Chapter 34 Lucas
Lucas
Four weeks had passed since Mazzie and I sat on the Armstrongs’ patio and discussed our future and bringing a child into our lives.
The more time passed, the more accepting I became of our decision.
But I had yet to tell my mom Mazzie was pregnant.
I’d been waiting for her to return home.
She was back after having been gone for the last few weeks.
She’d taken Kurtis to a rehab facility and then stopped to see her sister.
I was happy that Kurtis was getting help.
Maybe one day I would have the kind of father-son relationship I’d always wanted with him.
And as for Shane Blackwood, he was finally out of our lives.
The DEA had arrested him last week, and according to Coach’s buddy Kristoff, Shane would be seeing the inside of a prison for a very long time.
“Son, can you turn the TV down, please, and help me?” she asked. “I need you to slice the turkey.”
I had a football game on but wasn’t really watching it. I was silently practicing how to break the news to my mother. I was sure that I was as nervous as Mazzie had been before she’d told me. The house smelled of the turkey that was cooking, but I wasn’t hungry.
I muted the TV volume but left the game on in case I needed a distraction.
“I’m so happy I get to meet Mazzie’s sister, Kaylee, today,” Mom said as I skirted past her.
I plugged the electric knife into the outlet. “You didn’t have to go through all this trouble for Thanksgiving or buy this big of a turkey.”
“Nonsense. We haven’t had a proper Thanksgiving in years.” She handed me a plate then flicked hair off her forehead. “And now that you have a steady girlfriend, we can do more around the holidays.”
I had more than a girlfriend. Maybe Mom would take the news well. She had said she wanted grandkids. Of course, I knew she didn’t mean she wanted one before I graduated from college.
I was tempted to sit her down and tell her before Mazzie and Kaylee showed up. But Mazzie wanted to be here when I broke the news in case she needed to help in some way.
“Has the team qualified for a postseason? We haven’t had a chance to catch up since I got back.”
“Not this year,” I said over the buzzing sound of the knife. “Our record is decent but not good enough to qualify. The good news, though”—I shut off the knife—“is I have two scouts very interested in me, according to Coach.”
She wiped her hands on a dish towel, sucking in air. “That’s fantastic news.”
“It doesn’t mean anything at the moment.” I didn’t want to get my hopes up.
“Nonsense. What teams?”
“Portland and San Antonio. The same two scouts who were at the homecoming game. Coach says there’s a third team interested, but he hasn’t heard much from the Michigan scout.”
“Son.” She had a hand on her chest. “Three teams? You’re sure to get drafted. And you're passing your classes. I take it that Mazzie has been helpful with Historiography?”
“Yes, ma’am. Mr. Gantt gave me an A on my outline, and I’m almost done with my paper, which will be ninety percent of my grade. I should pass all my classes this semester.”
The good news might soften the blow about the baby.
She resumed mashing the potatoes. “Mazzie has been good for you. She’s such a wonderful woman. You did good, son. I’m proud of you.”
All that was a gut punch at the moment. “I love Mazzie so much that at times it doesn’t seem real.”
She propped her hip on the counter. “Love will do that to you. I can’t wait for you to start a family in a few years.”
Almost choking, I resumed cutting the turkey.
“No response on that?” She dumped a pot in the sink. “Lucas, you know that you will never be like your father.”
I set the knife down. “Mom—”
The doorbell rang.
“They’re early,” she mumbled.
I looked at the time on the microwave. “By five minutes. I’ll get it.” I needed a breather anyway.
Mazzie and Kaylee were laughing at something when I opened the door.
“What’s so funny?” I asked.
Mazzie raised a bottle of wine. “I didn’t even ask if your mom drinks.”
“She doesn’t.” I waved them inside. “No worries. She saves the wine gifts to serve when others come over.”
The sisters were on the opposite ends of the spectrum when it came to physical attributes, but the one thing that made them stand out as siblings was the sound of their laughs. They also had similar tones in their voices.
