“Yep. He asked me when we were in Belize. I said yes.”
“When’s the wedding?”
“Next year, after I graduate. Well, hopefully. I’m not sure how things will work with the baby.”
“Good. I’m glad you’re finishing school first.” He looked me over. “You sure you’re ready to be a mother and a wife? Being a spouse is hard work, but being a parent is even harder. You see what we had to go through with you, right?”
I pushed him with my elbow, giggling. “I was not that bad.”
He shrugged. “You were a nightmare at times, but overall, a pretty good kid.”
“I don’t know if I’m ready…but if I’m at fourteen weeks, and still carrying this baby…I’m here for it. I was told by my doctor that the first thirteen weeks were my highest risks for miscarriage, but I’ve made it. The baby is still in there, and if I’m meant to have him or her and become mother, I will make sure I’m ready.”
Dad put on a small smile and then lowered his head. “You’re a good person, Kandy. You know that? I guess I didn’t screw up with you after all.” With a grin, he stood and opened his arms, and I pushed out of my chair, walking into his embrace. With a deep exhale, he said, “You’ve put me through a lot of shit…but I love you more than anything. The baby is…well, I’m not going to lie. It’ll be hard for me to wrap my mind around for a while, but I’m here for you. For whatever you need.”
“I know, Dad.”
“Good.” He dropped a kiss on my forehead. “Now let’s get back to the party.”
Dad walked with his arm slung over my shoulders, back to the house. In the kitchen, Lora and Frankie were taking shots of whiskey—the crazies—and Mom, Cane, and Miss Cane were laughing at Frankie’s face every time she took one.
Everyone was smiling. Happy. For the first time ever, we were all together—all the people I loved—and we were enjoying ourselves. We all had our issues, yes, but when the room was full of life like this, nothing outside of it mattered.
These people? They were my family. I had no idea what I would do without any of them, and knowing that my baby would have their love was going to be worth it. Of course, Dad didn’t really talk to Cane for the rest of that night. Cane didn’t bother making an attempt to speak to him. They kept their distance, and it was fine, just so long as they didn’t end up in each other’s face all over again.
Around 9:00 p.m., Mom and Dad left. They had to work in the morning and still had the drive back to Atlanta. I hugged them goodbye and watched them go. When I could no longer see their tail lights, I went back to the kitchen.
“Frankie, you should definitely stay the night,” Miss Cane insisted as I rounded the corner. “I refuse to let you drive after taking five shots of whiskey.”
“Dude, I’m totally fine! I can drive!” Frankie tried convincing her, but by the stern look on Miss Cane’s face, I knew it wasn’t going to happen.
“She is not fine,” Lora tittered. “That bitch is fucked up.”
“I guess this is my night out, huh?” Frank giggled and threw her arms around my neck.
“Yeah, you’re drunk,” I laughed. “You’re staying the night, and we have a few extra rooms, so no excuses.”
“Yep. You can sleep it off,” Cane said.
“Okay, okay. Fine. Well, if that’s the case…” Frank pulled away from me to pick up her shot glass and the half-empty bottle of whiskey. She topped her glass off and then raised it in the air. “I’ll keep sipping on this whis-kay! Cheers to you, Cane and Kandy! I hope the baby is just as amazing as you guys are!”
“Fuck yeah!” Lora squealed, picking up the whole bottle of whiskey. Apparently, she was just as drunk as Frankie. “Cheers!”
They clinked glasses, and Cane, myself, and Miss Cane laughed while Lora drank straight from the bottle while Frankie downed her shot.
They were insane, I swear, but I wouldn’t have traded them for anyone or anything in this world.
Chapter 15
CANE
Having a pregnant fiancée was hard work. There I was, thinking it would be a breeze—a simple nine months of bliss and happiness—it was anything but.
For one, I was stressed. Stressed about the baby. Stressed about Kandy and her comfort and health. I knew she was getting tired of being home so much. She still went to school for her classes, but she’d come right back home, doing as I told her to.
At first, I felt bad for being so insistent about her modified bedrest, but she and I both agreed we would do whatever it took to protect the baby and keep her healthy. When we got deeper into winter, it only intensified my stress. Lora had gotten a cold, so I told her she had to quarantine herself in Mama’s bedroom so Kandy wouldn’t get sick. Of course Lora was annoyed by it, but I didn’t give a damn.