KISMET

by Leigh Ann Lunsford

  Brody realizes his sputtering, spitting mad sister is being handled and heads my way. “Excuse me, ladies.” He reaches down and plucks me under my arms. Wrapping a towel tight, covering all exposed skin, he takes his crazy up a notch and takes his shirt off, settling it over the towel, he carries me off to the pool house and slams the door. “What are you thinking?”

  “What?” I bat my eyelashes.

  “I’m going to have a stroke. You’re going to send me to my grave.” He knows what I was doing.

  “You don’t like my bathing suit?” I tease.

  “Yes. And every other asshole here does, as well. I’m going to like it better on my floor. You do this shit on purpose.”

  “Trying to keep it interesting. At your age, you’re nearing Viagra status,” I simper. Stepping to him, I take hold of his dog tags. “I love you still wear these. Brings up your hotness factor.”

  “I dare you to say that shit to me tonight when I can do something about it,” he jeers. “And I can’t take them off. They’re a part of me. Lessons learned.”

  “Deal. You worried you’ll forget between now and then. It is five hours.” I keep my torment going.

  “Why the hell did Mason grab my sister?” Oh, not touching that one. I peel his shirt off, lose the towel, and untie my bikini top. Problem solved. All thoughts of Mason and his sister disappear.

  It’s like ripping off a Band-Aid. I’ll tell him and deal with the repercussions. He isn’t going to break up with me.

  Not telling him today.

  I puke again, and he looks concerned. I give myself a pep talk and today is the day. I’ll tell him.

  Nope. I’m a chicken.

  “Damn it, Embe. You need to go to the doctor. You’re sick and tired all the time.” His brows are furrowed, and he’s pacing the bedroom.

  “Uh, I’m pregnant.” I swallow, cringing that I’m happy with this news.

  “A baby?” He’s stunned.

  “Maybe. Or a pig. Or puppy. I hope to hell it isn’t a horse or elephant— that might be more than I signed up for.” His laughter stops my smart-ass comments.

  “My baby is inside you.” That’s what pregnant means.

  “For the foreseeable future. Until March.” I’m waiting for him to freak. This wasn’t planned.

  “Holy shit! This is fantastic.” He’s been drinking. Only explanation I can come up with.

  “You realize I’m twenty, we’re in school full-time, and we’re having a baby.” My next option is hitting him in the head with his club.

  “I know all that, babe. I’m thrilled. It isn’t ideal, but the best things in life aren’t planned— they’re experienced.” He’s high. I’m happy . . . kind of excited, but I didn’t expect it from him.

  “I’ve stressed for days gathering the nerve to tell you. You’re acting like it’s okay, and you aren’t running for the hills.” I just have to tell him over and over. He’s in shock.

  He hits the floor, landing in a kneeling position. “Baby, don’t freak about telling me anything. We decided it was us— forever. So we’re starting a family sooner than we planned, no big deal. I’m fucking thrilled.” I laugh as one hand wraps my legs and his other hand rummages the nightstand. “Marry me?”

  Screech. Halt. I hope he’s fucking kidding me. Based on the ring he’s holding— he’s dead fucking serious. “I’m not marrying you because we’re pregnant. That isn’t how it works.”

  He looks crestfallen. “I didn’t ask because you’re pregnant unless I have some superhero powers and can disappear, buy a ring, and appear all without you knowing. I’ve had the ring for a month.” He’s still kneeling.

  “Get up. I’m sorry. This is overload.” I fist my hair in a ponytail, swirling the ends in my fingers. “Marriage? Really?”

  “I thought this is what you wanted. It’s my dream come true.” And I’m ruining it.

  “Yes. I’ll marry you.” His smile is huge. “Not right now,” I add.

  “When?”

  “I don’t know.” I tug his arm so he stands. I pull him to the bed and sit down. “There are lots of reasons, none of them is how strong my love is. I don’t want to get married because I’m pregnant.”

  “I told you that wasn’t the reason.” I pucker my lips.

  “When were you going to ask me?” His sheepish look tells me I’ve read him correct.

  “Maybe Christmas or Thanksgiving.” It’s August. My point is made.

