India
There is baby stuff everywhere.
“Are you sure we’re going to need all of this?” I ask Alannah and cringe at everything spread across on the living room floor.
“I don’t think we’ve got enough,” she says, looking worried.
Not enough?
Wow.
“Don’t worry though, I’ll get what we haven’t got.”
That’s not what I was worrying about. I knew babies needed a lot, but you cannot see the carpet for blankets and clothes, bottles, and diapers.
Leo’s going to come home and think I’ve spent all his money, when in fact, Alannah wouldn’t let me pay for anything. I gave up trying to argue with her, Leo can deal with her.
I take the weight off my feet, that are now swollen, and sit on the couch next to Luca. He’s busy watching something gruesome on the tv and messing on his phone.
“Honestly, Indie. Once it’s all packed away, it won’t look so much.”
I take her word for it and close my eyes.
“Leo didn’t read the papers properly this morning, I’m giving this place to you as well. It’s both of yours,” she tells me, and my eyes fly open.
“Really?”
Sitting on the carpet, in the middle of pink clothes and bottles, she sighs and looks up at me.
“I know how my son is, but I did raise him to be kind and respectful, I hope he has been with you.”
I forget about the threats and promises of hell he threw at me, and nod because he has been respectful to me.
“India, you’re the mother of my grandchild. No matter what happens between you and Leo at any point in the future, you will always have a place here, and not just because your dad is a Lost Soul. I believe you’ll be fine, but there is never any harm in putting in precautions. You’ll learn this quick as you go on.”
“Thank you.”
I don’t know what else to say, thank you seems appropriate and she is content hearing it.
My feet throb when someone knocks at the door. I don’t think I can stand again today.
“Luca, get the door or help me go through these clothes,” Alannah orders and he jumps up and answers the door.
He reappears, falling back onto the couch and my mom stands in the doorway.
“Mom, I didn’t know you were coming.”
Alannah puts the clothes down and stands. I really hope they don’t start arguing again, I can’t handle anymore fighting, not because of me and Leo.
“I want to sort this out, I want my daughter back.”
I pull myself up and tears escape before I can try to hold them back.
“Let’s go outside and have a chat.”
I grab my jacket as we walk through the hall and mom holds the door open for me. Leo doesn’t have any chairs on the porch, so we sit on the top step.
“I won’t apologise for being upset that you’re pregnant. I wanted you to have more time to explore the world before you got held down with responsibilities. You’re still so young yourself, and I worry.”
“You don’t need to, mom.”
“Your dad told me what happened to Leo yesterday. I wouldn’t want that for him, not at all. Your dad is sorry about it.”
I don’t think he is, not deep down. He hasn’t apologised to Leo anyway.
“I’m not going to apologise for choosing to have this baby and be with Leo. I love him and we’re going to show you all we can do it.”
She smiles, for the first time since I come home, I believe everything is going to be okay.
“I hope you do, really, I do.”
“I will go to college next year, but maybe a little closer to home. Leo is going to be a great dad, I know he is.”
Something in his eyes when he makes his promises makes it easy to believe him.
“And guess what else?”
“What?”
“Alannah gave me and Leo this cabin.”
“She did, huh?”
I nod, and gasp.
“What?” mom asks.
“Something…ow, she keeps pushing against me. She takes me by surprise sometimes.”
“You used to push against my ribs every night, I thought I was never going to sleep again,” she laughs softly.
“If she moves in the night I sleep through it, but she kicks the crap out of me when I move around.”
“I can’t believe I’m going to be a grandma.”
“You still have a month to get used to it.”
I have my parents back.
Life is falling back into place and I couldn’t be happier.
“I am proud you know, that you finished the year and took care of yourself. I knew I raised you to be strong. If you ever need to come home, you know where we are.”
“I know, mom, but this is home now, I own half of it,” I grin to assure her.
She stands first and helps me up. Luca is still engrossed in his movie or show, or whatever he’s watching, and Alannah has made coffee for her and my mom.
“I owe you an apology too,” mom says, speaking first.
“Don’t worry about it, I’m sorry, you’re sorry, we’re all fucking sorry. I’ve called Bonnie and Ky, they’re on their way over to help us sort that lot out in there.”
“I’m going to wait on the couch,” I tell them and leave them to their catch up.
Luca doesn’t notice my presence in the room and I end up lying down on the end of the couch.
Closing my eyes has never felt so good as it does this afternoon. I hear mom and Alannah’s chatter for a few minutes, or seconds, and then nothing.
I don’t know how long I sleep for, but it feels like no time at all when a sharp, attacking pain slices across my lower stomach.
I must cry out, Luca hovers over me before I can sit up and then the living room is full of old ladies.
I’m so thankful my mom showed up earlier, when she holds my hand, it’s like I’m a child again and everything will be fine.
As I sit up, something bursts, and I freeze.
“I’m pretty sure my waters have just broke.”
My heart races and another pain shoots across my stomach.
“It’s too early.”
“It’ll be okay, Indie. We’ll get you to the hospital, the doctors will know what to do.”
Luca’s voice isn’t filled with attitude or boredom that I’ve come to hear from him, he’s being sweet and soft, and I muster a small smile for him.
He’s sixteen now, and nearly the same size as Leo. He takes my mom’s place when she lets go of my hand and I welcome his warmth.
“Call Leo, tell him I’ll stay with you till he gets to you.”
I could cry.
This boy who tried his best to protect his friend is now trying to make me feel better. Luca Jackson is a good kid, Sara Lancaster doesn’t know what she’s missing.