Cara came home this morning and is in really good spirits. She just woke from a nap and is nestled on the couch with me, cuddled in my lap. She’s talking with her mom and Amber. I’m trying my best to listen in, but my mind keeps drifting. My phone vibrates on the coffee table and I reach for it. It’s Vincent. Can you sneak away today?

Why would I do that? I just got them back.

Come on. I need your help with something for Cara. She has her mom and sister there to keep her company.

Do I really need to come with you?

Yes, you do and if you don’t, I’ll send Lex over there and make her kick your ass out for the day. Come on, it’s for Cara.

Fine.

Cool, I’ll pick you up in thirty.

I wait for a break in conversation before I tell her. Taking my hand I run my fingers over the tender skin of her arm. Goosebumps form on the surface, and she looks at me.

“Sorry.”

She shakes her head, “It’s okay.”

I lean down once Marla and Amber are off in their own conversation. “Vince just texted me. He needs me to help him today.”

She smiles and says, “Okay, baby.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah, you haven’t left my side in weeks. Go spend some time with your brother. It’ll be good for you.”

I kiss her perfect lips. “Thank you. I love you.”

“I love you too.”

I slide out from underneath her. “Ladies, I’m going to run and help my brother for a bit. I’ll be back soon.”

Marla stands and hugs me, “Take your time.”

“Thanks,” I respond and high five Amber. She’s so goofy. She has such a free spirit like Cara.

I look in the mirror and decide against changing. Whatever he has planned, he can take me in my basketball shorts and a t-shirt. I grab a hat, put on a pair of tennis shoes, then I hear him honk out front. Damn, that was fast.

I go into the living room and grab my cell phone, placing a kiss on Cara’s forehead and tummy. “Love you,” I say and head for the door.

Vincent is parked out front in his Bugatti with the top down. As I get in, he’s wearing grey dress slacks, and a white dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up. Okay, maybe I’m way underdressed for what he has in mind.

“How ya holding up, big papa?” he jokes, speeding off.

“I’m good. How’s my douche of a brother?”

“I’m great.”

“So what do you need my help with today?”

“I take it Lex didn’t call you and spill the beans?”

“Dude, your lingo fucking sucks, who even says ‘spill the beans?’”

“Fuck you. Who says ‘lingo?’”

“Shut up! No, Lex didn’t call me, should I call her?”

“No. Just relax, man, you’re so edgy today. I told you I needed your help with this for Cara. Enjoy a few minutes away. She’s fine. Lex is gonna swing by anyways with lunch in a bit. Plus we won’t be too long.”

“Sorry. I just hate leaving her. It puts me on edge. Last time I left her…well, you remember what happened.”

“I know, but she’s safe. You know you can’t keep her in a bubble all the time. You both are going to go back to work next week.”

“I know,” I respond. Then I think about her going back to work, on her feet for twelve hours a day, dealing with sick patients, and putting herself and the baby at risk.

“How is she?” he asks.

“She’s great. She’s so resilient; I really admire her strength. I hope the baby gets that from her.”

“It’s still weird to hear you talk about a baby.”

“I know it is.”

We’re both quiet for the rest of the drive. I stare out at all of the sights and the people who are enjoying this summer day. It’s not long before Vincent says, “We’re here,” turning into the lot of a Tesla dealership.

“No way. You’re not buying her a car.”

“The hell I’m not.”

“There’s no way she’s going to accept it.”

“Oh yes she will. I promised her a car if Lex said yes when I proposed. You know I’m a man of my word. Plus you have to admit these cars are sick. She’s gonna love it.”

“Dude, I can’t let you do this.”

“Yes, you can and you will. I wouldn’t have brought you if I thought you were going to be such a pain in the ass. I’m making good on my debt. Plus, my nephew or niece needs the safest car available.”

I shake my head and get out of the car, following my brother over to a row of sleek four-door sedans. A salesman greets us dressed in a navy suit with black wavy hair. Man, I really am underdressed today.

“Gentleman, I’m Raj. What brings you in today?”

“Nice to meet you, Raj. I’m Vincent, this is my brother, Abel.” We both shake Raj’s hand. “We need to buy a car for my sister-in-law,” Vincent says. Hearing him use the term so casually catches me off guard.

