Chapter 30 #2
I nodded though I was lying. It had to be girls with all this nausea already.
Gonna have a full head of hair and give me heartburn and all the damn blues.
I flushed the toilet and picked myself up before meeting the eyes of my sis and mom.
They smiled at me weakly and I lowered my head as I went to the sink and rinsed my mouth.
Valencia stuck her hand into the bathroom through the two of them with a mini bottle of Listerine and I giggled into a burp.
“Yeah, we’ll make sure we have soup and salad on the menu for sure now, Arlando. She might not be able to hold anything heavy down,” Valencia said.
“Already on it, Ma,” Arlando said, sounding a little distant. He must’ve been walking off.
I felt like I was taking away from my sister’s big family moment but when I looked at her she seemed happy to have the heat off her. I guess coming was the distraction she needed. I was okay with that.
After I rinsed my mouth and grabbed a bottle of water, Chardonnay pulled me up to her guest bedroom to get ready. We still had to get our hair and makeup done but I wasn’t feeling any makeup at this point. I knew it would just pile on the sweat the second the spotlight was on me.
“Sister, thank you for being pregnant,” Chardonnay finally said as she plopped next to me on the bed.
“Girl, I hate you so bad.” I laughed.
“No, really. Ever since Arlando spoke about this dinner I’d been full of nerves and knew I would make a whole fool of myself.
With you here, and Ma, I can breathe a little better.
I’m nervous as hell to meet his aunt and uncle and cousins and all of them folk.
Arlando has been very particular about our privacy all this time and it’s just…
a relief. I didn’t even think you two would be part of it at first.”
“Well, if you called, I would’ve been here regardless. The one time, girl!”
We laughed and she hugged me tightly.
“I know. I know. It’s partially my fault. I know I rag on you a lot, but I really wanted you to live your best life in Dallas and it seemed like you were. I wanted you to enjoy it for as long as you could.”
“Well, thanks for that. I love it there, but Colton is calling me, girl. I need my sister and didn’t realize how much until I finally came.”
“Oh, so that email I got about that ranch off Coverly wasn’t bull then?”
“No. It was not. I haven’t closed on it yet, but I loved it. I haven’t even told Armond about it yet.”
“Good cuz I’m sure he’d want to keep your ass in Mesquite and I ain’t having that.”
“Girl, I think he’s so over his family he might stay overseas until he’s good and ready,” I replied.
“You’re out of your mind if you think that shit,” Armond said as he stepped into the room.
“Damn, do you have a radar or some shit?” Chardonnay asked.
He laughed and sat beside me.
“I heard my name so I came,” he said.
“Whatever.” I giggled.
“Look. I know you two have been dreading and looking forward to this dinner low key, but we have to cancel it. Giulia and Vino had to go back to Italy on some urgent business. Amelia isn’t coming because of Bellamy’s pageant she’s just now speaking on, and my mother is distraught about wasting her time.
So, with all that, I’m sorry. This is supposed to be a special occasion and… ”
“I’m going to stop you right there, bro. I’m good. I can meet them all at the wedding, shit,” Chardonnay said. “You just made my damn day.”
“Honeybee, are you alright? That was some big news.”
“I’m fine now.”
“Good, because I just closed on your ranch on Coverly. You can begin your renovations in two weeks.”
I shrieked and jumped into his arms. I wrapped my legs around him and peppered him with kisses. He laughed and held me firmly under my butt. Our lips met then I showered him with even more kisses all over his face.
“Let that man breathe, girl,” Chardonnay said as she pulled me from Armond.
“Nay, mind your business. I’ll never get enough of those lips on me,” Armond said with a smile. She nudged him and left the room to call out to Arlando. He shouted back and I couldn’t help but laugh. He was literally her twin flame and I saw why they connected so well.
“Quit all that yelling,” Mommy said as she walked by with Valencia.
“Sorry, ma’am,” Chardonnay said as she stepped back in.
“We’re going out back if you need us,” Mommy replied.
“I’m glad my mother has made a friend. Arlando has been a lot happier since your mother arrived.”
“Seems like your mother is happier too,” I said.
“She is. See, y’all were worried for what?”
“Naw, I don’t wanna hear that. Y’all fancy asses had me ’bout to have a damn heart attack and heat stroke behind this. Got me picking out daisies and charcuterie boards and shit. Bye,” Chardonnay mumbled as she stepped out of the room. “Mama, I’m coming too.”
“The afternoon is free, honeybee. What would you like to do?” Armond asked as he wrapped his arms around me.
“Sleep, honestly. Eat eventually.”
“Sounds good. You want to sleep in here or would you like to go back to the loft for a beat?”
“Ugh, no more driving, Armond. I get queasy too easily. I’m over it.” I groaned at the thought.
He chuckled then led me right back to where we were just sitting and pulled out the comforter. He helped me climb in then kicked off his shoes and got in behind me. He wrapped his arm around me then kissed my head.
“You comfortable, honeybee?”
“I’m always comfy and safest with you.”