When the Fairytale Ends

by Dwan Abrams

  Unable to take the stress, she left the stick on the back of the toilet and returned to her plate in the kitchen, hoping that she could hold down a few eggs to stop the vicious growling in her stomach. She carried her plate into the bedroom and noticed that Greg had his head bowed and his eyes closed. He must’ve been in prayer. Was he praying that she was or wasn’t pregnant? Probably wasn’t. What man would pray that he had a baby on the way when he had just lost his blanket of security?

  Once again, she sighed and called herself a fool for not being more careful. She hadn’t been taking her pills the way she should’ve, and she knew it too. She should’ve made him use condoms, or she should’ve at least made him pull out. Christ, what was she thinking?

  Greg turned his attention to Shania and checked his watch. “You think it’s ready?”

  Shania stuffed a forkful of eggs in her mouth and nodded, then followed him into the bathroom. She pressed the heels of her palms against her eyes so she wouldn’t have to see what she already knew to be true. In her mind, as long as she didn’t see it, it wasn’t real yet. However, curiosity got the best of her, and she peeked from behind one palm and watched Greg’s shaky hand pick up the stick and almost drop it.

  “What does it say?” she whispered.

  “Look.”

  She pulled her hands from her eyes and Greg turned the stick around so she could see it. The word pregnant filled her vision, and her stomach fluttered. They stood there in silence.

  She looked up at Greg and confirmed, “We’re pregnant.”

  She couldn’t believe those words had come out of her mouth. Nothing could describe how she felt. A mixture of fear—no, more like terror—and a hint of excitement surged through her body. Next came the long list of questions swirling around in her mind: Am I really ready? Will I be a good mother? What’s Greg thinking? Why is he not smiling? What will my family think? How will this affect my career? What can I eat? Why is he not smiling?

  Shania felt dizzy and took a seat on top of the closed toilet lid.

  Greg worked his jaw while he rubbed the back of his neck. “We’re having a baby.” He sounded surprised and confused, but he still wasn’t smiling. “But I . . . I thought you were on the pill?”

  With her hands dangling between her thighs, she looked up with teary eyes and said, “I’m sorry. My schedule has been busy and I forgot to take them a couple of times.” She felt out of control. It was the same feeling she got whenever she jumped off a diving board, but just before she hit the water. And why, in God’s name, was he still not smiling?

  He got down on one knee and kissed her left hand. The feel of his soft lips sent a tingle up her spine.

  “If you had told me that, I could’ve used some extra protection.” He looked away from her.

  She pushed her face against her knees and let the hot tears that she had dammed since yesterday squeeze from beneath her eyelids. “I’m sorry,” she whispered repeatedly. “I messed up and I’m sorry.”

  “Babe, babe,” he said, and lifted her head out her lap. He grabbed the hand towel and wiped the tears from her face. “Why’re you crying like that? Those aren’t happy tears.”

  “Because you’re not happy,” she sobbed, and wiped her runny nose with the back of her hand. “You haven’t smiled not once.”

  “I am happy, Shania,” he said, and held her chin while he placed kisses against her lips. “I am happy—babe, I swear I am. But this is a bit of a shocker for me, just like it is for you. But don’t ever for once believe that I’m not happy about being a father. We might not have planned it, but it is what it is.” He turned his lips inward and made a slight popping sound when he turned them back out. “I love you, and I’m happy that you’re having my baby.”

  She tried to muster a smile for him, but her lips refused to cooperate. He leaned closer to her, put his lips against her cheekbone, and sung in a low, deep voice the lyrics to “U & I” by Jodeci.

  His horrible singing brought a smile to her lips. “Honey, please, God blessed you with a few talents, but singing is not one of them. Leave that to Jodeci.”

  He pulled her up and stood with her, wrapping his arms around her. Despite her plea, he continued to sing. He poked his lips out. “You’re not going to sing with me?”

  Not wanting to ruin the joy in the moment, she sung off-key with him.

