by S. I. Hayes
I nod, and she touches her belly slightly. “You put that, here.”
“I-” I stop fishing into my pocket as Carlos starts taking pictures again suddenly. “Since I’m already on my knees.” I open the box. “Kaycee Leanne McLane, I’ve loved you as a friend for fourteen years. Let me call you wife, and I’ll love you the rest of my life.”
“Oh, my. Cal…” She reaches for me. Grabbing my lapels. “Yes! Of course!” She kisses me. The first real kiss since before her rape. I stand lifting her up, deepening the kiss a moment.
Not wanting to muss her too much, I put her down and see her makeup isn’t even smudged. “They really shellacked it on, huh?” I laugh.
“You’re telling me?”
The rest of our prom photos become engagement photos as Carlos starts to focus on the ring.
We arrive at the prom, and it’s what you would expect. An overpriced hall with twinkle lights and too many balloons in the school colors. We’re handed masks at the door as it’s that kind of party. Kaycee stands out amongst the crowd in her royal blue gown. So many pink things, whites, and silvers. I was glad she followed her own beat and chose to stand out.
Dinner is a chicken picatta like entrée, with a twice-baked potato and a mixed green salad with honey vinaigrette. Drinks are sparkling ciders, sodas from an old fashioned soda bar plus an assortment of flavored waters and teas.
The theme song is Love on the Brain, by Rihanna. It’s a little on the nose for me, but they all agreed to it in the Prom committee, so it is what it is.
We dance some, eat more. Then we head out to take the prom backdrop pics. These are sponsored by the photo club. The proceeds this year were going to SARC, to raise awareness, and help with services. It was the school's way to show their support for Kaycee after what happened. The cheerleaders rallied for her, as did the dance team.
Maybe the people here weren’t so bad, after all.
Kaycee and I are standing waiting for our pic when Lenard Criss stops us. “Are you two engaged?” He asks, grabbing Kaycee’s hand.
She smirks, unable to play it off. “Yup.”
“That’s so exciting!” He gets ready to take the picture.
“I’m also having his baby!” She pulls the dress against her, and there it is the thing she’s been hiding from everyone, including me. The Bump.
Lenard takes the pic and squeals. If we didn’t already know, he was gay. “You are my heroes! So brave!” He gushes. “Congrats, guys!”
We walk away, and I am just looking at her.
“What?” She laughs. “I’m past the worry point; this isn’t going anywhere. Might as well let everyone in on it.”
“You sure?”
“Sure as I am that I wanna be your wife for life. Or that I’ve got a sweet wet spot developing as we speak.”
I lick my lips, as the room clamors. The music stops, and the mic gives feedback.
“Good evening, Class of twenty nineteen!” Cira Cummings calls out over the crowd. Hoots and hollers. Someone yells show me your tits, which gets a laugh. “No, I’m not doing that! Anyhow, we are all here to have one last hoorah before life happens for real. Colleges, jobs, the army for some! We love you, Chuckie Robbins!” She blows a kiss to the senior that started out a slacker, but after basic training became a contender with me academically. “So with that, I have the Prom King and Queen to announce! As you all know, this year’s scholarship is one thousand dollars to help with books and supplies for college. How great is that?”
More hoots.
“Alright, so our Queen first, we had an online nomination, and she won by a correspondent landslide. Kaycee McLane! C’mere girlie!”
Kayce looks at me. “Why would I be?”
“Hey, you better go.” I smile, kissing her softly.
“What about you?”
“I’ll be right here.”
“Okay.”
“C’mon Kayce! Get your crown and your check!”
I watch as Kaycee goes up on stage. They give her a dozen roses and a cheap plastic crown. Frankly, I liked her tiara better.
She’s all smiles and nods while they call out the Prom King.
“Calvin Pennington the Fourth! Come on, Cal, come claim your queen!”
I’m pushed toward the stage. Next thing I know, I’m standing before the whole senior class. Getting a taste of what graduation day is going to be like. They take a few more pics and someone sides, Cira.
