by Gia Riley
Kinsley’s eyes are watery when she looks at me, but she doesn’t need me to save her this time. This time, she can handle my mom all on her own. “Mrs. Taylor, I love your son, and I love this baby.”
“I know you do, sweet girl. The thought of losing either one of you would destroy my son. I didn’t realize until this afternoon how much it would destroy me, too. Life is precious and we’re only given one chance to get it right. I’ve messed up so many times, but I’d like a chance to love this baby. I’d like a chance to love you.”
“That’s all I’ve ever wanted.”
“That’s all we’ve ever wanted,” I add.
My mother walks to Kinsley’s bedside, and leans down to hug her. It’s the most amazing feeling in the world to have two of the most important people in my life getting along. Today was pretty awful, and could have ended up tragic, but every new beginning comes from a beginning’s end.
Today was the end of the feud.
Today was the first day of our happily-ever-after because I don’t plan on losing my girl ever again. Not when I have it all.
Two weeks later . . .
I WAKE UP with a sense of urgency. The need to see Rhett so strong I can hardly stand it. Even if it’s going to be hard to listen to the whispering, I’m excited to go back to school to see both him and Becca.
After the rest of Thanksgiving break was spent in the hospital and on bed rest, I’ve been going a little crazy being cooped up inside my bedroom. Now that I’m allowed to be on my feet, I rush around, making sure I leave on time so I’m not late for photography class.
Wyatt’s back at school and while Carson’s still living here, we haven’t been on speaking terms. Still, he leaves me toast on the counter each morning. It’s either his way of apologizing for what he did, or because he’s desperate to stay connected to me in one way or another. Rhett wants him gone, and I can’t blame him for the way he feels, but Kate and I can’t bring ourselves to kick him to the curb until he makes arrangements. Even then, I’m not sure how hard he’s trying to find something else.
But I forget all about Carson as soon as I’m at school—even if I am running a little bit late.
“I wasn’t sure you were coming,” Rhett says, as he clears his papers off my spot at the table.
“I was planning on meeting you at your locker.”
He raises his eyebrows. “Yeah? What stopped you?”
“I got sick.”
Before he has a chance to respond, Mr. Jasper starts class by announcing we have the entire period to work on our final portfolio. With as many classes as I’ve missed, I’m farther behind than most everyone else in the class. I was planning on doing my project as a gift for Rhett. Since I found out we’re having a baby, my plan’s changed a little bit. I’m shifting the focus from us as a couple, to me and the baby. I’m hoping to give him one of the pictures as an early Christmas gift.
As soon as we’re set free for the period, I stand up from my stool, hoping to snag one of the tripods before they’re all taken. Rhett reaches for my waist when I walk by him, stopping me. He looks directly in my eyes, and I swear my heart rate is beating double time from one simple look. “You got sick? Are you okay?”
“I’m better now.” His thumbs rub back and forth over my hip bones, and all I want is for him to pull me closer to kiss me. I can’t stop staring at his lips, and he knows it.
“Hey,” he says with a laugh. “Focus.”
“Sorry.”
“Tell me if you need something—anything. I’ll get it for you.”
“I need a tripod.”
He stands up, grabbing one off the higher hooks most of us can’t reach. “Where are you taking it?” Rhett asks, curiously.
“Um, I’m not sure yet. I have to think about it some more.” I already know the only place I can take the kind of picture I’m looking for is someplace private. I cleared it with the nurse already, and she gave me permission to use one of the curtained rooms in her office.
“I guess I’ll see you when you’re done then.”
At first it’s a little weird posing in front of the camera when I’m so used to being behind it. Once I try a couple different poses, and get the hang of the timer on the camera, I get into my usual rhythm.
Even though I haven’t seen it yet, I already know the third shot is going to be my favorite. I’m so excited about it, I want to hurry back to the room to develop it, so I can give it to Rhett by the end of the day. He deserves something special after taking such good care of me.
