My Way to You (Brothers in Law Book 1)

by Lyndell Williams

  Toni reached across the table. “Are you okay?”

  Regina held Toni’s hands and leaned forward on her elbows. “I’m pregnant.” She looked at the waitress. “I’ll have eggs, scrambled, toast, no butter and coffee, thank you.”

  Toni shot straight and blinked repeatedly. “Are you serious?”

  “I took a test, and it came out positive. So, yeah, pretty serious.” Regina thanked the waitress and stirred the coffee with her shaky hand. “On top of that, while I’m reading the damn thing, Simon arrives back from Singapore and starts knocking on the front door.”

  “You’re kidding.”

  “I wish I were. They let him come back to New York to do some work here. He decided to surprise me by taking the first possible flight home.” The shaking mug rattled against her teeth. She wrinkled her nose at the metallic taste the coffee left as it washed past her tongue and down her throat. Her stomach wasn’t too thrilled with the brew either. “Excuse me.” The young waitress approached the table. “Is this coffee fresh?”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  “Well, is it okay if I have a fresh cup?”

  “Sure.” The waitress swooped up the vile drink and walked away. Regina massaged her temples. The flashes of light behind her eyelids were harbingers of a major headache, one she was not prepared to deal with or anything else for that matter.

  “Did you tell him?”

  Her shoulders slumped and mouth fell open. “How, girl? How was I supposed to tell him? I’d just found out myself. Besides, he was too busy carrying me into the bedroom and trying to get me naked as quickly as possible.”

  “I’m sure he was.” A chuckle escaped Toni’s lips just before she sipped tea from the mug held between her delicate hands. “He was gone for three months. That’s a lot of sexual frustration.”

  Before any semblance of a comeback came to mind, the waitress returned and set down their breakfasts. She placed a new mug of coffee before Regina. “Here you go, ma’am. I made a new pot.”

  “Thank you.” Regina sipped and curled her lips. It tastes as gross as the last one. I don’t know how I’m gonna live like this for months and not starve to death. “May I have a glass of water with lemon?”

  The waitress smiled. “Absolutely.” She spun on the heels of her white slip-resistant shoes and walked behind the counter with so much pep that her pony tail bounced.

  Regina poked at the puffy mounds of yellow with a fork. “It can’t be right.” She immediately regretted holding a forkful of eggs under her nose and clamped her hand over her mouth while her abdomen convulsed. Body and life were completely out of her control. Peace, security and a decent plate of eggs were all unattainable. “Excuse me.” Regina raised her hand and pushed the offensive fare to the middle of the table. She maintained Toni’s gaze. “I must’ve taken it wrong or something. We used protection every time.” She gazed at the waitress with doleful eyes. “I’m so sorry, but may I have eggs without pepper in them?”

  “I don’t think there’s pepper in the eggs, ma’am.” The strain of impatience in the waitress voice was apparent. “But, I’ll ask the cook.”

  “No.” Regina wiped her forehead. “Can I just get some oatmeal? Just plain oatmeal with nothing in it.”

  The eggs jumped in the plate as it was snatched off the table. “Right away.”

  Toni turned her head to follow the waitress stomping away. “Yeah, it could be wrong, but they rarely are.” She bent her head over the cup of tea. “I’ve learned that over the past year.”

  Regina jammed her hands between her thighs and stared out the window. It was the only safe place to look. The floor pattern and food on the table along with the guilt gnawing in her gut from Toni’s hurt expression threatened her ability to keep from hurling. “I’m sorry, girl. I shouldn’t be talking to you about this.”

  Toni’s forced smile only made thing worse. “Of course, you should. Who else would you tell? Your mother?”

  Regina closed her eyes to the flurry of pedestrians on the other side of the window. Adrian Kent was not going to be pleased at the news that her only daughter was becoming a statistic. Her mother and father had strong convictions about children being raised in two-parent homes. Marriage was an automatic, especially when a baby was involved. “Shit.”

  “Exactly, or would you tell Marcus?”

  She raised her hand in defeat. “Okay, point taken. I’m not ready to tell any of them about this. At least not yet.”

