Chapter 89
When the server cleared their Mexican platters, Suzy ordered coffee. She wanted another glass of wine to bolster herself before Fernando arrived but decided to wait. Maybe he’ll take it as well as Jon. Or maybe he won’t. Her stomach roiled.
After Vanessa excused herself to go to the restroom, Suzy addressed Jon. “I’m proud of you for coming back inside. You’re the true gentleman I raised. How do you think Fernando will react?”
Jon shrugged. “He’s the most easygoing person I’ve ever met. I suppose he could surprise me and break up but I highly doubt it. I’ve gotta admit I’m still astonished. That isn’t a strong enough word.” He pinched himself. “Guess I’m not dreaming.” He glanced toward the door and his eyes lit up. “Here goes nothing. He’s here.” Jon held his hands out. “I’m shaking.”
Suzy got the server’s attention and ordered drinks all around except for Vanessa’s hot green tea. Vanessa was still in the restroom when Fernando approached the table.
“I’m glad you called. I’ve missed you today.” Fernando pointed toward the alcoholic drinks the server had perched on a nearby tray. “Are we celebrating or is this pre-wedding jitters?”
“Something like that.” Jon patted the seat beside him. “You might want to sit down.”
Fernando put his arm across Jon’s shoulders. “Aren’t we being mysterious?”
Vanessa waddled up to the table and stood awkwardly, obviously not knowing where to sit since Suzy was in her former seat.
Suzy jumped up and added a fourth chair. All eyes were on Vanessa as she grabbed the back of the chair and slowly eased herself down.
The young woman extended her hand. “You must be Fernando. I’m Vanessa.”
As gallant as ever, Fernando kissed the top of her hand. “Wait. Are you the Va—” He glanced from Vanessa to Jon. “Is this your high school girlfriend Vanessa?”
Vanessa turned toward Jon and grinned. “So, you didn’t totally forget about me after graduation.”
Everyone fell silent for what seemed like hours until Fernando broke the silence. “I see you’re expecting.”
Vanessa rubbed her belly. “Yep, in two months.”
“Boy or girl?” Fernando asked.
She beamed. “A girl.”
Jon turned toward his fiancé. Reaching for Fernando’s hand, he said, “I’ll just get to the bottom line.” He cleared his throat. “Prepare yourself for a shock. The baby’s mine.”
Fernando nearly choked on his drink. He wiped his wet chin. “What? The baby’s yours?” He pointed toward Vanessa’s belly. “This baby?”
Jon nodded as he studied Fernando’s reaction.
Fernando continued, “You didn’t want to ease into that-that choice morsel?” He glanced from Jon to Suzy to Vanessa and back again with his mouth wide open the entire time. Then he laughed almost uncontrollably.
Jon raised his eyebrows. “You think this is funny?”
Suzy joined in with a nervous laugh. Vanessa sat silent.
“Have you chosen a name?” Fernando asked.
Jon’s mouth flew open. “That’s your question? The name? Don’t you want to know the timeline of all this? How it happened? Why it happened?”
Fernando waved his hands dramatically. “Not important. I know you two dated. I knew you had sex before me. I knew you were bi in high school. Sorry, Suzy, if you didn’t know.”
Suzy’s mind swirled. Another nervous laugh escaped. “Let’s just say I’m not surprised by anything at this point. Apparently, everyone knew Jon’s true feelings before I did.” She winked at her son.
Fernando took Jon’s hand and stared into his eyes. “I didn’t just fall off a pear cart, you know.”
“It’s apple but whatever.” This time Jon had the anxious laugh. “You amaze me.”
Suzy considered the unusual dynamics and decided to be quiet and let it play out before her eyes. In real time. After all, they were adults and each one was intricately involved.
Fernando studied Vanessa. “Do you have a boyfriend?”
Her cheeks reddened as she shook her head.
“Are you still in love with my boyfriend?” Fernando asked.
Jon’s mouth flew open. “Don’t ask her that.”
“It’s okay.” Vanessa smoothed her light blue, form-fitting sundress before answering. “Jon will always hold a very special place in my heart but I can see he’s happier with you. We were more like friends than a couple, really, except for that one fateful night. By the way, it was all my idea. I want you to know that, Fernando.” Her eyes reddened. “I caved to stupid peer pressure, didn’t want to be a virgin, and Jon was the only guy I’d ever dated. He didn’t want to—” She choked back sobs. “I’ll understand if you walk away but I’d love it if you were all involved with this baby because my family—” her voice cracked “—has basically abandoned me.”