It’s complete dejavu once I get back to the classroom. Being the first two done, Rhett and I are alone in the darkroom like we were the very first day of school.
“How’d it go?” he asks, when I lean into him for a hug.
“Perfect.”
I’m trying to tie my apron when Rhett sneaks up behind me, taking the strings out of my hands. “I got it,” he whispers, against my neck, as he wraps the strings around my back and to the front of my stomach where he ties them in a bow.
His fingers linger over my growing bump, and like he always does, he rubs his fingers back and forth on my belly. “I think it’s a little bigger today.”
“That’s because she’s always hungry.”
I grab some photo paper off the shelf, and while I could work beside Rhett like we’ve done so many times, I need a little space—mostly to keep my surprise hidden.
He glances out of the corner of his eye, no doubt wondering why I moved to a different table.
“Do I smell or something?”
“Nope, you’re wearing my favorite cologne, but you can’t see what I’m working on yet.”
“Hmm,” is all he says, when he shrugs his shoulders and continues working on his own project. He doesn’t say anything else until he’s cleaning up his space. He’s so much faster at this than I am. “Do you need anything before I go?”
Looking up from my tray, I blow a piece of hair out of my eye. “You’re so good at this.”
“Nah, but I’ll wait for you if you want.”
“No, it’s okay. Go ahead. I’ll be done in a couple minutes.”
He nods his head, but is still hesitant to leave. “Are you going to sit with me at lunch?”
I’m actually dreading lunch. I need to eat, and if I don’t, I’ll probably throw up, but the thought of everyone watching me do it makes me want to run the other way. Everyone’s going to be wondering how much the pregnant girl’s going to eat.
“You’re nervous about it, aren’t you?” Rhett asks, reading me like a book.
“A little.”
“Meet me at the table. I’ll bring your food out with mine.”
I dig into my pocket for some money, but he stops me. “I’ve got it, Sunny.”
“Thank you.” He has no idea how much I missed hearing him call me that when we weren’t talking. I haven’t felt much like sunshine these past few weeks, but when I’m with him, it’s all a little easier. The idea of becoming a mother in a couple months doesn’t consume me the way it did when I thought I lost him. I would do it by myself if I had to, but with Rhett by my side, the entire experience isn’t as scary. He makes me feel like the most beautiful girl in the world—even when I know I’m gaining weight by the day, and my body’s doing things I never knew were possible.
Rhett’s waiting for me at the lunch table when I get there, just as he promised. I slide behind a couple chairs, making my way down the row. I suck in my stomach, but Mandi takes it as the perfect opportunity to sling an insult at me. “Look out, the heifer’s coming through.”
Her stuck up groupies all giggle, but Rhett’s already flexing his fists, waiting to pounce. If she says one more thing, I know he’s going to lose his mind.
He pulls out my chair for me, and I sit down next to him. “Relax,” he whispers, as he sets my sandwich, banana, and crackers in front of me. “I got you apple juice and milk, too.”
“Aww, they’re playing house already. How cute.”
Without
thinking, I know he didn’t because he would never hit a girl, he picks up one of his mandarin oranges and chucks it at Mandi’s head. Luckily, it only grazes her shoulder, but she grabs it off the table, and chucks it back at him.
He catches it before it has a chance to hit either of us, but she holds her shoulder in pain, like she was just hit with a brick, and not a tiny piece of fruit. The cafeteria proctor walks over to talk to us, shaking her head at the childish behavior she witnessed. “Is everyone okay?” she asks.
Mandi puts on one of her more impressive displays, trying to earn sympathy from those around her. “Rhett should get detention. Did you see what he did?”
She nods her head. “I did. I could also give you a detention for bullying and throwing produce. It’s your call though.”
“I’m fine,” she mumbles. “It doesn’t hurt that much.”
“I don’t want to see or hear another negative thing from this table or you’ll all go to detention. Understood?”
“Yes,” we all reply like robots.
