25. How Babies Are Made
TWENTY-FIVE
HOW BABIES ARE MADE
Rylee
Tonight’s the night. Tonight, we are doing it. Trey’s coming over and we’re telling Abby she’s going to be a big sister. I’m just as nervous as when I told Trey. It’s been Abby and me against the world for the past four years. Six years if I count the years her father and I were still together, but he was basically absent. Unease settles in my stomach. What if she hates the idea and never wants to speak to me again? She’s my entire world.
I tap my fingers on the bar top before checking the time on my phone. Chad’s late. Again. I’ll have to talk to Jake about this because it’s getting ridiculous. Plus, every night he’s working, the inventory counts are skewed. Sometimes things are misplaced, but other’s they just disappear. I hate to point fingers, but it’s a little suspicious.
The door to Porter’s swings open and Chad strolls in like he isn’t twenty minutes late. “You know, when you’re late, you screw up everyone else’s schedule.”
Without sparing me a glance, he struts on by. “Not my problem.”
“It will be when you get fired,” I mumble to myself. I grab my wallet off the bar and tuck my phone in my back pocket, but before I’m through the door it opens, and I’m greeted by another pain in my ass.
“What do you want, Kyle?” I frown, crossing my arms over my chest.
“What the fuck, Rylee? I have to find out about this shit on the street?” he sneers.
“What are you talking about?” I sigh, dropping my arms. It’s always something. It’s always me who’s done something to ruin his life.
“Do you know who you’re spending time with? He’s slept with half the city and the other half is male, if you can do the math. I had to hear all about it on the golf course. Do you know how embarrassing that is?”
I roll my eyes so hard I’m surprised they don’t pop out of their sockets and roll right past Kyle. I want to ask him if he realizes how embarrassing it is to catch your husband cheating on you not once, but twice. But I’m tired of the same argument, especially when he believes he did nothing wrong. “I know exactly who Trey is. Why do you think you have any say about who I spend my time with. That ship sailed years ago.” I fling my arms across my body. “You walked out. You left.”
“So, what you’re saying is if I stayed, we might still be together.” He takes a step closer.
“Hell no.” I hold out my palm, preventing him from getting any closer. “After you left, I just finished the job.” He flinches for a brief second. A rainbow of emotions float over his face, remorse being the shortest lived one. Honestly, I don’t think he has any remorse for his actions. For what he did to me and our daughter. If anything, he only regrets that he got caught.
He shakes his head as if he’s disappointed. “Out of all the people in this city, you find the biggest creep of them all.”
“No. That’s you,” I spit.
The half a dozen or so people in the bar turn their heads our way. Our conversation turning more into the headline news of a tabloid magazine.
His lip curls. “You realize while he’s spending time with you, he’s also spending time with my daughter.”
“In the short time we’ve been spending time together, he’s been more of a father figure than you have.”
His nostrils flare. Perhaps I hit a nerve. Too bad it’s not like the Vulcan nerve pinch, so I can be done with this conversation.
“He’s slept with half the town.”
My molars clench together so hard I’m surprised I don’t crack a tooth. “Are you judging his character right now? Have you looked at yourself in the mirror? You were doing the same exact thing. While. We. Were. Married.”
His face reddens but he doesn’t say anything because he knows I’m right. He squares his shoulders. “Well, I don’t want him anywhere near my daughter.”
“She’s only your daughter when it’s convenient for you. You’re not there for school plays, when she falls and scrapes her knee, or when she gets a perfect grade on a school project. None of it.”
“I’m not there for any of it because I have a job, Rylee. A real job.”
I fling my arms in the air. “I have one of those two. On top of raising Abby, our daughter.”
“Well, maybe you should just be more considerate of the company you keep while you’re raising our daughter.”
I laugh. I don’t even think he realizes what he just said.
“You are starting to draw a crowd. Take the conversation outside.” Jake’s deep voice sounds from over my shoulder.
“No need Jake. This conversation is over.” I sidestep Kyle, but he stops me with his arm.
“Wait. You’re sleeping with him, aren’t you?” When I don’t say anything, he throws his hands in the air. “What the hell Rylee? I thought you were better than that.”