  “I know you aren’t.” Toni reached for her hand. “Don’t worry about me. Marcus and I had long conversations after the last treatment failed. He’s content with not having children, and eventually, I’ll be too.”

  Regina sniffed and wiped the drops escaping her eyes. “I’m glad to hear that. I couldn’t bear it if you guys broke up.”

  Toni handed her a napkin and took one for herself. “Well that’s not happening. I can’t let a possibility ruin the wonderful sure thing I have with him.”

  “Good, because as much as I love my brother, you’re the only reason I can even deal with him.” The friends sniffed and laughed then sat quietly for a few minutes.

  “When will you be ready to tell Simon?”

  “Not today. First, I’ll make an appointment to confirm that I’m in fact pregnant.”

  “Then?”

  Regina glanced at the steaming oatmeal laid before her and then the waitress standing with one hand on her hip. “Damned if I know.”

  Chapter 30

  Skinny Girls’ Pill

  Regina rubbed her goose pimply arm as she glared at the pregnant woman blissfully standing in a meadow, appearing content in her maternity. Dr. Algiers’s office wall was full of similar posters hanging between shelves of books and small photos of happy new mothers. Lying bitches.

  Her introduction into the world of motherhood had been less than delightful. After the obstetrician confirmed that the little red lines were not a result of factory malfunction but a bona fide pregnancy, she endured a slew of tests. Vials upon vials of blood drawn, breasts squeezed. Her torture ended with the mother of all pelvic exams. Dr. Algiers was obviously making her pay for missing the last annual checkup.

  Balancing the stack of pamphlets and information sheets the nurse with an irritatingly bright smile passed off to her, Regina instinctively crossed her legs, remembering the intrusive instruments passing into her nether regions. There was so much to learn. How am I gonna make it through this pregnancy? How am I gonna tell Simon?

  “Okay, Regina.” Dr. Algiers entered her office. The striking woman in the lab coat glided across the room while reading the contents of a manila folder with color codes and letters running down one side. “Given the information you provided us about your last menstruation,” she continued and pulled out a small paper wheel from her lab coat pocket, “I would say you are about 13 weeks, almost 14.” Dr. Algiers’s smile did nothing to perk up Regina’s somber mood.

  Why is everyone in this Goddamn office smiling? Don’t they know my life is careening off a cliff? “I’m still not sure how this happened.”

  “I’m pretty sure you know how it happened.” Dr. Algiers shot Regina a sardonic glance. “Perhaps if you hadn’t missed your last annual, we could’ve discussed birth control methods.” The obstetrician’s ability to remain professional while sticking it to her was both admirable and infuriating.

  “That’s the thing. We did, my fiancée and I, did use birth control, condoms. One broke once, but when we realized, we went to the pharmacy for one of those birth prevention pills.”

  “You took the pill within 24 hours?” Dr. Algiers began reexamining the contents of Regina’s file.

  “Yes, right away.” Regina wiped the sweat from her forehead. How was it possible to be cold and sweating at the same time? Nothing happening makes any sense. She leaned towards the desk, tapping her foot to the sound of rustling papers.

  “Um, Regina. I understand you’re perplexed, but I’ve determined why you’re currently pregnant despit
e your precautions. No birth control method is 100%, and the pill you took is only 95% effective under the most perfect circumstances. The pill’s effectiveness lessens for a variety of factors, one of them being weight.”

  “Say what now?” Regina sat erect. “Are you implying that I’m obese?”

  “Now,” Dr. Algiers stretched her arm and patted the desk, “I’m not saying you’re overweight. You’re within the normal range for a woman of your height and build. Unfortunately, the pill you used won’t work for a woman your weight.”

  “Are you telling me it’s a skinny girl's pill?”

  She folded her hands over the chart. “Basically, yes. There’re a lot of women for whom the pill will not work. I’m surprised the instructions didn’t indicate that.”

  “Yeah, go figure.” Regina’s gaze shifted to the information packet in her hand. The picture of yet another serene pregnant woman in profile pose mocked her for her carelessness. “Maybe I didn’t read all of the instructions.”

