Color of Forgiveness

by Madeleine Beckett

  Myra rolls her eyes while Sherri laughs. “Now I wouldn’t do that to sweet Myra,” Sherri says to Susie while giving Myra a wink. “This baby will come when it’s supposed to.”

  “Well, I’m only here a week so I need to help move this labor stuff along and get this baby here fast,” Susie says.

  “I’ve got a way to get that baby out quick,” Chad shouts, causing everyone at the table except for Susie and the kids to groan. “What?” he asks all offended, looking around innocently at everyone.

  “Chad, the kids are here,” Natalie says, sending him with a threatening glare as she rubs Jillian’s back who is fast asleep on her chest.

  “I know that,” he tells her, giving her a ‘duh’ look. “I wasn’t gonna say anything nasty.” A murmuring of groans slips out from around the table again; Chad rolls his eyes. “All I was gonna say is that old Dylan here just needs to play multiple games of poke-her with his deck tonight.”

  “Chad,” Natalie and Sherri hiss simultaneously. Myra covers her face with her hands and just shakes her head. She peeps through her fingers at the others and sees Susie and Jackie giggling while Nick tries to hide a chuckle. Dennis just shakes his head and continues eating.

  Dylan groans and leans over to Myra. “I’m gonna fucking kill him,” he whispers in her ear.

  “Please do,” she whispers back.

  “I think we should make her a special milkshake,” Susie announces, “and put some crazy crap in it like Milk of Magnesia and some Metamucil.”

  Everyone starts laughing and shivering and saying ‘gross’ and ‘disgusting’.

  “That’s awesome,” Chad adds. “And maybe throw in some pickled bologna and sauerkraut.”

  “Yeah,” Susie agrees excitedly, “and some Brussels sprouts and Spam.”

  “She’d be in labor in five minutes after drinking something that nasty and revolting,” Chad says, laughing. “That baby would be like ‘I’m outta here’.”

  “Baby, exit stage left,” Susie adds with a cheer.

  Chad and Susie fist bump across the table.

  “Leave Myra alone,” Dylan grumbles, scooting his chair closer to hers and wrapping his arm around her. She smiles when he puts his hand possessively on her stomach. He leans down and whispers in her ear, “Our baby will come when it’s damn good and ready. Don’t listen to that shit.”

  “I’m not,” she whispers back, rubbing her hand over top of his. They share a secret smile when the baby kicks him. Dylan leans in and puts his lips against her ear. “I love you. You feeling okay?”

  “Yeah. I’m good.”

  “You’re not too tired? I can take you home and get you away from these crazy people.”

  Myra scans the room. Sherri and Dennis’ dining room table only seats eight so they had to add another table and chairs. So the kids are spilling out into the hallway. Jay and Jackson seem to be arguing over something while Joseph slurps a string of spaghetti into his mouth and has sauce all over his lips. Myra smiles as she watches Natalie kiss Jillian tenderly on the forehead. Chad and Susie are still talking animatedly about ways to get her into labor, and Nick just whispered something in Jackie’s ear, making her giggle and blush. Myra’s mouth turns up slightly when she watches Dennis quietly eating, completely ignoring the chaos of the room around him.

  But then her eyes land on Sherri, who is staring back at her with the softest eyes and most tender smile as if she had been watching Myra the whole time. It’s as if Sherri knows what she’s thinking... that this loud, loving family is now her family. It doesn’t matter that she and Dylan aren’t married yet. She belongs. She couldn’t feel a stronger sense of belonging had she been born into this family.

  “Baby, are you tired?” Dylan whispers again against her ear.

  Myra quickly blinks the tears from her eyes. “No. No, I’m good.” She smiles and nods at Sherri, exchanging a knowing look with her. Sherri’s gaze drops to Dylan’s hand on her belly. Her head turns slightly to the side, and she puts her clenched fist over her heart like she’s overcome with emotion.

  “You need to take Myra to the mall,” Jackie tells Susie. “They say walking helps induce labor.”

  Susie’s face scrunches up in disagreement. “But see if I did that, then that would mean I would have to walk with her. I’m thinking more along the lines of maybe having her bounce on one of those therapy balls and just have it bounce the baby right out of her.”

