Chapter 137 Coming out
Mom kisses me softly on the cheek, tears in her emerald eyes. "I'm so proud of you. You have no idea."
I smile sadly. "I actually didn't think I had it in me."
"Oh, baby girl, you are the strongest, bravest woman." She hugs me again. "And I am the luckiest mother in the world to call you my daughter."
A pang goes through my heart, and guilt that I technically ran away from my family. I also feel acceptance, because I now know that I want to be around them, maybe not in the same house, but close to them. They're an integral part of who I am.
T.J. makes his eyes big at me like a fucking teenager.
"Tell them." He mouths at me.
Shit. I probably have to, I'm wearing a pants' suit, I specifically chose it for the press conference, and the jacket is oversized to hide what maybe my mother would be able to see.
Aunt Farrah hugs me next. "At least you didn't have to kill him. He'll get what's coming to him."
I know she killed my mother's rapist, and I wonder if that haunts her to this day. In the past I might have thought something like that would haunt me, yet I never think about the man Miguel killed for me. And I would never mention it either.
He probably saw the press conference. What is he going to do next? Come in here and demand to see me? My heart beats faster just thinking about it.
"I'm really sorry I went away." I start, and T.J. nods frantically in support. He's being too dramatic, he should've just brought a sign that said "SHE'S PREGNANT".
"Don't be sorry, my angel." Dad chimes in. "We understand, and you have to know that whatever Ben did to those people, is not your fault."
I purse my lips. I beg to differ, because I feel Armando and Simon were definitely my fault. A person died just because he was seen with me. Simon was raped because he was my friend. He may not hate me, but I still carry some responsibility for that.
"Dad." I begin, knowing that this is not going to go over well with him. "Could you please be more accepting of Miguel? He's not at fault for his brother's crimes no less than I am."
Dad clenches his jaw, and I know this is going to be harder than I thought, but I can't have my father hating the father of my child. And me being pregnant is just going to be the nail in the coffin in their relationship.
"He's still a part of that family, and I don't like them."
"His mom is really great, maybe you should meet her, and you'll change your mind." T.J. deserves true love for what he just said, trying to smooth over things.
"She really is great." I affirm, pulling up my second pair of big girl panties for the day. "She's also going to make a great grandmother. Just like I know Mom is going to be great, and you're going to be a great grandfather, Dad."
I don't think it registers with my parents, but like always, aunt Farrah is sharper than a pencil.
"You're pregnant." She states, not asking. She also doesn't look shocked, or upset like I thought my family would react. "You left because you were trying to protect your baby."
Mom's mouth drops open, her eyes going to my stomach that is hidden behind my jacket. Dad is frowning, as if he's still trying to catch on what's going on.
"You're what!" He exclaims.
"She is an adult." Uncle Alessandro shrugs.
"Stay out of it!" Dad yells at him. "The Cargills are on every freaking news station right now. She just did a press conference where she told the world what happened with that psychopath. What now? We say, oh, she's also pregnant with the brother's child?"
"Maybe that's why she went away. Would you rather she stayed gone?" Aunt Farrah wants to know.
A baby is supposed to be happy news, isn't it? And like Uncle said, I'm an adult.
"Jesus, just stop everyone." Mom looks sad, but she comes over to me and hugs me tightly. "Is everything okay with the baby? How far along are you?"
I smile stiffly when she steps back. "Fourteen weeks, the baby is healthy."
"I'm glad you came back." Her eyes are once again watery. "And we'll take great care of you and the baby."
"Thanks. I'm going to bed, it was a long day, and I'm tired. Goodnight."
My room feels foreign, like I'm not supposed to be here, and I know I'm going to have to make a plan to move out soon. Living with Miguel sounds out of the question right now.
His house would have been perfect for a nursery, though. Something in pastel and white clouds with a touch of rainbows.
There's a knock on my door, and I have an inkling of who it might be. "Come in."
The door opens and Dad slides through, a guilty expression in his eyes. He stops in front of me, and sighs. "I'm sorry baby girl. This is just a lot to process right now."
"I know." I say softly. "And I know this is not exactly the ideal time, but it happened, and I'm keeping the baby."
"And you're sure Miguel is the person you want to do life with?" The look on his face is downright comical.
"I'm sure."
He sighs again and comes closer to fold me into his arms. "My baby is having a baby. I was never ready for this."
I have to laugh at that one. "Maybe it's a boy and you can teach him how to throw the pigskin."
Dad kisses the top of my head. "It better be a boy! Get some rest, baby girl, I love you."
"I love you too."
I climb into bed with a smile on my face. I did a hard thing today, and I'm very proud of myself for doing it.
I drift off to sleep, wondering when I'll be able to tell Miguel.
Seems like I didn't have to wait that long, because a familiar hand on my mouth, and the scent of amber and musk wake me up.
"Welcome back, my little mouse. Do you want to play?"