“I understand we have reason to celebrate! Not only are these two your king and queen, but they’re actually getting hitched, and having a baby!”
We look at each other, in shock. Well, I guess if it was gonna come out, it may as well be all at once.
Chapter 28
Kaycee
Our secret is out. We cut and run after the King and Queen’s dance. Heading to this sweet little bed and breakfast, Cal booked for us under Mister and Missus Pennington the fourth. He was so sure I’d say yes. He lifts me at the door, making me laugh outright.
“Easy there, we’re not actually married.”
“I just want to make this night as memorable as I can.”
“Cal, ain’t’ no way I ever forget tonight.” I palm his face, as we go inside, I kiss him.
His face is so smooth, and rough at once. The taste of his kiss sends signals to the right parts, and my knees are weak as he puts me down. “Unzip me?”
He grasps the zipper at my side as I unclasp the neck of the gown, it slips down to my middle, revealing the black cropped bustier I got special for tonight.
“Is this the rest of my present?”
“Keep going.” I urge him. He pulls the dress down off my filling in hips and is confronted by lacy crotchless panties.
He lets out an approving hum, kissing my panty line. Even though it’s starting to be overtaken by this growing belly.
“You popped.” He says, his hands caressing me. I tilt my head back; I’ve missed his more intimate touch.
“Seems that way.”
He kisses my navel and gently parts my legs before taking a taste of me. I’m so sensitive I almost come on contact. This is gonna be fun. Getting me to the bed, he sits me down and gets me to open wide so he can indulge himself. I’m sitting up, grasping his head, pulling his blonde locks while he fucks me with his marvelously agile tongue. I come not once but twice in seconds. If this was what they meant by multiple orgasms. YES PLEASE! Laying back, I let him touch me more, use his hands better. He pulls at me, stretches me. Fulfills my aching need to come again.
I’m left covered in sweat and panting as he undresses. Climbing into the bed with me, he gets behind me, opening my legs, so he can come at it from behind. I freeze, a flash of Heath coming into my mind. Feeling his breath.
“Hey, I’m here, you’re safe.” Cal kisses me, and realizing I can’t handle that way, he stops. “C’mere.” He pulls me onto him, and I help guide him into my center. “Christ, you’re so wet.”
“Side effect of pregnancy.” I moan, holding his hands as I move up and down on him.
“Great side effect.” He sits up and starts to suck my tits.
“Easy, they’re sore.”
“I’m on it.” He goes slow and gentle. The motions overthrowing me and making me come again.
Here I am making love to a man who wants me… Loves me. Has fought for me and protected me. No wonder I’m a mess, all I’ve done is made him alienate his family and jeopardize his future with a baby.
“Hey, Kayce, why are you crying?” We stop, and I start to sob.
“It’s all too much. You, me. All of this. Who are we kidding? We’re gonna fail, and you’re gonna resent me forever.”
He pulls back, to wrap me into his arms. “Kayce, I love you. Not some idea of you. I wanted to marry you before I found out about the baby. Not because of it. You are my lover, my best friend, and partner in crime. Please realize that all I do is for you. We have the world on a string and by God! We are gonna tie this bitch up and present our happy life
to everyone who’s ever knocked it. It’s you and me, and baby makes three. From now till the wheels fall off.”
“How’d I get so lucky to wind up with a smart guy?”
“Luck nothing; I was smart enough to realize a good thing before I was too late.”
“You mean- it?”
“Same difference.”
I kiss him softly. “Make love to me?”
“With pleasure.”
Chapter 29
Calvin
The night was good. Followed by a pre-dawn session and then breakfast on the balcony. It’s finally warmed up, and the rain is holding out until we get home. Or at least that is what the weather person said. But you know how that goes. We’re here one more night before going back to reality, and we’ve decided to explore the local food.
We wind up having a late lunch at a place called The White Dog Cafe. It’s interesting. I found the place online before we came out. I just knew Kaycee would get a kick out of the place.
“Stetson would hate this.” She smiles, sitting across from me. “Everything is puppies.”