  “I see.” Dr. Algiers’s tone softened. “Look, you need to concentrate on having a healthy pregnancy, which means a healthy diet, rest, moderate exercise, and coming to your appointments.”

  “Yes, Dr. Algiers.” It was like sitting in the principal’s office. She took a prescription for prenatal vitamins, and vaguely heard the doctor say something about the softening of stool. Reality crushed her like a load of bricks. A baby was coming, her baby, and the father had no clue about it.

  ***

  The busy city street gave no solace for Regina’s racked nerves. People scurried around while her stomach turned as a mixture of street cart food and exhaust fumes invaded her nose. She answered her phone. “Hey, Toni.”

  “Well?”

  “13 going on 14 weeks. Turns out, I’m a bit too much woman for that type of pill to work.”

  “Oh, boy.”

  “Or girl. What the hell am I gonna do? How am I gonna tell Simon? He thought everything was handled that day in D.C. He doesn’t like loose ends, and now I have to inform him that not only is the end loose, but it’s weaving into a baby blanket.”

  “Gina.”

  “Then there is Ma and Dad—Marcus. I just started a new job, and I’m planning a wedding.”

  “Gina.”

  She managed to walk into a bodega and grab a bottle of water and box of crackers. “The wedding. I guess Ma will demand that get pushed up—to like yesterday.” She swiped her debit card.

  “You’re freaking out. You need to calm down. Is there someplace you can sit?”

  “Yeah.” Regina walked into the park across the street and sat on a bench. Children played while their moms chatted with each other or on cell phones. As she slowly munched on the saltines, the waves of nausea ebbing and flowing in her belly eased.

  “Better?”

  “Yes. I gotta hide this pregnancy from social media as long as possible.”

  “Don’t think about that now.”

  “I have to, Toni. Do you remember how things were when the pictures of Simon and I kissing came out? What do you think will happen when the trolls find out I’m having a baby with him?”

  “Yes, with him. You’re having a baby with Simon, the man you love. That’s what you need to concentrate on, not a bunch of internet idiots.”

  The diamonds on her engagement ring glistened in the little sunlight filtering through the trees. “You’re right.” She let out a sigh. “Why am I allowing the potential musings of small-minded people taint this moment? Why am I so scared to tell Simon? He asked me to marry him. He wants a life with me. This baby is a part of that.”

  “That’s better.”

  “I need to tell him. Tonight. Can you and Marcus come to his place for dinner? I need you there.”

  “I’m texting Marcus now.”

  “This may sound silly, but I think I want to get him a gift. It must be the hormones.”

  “It doesn’t sound silly at all. I know just the thing.”

  ***

  The problem with unanswered questions is that often the questioner makes the mistake of trying to think of the answers. Simon glared at the small white stick on the coffee table. He’d decided to surprise Regina by coming home early and got one himself. He noticed the pregnancy test box while searching in the bathroom for—something. He no longer remembered because what he found in its stead rocked his world.

  Regina’s pregnant? Why the hell didn’t she tell me? He leaned over to re-inspect the test. His lunch rolled in his stomach. As he glared at the two faint red lines, rage mounted from deep inside. She must not want the baby. She may be planning to get rid of it. Simon ran his fingers through his hair. “I won’t go through that hell again.”

  It took over a year for him to function after Samantha’s betrayal nearly destroyed his life. His love for her was one-sided. She’d left him broken-hearted for a guy she could bring home to daddy. The realization that he was nothing more than a fulfillment of a sick Asian fetish for her devastated him. To then discover that she’d aborted their baby, his baby, from a “well-meaning” source without even telling him delivered a crushing blow to his heart.

  He didn’t eat, sleep, or concentrate. If Marcus hadn’t been there for him, Simon would have just deteriorated into an empty shell of a human being. Marcus led him through those dark days of rejection and despair, and the thought that his best friend’s sister could be pulling the same cruel stunt was unbearable.

  “No.” Simon sprung from the sofa and marched back and forth across the apartment. “Regina isn’t Samantha. Samantha is an opportunistic bitch that used me for sex. Regina loves me. She wouldn’t hurt me like this. She’s gonna tell me.” He grabbed the pregnancy test. Then, why hasn’t she? Is she afraid of how I’ll react, or other people? She already paid a heavy price for loving me. Maybe she thinks having my baby will cost her even more.