  “Wait!” Chad shouts. “We could rent her one of those jumpy houses and throw her in it.”

  “Perfect!” Susie shouts in excitement. “Let’s do it.”

  “I want the castle one,” Jay shouts from the other end of the table, causing the adults to chuckle.

  “That kind’s lame,” Jackson tells him. “I want the spaceship one.” And that statement immediately launches them both into an argument.

  “Time for dessert,” Sherri announces loudly over top of the many conversations going on around the table.

  “Susie, Susie, Susie,” Chad says, grinning from ear to ear. “Just wait and see what Ma made.”

  “What?” Susie demands as she grabs the edge of the table and holds on tight. “With the words Ma and made smashed together, this has to be spectacular.”

  “Oh, it is,” Chad says. He stands and rubs his hands together greedily. Cocking an eyebrow at Susie, he places both hands on the table and leans towards her. “Ever heard of Peach Cream Pie?” he says in a low voice like it’s a Department of Defense secret.

  Susie’s eyes widen and her mouth drops open. “You had me at the word ‘peach’, Chad, you had me at the word ‘peach’. Bring. It. On.”

  Chad cackles. “Comin’ right up.”

  Chad walks back into the dining room a moment later carrying a dessert plate with a reverent look on his face. “Susie, I have something to tell you. This dessert comes with a warning,” he says in a solemn voice as he sets the pie down in the center of the table between them. “This is by far my favorite thing to eat in the universe, but it does have one horrific side effect. It can make your tongue wanna beat a hole in the roof of your mouth and slap your brain.”

  Susie stares him down with an equally serious look on her face. “My brain has been smacked many a time by this old tongue so it’s used to the abuse. I can handle it.”

  Chad grins and nods at her to get a piece. Susie puts a piece on her plate and everyone sits quietly, watching while Susie takes her first bite. She closes her eyes and slowly chews. Then her eyes pop open, and her face scrunches up her hand flying to her forehead. “Ouch! My brain just got slapped!” she shouts, causing the kids to giggle like crazy. “But I survived it,” she says in a serious voice, holding up a hand to everyone at the table. “I’m good. I’m o-kay.”

  Myra leans over to Susie. “Chad’s holding out on you. Sherri always makes him his own separate pie.”

  “What?” Susie looks up at Chad, her eyes narrowing. “You get your own pie?”

  “Yes, I do,” Chad says grinning proudly.

  “I’ll give you a hundred bucks for it.”

  Chad’s mouth drops open. “A hundred bucks…?”

  Susie nods. “I’m desperate. I’ve been suffering on a diet for the last two months. I left my drill sergeant and food inspector hubs at home so he’s not breathing down my neck right now. I need sweet sustenance and plenty of it.”

  Chad purses his lips. “A hundred bucks is tempting but… I can’t do it. It’s worth more to me than that.”

  Susie turns to Myra. “Can you spot me a loan?” she asks. Everyone busts out laughing.

  “No,” Myra says giggling.

  “Darn.” Susie turns back to Chad and stares at him long and hard. “You ever watch Man vs. Food?”

  Chad stares back at her for a moment before he nods slowly. “I’ve seen every episode… twice.”

  She nods slowly, staring at him like she’s sizing him up. “How about we do a little Man vs. Woman vs. Food,” she says, wiggling her eyebrows. “Are you up for th
e challenge?”

  Chad cracks his knuckles then turns his head side to side, cracking his neck. “What’s the challenge?” he asks.

  Susie turns to Sherri. “Will you make two pies if I pay for the ingredients?”

  “Yes, but you’re not paying for the ingredients,” Sherri says, grinning obviously pleased about the fight over her pie.

  “Okay,” Susie agrees, throwing Sherri a wink before she looks back at Chad. “We split your pie in half. Whoever eats it the fastest gets two pies from Sherri all to their self. You in?”

  Chad looks at Susie like her tongue really did slap her brain. “You think you can out eat me? I’m an eating machine. I’ve got chowing down to an art form. You wouldn’t stand a chance.”

  “You don’t scare me any. I’ve been starving myself half to death for the last two months. Besides, I have a hollow leg. Are you in or not?”

