by MF Isaacs
Kyler shook his head at my dig. “What’s up?”
“I just wanted to ask you to be my best man? I know it is short notice, but there isn’t anyone else I want standing next to me.” I didn’t miss the flash of a smile that he quickly masked.
“Of course Calvin. I’m happy for you and Sierra.” He reached out to shake my hand, but this wasn’t hand shake worthy, so I pulled him into a hug. More than a bro hug, I wrapped him in a full-blown hug, not giving a shit that people could see us.
When we broke apart I thanked him, before telling him to get back to work.
Next on my agenda was to ask Steve. Sierra and I had talked about it the night before. She admitted that she wanted Curtis to walk her down the aisle and thought Steve could stand up with me, since Hannah was standing up with her. I found Steve hanging out at one of the sales desks in the showroom.
I sat down at the desk and waited for him to acknowledge me. “Hey Cal, how’s it going?”
“Good. I just wanted to ask you if you’d stand up with us next weekend? Will you be a groomsman?” His smile was instant and set my mind at ease.
“Of course. I am so happy for you guys.” He shook his head and chuckled, “I honestly thought Hannah and I would get married before you guys.”
“Nah, I knew right away. I just had to convince her and thank fuck she isn’t making me wait any longer.” He was still chuckling as we shook hands. “Let’s sell some cars and go home to our girls.”
We did just that. If I didn’t step up my game, he very easily could take over here as top salesman.
With the guys out of the house Hannah, Amy, and I spent most of the day figuring out the details for the wedding. Thankfully, Las Vegas was notorious for last minute weddings; having one week advance-notice was good by their standards. Plus, the chapels weren’t known for long lavish ceremonies. Surprisingly, there were several appointment times available at my first-choice chapel. Each appointment was allotted a half hour. They had several “package deals” to choose from, without putting much thought into the cost difference, we pre-paid for the deluxe package. The deluxe package includes fresh flowers that we get to keep, as opposed to fake flowers that are reused.
Hannah disappeared while Amy and I hashed out our dinner plans for after the ceremony. It wasn’t something I had a strong opinion about, so I let Amy take the lead on making those arrangements. I had just finished telling Amy that she could choose, when Hannah called my name from down the hall. Rather than yelling back, I made my way down the hall.
“So, good news! I just got off the phone with Mary, I had to make sure she knew I wouldn’t be available during the wedding. She freaked out and wants to take the wedding pictures.” I could feel my freak out coming, “I offered to pay her and she is refusing to accept any money.”
“Did you just say that Mary offered to do our wedding photos? Do you know how huge this is?” I don’t know if she could understand a word I’d just said because it came out screeching from the excitement I couldn’t contain. I seriously started jumping around like a little kid on Christmas morning.
Hannah tried several times to tell me to be quiet or else we were going to have to tell her mom. I totally didn’t care, Mary was going to take pictures on my wedding day. It was something I hadn’t even realized was that important to me. My thoughts quickly turned emotional which meant tears suddenly appeared out of nowhere. Hannah let me have my little freak out before suggesting I take a bath while she told her mom the truth. It was the only way we’d be able to explain the professional photographer that would be taking pictures of our wedding.
The bath was the perfect place for me to reflect on what we managed to arrange and decide what was left on the list. I knew Amy wasn’t going to let anything important get missed, which took a huge weight off my shoulders. Being able to focus on the wedding was the best way to keep my mind from being hyper focused on the baby growing inside my body.
Steve and Hannah made arrangements with most of their professors to take their finals early because they wanted to move before the semester technically ended. It was something I was still struggling with. I knew the reality of me passing a final if I take it on time is slim which means if I take them early there is zero chance I will pass. I remember what the guidance counselor said about my brother’s opinions and realized I am no longer worried about what they think. I do however, care what Calvin thinks. I don’t want him to be disappointed in me if I give up or if I fail.
It was as if thinking about him made him appear, because he knocked gently before walking into the bathroom. His smile produced enough electricity in me to power a small country. His dark brown eyes danced with desire and admiration, I could feel them both just by watching his eyes. When he bent down by the tub, he felt the water, which had cooled significantly since I’d first gotten in. “Babe, the water is cold. You need to get out before you catch a cold or something.”