Fernando jumped up and hugged her. “Shame on them. I, we, want to be involved, right Jon?”
Jon managed a nod.
Suzy grinned. “I’m going to be a grandma.”
Fernando continued, “We’ll be a modern Brady Bunch except with one kid instead of six, and rather than a mom and dad, we’ll have two dads, a mom, and a grandma.”
“And a grandpa.” Suzy chuckled. “The Brady Bunch needed to be modernized.”
Jon’s eyes glistened. He turned toward Fernando. “You’re unbelievable. No wonder I fell in love with you. You don’t know what your understanding means to me, to all of us . . .”
Vanessa wiped away tears. “Thank you for taking the news so well. I’d love for us to be one big family. I know baby will love that too.”
“Everyone, stop crying already.” Fernando clapped his hands together. “We’ll make it work. I have three older brothers. I always wanted a sister. It’ll be fun to have a baby girl around.” He waved to the server. “Do you have champagne? We need champagne. We’re celebrating a baby!”
“Non-alcoholic for me,” Vanessa said.
Jon shifted in his seat as he muttered, “Maybe they won’t card me.”
Elbowing her son, Suzy said, “I’ll vouch for you . . . this time. We have reason to celebrate.” She glanced at Fernando. “I don’t want him driving, though.”
Fernando and Jon exchanged glances.
“Mom.”
Fernando patted Suzy’s hand. “No worries. I’ll drive. We’ll leave his car here if necessary but I don’t think one glass-”
“Shhh.” Jon motioned toward the server balancing gold-filled glasses.
The waitress approached them and set three glasses of champagne and sparkling grape juice on the table.
Fernando held his glass in the air while the others followed suit. “Here’s to our very own Brady Bunch.” They clinked glasses.
Jon gave Fernando a quick peck. “See why I love this man?”
Fernando rubbed his hands together. “We have a lot of work to do.” He ticked off his fingers: “Finalize the wedding. Decorate the nursery—” He turned to Vanessa. “Unless you’ve already done that. We should buy lots of pink and pick out a baby name. Do you have any names in mind?”
Vanessa placed her hands on top of Fernando and Jon’s. She stammered. “This is unbelievable. I never dreamed you’d be excited and want to be involved. Thank you a thousand million times. To answer your questions, no, I haven’t decorated the nursery and I’m terrible with names.”
Fernando grinned. “A baby and a wedding. I can’t believe it.”
Jon nudged Suzy. “Hi, Grandma.”
Suzy beamed. “Wait until Ken hears he’s going to be a grandfather.”
Fernando did a little salsa chair dance, obviously giddy from the champagne, as well as the news. “We want you at our wedding, Vanessa. Actually, I think she should be part of the ceremony, don’t you agree, Jon?”
Jon’s brows knitted. “Uh, let’s slow down. Everything is happening at breakneck speed. Let’s let the baby news sink in for at least a day.” He scratched his head. “Maybe you and I should discuss some of this privately.”
Fernando shook his head dramatically. “Ridiculous. We’re going to be a modern family starting with the wedding.”
“I’d be happy and honored to come as a guest. I don’t need to be in the actual ceremony.” Vanessa rested her hand on her belly. “That is if baby doesn’t come first. When is it?”
All heads swiveled toward Suzy.
“I’ve tentatively narrowed it down to two beachside resorts pending Jon and Fernando’s approval but it’s the peak season,” Suzy said. “We’ll have to see what’s available.”
Fernando sighed. “My family has been difficult. That’s why we don’t have a date pinned down. We’ve had delay after delay. They’ll fly in from Italy. Jon wants a barefoot wedding on the beach. A destination wedding. Sounds romantic, doesn’t it?”
“I can’t fly,” Vanessa interjected.
“Why?” Jon asked. “Are you afraid?”
“My doctor won’t allow it. I’m too close to my due date. I can’t risk having a baby on a plane.”
Fernando’s eyebrows shot up. “Oh, heavens no. We can’t have that.”
“Makes sense but now what?” Jon frowned and peered at Suzy. “Should we put our wedding off until after the baby is born?”
Suzy’s thoughts raced. The last thing she wanted was to disappoint Jon and Fernando. This unbelievable, impromptu meeting had gone so well.
“Have the ceremony without me,” Vanessa pleaded. “Don’t let me spoil your special day. You’ve been incredibly understanding about the baby. I don’t want to be a burden.”
Suzy scanned the restaurant as her mind raced. She held up a finger. “I’ve got it.”