  Greg grabbed her hairbrush, stood on the toilet, and sang at the top of his lungs.

  Shania nearly collapsed on the floor in laughter. He might’ve been joking, but he was semi-serious, because that large vein was protruding from the side of his neck.

  “Are you laughing at my singing?” he asked his wife.

  She grabbed her side, trying to hold the giggles in. “How could I not? You sound like a dying cat.”

  He attacked her with tickling fingers, tickling her under her chin, under her arms, and along her sides. He tickled her until he brought her to her knees and made her plead for mercy. Then, he removed his fingers and placed his cheek against her belly. She held his head in place and stroked his hair.

  “I love you, Shania. And even though I can’t feel him, I love him already too.”

  A smile touched her lips. “And how do you know it’s a him?”

  She felt him smile against her flat belly. “Because I feel it in my spirit. And I promise you and him right now, on this very day, to be the absolute best husband and father I can be. To take care of you and my son to the absolute best of my ability and to let no harm come to either of you. That’s my solemn vow, and I mean it, baby. All jokes aside.”

  She nodded and whispered, “I believe you.” And she did. Wholeheartedly.

  After getting a same-day appointment due to a cancellation, the doctor confirmed that Shania was indeed three weeks pregnant. Greg wasn’t sure if he could remain standing on his own two feet. He felt happy; there was no doubt about that. Just the same, he was frightened out of his mind.

  One could purchase as many pregnancy and parenting books as money could buy, but this baby still wouldn’t come with a manual. However, he understood that babies were gifts from God, and even if he felt like the timing wasn’t quite right, he knew that if God brought them to this, God would bring them through this—or at least he hoped He would.

  Thirteen

  Though he wanted to celebrate the pregnancy news with his wife the night before, they couldn’t because she had to take care of last-minute details for her obligations the following day. Even now time was of the essence. Not only did she have to meet with the governor and his wife within an hour’s time, but she had a wedding to cater today. The one thing he knew would guarantee a smile on Shania’s face would be for him to agree to take the trip to Jamaica, so he told her that he wanted to go on the vacation.

  She smiled when he told her, and she immediately called her travel agent to tell her to book the trip to Couples Sans Souci in Ocho Rios in four weeks. They tried to quell their excitement about their new baby and the trip, as well as their anxiety about this huge opportunity that Shania would receive if the governor chose her menu.

  At the house, Shania made him taste-test each of the five items on her menu, and since he had skipped breakfast, Greg willingly obliged. The food was flawless, and there was no doubt in his mind that when the governor tasted what Shania had created, it was a done deal. A few seconds later, Shania’s assistant arrived driving the Eat Your Heart Out catering truck. Together, he and the assistant loaded all the food for the wedding in the back of the truck.

  “You go ahead to Highland Hall,” Shania told her assistant, “and set up shop. I’ll meet you there after I finish meeting with the governor.”

  “Okay,” her assistant said before squealing with delight. “Good luck! I know you got this.” She drove off.

  Greg helped Shania load her finger foods into the back of the Range Rover, and even though it was only five dishes, he refused to let her pick up a single dish. Then he held open the passenger door for her.

  “Greg,” she
said and caught his face between her hands, “don’t take this the wrong way, but this is something I want to do alone, okay? I really want to make a lasting impression on the governor, and with you in the room, it’ll make me nervous.”

  He frowned at her and pushed his lips out. This was one of the greatest opportunities she’d ever been offered, and he wanted to share this special moment with her. But in the same sense, he didn’t want to be the cause of her failing to impress the governor simply because he was in the room.

  Finally, Greg sighed and nodded. “Okay, babe. I understand.” He kissed her forehead. “Even though I won’t be there with you physically, I’ll be there with you in spirit, rooting you on.”

  She kissed him long and hard. “Thanks for being so understanding. I love you.”

  “I love you too.” He walked with her around the Range Rover, helped her inside, and then closed the driver door for her. He stood in the driveway, watching her back out. He sent a prayer up to God, asking Him to open the floodgates of heaven and send Shania His strength and His divine favor. Then he returned to the house and started cleaning.