I laughed. “I’ve been in here awhile. It didn’t start out very warm. I was afraid to make it too hot. I thought I remember seeing signs by hot tubs that say pregnant women shouldn’t be in them.”
Without saying a word, he pulled the plug; effectively ending my bath time. He grabbed a towel while I climbed out. “We need to find a doctor and have you seen as soon as possible. I tried to stop at the drug store on my way home, to get you prenatal vitamins but Steve was with me.” Once he was done drying me off to his standard, which included several passes over my growing tits, he led me back into his bedroom where he pulled one of his t-shirts and a pair of old gym shorts for me to wear. I looked ridiculous but he didn’t seem to care, until I pointed out that I wasn’t wearing a bra. His solution was to add one of his hooded pull overs. If I saw myself out and about my first thought would be that I was sick, not pregnant. “Mom is making dinner for everyone, so we aren’t going anywhere. After dinner, we still have a few things to iron out before you leave in the morning.”
My tears appeared as soon as he mentioned me leaving. He pulled me into him and let me cry. He was getting so good at just letting me cry it out. He rubbed my back while whispering to me words that made me cry even more. A light knock on the door pulled me from the cocoon Cal’s arms provided me. It was Luke, “Hey, Mom says dinner is ready. She wants everyone here tonight, since they leave in the morning.” He shut the door without waiting for either of us to respond.
Dinner was amazing. Amy made oriental chicken and fried rice that were better than any restaurant I’d ever had. So far today I hadn’t puked and wanted to keep it that way. The conversation was light and fun. We filled the guys in on all the wedding arrangements we’d made. Kyler took the opportunity to convince his parents that he should be allowed to invite a friend since he wasn’t going to be able to experience Vegas like an adult. Hannah and I aren’t 21 but we would both be busy so it didn’t matter. At first, I didn’t think they were going to go for it, but then he dropped his ace by telling them, “It’s okay. I can just share a room with you guys.”
It was hard to tell you who responded first, Luke or Amy. Apparently, they were looking forward to having their hotel room to themselves.
Everyone planned to watch a movie after dinner, but Cal had other plans when he announced that he and I were done for the day. He confirmed with Hannah and Steve that we were leaving the following morning at six. It was decided at dinner that the earlier we got back, the more time we’d have for studying.
I didn’t want Sierra to leave. It had been a little over a week since they arrived but it feels like they have always been here. It didn’t matter than she was going to be my wife in one week, I didn’t like the thought that she wasn’t going to be here under the same roof as me. Pregnant or not, I didn’t want to be away from her.
I took her to my room because it was more comfortable. As soon as I had the door shut I pulled my gym shorts off her body, then removed the oversized pullover. She stood before me in nothing but my old t-shirt, yet she looked more beautiful than anyone I’d ever seen.
I could see her emotions, they were building in her eyes. Before she could break down, I pulled the covers back and had her crawl into my bed. Once she was in, I made quick work stripping down to my boxers so I could climb in behind her.
When I snuggled in behind her, she quickly rolled so she could snuggle into my side with an arm across my waist and a leg draped over mine. I ran my index finger slowly up and down her spine, I could feel the tremors running down her body with each pass of my finger. Neither of us spoke for a long time, we were both wide awake lost in our thoughts.
She broke first. “I don’t want to be apart this week. I keep going back and forth with the pros and cons. Hannah and Steve are hell bent on studying and testing before Vegas. Me? Even if I spend every last second studying this week, I would still fail the finals. Shit, I will probably fail the finals if I studied until the normal end of the semester and tested with everyone else. So yeah, that’s the con. The pros, by going back I will be able to see a doctor without everyone knowing. So, despite not wanting to be away from you for the next four nights, I know that I have to be. It’s my responsibility to do what is best for the baby.”
I didn’t make it any easier when I told her, “If you stay I can take you to a doctor.”
She smiled. “I know you think it would be that easy. But do you know any OB/GYN’s in the area?”
“No, but my mom does.”
