Page 78 of Sweet Little Lies
Chapter 30
Mica
“I have to admit, you two are really cute together,mi hermana,” Therese whispers, as we make our way through the buffet line at my niece’s birthday party. “You’re glowing.”
Hiding my embarrassment over her observations with my hair, I smile to myself. The last month have been touch and go, with a lot of ups and some missteps. I walk on eggshells around Lance, worried that I’ll set him off and back down the path he’s left behind at any moment. Which is ridiculous, but a true fear nonetheless.
We sit down on the lawn chairs with our paper plates in our laps and I peek over at Lance, who is sitting in a semi-circle with my brothers, all laughing and shooting the breeze. Probably about sports, cars and whatever else guys talk about.
“Thanks. He’s pretty great.”
“You look happy. And I’m really glad.”
“Estoy content,” I emphasize, because it’s so true. Having Lance back in my life and healthy again makes me ecstatic.
There have been a few challenges and problems we’ve worked through. Like at first, he didn’t want to go out or be around any of his friends who were drinking. It worried him that he’d fall back into the trap.
But we slowly began leaving the apartment on Friday and Saturday nights and spent time with Cade and Ainsley, hanging out at his place with Javin and Trent, and eventually went to dinner with some of his teammates at Coach Parker’s house. All the while, I watched in silent trepidation as Lance did his best to avoid any mention of his desire to drink.
Lance has more strength than a lion, though. He uses his humor to share stories about what stupid stuff he did when he was drunk or stoned, in a way using it as a lesson for the younger guys he hangs around with. I love him for that. He’s so strong and capable and I see the confidence building in him every day. The other guys look up to him and revere him even more so that he is so open and honest about his short-comings.
Maybe it’s because of that confidence, and the bond we have together now, that I finally invited him to spend time with my family.
The first occasion was dinner with my parents. It was butt-awkward, but by the end of the night, my parents came around. My mother, bless her heart, sent Lance home with a pan of home cooked Mexican food. It was my mother’s way of opening her home to him and inviting him to be part of our family.
My father…well, he’s a little harder to convince. He still holds Alberto in high regard, maybe because I never told anyone about his nastiness. Maybe I should have, but I think with Alberto he’s just a socially awkward man who doesn’t exactly know how to communicate with women. At least, I hope that’s all it is.
As I’ve watched Lance interact with my brothers and family today, I know that it’s his easy-going personality that people can’t resist. He’s too wonderful not to like. And I know my Papi will come around in his own time.
I’m so full, I sit with my hand resting on my tummy, sighing wistfully as I watch Lance interact with my brothers.
“Are you pregnant,carino?” my sister asks out of the blue.
My head snaps in her direction, my brows furrowed in surprise. “No! Why in the world would you ask that?”
Shetsksand shakes her head, dipping it to where my hand is placed. “When I said you’re glowing, it reminded me of when I was first pregnant with Amelia.”
My heart gives a zing and a jolt – both in joy and concern – over the probability of being pregnant right now. I do a mental countdown and check off the days since my last period. I’ve been taking my pills regularly, so I don’t think it would be an issue.
Having a baby and raising a family has been one of my top priorities since I was a young girl. But a dream that I only want fulfilled when the timing is right. And at this point in our relationship, with me finishing nursing school, Lance not having graduated yet and working through his steps, now would not be that time.
Blanching, I swallow thickly, feeling bile reach my throat. I’m not late; at least not yet. But I’m not expected to start my period for another three days.
What happens if I am pregnant? I don’t even know if Lance wants a baby. Or what our future will look like. We have so much to work through with just the two of us that a baby would just complicate things even more.
“No, we’ve been careful. You’re wrong. Maybe you’re projecting. Maybe it is you,hermana, that is preggers?”
She blushes and turns away so I can’t see her face.
“You are, aren’t you?”
Therese looks back at me and covers her lips with a finger for me to keep quiet.
“Only Ramone knows. We’re only six weeks along so please don’t tell mamá or papi, okay?”
I lean over and squeeze her in a hug, careful not to flip the plate on my lap.
“Oh, Therese. I’m so happy for you. You will soon have more ninós than mama and papa did!”