  “For two pies? Oh, I’m in,” Chad says with confidence.

  Sherri walks back into the dining room from the kitchen carrying Chad’s cherished pie. She carefully cuts it in half and gives Chad and Susie each a plate. The boys hover around their dad shouting and jumping in excitement.

  “Okay,” Susie says as both she and Chad stare each other down, holding their forks in the air. “Rules are the first one to clean their plate and swallows wins. Momma Piemaker’s the judge. Got it?”

  “Oh, I got it, and I got this,” Chad says wiggling his eyebrows at her.

  “Ready. Set. Go!” Sherri shouts. The whole room explodes in laughter and shouting as Chad and Susie dig into the pie, shoveling giant forks full into their faces.

  “Go Susie!” Myra shouts, giggling hysterically. Dylan just shakes his head, grinning. Myra can’t tell who’s in the lead because it looks close. But then Chad goes to shove a giant bite into his mouth, and it falls off his fork and flops onto his plate. As Chad’s tries to get that bite back onto his fork, Susie quickly chews her last bite and opens her mouth to Sherri, her arms flying above her head in victory.

  “We have a winner!” Sherri shouts as Susie jumps up and starts dancing her victory dance.

  Myra giggles when she looks at Chad. “I can’t believe it,” he says to himself, a stunned expression on his face. “I just got out eaten by a woman. I’ve lost part of my manhood. I’m never gonna be the same. She just stole my right coconut, stole it.”

  Myra continues laughing as she looks up at Dylan. He’s staring down at her, watching her with a tender look on his face. “You’re so beautiful,” he whispers. “You’re fucking glowing.”

  “Thank you,” Myra whispers, touching his clean shaven jaw.

  “You look so happy.”

  “I am happy. More than I ever thought possible, all because of you.”

  Dylan stares at her for a minute. I love you, he mouths.

  “I love you more,” she whispers.

  * * *

  Dylan shakes his head at his half-hard cock and slips his boxers off, dropping them onto the bedroom floor. Pulling the covers back, he slides in and molds his body up against Myra’s, snaking one arm underneath her head and draping the other one across her stomach. His eyes close as he breathes in the scent of her hair. He’d really like to test out that theory about sex bringing on labor, but he figures Myra’s too tired after the long evening they spent at his parents.

  “You glad Susie’s here?” he asks, moving his T-shirt that she’s wearing out of the way so he can better feel the baby.

  “Yeah, I’ve missed her. She and Chad were so funny tonight.”

  Dylan chuckles. “She sure put Chad in his fucking place.”

  Myra giggles. “I know. That was hilarious.”

  They’re quiet for a few minutes, just both enjoying being so close to each other. Dylan’s hand slowly moves back and forth across her belly.

  Myra clears her throat. “So, how’s your poker deck?” she asks before busting out laughing.

  Dylan chuckles with her. “My poker deck is ready and available,” he mumbles against her neck as he presses his hard cock against her ass. “You wanna play?”

  Myra gasps. “I guess you are ready to play.”

  “I’m always ready to play, but I have to warn you. I excel at poker so you don’t stand a chance.” She moves his hand from her stomach and presses it between her legs. He groans and slips his fingers inside her panties. She spreads her legs as he runs them along her heated lips.

  “You play a lot?” she asks, breathing heavier.

  “Yeah, with just one woman… and I always win.”

  “I don’t mind losing.”

  Dylan slides a finger inside her. “You ready for my spade?” he whispers against her ear before he bites and licks on it. He smiles when Myra giggles, but gasps when she reaches behind her and grabs his cock, stroking it.

  * * *

  Myra’s body trembles and quakes as Dylan slides slowly in and out of her with shallow thrusts. He groans and pants against her neck, riding out his orgasm. After one last guttural grunt, he pulls out and flops on his back on the bed. “Holy fuck,” he pants. “Your pussy is so goddamn hot.”

  Myra smiles but stays on her side. She wants to turn over and snuggle up next to him and lay her head on his chest, but her belly is just too big and it’s too much effort to turn over.