“Perfect, will she be coming in as well to pick it out and do the paperwork?”

“No, it’s a gift and I’ll be paying cash. I was hoping I could put it in her and my brother’s name?”

“Yes, sir, that’s not a problem. Do you know which model?”

“I was thinking the four-door S. After researching, that seems to be the most practical and has the best safety features.”

“The S is a great vehicle. Follow me this way; I’ll show you what we have in stock. If there’s something that we don’t have we can always custom order it for you.”

I walk behind them looking at the rows and rows of cars. Cara really does need a new car. I’m sure it will still be a few weeks before she sees any insurance money for hers. Plus, that’ll just be enough for another used car. This will be brand new, top of the line, with the best safety features for her and the baby.

“What color do you think she’ll like?” Vincent asks me.

“Oh, man. I honestly don’t think she’ll care. She’s going to be so excited, it could be shit brown and she would love it.”

Raj laughs. “Women seem to lean towards the white and silver colors. I have a white one right here. Surprisingly this one has black interior; most have white on white. It’s a Tesla thing.”

“Dude, it’s gorgeous,” I say.

“Can we test drive this one?” Vincent asks Raj.

“Sure, I’ll just need a driver’s license and I can grab the key.” Raj takes Vincent’s ID, and runs inside.

“Are you sure about this, Vince?”

He laughs at me and shakes his head. “Yes. Don’t ask me again, or I’ll buy you one too.”

I lift both my hands up signaling defeat. “Are you sure about the white?” he asks me.

“Yeah. Her room is white, so I know she loves the color.”

Raj hands Vincent the key, who tosses it to me and says, “You’re driving.”

I know better than to argue with him. Quite frankly, if my family is going to be in this car, I need to be comfortable with it as well. The three of us load up and Raj explains the bells and whistles of the interior. There’s a touch screen on the display panel – it’s huge! It’s also an electric car, so no gas is required, which is awesome.

Pulling out onto the road, I notice the vehicle handles exceptionally well. It’s smooth and easy to maneuver. “Raj, what if you need to charge the car while you’re out during the day?” I ask.

“I’m glad you asked that. I was just going to mention that across the city, Tesla has multiple charging stations located at popular attractions. All of them are in their own special parking locations. You pull in, front row, plug in, and enjoy your day. But you shouldn’t need to do that often; your battery will run for three hundred miles on a single charge. And we include an extra battery that can easily be exchanged if needed in less than three minutes.”

Driving back to the dealership, Vincent asks me, “What do you think?”

“It’s perfect. She’s going to love it. Thank you, Vince.”

“It’s my pleasure. We’ll take it, Raj.”

“Awesome, I think your brother’s wife will love it.”

“Yes, yes, she will,” Vincent says, not correcting Raj.

The paperwork is easy, I guess because there isn’t much to be done. Cara just needs to stop by and sign her half. Then Vincent hands over his black AMEX card and we are on our way to Cara’s. I can’t wait to see the smile on her face when she sees her new car. Pulling up, Alexa’s Porsche is in the driveway next to my truck. I guess that’s my cue to park on the street. I do so and climb out just as Vincent greets me.

“Do you want me to get her?” I ask, handing him the key.

“Have her come to us.” He leans in and presses the horn a few times. I see Amber look out the kitchen window and then the front door opens. My mouth turns into a smile at the sight of her. She is stunning, dressed in a white linen dress with a brown leather belt below her boobs. As she walks towards us, I swear she is starting to show a little bit.

“What the hell is this?” she asks me.

“Your new car,” Vincent interjects and tosses her the key.

“Holy shit. No way.”

She looks from my brother to me and wraps her arm around my waist. Shocked would be the best way I could describe the expression on her face. “Why?”

“Well, for starters, your car is totaled. And I told you I would buy you one. I’m just paying off my debt,” he says.

She slaps his arm and he flinches away from her laughing. “That was a joke!” she yells.

“Oh, it was? Well, too late now. Enjoy your new car.”

“I don’t even know what to say.”

“Don’t say anything, baby. I already fought with Vincent about this. Accept his gift and let’s take it for a test drive.”

She lets go of my waist and hugs him. As she reaches her arms around his neck and presses herself against him, she is definitely showing. I can see the small bump pushing through her white dress. This is really going to happen.