by TC Rybicki
His mom screeched, “Boys! Cut that out! Walt stop them.”
“I’m too old for that, dear, but if you two are going to go a round, take it outside. Just remember, you both make a living with your hands so don’t get stupid.”
Doug was ready. He didn’t give a fuck how much bigger Tanner was than him. He had the brains to fight dirty. Willow grabbed his arm. “Don’t you dare. If you two fight on my birthday, I’m leaving.”
Doug jerked his arm away, “Fine, but he started it and technically, it’s my birthday.”
The food guy arrived which was the perfect save for all of them. He unloaded the bags on the kitchen counter. Momma immediately started sorting through each container making sure nothing was left out. She hated getting ripped off. She must have an ethnic theme for tonight’s meal. Strong competing odors filled the kitchen. It looked damned good. Doug especially loved the Greek dishes. He was figuring out which thing he’d try first.
“Oh God, no...” was all they heard before she bolted. Wills rushed into the powder room. She didn’t even get the door closed all the way.
Doug spun around and saw the alarmed faces of his entire family. Tillie held her nose like she was afraid of being disgusted.
Momma tried to go to her, but he stopped her, “Don’t, Mom. I’ll do it.”
He entered the bathroom just as she flushed, “How embarrassing.”
“Here, let me help you up.” He got Wills to the sink where she washed her mouth out.
“Check. Did I get it anywhere?”
He looked her over, “Nope, don’t think so.” She looked like she could cry any second. “Hey, it’s fine, it’s just us. Mom’s worried about you. We better go back out there or she’ll come in this tiny bathroom with us. Food looks great, so let’s get you something to eat and settle that nausea down.”
“I can’t. It’s too late. I waited too long. You were right, and I didn’t want to gnaw on crackers in front of everyone or they might catch on.”
He wasn’t going to say, ‘told you so,’ especially when a tear spilled from her eye.
“Hey, don’t cry. Wills come on. What do you want to do? Go out and tell them to get it over with?”
She shook her head. “Please don’t fight with Tanner.”
“I’m not.”
“But you were going to and it wouldn’t be the first time it was my fault.”
“Is everything alright?” Carly knocked before Momma which surprised Doug.
“Yeah, we’re good. Everyone can start eating. Be right out.”
“Maybe you should come out and let me talk to Willow—girl talk.”
Wills mouthed shit. “Um, honestly, I’m good.”
“Okay, we’ll be in the dining room then.”
“She’s suspicious.”
“No way. How?”
“I don’t know, but she’s been looking at me funny all day.”
“Jealousy. It makes people act strange.”
Willow shoved him. “Stop it, no one’s jealous. Ugh. I don’t think I can do this.”
He could offer to sneak out of the house, so they could runaway together forever, but that wasn’t his best idea. And Carly had to be jealous a little. It was so obvious his little brother had a lifetime crush on Wills. That’s what she meant by causing fights between them. He and Tanner fought for other reasons, but she was right, it was usually over how the brothers chose to love the girl that ended up in their lives when they were kids.
“Douglas, where is Willow. Is she truly ill? Did you check her out?”
“Yes, Mom, I gave her a full workup and determined she needed to lie down for a little while before she tries this rich meal. She said to apologize, but I told that was unnecessary.”
“Of course, she doesn’t need to apologize. It’s too much. Your father said there was going to be too much food, but I wanted everyone to have their favorites.”
His mother always raised her expectations for special occasions. She usually ended up disappointed and regretted some of her decisions. This time it was the abundance of food. Doug did his best to settle her down by grabbing a little bit of everything.
“Maybe I should go check on her.”
“No, she’s resting Carly, but thanks.” Jeez, that one was tenacious tonight.
“Yeah, babe, her personal doctor checked her over. It’s not like he’s the reason she threw up in the first place.” In a roundabout way, Doug could take credit for that, but he was keeping that to himself forever.