  “See, it is partly because I’m preggo. Wait, listen,” I warn him when he’s opening his mouth to argue. “I don’t want to get married because it’s expected. I don’t want to get married until I feel my dad is worthy to walk me down the aisle. Things are good with us, but we still have a lot to do, and it means a lot to me.”

  “You’re the most stubborn woman I’ve ever met.” He kisses my nose.

  “You’ve mentioned that once or twice.” I melt as I look at him. “Do you understand?”

  He sighs. “Yeah. I don’t like it, but I understand. Will you at least wear the ring?”

  I nod, and he slides the delicate ring on my finger. It’s traditional. Just like I’ve told him I want my life to be. A small gold band with a solitaire in the middle. I love it. “It’s gorgeous. Thank you.” I kiss him, and he allows it for a few minutes.

  “I’m not gonna lie. I’m kind of disappointed. It’s important to me for my kid to be born with his parents together.”

  “Hey,” I cup his cheek. “We are together. A piece of paper or ceremony isn’t going to make my commitment more solid. A ring doesn’t tie me to you. My love does. My loyalty and my desire for you. I want to marry you. I will marry you. Just not now.” I’m adamant on this issue. I hate he’s hurt, but I won’t budge.

  “Okay but promise it’ll be before our fourth child arrives.” He kids. He better be kidding.

  “Four? You’ve lost your mind. I said I wanted to be a mom not a soccer coach. Two.”

  I am not playing.

  “Two it is.” I smile against his mouth and fall into his arms. My safety.

  Brody has class, and Brecklynn is sick in bed. I’m running late for the party at Deacon and Saylor’s celebrating Julie’s adoption. I wish Brody could be there, but he’ll come by after class. He warned me earlier the cat’s outta the bag.

  “Holy fuck. Brecklynn’s been shacking up at Mason’s.” He pins me with a stare.

  “How do you know it isn’t Caden?” I feel bad throwing him under the bus, but I need to calm this tirade down before the party.

  “The fact you aren’t surprised tells me you know. And it isn’t Caden.” I take my shirt off, hoping to distract him. “Not working.”

  “How’d you find out?” I wince.

  “I went to get you coffee this morning, and her car was in his fucking driveway. Caden’s wasn’t.” Damn her. She’s a blooming idiot.

  “Shhh. She’s sick as hell, and you can go caveman later. You’re gonna be late for class. She’s staying here while I’m at the party so I’m close if she needs me.” I push him towards the door.

  “She better not have an STD.” He growls.

  “I don’t think those make you puke and run a fever. She isn’t pregnant either. She has the damn flu. Now, go.” I give him a quick kiss and push him on his merry way.

  Sitting in the basement, everyone is waiting for Saylor to get home, and I’m chit chatting with everyone.

  “Deacon!” Saylor’s voice reaches down here.

  “Basement!” he shouts. You can hear her galloping down the steps and Deacon acting casual as we’re hiding. “Hey baby. You need help with the groceries?”

  “No.” She sounds pissed. I look around, making sure she can’t see any of us. “I didn’t make it to the grocery store. See, I had a doctor’s appointment that took a bit longer than expected because YOU FUCKING KNOCKED ME UP ON OUR HONEYMOON!” I slap my hand over my mouth, ready to explode in glee with this. “I told you to pull out. I told you to wear a condom. Your damn rhythm method an
d had to be inside me bare bullshit.” Holy shit. She’ll be mortified and pissed when she knows we all heard this part of the conversation. Oh fuck, both of us pregnant. “I’m sorry.” She’s crying and hormonal. Sister, I’m in solidarity with you there. “I’m not mad it was just a shock. Fucking antibiotics and birth control.” His parents stand and clap. She jumps as we all stand. “What?”

  “The papers came today, MOMMY.” Deacon beams at her.

  “Times two.” Mason reminds her she just announced their business to us all— even if she didn’t know we were there.

  “Where’s Julie?” She’s searching for her daughter.

  “Napping, potty mouth.” Josh winks, and she turns rose red. It looks painful, like her skin is burnt. He turns to his son, “Congratulations, son. Good job. Glad to see your little problem doesn’t stop you from knocking randoms up.” I wonder if Mason and Deacon somehow got switched at birth— Josh and Mace are head to head in the competition for what not to say.

  “Saylor,” her mom steps forward, her eyes glistening, “my baby.” Fixing to have another one.