  Even though there wasn’t much to clean up, Greg figured that since he didn’t have a job, and since his wife already had such a busy day today, he could at least take some of the housework off her hands. He washed the few dishes left over from breakfast, mopped the kitchen floor, made up their bed and washed, folded, and put away two loads of laundry. Then he retreated to his office and resumed his job search. He figured that until he knew for certain whether he’d be able to start his own company, he might as well be productive and look for a job.

  Once his brain began to hurt from filling out all the online applications, he closed his computer down and called the hospital to check up on Mother Washington. They transferred him to her room, and when she answered the phone, she didn’t sound too good.

  “Everything’s okay? How’re you feeling, Mother?” he asked.

  “Blessed and highly favored, son,” she croaked into the phone.

  “You don’t sound too good.”

  “Naw, I don’t, do I?” she said, and managed to laugh. “Pastor Ray came up here to see me this morning. He prayed with me and that made me feel a lot better.”

  Even though she couldn’t see him, Greg smiled and nodded his head. “So when are they gonna let you go?”

  “Well, suga,” she said, then cleared her throat long and hard, “they been pricking me like I’m a pin cushion, running all these tests on me. Said something ain’t right with my blood. That’s why I be so cold all the time. Today, they talking ’bout giving me a CAT scan. They just like having me over here ’cause I’m good company, and I help these nurses and doctors’ day go by faster.”

  It touched him that even in the midst of her pain and discomfort, she was still able to smile and make light about the situation. However, he noticed that she still hadn’t answered his question. “So, when are they going to let you go home?” he asked again. “Shania’s already set you up a real nice guest room. You’re going to love it, Mother, I guarantee.”

  “Oh, bless her heart,” Mother Washington laughed into the phone. “That Shania’s a sweetheart. She tell you she’s pregnant yet?”

  Her words shocked him so much, he couldn’t utter a single word.

  “Gregory? You still there?”

  “Yes, ma’am,” he said, nodding. “But . . . h—how’d you know she was pregnant?”

  Mother Washington laughed again. “As soon as I saw her face Sunday morning, I knew she was pregnant. Tell her she having a boy too. And she better name him after you.”

  A smile tugged at Greg’s lips. “How do you know she’s having a boy, Mother?”

  “I just know some things, suga.” She took a deep breath, then sighed into the phone. “Tell her thanks for setting that room up for me, but I don’t think I’m gon’ be needing it. All is well with my soul.”

  Greg frowned. “Mother Washington, I can’t let you go back to that house, not after what Kristen did to you.”

  “I spoke to Kristen about what happened, and she apologized for making such a terrible mistake. She swore she didn’t mean to do me no harm.” She paused. “God’s gonna take care of Kristen. And God’s gonna take care of me too.” She sighed into the phone, then let out another groan. “I love you, Greg, but I’s gon’ have to get off this phone. Talking so much got my head pounding again. I’m gon’ close my eyes and get me some more rest.”

  “You do that, Mother. I love you, and I’ll be up there to see you soon.”

  “I look forward to it,” she said, then ended the call.

  About an hour later, Greg’s iPhone rang the special tune that only played when his wife called. Holding his breath, he sent a quick prayer to God and answered the phone.

  “I got it!” she yelled into his ear.

  Greg had to pull the phone away from his ear as she screamed out her victory. “They picked you?” he asked.

  “They picked me!” she exclaimed. “There are still two more individuals that they have to look at, but the governor was so impressed with my presentation and the taste of the food, he said he’s already made up his mind. We signed the contract right then and there, and he even signed me an advancement check.”

  “Congratulations, baby! This calls for a celebration. Let’s go to Maggiano’s.”

  “Mmm,” she moaned into the phone. “I am ravenous, and Italian food sounds like a prescription from the doctor. I should be finished with the wedding around six-ish. Is that good?”