He gave Tanner a look. That little prick; he had a crush on Wills before his balls dropped. Their first tiff over her was the day he announced to Doug he was going to marry Willow one day. He was probably nine or ten, a dumb kid but it was the first time Doug gave him a real punch to the gut. He got into so much trouble for that. Neither one of them ever admitted why they fought that afternoon no matter how much Dad yelled. Tanner didn’t get hit for saying something stupid. Doug slugged him because Tanner told him Willow wasn’t his just because he saw her first. He never thought she was. She didn’t belong to either of them, and even if he was far too young at the time to sort out his feelings, one thing was for certain. Doug wasn’t about to allow that scenario happen because he’d have to see it the rest of his life. It also pissed him off that Tanner was probably better suited for Wills, but he had Carly now and no doubt they were in love. However, Tanner would never let it go that Doug didn’t deserve her.
Willow sneaked in from the side. He saw her first. She looked way better, and he reminded himself once more he truly wasn’t good enough.
“Oh, good. Willow’s up. Would you like something lighter? I can heat soup.”
“Mom, no canned soup. There’s plenty of food here. I know just the thing she can tolerate. Don’t open everything at once again. Have a seat, Wills. Fettucine? The Alfredo sauce isn’t heavy. Oh, and there’s garlic toast. Try that.”
“Sure, sounds great.”
She sat in the empty chair between Doug and Tanner who couldn’t stop himself from leaning over. “Don’t forget to cut her food into small bites, bro, so she doesn’t choke.”
“How about I cut you instead? I know a technique that will split you wide open in about four seconds.”
Willow reached for his brother’s hand instead of his. “How would you like it if Tillie and Camden said things like this? Stop acting up in front of them. I am fully capable of getting Dutch to back off. Trust me.”
“Sorry, of course you are, Towanda.” Tanner raised his hand and Willow high-fived him. Carly was chewing noodles without a care in the world because this was nothing new: secret handshakes, wordless conversations, and pet names from movies. Maybe she wasn’t the one in the room with jealousy issues because Tanner and Willow’s friendship didn’t seem to bother Carly one bit, but sometimes it grated on Doug’s last nerve. The rest of the meal continued without a confrontation or too many questions about Willow’s illness and sudden recovery.
“So, tell me, Willow. Where’s the next stop?” Dad asked.
“South Carolina, actually in a couple of weeks. I’m excited.”
“Nice, Hilton Head?”
“No, Myrtle Beach. I’m doing ‘a romantic weekend on a budget’ piece for Constance.”
This was the first time Doug had heard of this trip, which irritated him, “No one goes to South Carolina for romance, you might want to rethink that.”
“People in the southeast on a budget do, and I already booked it. Kit’s joining me.”
“What? No way. I thought you ditched her.”
“No, she’s my best friend.”
“Really? Tell me more.”
“Female best friend, dummy.”
“You mean, she’s your only female friend, and she’s pretty shitty at it, I might add.”
Doug could not stand Katrina who wanted to be called Kit. He would have preferred Willow’s boss Constance went along if she had to travel. She was a safer choice. Kit was trouble and always tried to push Wills into crazy
situations. She only used her for free trips.
He leaned over and whispered to her, “We need to talk about your travel plans later.”
She wasn’t quiet in the least when she answered him, “No, we don’t. I’m booking destinations for the next four months. I have a job, my job not your job.”
He had a smartass reply on the tip of his tongue, but his father saved him from himself, “Oh, that reminds me, how does March sound for a family trip this year? I think we should all try Disneyland this time. Tillie’s never been to California.”
Tillie jumped up and down in her seat. “Please, can we Mommy, Daddy?”
“We’ll see.” Tanner shook his head, “Thanks, Poppa for asking in front of the kid.”
“Oops, sorry.”
“Walter, I swear, becoming a grandfather stole your common sense. We were supposed to wait and tell the adults in private.”
“I got anxious when I heard Willow making her blog travels four months in advance.”
Carly was almost as excited as Tillie. “March sounds great. I’d be willing to let the kids miss a few days of school, so we get ahead of the spring break crowd.”