  After a moment or two, Dylan helps her up so she can go to the restroom. She gets back into bed and Dylan spoons up behind to her, draping his arm over her stomach. “I didn’t push in all the way because I didn’t want to hurt the baby. But damn, if that didn’t somehow make that shit hotter.”

  “Mm. It did,” Myra hums in agreement as she intertwines her fingers with his on her stomach.

  “You okay? How do you feel?” he asks, leaning forward so they can make eye contact. “You feel any different? Did I put you into labor?”

  She grins at his anxious face. “No. I feel great.”

  His face drops. “Well, shit. I thought for sure that’d do it. Do I need to give you more orgasms or some shit?”

  Myra laughs lightly. “No. You did perfect. I don’t think I could handle another one right now.” He’s given her three already.

  He sighs and hugs up against her again. Gently removing his hand from hers, he begins rubbing lightly across her belly. “So, do you think it’s a boy or a girl today?” he asks quietly after a few minutes.

  “Hmm... Today, I’m thinking maybe a boy… with your eyes and my dark hair.”

  “Maybe,” he says. “But I’m thinking it’s a girl, with curly hair like Trish’s but dark like yours… and your eyes.”

  Myra smiles and closes her eyes, happier right now than she ever thought possible. “I love this baby so much already. It’s so strange that I can love a person that I’ve never met and never even laid eyes on before. But I do. I love this baby more than I can even describe, and I love it even more because it’s a part of you.”

  Dylan groans, rubbing his nose against her neck. “I love you,” he whispers. “So damn much.”

  Her eyes fill with tears and she sniffs. “What’s wrong?” he asks, his voice panicked.

  “Nothing… I just…” She wipes at her eyes as Dylan sits up and leans over her. She looks up at him.

  “Tell me,” he says in a soft voice. “What’s wrong?”

  She clears her throat. “I thought I understood what you went through with Mel, but I really didn’t understand at all until now. I love this baby so much, and I know I’m going to love him or her so much more. I can’t imagine what it was like for you…” her voice breaks as Dylan gathers her into his arms.

  “It was rough. I loved Mel more than anything, and I feel the same way about this baby. I was so damn worried in the beginning that I’d somehow love this baby more than Mel. That I’d somehow hurt his memory. But Dr. Mitchum made me realize that there’s room in here for both,” he says, pointing to the center of his chest. “My love for Mel will never change, but I have room now to love this baby too.”

  “I’m sorry I’m
so emotional,” Myra says before a small sob escapes her.

  Dylan chuckles. “You’re pregnant. There’d be something damn wrong with you if you weren’t emotional.”

  Myra nods against his chest.

  “Let’s try to get some sleep, okay?” he asks. “You need some rest.”

  She nods and he curls back up behind her, his arms protectively wrapping around her and the baby. She squeezes his arm and closes her eyes.

  * * *

  “Myra, I’ve been here for four days… four days and no baby. No false alarms. No Braxton Hicks. No nothing. You are now officially past your due date. That baby girl has to be done cooking,” Susie says. She looks at Dylan. “Have you been keeping up your manly duties? Are you doing it multiple times?”

  “Jesus Christ,” Dylan mumbles, rolling his eyes.

  “Susie,” Myra hisses. “That’s none of your business.”

  “Well, something needs to happen! Those nachos you ate last night did absolutely nothing, and then we froze our asses off yesterday taking that worthless walk around the neighborhood. We’ve got to step this up. I need a plan of action. There has to be a way to get this baby moving.”

  “I’ll help,” Jackie says excitedly.

  “I’m fucking outta here,” Dylan says, kissing Myra on the temple. His lips move to her ear. “I can’t handle any more of this shit. I’m going to kill both of them if I have to listen to them one more minute.”

  Myra giggles. “I understand.”

  “I’ll be in the garage if you need me.” He stands and leaves the room.

  “Jackie,” Susie says. “Get on your laptop. Search for anything you can find to get a stubborn woman into labor.”

  Jackie giggles and whips out her laptop from her giant bag she brought with her.

  Myra laughs and shakes her head. Susie scoots to the edge of her chair and stares Myra down. “I’m being serious here. Is that sexy beast slapping you with the salami every night?”

  Jackie busts out laughing.

  “That’s none of your business,” Myra says, feeling her face heating.