“If you need me, I’ll be there with you. I’m not trying to intrude, but I don’t want you facing this alone either.”
“Thank you, Tracy. I love you, but it’s best if I talk to them alone. I should probably tell Rod first, so I don’t blindside him in front of his sister.”
She nods, knowing these conversations will be awkward enough without an audience present. Simply getting through the next few days without letting the others see my angst will be difficult. Hiding my condition from my mom and sister will take a miracle. Although, I think Mom already knows, but she’s waiting for me to come to her with the details.
“We should pick up a few small gifts while we’re out. We can’t go back empty-handed. That would raise too many red flags.” Tracy drops the positive test in her purse, pulls it onto her shoulder, and palms the car keys. We’ve taken over the store’s only restroom long enough.
“Yeah, you have a point. I should find something small for Rod and Juliana too, but I have no idea what to get them. I put Isa’s on the plane with all the other presents. Rod knows the adults in my family don’t exchange gifts, but I’d like to have an intimate celebration with them while we’re here. Something that’ll give them the full experience. Let’s go look around in the mall. A little retail therapy definitely is in order today.”
We head for the large high-end department stores first. With only a couple days left before Christmas, pickings will be slim, and those stores are most likely to have items left in stock. Finding something for two people who have every material possession they could possibly want isn’t an easy task, but by the time Tracy and I walk out of the mall, we’ve both achieved our goals.
“I can’t wait to see Rod’s face when he opens his Christmas Eve gift. You couldn’t have picked a better present for him, Daisy.”
“That one was easy—it’s a family tradition. But I struggled with his Christmas Day present.”
“He’ll love anything you give him but be prepared to catch hell for not letting him get you a gift. Your whole family can tell he’s crazy about you, even before your mom moved you into his bedroom. She said you two just needed a swift kick in the right direction.”
“Nice to know the family doesn’t mind meddling in my private life.” My deadpan response only makes her laugh harder.
“You two needed a shove in the right direction. Neither of you were moving fast enough to make anything happen.”
“You think we’re moving slow? It feels more like the speed of light to me.”
“That’s because you slept with a guy you’d just met, then got knocked up.”
I gawk at her as she drives, oblivious to the bluntness of her assessment. “Don’t hold back to save my feelings. Please, by all means, tell me what you really think.”
She glances over her shoulder and cringes. “Sorry. I can’t help but be blunt, you know that. I didn’t mean it the way it sounded though. All I meant is this situation feels fast to you because you’re still getting to know Rod while you’re pregnant with his baby. It’s not as if you’re the first person this happened to, you know.
“You’re both happier when the other is around. You’ve found your way back to each other in spite of the odds. Rod, even with his commitment issues, is head over heels for you. Focus on the positive points to help build your relationship. You two have a lot to be thankful for, babe.”
“You know, you actually do give good advice the few times you remember you’re dealing with actual human beings.”
“I deserved that.”
“Hell yeah, you did.”
We stare at each other for a few heartbeats before we both burst out laughing. With the stressful day we’ve had, it’s no wonder why we’re both on edge. After a few more days, the strain of keeping this secret will be over. Rod, Juliana, and I will have a frank and open discussion about the best course of action, and we’ll move forward from there.
I only hope Rod and I are still moving forward together rather than in opposite directions.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Rod
“What’s your mom up to, Landen?” He’s sitting in my lap, along with Isa, and they’re working on a joint plan for homemade Christmas presents.
“Grams said Mommy went shopping with Aunt Tracy. Maybe they forgot to get cookies to make for Santa.”
“You might be right.” But he’s not. I know, because I’ve already raided the fridge and found the cookie dough Chelle hid for tomorrow night.
“Hey, kids, I have something you two can use to make for your moms—and it involves finger painting. Come with me. We’ll go out by the pool and set everything up.” Chelle claps her hands then motions exaggeratedly with her arm, telling the kids to follow her.
Both jump up and run outside with her, eager to make whatever she has lined up for them. The rest of the extended family is either already outside, taking a nap in the comfortable chairs around the TV, or went off on their own shopping excursion. Brian offered to let me take his car if Kevin, Juliana, and I wanted to take a trip of our own, but Jules declined to go.
She went upstairs to her bedroom, leaving Kevin and me downstairs with worried minds and our imaginations running wild.
“I’m going up to check on Jules. Something isn’t right. Her doctor cleared her for this trip, and the home healthcare nurse has checked on her multiple times. But she’s not acting like herself at all and it worries me. Normally, she’d be all about Isa at this time of year.”
“Don’t interrogate her too hard, man. She’s going through a lot already.”
“Yeah, yeah, I got it.” I take the stairs two at a