The upholstery is red velvet, there are kitschy dog statues everywhere you look, and dog head sculptures. Another room has what look like huge empty cans for light fixtures with oversized forks for décor and birdhouses all over.
She gets the Southern Fried Chicken sandwich, and I get the double bacon burger. It’s huge, tender, and worth the doggy bag back to the Inn. We decide that we are gonna take a stroll through the garden. All of the rain through April has everything green with bursts of color. It smells fresh and clean.
“This, it’s places like this that I want to take our kid when it’s here.”
Kaycee holds on to me. “Do you want a boy or a girl?”
“I don’t care, so long as it's healthy, has my height and your curls.” I give her a gentle squeeze as we find a secluded little bench and sit.
She straddles me with a glimmer of mischief in her eyes.
“Kayce, what are you doing?”
“That spicy pickle made me horny. I need you inside me.”
“Can’t we- you know, go back to the room first?”
“Too late for that.” She hikes up her skirt and unzips my jeans, to start stroking me.
“Ahh, Kayce, this isn’t a good-” Fuck it. I grab her ass and let her have her way. She’s taking her time and drawing it out to merciless effect when I feel the first raindrop. “It’s-”
She silences me with her kiss, as the thunder rumbles and lightning crackles in the distance. The rain starts, and it just encourages her movements. Faster, she moves and does little swivels as she takes me deep.
“Come on.” She pants. “Come with me,” She stares me in the face. Locking on to my eyes, as she starts to come. I see her pupils go wide in her ecstasy. My balls take the kick, and I come. Filling her up. If she weren’t pregnant, she certainly would be now.
Finished, for now, we make our way back through the garden, already wet in every conceivable way, running wasn’t on the agenda.
***
“I’m hungry!” Kaycee whines as we get off the highway.
“We’re almost home, can’t it wait?”
She glares at me. “Are you actually saying no to me?”
“I uh-well... I mean, we literally just ate before leaving PA. How could you possibly be hungry again?”
“Growing another person here.” She points to the pooch. “You put it here you, need to keep it fed, or else I get cranky. If I get cranky, you don’t get any hanky panky.”
“Roger that.” I turn off. “Dairy Queen?”
“Mmm. Yes, please.”
Not hungry myself, I fall to watching her inhale three chili cheese dogs and fries. She’s still working on a large strawberry kiwi slush when we pull up to the house. It’s quiet, but the van is here, meaning Tracie is home, which is strange because she usually works Sunday afternoons.
Kaycee slurps as I grab our bags and follow her into the house.
“About time, you got back. Don’t you ever check messages?” Tracie sounds very angry.
“Hi, mom.” Kaycee smiles. She’s in too good a mood to be spoiled apparently.
“Don’t you, hi, mom me! You announced you’re pregnant to the entire Senior Class and a large chunk of my customers!” Oh yeah not angry, livid is more like it.
“You!” She turns on me. “I allow you in my home, take you in. The only thing I truly asked of you to not do. ONLY THING! You go and do!” She starts shaking her head; I look to the living room. Grandpa Compton is sitting in his chair, and he looks at us with such disappointment.
“How-” He stops. “Do you have any idea what it’s gonna cost to take care of a baby? You two can’t seem to take care of yourselves. How are you gonna keep a kid, safe?”
“I have it all worked out.” Kaycee says, still slurping.
I look to her as she takes my hand.
“Do tell Miss-Know-It-All.” Tracie quips.
“Well, my store manager already said I could transfer to where ever they have stores. So I’m certainly doing that. I’m getting all my medical right now from Planned Parenthood, and they said I can transfer my info to a Penn facility, so there’s that. If you don’t wanna carry me on your insurance anymore, which I’d get, I’ll apply for state help. There is SNAP and WIC. There’s no shame in asking for help. I’ll do my online classes first, so I can be home after the baby comes. Maybe I’ll look into selling Scentsy or something while I’m doing that. Miss Warner- April has asked me if I want to be a SARA, for the Penn chapter of SARC, and I’m thinking about it. That wouldn’t pay very much, but it’s got resources and would keep me in my therapy. Cal’s gonna be in school and working too so we won’t starve. I’ve even found a few nice houses that are subsidized, right next to the college. We’ve got appointments to look at those this week. So like I said, I’ve got it all worked out.”