I grabbed the bottle from Mazzie and pulled her to me. Once she was in my arms, my nerves quieted for the moment.
“Are you ready for this?” she asked, whispering in my ear.
“Now or never.” My pulse sped up.
Kaylee, with her cute side ponytail, breezed in like she had been here many times before. That was another similarity between the sisters. Kaylee took no prisoners, like her big sister.
Mom walked up, apron around her waist, and assessed Kaylee. “I’m Priscilla. I love your turkey T-shirt.”
Kaylee, all businesslike, stuck out her hand. “Kaylee. And it’s nice to meet you.”
While my mom chatted up Kaylee, guiding her deeper into the house, I gave Mazzie a long and slow kiss. She and I had been going in different directions lately.
She broke away. “We need to stop.” Her gaze dropped to the bulge in my jeans.
Grinning, I said, “Maybe today isn’t the right time to tell her.”
She wrinkled her nose. “Why not? You can’t keep putting it off,” she whispered. “It won’t be long before I start showing.” Then she pointed to her tits. “These are growing already. And I’m here for support.”
“They sure are,” I replied, my gaze dropping to her chest.
She snapped her fingers. “Focus. Let’s see how it goes. You’ll know when you have an opening.”
I doubted that. But I couldn’t put it off any longer. As Mazzie wound her way into the kitchen and dining area, I took a beat to collect myself then followed her.
Kaylee was carrying the rolls to the table. My mom was finishing up the potatoes.
I set the wine on the island then proceeded to finish cutting a few more pieces of turkey.
“Priscilla, how was your trip?” Mazzie asked. “Is Kurtis settled in rehab?”
“He’s not too happy about being in a rehab facility,” Mom said. “It reminds him of prison. But he knows if he wants to have a normal life, he needs to heal.”
Mazzie set the bowl of green beans on the table. “I hope my mom comes out a changed person. Her addiction is alcohol. So we’ll see what happens.”
As they continued to talk, I tuned them out for the moment as I silently practiced the opening of my speech.
With the food on the table, glasses filled with water, and my heart in my throat, we gathered around the table.
Mom took her seat at the head of the table, setting her napkin in her lap. “It’s so lovely to have guests this year.”
The turkey and all the fixings looked perfect, and I felt awful that I was about to shatter Mom’s cheerful day.
“Shall we say grace?” Mom asked but didn’t wait for an answer and recited a quick prayer.
I held Mazzie’s hand, which was clammy against mine, and she squeezed as if to say breathe.
Once Mom was finished, dishes clattered as we spooned food onto our plates.
“The stuffing is delicious,” Mazzie said amid the tension at the table.
Kaylee knew what we were doing today, and she was super quiet as she ate her food.
“Family recipe,” Mom replied. “Lucas’s grandmother was a great cook. She always said a good stuffing was the backbone of any holiday meal.”
I was shoveling turkey in my mouth, needing backbone right about now.
Mazzie nudged me with her foot. I guessed she thought this was my opening.
I eyed the game on TV for nothing more than to clear my head. Then I sat back. “Mom, Mazzie and I have something we’d like to tell you.”
As if Mom knew what was coming, she froze with her fork halfway to her mouth before she set it down with deliberate care.
“We’re…” I looked at Mazzie, drawing from her strength that injected me with motivation. “Mazzie is pregnant.” The second that was out of my mouth, I felt as though I’d dropped fifty pounds.
Mom’s face went completely blank, her hands shaking as she reached for her water glass.
Kaylee picked at a bread roll.
Mom’s gaze bounced between me and Mazzie then back to me. “Lucas… please tell me you’re joking.”
“I’m sorry, Mom.”
She pressed her fingers to her forehead. “You promised me you were being careful.”
She had no idea how I’d torn myself up over that fact. “I did until—”
“My implant failed,” Mazzie said, coming to my rescue. “I blame myself for this. And no, I didn’t trap your son, if that is what you’re thinking.”
“She didn’t,” Kaylee chimed in. “Her implant really messed up. My sister has been freaking out about it too.”