“Wills and I can’t do March.”
Tanner wasn’t cutting him a break for his birthday. “No one expected you to go, doctor, but Willow always makes time for the family vacation.”
“Not this time. Sorry. She can’t do it.”
“Oh, for fu…” Carly elbowed him before he dropped an F-bomb in front of the kids.
“I’m sorry. Dutch is right. I can’t go in March. I’d love to. Disneyland is great, maybe another year, but I have something else planned.”
“A big trip?”
“No. Nothing like that.” Willow looked at Doug and back around the table before facing his father who was always fascinated by her world travel job. He was so proud of her, unlike her real father.
“Um, I thought this could wait until Sunday, but I’m not supposed to get stressed and waiting to tell is stressing me out.”
“Oh no, you are sick, aren’t you?”
Carly’s mouth hung open. “I knew it. Omg, girl, you’ve been holding out on us. Who is he?”
“What?”
“You’re seeing someone and you’re…”
Willow shook her head so fast Doug thought she would hurt herself to shush Carly.
“Is it Jason? Please say yes that you and Jason got back together. He was so sweet and hot to boot.”
“Willow, that’s wonderful. I always thought the world of Jason, he was so well-mannered.”
Doug was dizzy listening to all the speculations. And why in the fuck were his family lifetime-members of Jason’s fan club?
“Hell no, Willow’s not back with that guy. That was over years ago.”
“Too bad. He was good to you until someone interfered.” Doug held his middle finger up behind Willow’s head, so Tanner would see what he thought about that remark.
“Okay, can we take a time out? I need to clear this up. I can’t vacation in March because I’ll be at the hospital having…”
“A procedure? Oh God, Willow’s sick.”
“Mom. No. You always jump to an extreme scenario. She’s not sick.”
“No, Dawn. I’m having a baby. I’m due March 12th.”
“What? That’s wonderful, but I’m shocked. Carly’s right, you have a boyfriend and didn’t tell us. You could have invited him.”
“There’s no boyfriend. Um…”
Tillie chimed in, “Auntie Willow’s having a baby and she isn’t married. How, Mommy?”
Willow’s head fell onto the table. Doug could’ve predicted this. He knew his family, and he loved them. They were the greatest, but they were also a mess.
His brother shook his head, “No way, that’s not you. You don’t have one-night stands. Something’s not right.”
“Tanner, that’s not our business. Maybe I should put on a movie for the kids. Put this story on pause until I get back.” Carly stood up and motioned for her kids to exit the room.
Camden added he didn’t need to go watch a stupid cartoon with his sister. He already knew how Aunt Willow was having a baby without a husband.
Willow grabbed Mom’s hands across the table, “Walter, Dawn, I am so sorry for making this nice dinner a spectacle. And I’m sorry for hijacking Dutch’s special day.”
“It’s fine, breathe, relax. Just take your time and tell them.”
“Okay, here goes. You all might have noticed, my romantic life hasn’t worked out so far, but I don’t think that should stop me from becoming a mother. The truth is Constance is the perfect example of waiting too long. I love her to death, but she is 47 and miserable. She is top in her field, but lonely when she goes home at the end of the day. I don’t want that, so I did what I needed to do. My doctor recommended a reputable clinic.”
“No way. You got inseminated?” Tanner asked when Carly came back in the room.
She settled on his brother’s lap, so she could be close to the action, “Oh, jeez. I missed stuff. A clinic? It was a donor? Was he handsome, brilliant? I hope you didn’t settle for anything but the best.”
Mom looked confused, “Was Douglas there?”
Doug almost choked on his own tongue. He was sure as hell was. He was all the way there, but this wasn’t the story they were telling.
He sensed Willow’s uncertainty. She sucked at lying which was a nice quality, but not when they needed her to flat out lie. Doug took over the conversation, explained how he read through the pamphlets, and knew all about the process. He talked up the insemination route as a safe, conscientious choice for a woman like Wills who knew what she wanted and had the means to raise a child alone. Everything out of his mouth was utter bullshit. He flipped out the night he found out what she was about to do.