  The sound of Regina’s key unlocking the door brought Simon out of his musings. She walked in carrying two cloth shopping bags. “Hey. What are you doing here, my love?” She made a beeline to the kitchen, and began unpacking.

  “I left work early.” Simon cupped the test in his hand, and sat on a stool. She had to clear things up before his imagination got the better of him.

  “Aww, that’s so sweet.” She leaned over the counter beaming. Simon kissed her puckered lips. “I’m sorry I wasn’t here. I had an appointment, and then I decided to run some errands. Did you get my text about Toni and Marcus coming over for dinner?”

  “I did.”

  “Great. I got you and Marcus beers and even some of those horrible orange chips you like.” She laid each item on the counter, and grinned with her chest out. “Don’t you just love having such a thoughtful fiancée?”

  “I do.” The small plastic stick felt like a ton in his hands under the counter.

  “Damn straight, Young.” Regina spun around and continued packing away groceries.

  “I do have a question for my thoughtful fiancée.”

  “Ask away.” Simon dropped the stick on the counter while Regina closed the refrigerator. Her eyes widened. She blinked at it and then looked at him. “Si—”

  “Are you pregnant?”

  Chapter 31

  I Need Space

  Regina gripped the bottle against her chest. “Yes,” her voice shook like the rest of her. “I—”

  “And you didn’t feel the need to tell me?” Simon sprang from the stool and stormed across the great room. “I’m gonna be a father? Didn’t you think that would be something I’d wanna know? When did this even happen?”

  “D.C.”

  Simon blinked and raised his eyebrows. “D.C?” He spun on his heels and stalked back towards her. “No, not D.C. You took a pill in D.C. to make sure this wouldn’t happen.” What is she playing at?

  “It didn’t’ work.”

  “What the hell do you meant it didn’t work?” Each simple answer she gave plucked at his nerves. There must be something she's hiding.

  Regina grabbed t
he stick and met him in the middle of the living room. “I mean it didn’t work. Apparently, the damn pill is made for women built like this,” she said, waving it. “I guess it’s a shame you weren’t fucking a smaller woman. Then you wouldn’t be saddled with a kid.” She went into the bathroom. A small thud of the test hitting the bottom of the trash can drifted through the door.

  Simon grabbed a beer off the counter. What the hell is happening? Regina’s pregnant? The pill didn’t work? She conceived in D.C. before I left for Singapore? “Wait. D.C. was over three months ago,” he yelled at the bathroom door. “How long have you known?”

  She emerged, leaned on the doorway and twisted a lock of hair around her finger, avoiding direct eye contact. “Three weeks.” Everything about her demeanor confirmed the irrational fears rattling through his mind.

  “Three weeks?” Simon strode to the end of the small hall and back. “You knew all this time and said nothing?” He stopped. Toe-to-toe, he stared at her. “What, were you weighing your options? You took that pill pretty damn quick, so you must’ve been pissed when you found out it didn’t work.”

  Regina pushed past him. “You know you’re talking crazy, right? You were at the pharmacy with me. You bought the damn thing.”

  “You wanted it. So, what? Now you’re pregnant but you couldn’t be thoughtful enough to let me in on it?” Simon stood behind her and sneered. “Were you trying to decide if having a biracial baby was worth the hassle? Were you concerned it would taint your pro-Black image? Were you worried about your followers, haters or whoever? Everyone but me?”

  She gasped and spun. Tears welled over the pain in her eyes from the sting of his words. She opened her lips to speak, but nothing came out. Simon shut his eyes and tightened his lips. “Gina, I’m sorry.” Full of regret, he reached for her, but she backed away and walked into the kitchen.

  She stood in front of the sink with her head bowed. Simon rubbed the back of his neck and headed towards the kitchen. He just hurt the woman he loved, the mother of his child. “Gina, babe, listen.” Desperately wanting to ease the hurt he caused, he tried to hold her, but Regina was not having any of it. She shoved his arms away as if he had the plague.