Mazzie gave her sister a “thank you” smile.
“I just wanted better for you, son. I didn’t want you tied down this soon.” Mom’s voice held that edge I knew too well, the one that signaled she was trying not to yell. “You’ve both decided to keep it?”
“Yes,” Mazzie answered firmly before I could. “We’ve thought about this carefully, Priscilla. We know the timing isn’t ideal—”
“Ideal?” Mom’s laugh held no humor. “Lucas hasn’t even finished college. You’re a junior. You’re both barely adults. And with NFL scouts finally showing interest… Lucas.”
“What do you want us to do, Mom? You taught me how fragile life is no matter what.”
“This isn’t about the sanctity of life. This is about destroying your future. Of course I want you to start a family but later in life.”
Quick as a whip, Mazzie said, “We’re not destroying his future or mine.
We’re building one. Will it be hard? For sure.
And I know you don’t know me that well. But I’ve been busting my butt for the better part of Kaylee’s life, raising her, taking care of my mother during times when she couldn’t take care of herself, working two jobs, and going to school. ”
“My sister will be the best mother any kid could have.” Kaylee stood up for Mazzie again. “And Lucas will be a great dad.”
“Please tell us that you don’t want us to terminate this pregnancy,” Mazzie said. “This is your grandchild.”
Mom cried. “Of course I don’t. But this was supposed to happen after college, after you two have started your careers.”
Mazzie regarded Mom with an indifferent look. “I won’t start my career until I’ve gone through years of medical school and training.”
I clutched her hand. “Mom, I’m not giving up on the NFL. If I get drafted and offered a contract, you can bet I’m signing. Mazzie supports that.”
“Where are you going to live? What about money between now and then?” Mom asked.
“Nothing changes this year,” I said. “Mazzie is due in July. By that time, I should know about the NFL. The draft is at the end of April. I’m still graduating.”
“The Armstrongs have offered me to stay with them even after the baby is born. They have a whole wing of their house they don’t use,” Mazzie said.
“Mrs. A is quite eager to help,” Kaylee added.
Mom tossed her napkin on her plate. “I need a minute.” She headed in the direction of her room.
I knew the feeling, but I needed to console her, to assure her that Mazzie and I had this.
“I’ll talk to her.” I rose then kissed Mazzie on the temple.
I found Mom sitting on her bed, tissue in her hand, crying.
I leaned against the doorjamb, not wanting to crowd her.
“Mom, I understand your concerns. I really do. You don’t know how much Mazzie and I blame ourselves.
But we’re determined not to let a baby change our plans.
Think about the grandchild you want. Your wish comes true earlier than you anticipated. ”
Sniffling, she asked, “You won’t give up on football?”
“At first, I thought the same as you,” I said. “Then Coach gave me something to think about. In so many words, he said not to see the pregnancy as the end of my future but the reason I fight for one. I got this, Mom. So does Mazzie.”
“Lucas?” Mazzie called as she breezed her way down the hall and peeked into Mom’s room. “Priscilla.” She brushed past me then sat beside Mom. “I love your son more than anything. We got this.” The conviction in her voice was loud and clear. “I would love to have your help.”
Mom had her thinking cap on as she looked at Mazzie and me.
“We need you,” I added.
“I need you,” Mazzie said to her. “I want you to love and cherish your grandchild.”
As if those were the words Mom needed to hear, she said, “This house has felt empty for too long since Lucas started college. A grandchild would inject life back into these walls.”
Kaylee breezed in. “So, is everyone cool? Can we group hug then finish eating? I would like to taste that pumpkin pie.”
Laughter filled the room.
As we huddled for a group hug, I was bursting with love and joy. I was building a family, something I thought was more of a pipe dream than football, and I had the most amazing woman, who would be the mother of our child, at my side to share it all with.
This wasn’t just our happy ending. It was our new beginning. Imperfect, messy, and a little scary—but I wouldn’t want it any other way.