  I don’t realize I’m crying until Avery hugs me. Saylor turns to me, and the hormones fly. “Go ahead. If you have something to say, go for it.” Here, I thought we’d come so far, but she’s still expecting me to hurt her.

  “When are you due?” I ask. I’m trying to show her I have no malice.

  “March 22nd. One month before Julie turns two.” Ah, this is cute.

  “I’m due March 20th. You have a honeymoon baby. I have a wedding baby. Your fucking wedding.” Her face drops. Then her lips rise. She steps to hug me.

  “Whoa!” Mason is going to ruin this moment; I feel it in my bones. “It isn’t mine!” God, I’m glad Brody isn’t here. He’d murder Mason. For so many reasons.

  “Looks like I only have to plan one baby shower.” Avery laughs. She’ll find a bright side in everything.

  “If this one has a twig and berries I’ll give you your card back, and I’ll teach him how to pitch.” Fucking dumb ass doesn’t know when to stop talking. He’s in for a world of meltdowns with both Saylor and me.

  “I’m going to revoke your goddamn card when I rip off your dick!” Saylor shouts and heads towards him. Deacon’s arms around her waist stop her.

  “Stand in line,” I gloat. “Seems Brody may have a few words to say to him.” I watch the color drain from Mason’s face, and Caden snickers beside him. “Somehow the same night this happened,” I circle my stomach, “a pretty blonde, violet-eyed girl went missing and appeared after someone gave her a ride back to the apartment she supposedly spent the night at.” I smirk. He’s so fucked.

  “Brody’s baby sister?” Saylor asks, astonished. But she’s not. We stick together in solidarity.

  “Fuck.” He hurries to the stairs to escape.

  “Hey Matilda,” I laugh. Saylor just dropped every cuss word in her tirade to Deacon but uses her code name for pussy. “You can run, but you can’t hide.”

  He flips us off, and I laugh. He fucked up, and I pray to God Brecklynn doesn’t get her heart broken. We’ve all come so far, and I don’t want it fucked up because he wants to nail everything in sight.

  Deacon and Saylor escape for a few moments alone, and it’s weird. “Holy shit, Momma.” Avery rushes me. I look up and see my parents’ faces. Fuck, this wasn’t the way I wanted to tell them. Better go face the music.

  “I’ll be back, Aves.” I nod to the bar where my parents are staring. “I kind of let the announcement slip.”

  “Oh, fuckadilly. That’s bad.” I roll my eyes, and she laughs. Here goes nothing. For the millionth time today— I really wish Brody was here.

  Dragging my feet, I walk the few steps until I’m standing next to them. “We were going to tell y’all together. I’m sorry you found out this way.” My dad is stoic, his arm holding my mom close.

  “You happy?” That hasn’t been his concern my entire life. Why now? I try to halt those negative thoughts, but they seem to be stuck in my mind.

  “I am.” I place my hand over my stomach. “It wasn’t planned. We have a lot to figure out. I’ll be do mid-semester. My last one.” I haven’t discussed I was done after two years in detail with my parents, but I’ve dropped hints. “I’m going to talk to my advisor when classes start back. I’m due around midterms and spring break. I’m hoping to miss a week or two and finish on time.” I shrug. It all sounded good in my head, but nothing is set in stone.

  “My baby girl.” My mom grips my hand and pulls me in for a hug. “We’ll help any way you need.”

  “You have a ring.” My dad is staring at my hand.

  “I do. But I’m not ready for marriage right now. Sore subject so please don’t say anything to him.”

  “You’ve always had your own way of doing things.” His smile is pained.

  “And you’ve made it clear you don’t agree with any of my ways.” It slips, but it’s the truth.

  “Emberlee, please. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean that as a dig. I was just stating you are set in your ways, and I admire that. You aren’t giving in no matter what society or people dictate.” I’m floored. I imagined him kicking and screaming— demanding I marry since I am with child.

  “You seem proud?” I pinch the palm of my hand because I’m sure I’ve been teleported to an alternate universe. My dad proud of me. That’s such a foreign concept.

