granny floated close by, calming Sydney with her presence.

  Sydney gulped and nodded. It had been almost two months since the fateful day they took
the pregnancy test. Sydney begged Crew to wait to tell her parents, but they could wait no longer. Oh, help. If she didn’t love her dad so much she’d run away with Crew and never look back.

  “I love this.” Granny pointed to a ceramics statue of a mother holding an infant. Sydney had made it a few days ago and just fired it today. She usually made bowls, pottery, and statues of dancers. Odd how quickly one’s interests could change.

  “Thanks.” Sydney exhaled. “What am I going to do Granny? Mom’s going to kill me.” She hung her head. “If Daddy doesn’t kill Crew first.”

  Granny laughed softly. “I know you can’t see it right now, but it’s all going to work out. These things always do.” Granny paused until Sydney looked up at her. “You love that young man.”

  “As if that was in question.” Sydney snorted. “He’s everything I’ve ever dreamed of…and more.”

  “Okay,” Granny interrupted. “None of the gritty details. I have to close my eyes enough when I’m around you two.”

  “Exactly how much have you seen?” Sydney reddened.

  “I don’t just hang around all eternity watching you two fawn over each other. Relax.” Granny’s eyes twinkled.

  Crew’s red Jeep crept to a stop in front of the house. Sydney’s heart thudded irregularly, torn between excitement to see Crew and dread of revealing their news.

  “Go,” Granny urged. “I’ll be watching over you.”

  Sydney gave her a smile, more grateful than she could admit for her grandmother’s continued presence in her life. She’d be devastated without her love and support.

  She flew down the wide front staircase, jerking the door open.

  “Hi,” she greeted him. He looked amazing in a button-down white shirt left open at the collar and some grey slacks. His dark hair curled slightly at his neck and those navy blue eyes looked at her so intently, she couldn’t help but walk right into his arms.

  “Hey, beautiful.” Crew kissed her briefly. His hand trembled on her back. “Where are they?”

  “Mom’s cleaning up dinner and my dad’s in his office.”

  “Okay. Where do you want to do this?”