“Exactly. If I stay, everyone will know before I’m ready to tell them. I know it’s hard to understand that I want to wait to tell everyone. But I want the excitement of our wedding to be about us. As soon as everyone knows about the baby, all focus will instantly shift from us to him or her.” I didn’t respond. Her explanation made complete sense. Our wedding day should be a big deal and I don’t want to take the focus off us for one second.
“So you’ll go to the doctor on campus? Do you have any idea what they’ll do at the appointment? Will they do an ultrasound?” Suddenly I started to panic that I was going to miss something major by not being there for the first appointment.
“I honestly don’t know. When I call Monday to make my appointment, I’ll ask. I imagine they’ll get me the prenatal vitamins and hopefully they can refer me to a good doctor in the area here.”
I am not sure what part of our conversation is turning him on, but something is because I can feel his dick suddenly making an appearance. I shifted my knee down at the same time I trace his stiffness on the outside of his boxers. On instinct, his hips rise off the bed searching for more and I gladly give it. I tuck my hand under the waistband of his boxers, freeing his huge dick. I scoot down his body until my mouth is within licking distance of his already pulsing dick. He let me play for longer than I expected, but I think that had to do with my leisurely pace. It was clear I wasn’t trying to get him off since I hadn’t even sucked him into my mouth. When he final had enough of me exploring, he pulled me up his body, forcing my legs on either side of his hips. Without hesitation, he pulled me down hard on his saliva covered cock. He swiftly removed his t-shirt from my body which was obstructing his view. A view he loved to see, my tits bouncing as I rode him and my pussy taking his cock.
Hopefully the movie was loud enough to hide the obvious sounds of us. Regardless, there wasn’t anything that could stop either of us as we chased nirvana. Mine hit first, the force of it causing my head to tilt back and my eyes to close. As soon as the major crash washed over me, I was able to open my eyes and watch him watch me. Showing him with my eyes open, the vulnerability I willingly give him. The ripple waves continue to pulse as he holds my hips and empties himself deep inside me, holding eye contact the entire time. I’d heard the term earth shattering, but this gave the term new meaning. My emotions bubbled over, but rather than crying like I’d been accustom to over the last five months, I lost it in laughter. Uncontrollable laughter. I laughed so hard, Cal had no choice but to laugh with me.
Once we got ourselves back under control, I let him have the last bit of my anxiety. “If I tell you that I don’t want to take the finals at all, will that disappoint you?”
He flipped us so quickly, I was shocked he could move that fast. Once I was under him, he brushed the hair away from my face and searched my eyes for answers to his unspoken question. Before answering my question, he brushed my hair away again and held it back as he spoke, “I don’t give a fuck if you drop every class you are taking. I don’t care if you want to stay home. Pregnant or not. Seriously Sierra, my love for you is not attached to you being in school, nor is it attached to you being anything other than you. I want you to be the happiest version of you as possible.”
I wrapped my arms and legs around him in gratitude. He will probably never know what those words mean to me. “Thank you. I love you and hearing you say that just lifted a huge weight off me.”
His smile melted me, “I love you Sierra, more than you know.”
We drifted in and out of light sleep waking twice to make love again. When the alarm went off at 5:30, it felt like neither of us had slept at all. Saying goodbye was hard, but I knew why I was leaving and it was the only thing in the world that was as important to me as Cal.
It sucked ass saying goodbye to Sierra this morning. My natural instinct to protect what is mine was calling for me to demand she just stay, but I understood the reason behind her heading back to campus. It was proof that I chose the best possible mother for my children, because I know she wanted to stay as badly as I wanted her to. She was only leaving because it’s what is best for our baby.
The baby she doesn’t want me to tell anyone about. Seriously, she doesn’t want me to say anything about the biggest gift I have ever been given. I understand her reason for that too, but it doesn’t make it any easier to keep my mouth shut. She told me that since we aren’t telling anyone yet, we’ll have the opportunity to find cool ways to make our announcement.
