Talania - a Trip Down Memory Lane... (25 page)

Evelyn starts laughing, which in turn causes me to laugh with her.

“You’re keeping the baby?” her mother asks, shock evident in her voice.

She jerks her whole body towards her mom and looks at her straight on with eyes that plainly say ‘I dare you to try and stop me’.

“We are,” she stresses.

“Do you think that is a wise decision considering you are still in chemo?”

I gape at Alexandra. What is her deal? She stole one child from us already. How could she even want us to consider giving up this one?

“All three of my Oncologists assured us that everything should be fine. I am strong, Mother. I am a fighter, Mother. I’m glad to see you question your own daughter’s strength, Mother.” By this point, Ev is shouting. “You can go now. I do not need your negativity around me. This is my happy time and I won’t let you steal that from me again.”

I look over at Evelyn and see the hurt on her face. Her outburst has taken all her energy but I can tell that she means every single word she just said.

“Go on. Father, I don’t want her here anymore. She can go now,” Evelyn whispers, standing up.

“If that’s what you want,” her mother whispers.

Evelyn says nothing. She wobbles on her feet and I grab her as she passes out. She has used her last ounce of strength dealing with her mother and now she is empty.

I am now five months pregnant. My body is so weak. I am barely showing because my figure is stick thin. The doctors assure me that the baby is healthy and growing. Even though the chemotherapy is taking a toll on me, I am still getting great results back on every test. Today we are having an ultrasound done to see if we can find out the sex of the baby.

The last several months have been productive, but very hectic. Tristan finally hired his bar manager full time. He no longer handles the bar business unless there is an issue that requires his attention. I handle the bookkeeping for the bar.

Tristan is also practicing regularly with the band. ‘Lost’ was signed to ‘Crazed Recordz’, a company that deals with up and coming rock bands. In the last month, they have recorded almost an entire record. The guys are still trying to drag me on stage, but I laugh. They cannot be serious.

Tristan and I both decided that we are not going back to college. We both already know all about music and our plates are full enough as it is. The women are all still wearing our wigs. Right now, mine is long, straight, and blonde. Of course, Adella’s is the cutest hot pink pixie cut. Someone spotted my mom wearing a brown, short close-cropped wig and Tristan’s mom surprises me with a new look every time I see her.

I arrive back home from the grocery store. I had to beg Tristan to let me go by myself since he seems to be stuck right up my butt.

He is sitting in the living room watching our home movies.

“Hey babe.” I come up behind him and wrap my arms tightly around his neck.

“Hey. How are my two babies?”

I sigh and grin against his neck.

“We’re great. Whatcha doing?”

“Watching our videos. You need me to carry in the groceries?”

I love how I just fell into a routine with him. My heart was already there and with him, I am still finding more and more of myself every day. The best part is that I now have his help and support.

“Sure, that would be great. Which one are we watching? Will we have time to finish? We have about two hours to go before our appointment.”

He hops up, stretching. “I’m watching the one where we surprised you during your sophomore homecoming dance. It was the only one I got to go to because you left right before junior year.”

Oh!
“That sounds good!”

I flop down on the couch, grabbing a blanket and tossing it over my little chicken legs. I always seem just a little cold these days.

Tristan makes quick work with what little groceries I purchased and is back by my side in record time.

“You ready baby?” he asks as he cuddles up next to me, pressing play.

I breathe out a sigh. “Yeah, I’m ready.”

“Tristan, you sure she isn’t going to be pissed we’re surprising her?”

Tristan looks at Drake. “Why would she be pissed? Oh shit, what if she brought a date so she didn’t have to go alone?” He looks at the camera. “Maybe we should turn this off just in case I don’t like what I see,” I groan.

“Uh, Tristan?” Drake whispers.

Tristan turns around. He is looking at me as if he has just seen me for the first time, as if I am not real.

“Babe, what are you doing here?”
My Voice filters through the speakers.

Tristan looks back at Drake, who is still recording. “We thought we would surprise you,” he whispers.

“I love you, you know that right?”
I whisper, running towards him.

“I hope so, because we just drove two hours to see you,”
he whispers back against my lips.

“You look beautiful baby.”

“You know I’m nominated for homecoming court, so I really had no choice.”

“You’re perfect.” He grins.
“Well, before you have to do your duties, now that you’re royalty and all, how about a dance on camera?”

I look behind him at Drake, giggling.

“You brought the camera!”
I giggle more.
“Hi Drake.”

“You look beautiful Sunshine.”

“Thank you. Trist, I only have time for one dance baby
.”
I pull him into my arms. “Thank you for coming. You don’t know how much this means to me Tristan,”
I whisper, my voice barely audible.

“I would go anywhere to be with you.”

“I know. I love you so much.” I pull back staring into his eyes.

“I love you too baby.”

“I think I fell even more in love with you Tristan.”

“Baby, don’t cry,” he whispers.

He turns off the DVD player and television before pulling me tightly against him.

“How about a nap before we have to leave? I’ll sing to you.”

“Yes please.” I yawn and cuddle up against him.

I stir awake, looking at the clock on the wall.
Crap!

“Tristan, wake up! We only have ten minutes to get to the doctor’s office!”

He flies up cursing, pulling on his shoes.

We race out of the condo, into the Jeep, and finally into the doctor’s office.

I think it is safe to say we do not want to miss this. We arrive just in time and they call us back not even five minutes later.