“What the fuck do you know? But to answer your question, yes. I’ve slept with him. In fact,” I splay my hand over my stomach, “I’m pregnant. With his child. So, what do you have to say about that?”
His mouth opens and closes like a fish out of water, then he shakes his head. “You made your bed. I guess now you gotta lie in it.”
“I do. Matter of fact, I’m going to lie in it tonight over and over again.”
Kyle spins on his heel but his head turns toward Chad, and he jerks his chin before he storms out the door.
If I wasn’t paying attention, I would have missed it. If those two became friends, they can have each other. Two pieces of trash in a pod. When he’s out of sight, I unclench my fists. He has no right to dictate any part of my life.
After arriving home from work and in a shit mood because of Kyle, I decided to call the only other person who can make my mood even shittier… my mother.
I remove my phone out of my pocket, pull up her number, and hit call. It rings a half dozen times before she picks up. Water splashing sounds through the earpiece tells me she’s lounging at some poolside cabana, sipping mimosas, all on husband number four’s dime. At this point, I can’t even keep track of their names anymore.
“It’s so nice to hear from my daughter.”
I pinch my eyes shut. The sound of her voice grates on my every nerve. I fight to keep my tone as neutral as possible. The faster I can get through this, the faster I can be done. “So, I wanted to give you our monthly we’re not dead phone call. I’m doing good. Abby is doing good and you’re going to be a grandma.”
“But I’m already a grandma.”
“Congrats. You’re going to be a grandma again. Yay.” I shake my fist in the air like a cheerleader with a pom pom.
“You’re pregnant?” she screeches.
“Yep.”
“When’s the wedding?”
“No wedding. Just a baby.”
“He gets you knocked up and he can’t even put a ring on your finger.”
Not for the lack of trying on his part. “Nope.”
“You need a man who will take care of you.”
And be like you on husband number four, while you’re sleeping with future husband number five. No thanks. “I’m quite alright, actually.”
“Rylee, what are you going to do about money?”
Ten seconds before the money talk. That’s a new record. “I’ll figure it out.”
After I got pregnant with Abby, it was my mother who convinced me I needed to marry Kyle, even though I was hesitant. Her insistent nagging about needing money, someone to take care of me, and not being alone finally wore me down into saying yes. It’s something I deeply regret now. She’s convinced herself that if she was married to my dad, he would have never left, but I’m pretty sure he had one foot out the door since the day I was born.
“Please tell me he at least has a real job and not working at a bar.”
The blows start coming. Number one. “Yes, he has a job and before you ask, yes, he’s planning on helping with the baby.” I pull open the junk drawer in the kitchen and pull out a nail file to fix a hangnail.
“Well at least there’s that. I still can’t believe that you’re divorced and with another kid on the way. If you stayed with Kyle, you wouldn’t be in this predicament.”
Blow number two. “No. It was the cheating that kind of made me realize I shouldn’t be with him.”
“Sometimes you need to brush those things aside and think about your family.”
I slam the nail file down. “Being married to someone I don’t love isn’t thinking about my family.”
“You’d at least have some stability. God knows you need that in your life.”
And blow number three. “Got it.” Sometimes it’s easier to nod a smile than trying to argue with her.
“There is only one certainty in life, and it isn’t love. So, take your happiness while you still can.”
I can’t imagine jumping from husband to husband is happiness, but to each their own. “Alright Mother, great chat. Inspiring as always. I’ll let you know when I have the baby. Okay bye.” I end the call before she can say anything else. It’s always a self-esteem boost talking to her.
* * *
A knock on my door startles me off the couch. The only two people who knock on my door are Marcie, which is always a knock and barge in if I left the door unlocked, or pancake guy down the hall asking for flour. For whatever reason, he always smells like pancakes and maple syrup which isn’t necessarily bad, but it’s strong. Trey is still at work, so that eliminates him.
I peer through the peephole and my brows furrow. Trey’s friend, Bennett, stands on the other side. His dark hair blends well with the red flannel he’s wearing. Twisting the knob, I pull it open. “Hi. What are you doing here?”
“I have a table to deliver.” He holds up a piece of dark stained wood.