After they drove off, I went back to my bedroom where I immediately collapsed onto my bed face first. The mix of emotions were unreal; happier than I had ever been in my life, while at the same time my heart hurt knowing she would be out in the world without me for the next six days. I felt on top of the world knowing she would be my wife. I also felt like crying because it was still six days away. I suddenly had an all new appreciation for her emotional tears.
After an hour, I gave up on the notion of getting any sleep. I pulled on pair of jeans, tank top with my favorite J. Crew half zip sweater, and my well-loved chucks before heading to the kitchen for caffeine. Mom was already sitting at the table with her own coffee. I could smell her breakfast casserole baking in the oven, which meant she didn’t go back to sleep either. I kissed my mom on the cheek before getting myself coffee. I flopped down across the table from her knowing she was feeling a small portion of the sadness I was feeling. I know she, next to me and Sierra, is probably the most excited about us getting married. Plus, I know she is over the moon that Hannah is moving back.
“Have you thought about what you want to get Sierra for a wedding gift?” The look she is giving me is quickly squashed when she sees the questioning look I am giving her.
“I need to get her a wedding present?”
“Seriously Calvin? Of course you need to get her a present.” Her voice is getting higher and higher.
“Hey, how was I supposed to know. I’ve never been married before. Is she going to get me a present?” I quickly tried to cover when I saw the look she was giving me, the one that told me she was seconds away from freaking out on me. “I’m kidding. Well about her getting me a present anyway. Do you have any suggestions? What did Dad get you?”
I could see I was not helping this conversation because she went from being seconds away from freaking out to embarrassed in the span of two seconds. “Jewelry. Women love jewelry. You didn’t technically buy her an engagement ring this could be your chance to buy her jewelry.”
She was right, I hadn’t gotten her jewelry but it doesn’t mean I hadn’t already looked at jewelry for her. When I thought
about all the rings I had looked at with her in mind, I remembered the saleswoman that helped me. She had given me her business card, which I took a picture of since I didn’t know when I would actually need it. I decided after breakfast I would call her.
Dad and Kyler made their way to breakfast right as Mom pulled the casserole out of the oven. It was always a treat when she made it, seems silly to me since once it was in the oven her work was done, as opposed to standing over the frying pan cooking eggs how everyone liked them. But since I didn’t cook, I really didn’t know anything about it.
Since everyone left that morning, our family Sunday was already a bust. I invited Kyler to go with me shopping for Sierra’s wedding present. I didn’t really invite, I insisted he come with me as part of his best man duties. I called the jewelry store and found out my saleswoman, Natalie, was there but helping a customer. It was all I needed to know, she had made enough of an impression on me that I was willing to drive an hour to buy from her.
We stopped for gas and drinks before hitting the highway. It had been forever since Kyler and I had more than a few minutes alone. Our lives were in two totally different places, which I understood because I’d been where he is not that long ago. I honestly couldn’t help it, I wanted to preach to him about stopping with all the random pussy because some day when his Sierra walked into his life he would suddenly realize getting his dick wet wasn’t that important. I honestly felt like a born-again Christian wanting to preach to the world or a new non-smoker that felt the need to tell any smoker they saw how bad it is for them. It was so hard to keep my mouth shut, but I didn’t want him to suddenly think I was judging him for doing all the things I have done.
We’d been on the road for ten minutes before I finally snapped, I couldn’t hold it any longer, I tried. Really, I did. “So, I have a bunch of shit I want to say. You can take it or leave it. Before I say what I want to say, I need you to understand I will always be your brother and I will be here for you, it may just look differently than it has up until now.” He nodded in acknowledgment when I glanced at him. “I fucked up long before I was your age. I never said no to any female who wanted me. I never misled any of them, they all knew my intentions were simply to get laid. It didn’t matter if she had a boyfriend or if I did her best friend the day before. At the time, I didn’t see a single thing wrong with what I was doing. I was honest and upfront with each and every one of them. Then I met Sierra. I knew from the first day that she was it for me. I also knew that I was nowhere near good enough for her. Do you know how bad it sucked having to tell her, “Thank you for saving yourself for me, oh sorry I gave mine to Corina Butler when I was a punk ass kid.” My heart on the line because I could have ruined a future with Sierra because of Corina Butler.”