CHAPTER TEN
Whoever said grown men don’t cry has never told one that they’re gonna be a dad for the first time.
~Text from Christy to Madison~
Christy
The last few months have been really good.
Max and I have been married for almost five months.
I would like to think we’ve settled into a routine that works for both of us and makes us happier than we could’ve imagined.
I also haven’t heard from my father since the reception.
I know he was released and has an upcoming court date.
My father might be dense, but I think even he knows that coming to me isn’t going to get him what he wants.
Although he did blindly follow Joseph around for decades, so I guess I can’t assume that he’s learned his lesson. It’s probably easier to teach.
About a month after we got married, we finalized the purchase of a home.
I absolutely love it, and one of my favorite parts is that it’s right in the middle of family—within a five-minute walk, there’s Ma and Pa’s place, Kierstie and Shane’s, and Madison and Mick’s.
It also has plenty of bedrooms and a great family room.
Right now, besides our room, Max has one as an office, one as a gym, and the other ones are a guest room and storage.
Max has these plans to turn our backyard into a great place to hang out with our nieces and nephews.
I saw the swing set he ordered, along with some big wheel trikes.
I’m pretty sure he’s gunning for uncle of the year.
He and Ry are only slightly competitive about that.
The last couple of weeks, I’ve been feeling…off is the only word I can use to describe it. I haven’t gone to the doctor because I just don’t think they can do anything for something I can’t describe.
I have today off, so I’m gonna make myself some herbal tea and just read. Coffee just doesn’t sound appealing at all. I get myself sorted, tea made, and am just about to make myself a little nest in our big comfy couch when there’s a knock at the door.
I walk to the door and look through the peephole.
Max, Pa, and Asher all insist that I look before I open the door.
Says it’s about safety. I think they’re worried Father might pop up again sometime.
I think because the land up the mountain is gone and there is nothing he can do about it now, that he’s got no reason to seek me out.
Ma is standing on the other side of the door, along with Madison, and little Mikayla is on her hip.
I open the door and smile as Mikayla instantly leans forward toward me.
I take her from Madison. “Was I expecting you guys this morning?” Ma smiles at me and follows me inside, with Madison closing the door behind her.
“No, we didn’t have plans today. However, Madison and I were talking this morning, and we thought we’d pop in for a chat. That alright?”
I set Mikayla down next to the toy chest we’ve put in the living room for all the kids to use. “You’re always welcome here. I was just gonna have a cup of tea if you want some.”
Madison speaks up before I head to the kitchen to put the teakettle back on. “Actually, you see...um…I was talking to Ma about how you said you’ve been feeling the last couple of weeks, and well…”
Ma, who I’ve learned is not one to beat around the bush, blurts it out.
“I think you ought to take one of these tests, sweetheart.” I look over, and she’s holding a box out toward me.
I reach over and take it. I look at it, then immediately look back up at Ma and Madison.
“You think I could be pregnant?” They both nod, smiling.
Madison shrugs her shoulders. “Some of what you said reminded me of when I was pregnant, and although I don’t need details because that’s my brother and just eewwww, but I’m sure you’ve been active since you got married.
You’re both young and healthy, so it’s not a stretch to think you might be. ”
I look at the test. I’m afraid to hope they're right. I feel a hand on my arm and look over to Ma, who gives me a small smile. “Go take the test. The worst-case scenario is you’re not, and we can see what’s going on. If you are, we can help you figure out how to tell my boy he’s gonna be a daddy.”
Three minutes to wait to see if our world is going to change.
Max
I managed to wrap up my day just thirty minutes later than I planned. Not bad for a day when I have a case going to court tomorrow. Now there’s nothing more I want to do than get inside, kiss my wife, and relax on the couch with her and a beer. Sounds like a perfectly uneventful night to me.
I walk into the house, and I hear music coming from down the hallway. Following the sound, I go in search of Christy. “Baby? Where you at?” I can tell the bedroom lights aren’t on.