“Oh! Yes! Come in.” I hold the door open for him. “How did you get in? The front is normally locked.”
“Your neighbor Marcie. She said something about you needing a sex table so you can stop having sex against her living room wall.”
Warmth spreads over my cheeks. Marcie and her big mouth.
Bennett rocks the piece of wood back and forth on the floor. “And she mentioned if I came with the table, I could deliver it to her place.”
I bark out a laugh. “She’s been binge watching shows about farmers finding love. The red flannel must have given her the vibe, but she’s harmless.” I point to the empty spot in the dining room. “Anyway. The table can go there.”
Bennett leans the piece of wood against the wall.
“It’s kind of small.” I cock my head to the side. “Do I have to water it and it will grow?”
His gaze jumps to mine, eyebrows drawn together.
“Sorry. Sarcasm. Blame it on Trey.” I shrug a shoulder and smirk.
He nods as his head lifts to me. “He tends to do that. Also, congratulations. On the baby. Trey told me.”
I rest a hand on my belly. “Thanks.”
He rubs the back of his neck. “Trey’s a different kind of guy. When he sets his mind to something, he gives it one hundred percent. He’s all in, and it’s hard to convince him otherwise.” He drops his hand and shoves it into the front pocket of his jeans. “But one thing I’ll say is that he’s loyal to a fault. He always lays his cards on the table, so you know exactly what you’re getting. I’ll say this, I’ve never seen him as happy as he is with you.”
“Well, we’ll be in each other’s lives for at least eighteen years.”
“I’m sure it will be much longer if Trey gets his way. And very rarely does Trey not get his way.”
I smile. “That’s so true. How does he do that?”
Bennett laughs. “I don’t know. Has Trey ever told you about his last serious girlfriend?”
I cross my arms over my chest. “He’s mentioned something about her being pregnant and then lying. But I was also shocked by the marriage proposal to ask more about it.”
“Oh yeah. I heard about that, too.” He smiles. “It’s probably not my place to say anything, but also, I don’t know if he will. But he was really excited to be a dad. Scared as hell, but excited. Throughout the entire ordeal, she manipulated him with a lot of false hope. It changed him, or at least changed his views on relationships.”
“Wow,” I mumble, with my hand covering my mouth. To do that to someone… I could never. I can’t imagine what Trey went through in dealing with all that.
“That was until you. So, if he’s a little over the top, he has his reasons.”
A weak smile spreads across my lips and I nod. While I’m glad I can be here for Trey and helping him heal, I just wish we could do it without the added distraction of a pregnancy. “Thanks. These are very unfamiliar waters. Not being pregnant but doing it with Trey.”
“He’ll be fine. Plus, he needs someone to rein him in every now and then.” A moment of silence passes between us. “I’m going to collect the rest of the table and put it together for you.”
“Let me help.” I pull a pair of shoes from the shoe rack and slip them on.
The six-person rectangular X Trestle table sits perfectly in my dining room. On each end are two custom chairs and bench seating on each side. “The table is beautiful.” I run my fingers over the dark, weathered finish.
“It’s sturdy too. Trey said that was a requirement.” Bennett smirks.
Heat creeps up my neck and to my cheeks and I drop my gaze to the floor in hopes of hiding it.
“I better get going. Enjoy your table and keep Trey on his toes. He needs it.” He opens the door and then he’s strolling down the hallway.
The door closes behind him and I lean against the wood, exhaling a long sigh. For someone who you’d expect to get what you see, Trey actually has a lot of deep ruts in his seemingly perfect life.
* * *
I peek through the doorway into Abby’s room. Her feet swing in the air as she lies on her stomach on her floor, coloring in a princess coloring book. She’s my entire world. Soon there will be one more. I rest a hand on my stomach as warmth fills my chest. I pull my phone out of my back pocket as I stroll into the kitchen, checking to see if I have any missed messages. Nothing. He’s thirty minutes late. This better not be a preview of what’s to come.
I nearly jump out of my skin when the intercom rings. I buzz Trey up. I’m waiting with the door open as his dark hair comes into view as he climbs the stairs. “Where have you been? You're late.”
“Sorry. I stopped at the store and got things to ease the transition from only child to big sister.” He holds up two plastic bags in each hand and a helium balloon with big pink letters that says Big Sis.
