Chapter 27 Deanna #2
Once plates were cleared, Kandi clapped her hands and announced it was time for games.
Older R&B started playing in the background as she started with “Guess the Baby Food” that had everyone gagging and laughing.
Then came “Don’t Say Baby”—each person got a clothespin, and if you caught someone saying “baby,” you got to take theirs.
Mama Nettie was ruthless, collecting clothespins like trophies.
By the time we got to the diaper relay race, Aris got involved. He won easily. Santo’s backwards diaper had the whole room howling. I laughed so hard my belly ached.
After an hour of nonstop games, chatter, and well-meaning advice from every direction, I needed a break.
I found a quiet corner to catch my breath, and that’s where Mama Nettie tracked me down.
She eased into the chair beside me with a sigh, fussing about her “old bones” before fixing those sharp eyes on me.
“So Tia daddy-in-law the one who got you pregnant with them twins?”
“Yeah.” I took a breath and told her how we met in Greece, the summer we spent together, how things ended, and then finding out about the pregnancy despite my tubes being tied.
Mama Nettie let out a laugh that started deep in her belly.
“Let me see if I got this straight. You go to Greece—where I told you not to go in the first place—and the first man you meet turn out to be your future son-in-law daddy. Then y’all break up, and this man’s sperm somehow untie them tubes the doctor said was tied for good, and now you pregnant with not one but two babies? ”
She shook her head, still chuckling. “Chile, you can’t make this mess up.”
I looked down at my belly, then back at her. “God’s got a sense of humor, and apparently I’m the punchline.” My gaze drifted across the room until it found Aris, who was watching me. “I’m scared out my mind, but happy.”
Mama Nettie patted my hand. “You’ll be alright, sugar. You raised one good child already. You’ll do just fine with two more.”
She’d said something similar the first night I slept under her roof. I was fresh out of juvie and my trust in adults completely shattered.
She’d tucked a quilt around me and said, “You’ll be alright, baby. You just need somebody who won’t give up on you.” Twenty-seven years later, she still hadn’t given up.
“From your mouth to God’s ears,” I said.
Before she could respond, Kandi called out, her voice cutting through the chatter, “Time to open presents! Dee, get your no-business-being-pregnant butt over here!”
I squeezed Mama Nettie’s hand and made my way back to the center of the room, settling into the chair they’d decorated with ribbons and balloons.
Even though the party was pulled together last minute, my friends had clearly put thought into their gifts, and I was feeling all kinds of emotional as I opened the presents. Tiny onesies, soft blankets, books—each gift reminded me that this was really happening. I was going to be a mother again.
When the pile of gifts had dwindled to just a few, Tia stepped forward and handed me a small gift bag tied with ribbons. Inside were handmade coupons for childcare, babysitting, and other help for the future.
This meant everything. It was Tia’s way of accepting her siblings. I pulled her into a quick hug, whispering, “Thank you” against her braids.
Just as I released her, Aris rose from his seat and called for everyone’s attention. His voice cut through the room, commanding in a way that made everybody stop and listen.
“I want to first thank my daughter-in-law, Tia, for organizing this event at such short notice.” He smiled at her with real warmth, and she nodded back. Santo kissed her cheek.
Then he turned to me, his eyes locking onto mine with such intensity that everybody else seemed to fade away. He began walking toward me, each step deliberate, making my heart race.
What was he doing?
When he dropped to one knee in front of my chair, I couldn’t breathe, couldn’t think straight. The room went completely silent.
“Dede,” he began, “I have tried to find more eloquent words, but there are no simpler, truer ways to say this. I love you. But beyond that, I respect you, your strength, your independence, your courage and drive. I love your sense of self, and the way you know exactly what you want and go for it, yes.”
His hand reached for mine. “I’m not a man who believed in fate until I met you. I’m not a man who loses control, yet you, you unravel me with a look. And I am certainly not a man who kneels easily.”
I stared in disbelief as he pulled out a small velvet box. “But for you, Dede, I will kneel, yes. I will compromise. I will move to America if I must do this.” He shook his head, almost in disbelief. “Will you do me the honor of—”
“Yes! Yes, Aris, I will!”
He asked. After all the ways he’d told me and ordered me and informed me — he asked. And the word yes came out of me so easily.
It had always been yes. He just had to let me be the one to say it.
Aris grinned up at me, not seeming to mind being cut off. He stood and helped me to my feet, then pulled me as close as my belly would allow and kissed me.
That kiss went on and on, and even with everybody watching, I didn’t give a damn. I wanted to stay there forever.
Squeals, applause, and someone wolf-whistling erupted around us.
“Oh, for God’s sake!” Santo interrupted, his voice carrying over the celebration. “Cut it out already.”
We ignored him. We ignored everyone. Aris deepened the kiss, holding me tighter.
“At least let the woman see the ring!” Kandi shouted, laughing.
Reluctantly, Aris pulled back just enough to slip the ring onto my finger. I barely glanced at it—couldn’t take my eyes off his face—before I kissed him again.