“Down here!” I follow her voice and see the light in the room we are currently using as storage is on and lighting up the hallway. I get to the doorway of the room and find Christy sitting in a rocking chair in the middle of a bunch of boxes. “Get a new chair today?”
She nods and holds out a gift bag toward me. I take it, and I must have a questioning look on my face because she chuckles. “It’s not my birthday, and I know it’s not an anniversary of ours.” Christy shakes her head at me as she keeps smiling. “Just open it.”
The first thing I pull out is a cigar. I look over, and the smile hasn’t left her face. “Keep going.” I reach into the bag and pull out a shirt, moving it to read it, Number One Dad. I look up at the woman who’s had my heart since we first laid eyes on each other.
“Are you…Are we…Are you pregnant?” Christy nods and, with glassy eyes, holds up a pregnancy test. “I took it this morning. Actually, I took four of them.” I know my body moves, but it’s not conscious, but I find myself kneeling in front of her and reaching out to touch her.
“We’re gonna have a baby?” She just nods again.
I lean forward and kiss her. She breaks the kiss and asks me, “You’re happy about this, right?”
I nod because words are not coming to me right now. I lean in and kiss where I know she will grow with our baby. “I’m beyond happy. We’re gonna have a baby…I’m gonna be a daddy, and I get to do this whole parenting thing with you, the woman who makes everything in my life make sense.”
We’re gonna have a baby. I really am a lucky son of a bitch.
********
It’s been almost a month since we found out Christy was pregnant.
I wanted to go right out and tell everyone, but Christy wanted to wait a bit.
Apparently, that’s what all the books and Ma say to do.
The only people who know are Ma, Madison, and Kimbra, but she’s bound by doctor-patient confidentiality.
Christy said that because it was early on, she was afraid to tell people in case something went wrong.
Well, today we just left the doctor’s office and are going to the clubhouse for a bonfire.
Christy’s agreed we can tell people today.
I can’t wait to tell Pa that he’s getting another grandbaby.
We’ve also discussed who we want as the baby’s godparents.
Christy, of course, wants Mary as godmother, and she surprised me by asking if I thought it was okay for the baby to have two godfathers because she wanted both Jon and Asher to have the honor.
I told her we could pick whoever we wanted.
I decided to get a round of cigars to pass out to commemorate the occasion.
We arrive, and Zane and our newest prospect, Tyson, are moving firewood over to the fire pit.
They both give us a wave as I take Christy’s hand in mine, both of us with smiles we can’t seem to wipe off our faces.
I look down at her right before I open the door.
“You ready? Still good with you sharing with the ladies while you’re inside with them, getting the kids settled, and me telling the brothers?
” She leans over to me to give me a quick kiss.
“Absolutely. Let’s do it. I can’t wait to share with everyone. ”
I manage to make it an hour or so till we’re done eating, and the brothers have almost all filtered out to the fire pit.
The fire is just about to be lit as the sky is tinted purple, the last few minutes of daylight fading into night.
I’m sitting across from Juan, and I swear he’s studying me more than he did his history book in school.
When there’s a lull in the conversation, he points his beer bottle in my direction. “I don’t know what’s goin’ on but littlest brother over there looks like he’s gonna burst out with something.” I glare at him, but another voice speaks up from across the group.
“I’m not one to usually agree with Juan, but this time he’s right. So, what is it, Max?” I’m glaring at Samson when Jeremiah chimes in. “Delilah is right. What’s going on?” Tyson comes up and passes out the cigars I handed him to distribute.
“Well, if you must know, Christy is pregnant, and I’m gonna be a dad.” Cheers and congratulations fill the air.
Pa has a huge smile on his face as he looks first at me, then over to Grant, Jackson, and Wyatt.
“Well, look at that. I’m getting another grandbaby.
” He doesn’t say anything more, but I know this is a friendly competition of sorts between him and the older brothers.
I know they argue about getting equal time with them, and all that matters in the end is that every kid born has family fighting over spending more time with them.
That’s something more kids should be so lucky to have.