  “I am proud of you. I’ve always been proud of you . . . just didn’t show you. Or tell you.” His fingers grip my arm and pull me to him. “I’ll tell you as thrilled as we are for you, it seems surreal. You’re our baby— having a baby. I’d like to think my little girl was never in a scenario to be pregnant, but I know, I know— you’re twenty. Just a year younger than your mom when she had you.” I feel the force of his swallow after those words and feel myself fighting back tears. Good tears. “You’ll be an amazing mom.” His whisper swells my heart.

  I lean back, meeting his misty eyes. “I learned from the best.” My gaze slides to my mom, and she doesn’t try to hide her tears.

  Her arms circle me, and she sobs into my hair. “Happy tears. Shocked tears. We’re so happy for you if this is what you want.” I nod against her tight hold.

  “School is still paid for by us. Anything you need, we’ll cover.” This is the adult shit I’ve never dealt with. The things I need to learn. If I want something, I don’t stop to think about how it’ll be paid for. I buy it, and they pay. I feel I can be a good mom, a good woman— but a wife. I’m not there yet. This is stuff I should know. Hell, I have no job, no money of my own. I’m fucked.

  “I’m going to try to get a job,” I blurt. They both stare at me like I’m a new life form discovered on Mars.

  “Hey, what? Why? I just told you anything you need, we’ll cover.” I cringe. I know that, but is it normal?

  “But it isn’t your baby. Brody and I still have a lot to sort.” I sweep my hand in the air. “Obviously.”

  “It is our grandchild. You’re our child. We’ll help.” He says it like it’s decided. And because I’m use to being the girl taken care of— I don’t argue. “I’ll talk to the attorney and see if you can have access to some of your trust fund.”

  “What?” This is nonsense to me.

  “Your grandparents set one up for you. It’s supposed to be dispersed in increments. Between the ages of twenty-five and thirty, but I’ll see if there is some clause in it. If there isn’t, we’ll handle things, and if you feel like you need to, you can pay us back.”

  I don’t answer because I don’t know what to say. I’m trying to become independent. I’m having a baby. I’m going to be responsible for someone else’s life, and I’m still letting my parents take care of me. But, I can pay them back. It isn’t like it’s forever.

  I make my way to the basement, and it seems a bit subdued for a celebration. Emberlee is talking to her parents; Saylor and Deacon are wrapped in each other surrounded by most of the group— minus Mason. It’s a good thing I
don’t see him because him and my sister— that isn’t cool. I didn’t know I had to make a billboard saying she was off limits. If I have to hear any more shit about how she’s an adult, it’s her choice, mind my own business, I’m liable to go apeshit.

  I sneak up wanting to surprise Emberlee and kiss her shoulder. “Hey, babe.” She leans back into me and rests her head against my chest. “Sir. Natalie. Good to see you.”

  “Congratulations are in order.” He offers me his hand to shake and draws me to him, smashing Embe amid us and clapping my back. “I can’t tell you how thrilled we are.” His smile sincere, his voice laced with pride.

  “Now, if she’d nail a date down, I’d be good.” The man in me feels like a heel because I didn’t ask General Winchester for his blessing before I proposed, but it was spur of the moment. I bought the ring with every intention of making it memorable, but as soon as she told me my baby was inside her, I lost my mind and wanted her to wear my ring.

  “All in good time, son. First, she wants to welcome the baby.” Oh fuck. She told them we’re expecting? I turn my puzzled gaze to her, and she gives me a sheepish shrug.

  “It slipped.” She turns to her parents. “We were going to do this differently, so he’s shocked.” And apparently he needs someone to explain his idiot behaviors to her parents.

  “Well, we’re thrilled.” Natalie smiles.

  “Sir, can I talk to you for a minute?” I nod towards the back corner where nobody is occupying.

  “Sure.” We take our place so we have privacy.

  “I wanted to apologize that I didn’t come to you beforehand. I had the ring and was planning to make it special after I talked to you. I lost my head when she told me she was pregnant.” He nods.

  “But you’re happy?” he questions.

  “Thrilled. It isn’t idyllic, but I’m good. I’d like to be married before the baby, but she’s digging her heels in.” I chuckle, not really amused.

  “Don’t push her. I speak from observation and experience. She’s overwhelmed and happy. She wants to wait and get motherhood down before trying the wife role.” He’s giving me advice on a girl he’s got no clue about.