35. Montana
thirty-five
Montana
“Aunt Valentina, are you home?” I call out when I walk into her house.
“I'm in my office, baby! Come on up!”
Walking up the stairs, I see pictures of me and Talon from when we were younger and next to them are photos of my mom and aunt. Taking a deep breath, I walk into her office and see that she has a bunch of fabric samples all around. She’s sitting criss-cross-applesauce on the floor. I always get teary eyed when I see her because she and my mom were identical twins. Looking at her raven hair and blue eyes that match my mom’s is never easy. She has the same light brown complexion, but she is more on the fair side like Talon and me.
I’m getting tears in my eyes. I haven’t stopped by in a while, but she understands. To look into her face, knowing it's not my mom talking back to me guts me every single time.
She is often away, working with the clients she has all over the world. She’s one of the best interior designers. She also has a magazine that she runs from home too about all the up-and-coming designers in the area. From interior, clothes and even baking she will feature it. I should see if Autumn would be interested in being featured.
“I need to talk to you.”
“You know you can talk to me about anything, baby. I’m listening.”
“Okay, well…it’s a long story.” I sigh.
I go on to tell her about meeting Rocky and falling in love with him and keeping my identity a secret. All of the things, about meeting Karissa again and if she remembers how he was the boy who proposed to me with the ring from the vending machine. She laughs and nods. How he was there for me during the one-year anniversary of my parents' death and taking me to Valleyfair.
She places a warm loving hand over mine and she smiles. “Sounds to me like it was fate. You were meant to find each other again. I believe that your mom and dad sent him to you. They knew that he would be what you needed.”
“I’m pregnant,” I blurt out.
That sweet smile on her face morphs into something like a deer in the headlights. I start to cry because she hasn’t said anything.
“Oh no, baby, don’t cry. I'm not upset with you. Just shocked.” She leans over and gives me a hug, holding me as I cry.
“Baby, look at me. Your mom got pregnant with you when she was a senior in college too. You’re going to be okay. You have someone in your life who loves and cherishes you. If what you told me about you and Rocky is how you really feel, then I would say you two are solid. You aren’t the first and you’re definitely not the last to get pregnant at twenty-one. I’m here, your uncle is here. Hell, even Talon will be the best uncle to this baby. You also have Atlas. He loves you too.”
“Yeah?”
She nods her head and hugs me again. My phone buzzes and I see it’s a text from Rocky.
Savage: Hey killer, practice kicked my ass today. Dinner and Harry Potter?
Me: Sounds like a plan I’ll see you soon.
Savage: Love you
Me: Love you too
Savage: Pinky promise?
Me: Pinky promise.
I’m smiling at my phone, and I look up at my aunt still sitting there and she’s smiling at me.
“I think you’ll be okay, baby. When are you planning on telling him?”
“Autumn and I came up with a plan to tell him after the bowl game in a couple of weeks. I don’t want his head to be out of the game. I know he can opt out, but he wants to play. He doesn’t want to let his team down.”
“Well, that’s sweet of him. Most who declare to go to the draft opt out of the bowl games. This is the Las Vegas one so I think they are more excited for the after party.” She laughs.
“We’re playing Ohio. Dylan will be there because, of course, he didn’t opt out to play either.” I roll my eyes.
“He’ll see what he missed out on. He’ll see that he lost the best thing that ever happened to him.”
We talk for a bit longer about everything and anything since I haven’t been around in a while. I apologize for not coming sooner but she understands. How can I look at my aunt and not see my mom? It hurts every time.
I know that with these hormones it's not helping but I promise I won’t be a stranger. Talon has been telling me how much she missed me, but I just couldn’t. I feel bad. I can’t hide away forever. I'm glad I have her.
I walk in and hear the shower is on. I smile. I love walking into my house and finding him here. He’s my home. I know that whatever happens, we’ll be okay.
He walks out of the room with his gray sweatpants hanging low on his hips and no shirt. Just all that sexiness on display. He smirks because he knows I love seeing him in all his tattooed glory. I walk up and give him a big hug and kiss.
“How was practice, handsome?”
“It was okay. I didn’t do much—I was working with the second-string quarterback because he’ll be playing a bit in the bowl game. I won't be playing the whole game. How was your day?”
“It was great, I had some classes today, and I cannot wait for winter break. Then I went to see my Aunt Valentina. I haven’t seen her in a while.”
“That’s great, baby. Me either, it’s our first Christmas together,” He kisses my cheek and asks what I want for dinner.
“I know, I’m excited. And I was planning to make some chicken Alfredo, is that okay with you?”
“Of course, Killer, need any help?”
“No, it's okay. I’ve got it.” I smile and start preparing dinner.
Everything turns out great. I only gag twice because of the chicken but I don’t think Rocky notices.
I don’t want to tell him I’m pregnant since I’ve got a surprise set up. I’m so nervous to tell him, but I think everything will be okay. Another curveball thrown to us. Gosh, can't we just catch a break?
I have so many thoughts running through my mind, I totally space out. I don’t even want to eat dinner anymore. I was craving it, but thinking about it now makes me want to gag.
This baby is already giving me a hard time. I love them anyway.
Just a few more weeks and Rocky will know. It can't come fast enough.