Rhett rests his hand on my thigh while we finish eating. He makes sure I’m full before he lets me leave the table. If he’s this protective with me, I can only imagine what it will be like once our baby is born.
“I have to get to the auditorium, but I’ll walk you to your next class.” The entire end of the day is reserved for the winter talent show. Rhett’s performing with a couple of his friends. It should be a complete disaster.
“Break a leg.”
He smiles, a mischievous gleam in his eye. I can only imagine what they have planned. Rumor has it, they’re doing a dance routine to a medley of One Direction and Taylor Swift songs. If that alone isn’t enough to pique curiosity, I don’t know what is.
Funny this is, some of the participants actually take their performances seriously—because they have actual talent. But it’s the over-the-top, outrageous acts the student body goes wild for—and Rhett knows it.
I meet up with Becca after Rhett goes backstage to get ready. “Lets sit up front. I can’t see back here,” she says, as she yanks on my arm until we end up in the sixth row on the right side of the stage.
“Since when do you care so much about the talent show?”
“Since Rhett and Jake are performing,” she says, with excitement.
“It is going to be pretty epic isn’t it?” I snort, imagining the dance moves they’re going to come up with.
“Grayson, Brady, and Kyler are all in it, too. And we already know Grayson has zero rhythm.”
She’s right, the kid can’t dance for shit. Even the organizer must know how outrageous their performance is considering they’re scheduled to take the stage dead last. It makes sitting through all the other acts that much harder.
Once they do finally take the stage, the roar from the packed auditorium is the loudest it’s been the entire show. Even the teachers seem excited for what’s about to happen.
They begin with a couple snippets from One Direction songs, even managing to get lights from the drama department, a fog machine, and costumes. The entire audience is going completely crazy, hanging on every lyric blaring from the speakers, but they manage to kick it up a notch. Just when I was sure it couldn’t get any better than it already was, Jake runs onto the stage dressed like Taylor Swift in a silver sequin leotard that’s blinding when the light reflects off it. “Shake it Off” takes on a whole new meaning with Jake dancing front and center.
Becca snorts, doubling over in laughter. “Can you believe I kissed that thing?”
“Strangely, I can.” They’re not together anymore, and I don’t get to talk to Jake the way I used to when they were seeing each other, but I’ve forgiven him for hitting me. Even Rhett’s worked on repairing their friendship. Love makes you do stupid things, and Jake did his fair share of them while he was fighting for Becca.
“Ohmigod, if he shakes it any harder, that costume is going to rip in half. Are you seeing this?” She elbows me in the side she’s so worked up, and then gasps, realizing she just hit my stomach. “Are you okay? I’m so sorry.”
“I’m fine, but you’re telling Rhett.” She blanches, sliding down lower in her seat. “I’m kidding. It’s not a big deal. You didn’t hit me that hard.”
As soon as the last note is sung, the auditorium is on their feet, whistling and clapping. Jake curtsey’s in his sequins, and another round of laughter pours from the crowd. It was everything I expected and then some.
After a final bow, they file off the stage—well everyone except for Rhett. He walks over to the microphone stand like he’s about to announce the next performance. And he does.
“We’re the final act, but I have one more performance for you. This next act will be a solo gig. I’m not the best singer, at all, but there are two pretty amazing girls in the audience I’d like to sing a special song to. She knows who she is, but Sunny, I love you.”
Ever since I called our baby a girl, he’s believed we’re having one.
“Holy shit,” Becca mumbles, in complete surprise.
The school chorus teacher takes her place behind the piano and although Rhett looks more uncomfortable than I’ve ever seen him, my heart melts into a puddle of mush when the he starts singing “You Are My Sunshine” to me and the baby.
I can feel hundreds of eyes boring into the side of my head as he sings, but I could honestly care less. The guy I’m completely, head-over-heels in love with, is singing his first nursery rhyme to our baby. Whether it’s a little girl or a little boy, it doesn’t really matter. It will be loved all the same.