I just let out a little laugh. “So, that’s that.” I add not sure what else to say.
“It’s a better plan than you had at eighteen.” Grandpa Compton gruffs. “You- I believe said all you needed was love and dreams.”
“Look who’s talking, Mister insta love, world traveler.” Tracie retorts. “I just- I’m worried.”
“Tracie.” I go to her. “Look, I’m not your ex. I’m not Logan. I didn’t know him, but I’d say that we don’t have much in common, or you wouldn’t have let me be around all these years. Wouldn’t have encouraged our friendship, our relationship. I’ve been here in some capacity for more than a decade. Could you say the same for him?”
Tracie’s eyes are welling up.
“I’m a good egg, sure this is sooner than we all would have planned, and we got young and careless, but this is the endgame. Is it not? This is life, what we strive for. A home, family, the person we want to be with for the rest of our lives.”
“Mom, it’s not gonna be easy, but it doesn’t have to be hard either. Not if you guys are involved. Don’t shut us out; don’t be Pennington’s.”
I can’t help but laugh. “Maybe I should take your name.”
“It’s weird, but I’m for it.” Kaycee says. “Break the cycle, drop the pompous numbers.”
“Maybe.” I kiss her softly. “You wanna show off your crown now?”
“Most definitely.”
Chapter 30
Kaycee
I’m in Principal Koopersmith’s office. Seems my little announcement at Prom was not appreciated.
“Kaycee, you’re a looked up to young lady.”
“Bullshit, I’m hardly a blip on the radar, but go on if you must.”
“That mouth of yours. Can you not control it?’
“Why? You’re gonna suspend me, right? Might as well make it worth it.”
“We have exams this week; if I were to suspend you, there would be a riot from the parents over the reason. It’s just pregnancy is like a sickness, girls catch it.”
“Uh-huh.” I laugh. “Pretty sure that’s not ho
w it works. There’s usually a boy and about thirty seconds of fumbling around if you’re lucky. Me? I got really lucky.”
“Kaycee!”
“What?”
Koopersmith rubs the bridge of his nose in frustration. “Please, can you just not make a spectacle of yourself.”
“I can’t promise that. I am something of a spectacle in general, you know?”
“Ugh. Just go to class.”
“Smartest thing you’ve said yet.” I take my feet off his desk for the fourth time and sling my bag over my shoulder. “Later. Koo-” I stop, feeling a swimming motion in my belly. I grab it. “Oh-wow!”
“Kaycee, are you alright?”
“Yeah, it-just. It moved.” I smile. “I-gotta go find Cal.”
Heading down the hall and up the stairs to the red wing, I find Cal in Modern Literature. I knock, and Missus Beamer spots me.
“Can we help you?’
“Yeah, can I see Cal Pennington for just a sec?”
“Why? We’re in the middle of class, can’t it wait?”
I grab my belly. “I don’t know.”
Cal is up and at the door. “What’s wrong?”
I grab his hands and put them on me. “Feel.” We wait. “Right there. Feel it?”
He laughs. “Is that?”
“I think so.” I smile, as he kisses me I notice a few girls are up and headed for us, as is the teacher. Next thing I know, it's like I’m an amusement park attraction, everyone wants a hand on the belly. I so-should be selling tickets.
The next couple of classes go similarly, and the baby doesn’t disappoint. Once it started, it was like it wasn’t gonna stop. That was until we got in the car and started the ride out to our first apartment appointment. Ten minutes in and poof, no more kicks.
“Guess I know how we’ll be putting this little one to bed.” I smile.
“Yeah.” Cal takes my hand. “We’re really doing all this?”
“Yup. You good?”
“I’m great. You?”
“Terrified.”
“Oh, thank God. I was afraid it was just me.” Cal says, relieved.