“This is a bit excessive.” I hold the front door open as Trey strolls in past me.
“I would rather be prepared.” He sets the bags on the counter and unloads a t-shirt, sweatshirt, books, a teddy bear, a necklace, and a pint of ice cream. “I also found these really awesome baby toys. They light up and play music depending on how fast you move them.”
“Seriously, more baby stuff?”
“Yeah. I didn’t want to miss out on them being available later.” He passes me the bag of baby toys. “Hide this so Abby doesn’t find it.”
I huff and grab the bag from him. It’s been less than a week and this baby already has more stuff than I do. Once in my bedroom, I set the bag down in the corner with the rest of the bags. What are you doing?”
“Getting prepared.” He holds out the box of ice cream to me. “Freezer. All news is better with ice cream.”
I grab it and smile. It’s hard to argue with that logic. I shove the ice cream into the freezer. Spinning around, I face Trey. “Ready?”
“Let’s do this.” He wraps an arm around my waist and pulls me to his chest, placing a kiss on my lips.
I pull away. A flutter of butterflies fills my stomach. “Abby! Can you come out here?”
The patter of little feet barrel down the hallway. “Squirrel! You’re here!” She races to Trey and wraps her arms around his legs.
A flood of warmth washes over my body. I love that these two have developed a connection. I can only hope it will help with what we’re about to tell her. “Abby let’s sit down in the living room. We have something we need to talk to you about.”
“Okay.” She sprints into the living room and jumps on the couch.
I follow behind and take a seat next to Abby. The cushion depresses next to me as Trey sits. “What we wanted to talk to you about is… When two people are…” Why is this so hard? I peer over my shoulder at Trey, hoping he has the words I can’t seem to find. He just shrugs. I turn toward Abby. “When two people are… together, they do adult things.”
Trey chuckles next to me. He leans in, bumping my shoulder, and speaks softly out of the corner of his mouth. “Give her the ice cream.”
I’m failing at this parenting thing right now. Just spit it out. “What I’m trying to say is… you’re going to be a big sister.”
Abby doesn't move a muscle, which is completely out of the ordinary for her. Dammit. She hates me and will spend the rest of her life revolting against me.
Trey jumps off the couch, races into the kitchen, and snatches the balloon and teddy bear off the counter. When he returns to the living room, he deposits them in front of Abby. “We even got you a balloon to celebrate the occasion.”
Abby eyes the balloon for a few seconds, then lifts her gaze to me. “Where do babies come from?”
Next to me, Trey stretches his arm over the back of the couch and leans toward me. “Stork. Go with stork,” he mumbles.
I nudge him with my elbow. “Well, when two adults are together. They do things… Sciencey things.” The cushion next to me vibrates as Trey’s body convulses with silent laughter. Screw it. We’re doing this Trey’s way. “Two adults get together… and… wait for the stork to deliver the baby.”
“Doesn’t the baby live in your tummy?” Abby tilts her head.
A bead of sweat forms on my brow. I can give birth to the kid, yet I can’t explain to her where they come from. “Yes. The baby’s home will be in my belly until the stork comes.”
“Okay. Do I have to share my toys?” Her big hazel eyes peer up at me.
“You might have to share, yes.”
“Do I have to share my room?”
“It will be a little while until we need to figure that out.”
“Give her the ice cream,” Trey whispers.
“How about we have some ice cream?”
“Yay! Ice cream!” Abby leaps off the couch and runs into the kitchen.
“I’ll be right there,” I call over my shoulder.
“Sciencey things?” Trey sits up, resting his elbows on his knees. “I have to admit, science with you is my favorite kind of science.”
I drop my head to his shoulder. “I choked.”
“If you ask me, it didn’t go so bad. No kicking and screaming. Also, the bedroom thing… you two can always move in with me. I have lots of room.”
I flash him a small smile. “Let’s focus on one thing at a time for now.”
“Mommy!” Abby yells from the kitchen.
“But first ice cream.” I rise from the couch and stroll into the kitchen, with Trey close behind. The three of us sit at the new table as Trey and I dodge more questions from Abby about how babies are made.