Tears stream down my face, and by the time the very last syllable is sung, I’m crying so hard I can barely hold it together. He doesn’t take a bow like he did with the guys performance, he blows me a kiss, and walks off the stage like he didn’t just completely pull the most romantic move I’ve ever seen.
“Did you know about that?” I ask Becca, as I dry my eyes with my sleeve.
She shakes her head. “He told me to make sure you sat down here, but he didn’t say why. I figured he wanted you to have a front row seat for his ridiculous performance.”
The school principal leaves us with a few parting words and instructions for dismissal. We’re free to go for the day. I need to get up, but my body’s still shaking.
“Are you coming, Kins?” Becca asks, as she files into a long line of students all trying to leave the auditorium through the same four doors.
“I need a bathroom.”
Naturally, she assumes I have to throw up. Lord knows she’s been with me enough times while I did. “There’s a trash can over there.”
“I can’t pee in a trash can, Becca.”
“Oh! Crap. The hallways are all jammed up. How can we get you out of here?”
She’s right, the hallways aren’t moving, but I have to pee so bad I can’t wait any longer. “I’ll call you later,” is all I say, before I climb the stairs to the stage, and scoot out the crew exit. I’m pretty sure I pass Rhett in the darkened corner, but I can’t stop.
When I walk into the closest bathroom, all eyes are on me again. Girls whisper back and forth like I can’t hear them. Only this time, they don’t seem to be gossiping the way they usually are. In fact, they’re actually a little jealous Rhett wasn’t singing to them.
I want to thank Rhett for the song, but when I weave back through the hallways, I can’t find him anywhere. He’s not at my locker, or his. I try the lobby one more time before giving up and walking to my car.
I’VE LOOKED FOR Kinsley all over the school. She’s not at her locker or mine, and the lobby’s almost empty already. I saw her crying when I was singing to her, but I thought she liked it. I knew how much she hates the attention, but I wanted to do something special for her and the baby—something unexpected.
Maybe it was a little too unexpected.
Once I’m in my truck, I dial her number. It rings twice before she picks up, and she’s still sniffling. “Where are you?” I ask her, before she even has
a chance to say hello.
“I’m in the lot at the park.”
“What are you doing at the park?”
“I don’t know. I didn’t feel like going home, I guess.”
“Will you meet me at my house?”
“You’re sure?”
She’s only been to my house once since her bed rest ended. My parents weren’t home, so she didn’t have any awkward run-ins. Mom’s been asking about Kinsley every single day—like she really cares how the mother of my child is doing. “I promise you, it’s fine.”
She sighs, giving in like I knew she would. “Okay. I’ll meet you there.”
Mom’s car is in the driveway when I get home, and I’m already a little worried about getting Kinsley inside. She pulls in beside me a few minutes later, eyeing Mom’s car the same way I did.
I hop out of my truck, anxious to make sure she’s not mad at me. “I couldn’t find you.”
Before she says a single word, she jumps into my arms, wrapping her body around mine. “What’s this for?”
“It was perfect, Rhett. All of it,” she tells me, hugging me even harder.
“I love you Sunny-girl.”
The front door opens, and Mom sticks her head out. One hand’s stuck inside a pot holder and the other’s waving a spatula in the air. “Will you two get in here, it’s freezing. Kinsley’s going to get sick.”
“You hear that? She couldn’t care less if I get pneumonia as long as you’re okay.”
She giggles, sliding down the front of my body, making me groan. “Sorry,” she says.
“I’ll forgive you because you’re cute in that coat. You look like a little marshmallow.”
“I’m so fat,” she says, as she tries to flatten her puffy, down coat.
“You’re pregnant. There’s a difference.”
We walk hand-in-hand into the living room. Mom hurries us into the kitchen and sits us at the table. She places a tray of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies on the table before handing Kinsley a bag with tissue paper sticking out of the top. This is unlike her.
“Eat up. I’m making chicken for dinner. You like chicken, right, Kinsley?”