  “That’s great. Have fun at the wedding, and don’t overwork yourself.”

  “Make sure you call and make those reservations.”

  Greg got off the phone and called Maggiano’s to make reservations. Then he looked through the closet for something nice to wear, not too dressy, but not too casual, either. He settled on a pair of dark khakis and a white button-up, collared shirt.

  While waiting for Shania to finish with the wedding, he decided to go by the hospital and check on Mother Washington. She was asleep when he arrived, so instead of waking her, he simply sat by her bedside and watched over her. Then he got on his bike and took a relaxing ride down a long winding back road.

  When he returned home, he stripped off his clothes in the bedroom. As he stepped into the shower and cracked the glass door closed, the bathroom door swung open. He pulled back the curtain just a tad and smiled at his wife. “So how’d it go?”

  “Perfect,” she said and smiled at him while she curled a piece of hair around her finger. “I love weddings. They always bring back the excitement and nostalgia I felt on our wedding day. The bride looked like a princess and the groom looked like her knight in shining armor. The whole wedding was like one big fairytale.”

  She was glowing with happiness, and Greg loved seeing her like this. He wasn’t sure if the glow came from her flawless day or from the baby taking shape in her womb, but whatever the case, he felt himself lengthening from the need to have her.

  “Babe,” he said softly.

  He didn’t have to say another word. Somehow she understood what he wanted and needed. Without hesitation, she slipped out of her clothing and joined him. He made love to her against the shower wall, very slow and careful—cautious not to hurt her. The fact that not only was he making love to his wife, but to the future mother of his child, heightened his sexual desire.

  After they finished showering, they got dressed and headed over to Maggiano’s.

  They pulled up at Maggiano’s and let the valet park their car. Inside, they ordered a huge plate of smothered vermicelli covered in mozzarella and Parmesan. Together, they ate every bite.

  While eating, Greg thought about telling Shania about his plans to start a business. He remembered how upset she had been when he’d made the bike purchase without touching base with her first, and he figured she’d be upset about this decision as well. However, he knew if he told her that he was considering starting his own business, she’d want to invest in h
im and pay for everything. But he didn’t want her money. There was no guarantee that his business would succeed, and he didn’t want Shania’s nest egg on the line.

  “A penny for your thoughts?”

  Greg forced a smile for her sake and twirled the vermicelli noodles around the fork tines. This was the perfect opportunity to let her know what all was going on in his head. Instead of mentioning the business loan, he said, “I’m a bit worried about Mother. She didn’t sound too good when I talked to her on the phone earlier. I went by the hospital to check on her, but she was sleeping.”

  Shania lifted her glass to her lips and took a small sip. “Honey, Mother Washington will be fine. She’s strong and she’s a fighter. I have no doubt that God’ll bring her out of this. So don’t stress yourself about it.” She cleared her throat, then said, “But I’ve been wondering . . . Why didn’t you tell me about that woman at the dealership?”

  Greg knew that question was coming eventually. “Babe,” he said, “like I told you before, I didn’t tell you about her because I didn’t think it was important. She was coming on to me, even after I told her I was happily married. When I rejected her, she got all mad. I didn’t know she was Mother Washington’s daughter.”

  Shania nodded and chewed thoughtfully before saying, “Listen, honey.” She put her fork down. “I trust you, and I believe you, okay? If you said nothing happened between you and that woman, then I believe you. But if our marriage is going to be a success, you need to tell me things, okay? Don’t leave me in the dark about situations. I’m more understanding than you give me credit for.”

  Once again, he heard God whisper, Here’s your chance. Tell her.

  He opened his mouth, closed it, then cleared his throat and stared at their half-eaten plate. He picked up his glass, sipped his drink and said, “So, when are we going to start on the baby’s room?”

  For the rest of dinner, they refrained from conversing about any touchy subjects. They just talked about their love for each other and the seed that was taking root in Shania’s belly. They reminisced on the early stages in their relationship, like whenever Shania would shoot down all Greg’s advances while she played hard to get.