“Oh, well, it does seem like you did your research. It’s different, but we support you and I know you will make a terrific mother. How is everything going so far?”
“Fine.”
Doug stepped in again, “I met her doctor, went to her first prenatal appointment. Wills is on track for a healthy pregnancy. She is doing everything right.”
“You’re braver than me, girl. I’d be lost without Tanner helping and you’re all the way down in Savannah. Who’s going to be with you when you give birth? Do you have a birth partner? I can help, but I got cut so I don’t know a lot about labor if you’re going natural.”
“Well…”
“She has time to plan for all that. Wills is nearing the end of the first trimester.”
This time he got a glare, and he wasn’t sure why.
An unexpected comment came from Tanner. “Congratulations, Willow. And I must say, my big brother is surprising me.”
“Me, why?”
“Because you are totally supporting Willow’s decision. I’m sorry for acting like an ass all day on your birthday. You really have changed and aren’t trying to control her. I didn’t expect all this open-mindedness, but I guess it’s a good thing she trusted you for good solid medical advice.”
“Actually…” Willow started to speak but then clammed up.
“Cake? Mom, where’s the cake?”
Doug flashed an okay sign with his fingers under the table at Wills. He thought making a distraction would help her out, but she slapped his hand. Shit. Why was she pissed? He took care of that awkward conversation, so she wouldn’t have to.
Dad headed into the kitchen to grab the cake while Mom cleaned off dinner dishes with Tanner. “Bring the kiddos back with you, babe. So, tell me. Have you had an ultrasound? Any thoughts on what you’re having?”
“I had one last week and no, not yet. I just want a healthy baby.”
“It’s a boy,” Doug asserted.
She stomped his foot.
“Oh yeah, how do you know? The heartbeat or something? I’ve heard there are signs.”
Doug shrugged. He couldn’t bring up the Chadwyk history since no one was supposed to know the truth tha
t must be why Wills stomped his shoe. She folded her arms in front of her.
“You okay?” he murmured when everyone else was distracted setting up candles.
“Like you care.”
He tried to take her hand, but she wouldn’t let him. Of course, he cared. She was having a big mood swing for no reason; he would have to get used to all these pregnancy symptoms.
Mom placed the 32 and 34 on each side. “Tillie wanted me to put individual candles totaling both your birthdays, but I figured this was a safer choice. Okay, who’s ready to sing?”
Carly reached over with the lighter, but Willow stopped her.
“Wait, can we just hold on a second?”
“Sure, Wills, you going to get sick again?”
“No, I’m not about to get sick. I have something I need to say and you, Douglas Uliss Chadwyk, shut your mouth and let me talk. No interruptions, I mean it.”
The room became completely silent. Willow had the floor.
“I was literally lost, afraid and worried my entire life would never make sense when I ventured over to this property at ten-years-old. Nothing had made sense so far in my family and there were never any explanations why. I am certain I wouldn’t even exist today if it was not for this family, the Chadwyks. I love every one of you from the bottom of my heart, and I’m so excited to share this experience with all of you. I needed to get that off my chest.”
“Oh, sweetie, we love you too. You were an answer to prayers. The doctor advised us not to have more than two and I love these boys but always wondered how it would be to have a little girl. I know we’re not your biological parents, but we’re going to love this little one as much we adore Tillie and Camden. And you will not be alone. We will all help with whatever you need. That was so sweet of you to say. Look, I’m crying and I’m not the pregnant one.”
Carly wiped her eyes, “Me too, Dawn and I assure all of you I’m not pregnant either, or Tanner would be dead right now.”
They all laughed, at least everyone but Wills.
She was stoic. The other women were bawling, even Dad looked misty. Willow wasn’t done. Doug saw it. He knew her too well. He needed to get her out of the room and have a talk with her, but she blurted it out before he had the chance.