Page 93 of About That Night

If she thinks I don’t know her body inside and out, and that I wouldn’t notice it’s changing, she’s crazy. She’s never been a drinker, so it’s not a noticeable change that she’s staying away from alcohol. But she keeps resting her hand on her stomach at random intervals, her face is pale, and her chest is bigger. Most obviously of all, her period is late by a couple weeks.

Two months earlier, she had her IUD removed when we moved in together. It was causing her headaches and heavy bleeding, so we just decided to let nature do its thing.

Apparently, it did its thing immediately.

“You’re pregnant, aren’t you?” The way that makes me feel is overwhelming, in the best way possible. But I’m holding back, on the slim chance that I’m wrong.

She nods, though, tears instantly in her eyes. “I took the test this morning. I wanted to wait until after Conviction’s opening night to tell you. I didn’t want to distract you.”

With a whoop, I scoop her up in my arms, and spin her around. “Sweetheart, oh my God.”

She’s laughing. “I take it you’re happy?” she asks, breathless, when I set her back down.

“Ecstatic. Josiah needs a sibling. He needs a buddy. I loved having all my siblings.”

“I would have loved having a sibling.” She smiles up at me. “I didn’t want to steal your thunder tonight though.”

“Are you kidding?” I gesture around Conviction. “This, you, me, Josiah, our baby–this is all our future. It’s everything coming together.”

Chastity nods quickly, wiping at her eyes. “You should open the doors, Hank. It’s time.”

She’s right. “Here we go.” I take a deep breath and head to the front door of my restaurant. My restaurant. I’ll never get tired of saying that. I pull open the door, Chastity beside me, blinking as the sunlight hits me. “Hey, everyone, welcome to Conviction! Come on in.”

I’m shaking hands and greeting diners as they enter. All of my siblings are here, including Cash and his wife Sera and their blended family of four kids. I give little Nelson, their five-month-old, a chuck on the chin. He’s all rolls and chubby cheeks and it hits me hard that a year from now, I’ll have a pudgy little four-month-old or so.

I give Sera a hug. “Thanks for coming.”

“We wouldn’t miss it,” she tells me with a smile.

“Looking good,” Cash says, shaking my hand. “I’m hungry, so look out.”

That makes me laugh. “Good. You’ll be a great test audience.”

Faith and MacKay are here, and Faith gives Chastity a hug. I’m happy to see they’ve buried the teenage hatchet. MacKay owns a bourbon distillery, so we’re serving his label tonight behind the bar. “Can’t wait for everyone to experience your Kentucky straight,” I tell him.

“We’re happy to be featured,” MacKay tells me. “My brother is here tonight too, though he’s late as usual.”

“That’s not a bad thing,” I tell him with a grin, glancing back behind me at the dining room.

As the diners are filing in, my hosts are seating them. It’s going to be a challenge to seat everyone simultaneously, but it’s a great test of my staff’s ability to handle pressure. My parents are here with Pops and Josiah, and they all want to sit with Cash and his brood. I barely have time to register that when my mother hugs Chastity, then pulls back, she stares at her long and hard. She looks over at me, eyes wide.

“What?” I ask.

“Y’all are expecting, aren’t you?” she demands.

Now how in the hell she knows that is beyond me. Chastity looks as startled as I feel.

“I…well…” she stammers, glancing down at Josiah nervously.

“Never mind,” my mother says. “I already have my answer.”

“Mama, mind your business,” I tell her, reaching out and giving her a hug. I murmur in her ear, “But you’re right.”

“I’m so happy for you.” She hugs me tightly. “And Mamas are always right. Remember that, son.”

I laugh. “Got it.”

Pops shakes my hand, then gives me a wink. “I’ll give you the family discount on my matchmaker fees.”

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