Page 19 of Unexpected Love

Chapter Five

Chloe

It’s been three weeks since Joe left me that voicemail. So many times I’ve wanted to text him, but instead I listen to his message over and over to remind myself I’m doing this alone. My parents have been nosy trying to ask what’s going on, but subtly. I’ve blown them off. I just don’t want to deal with telling them that my child’s father rejected him or her.

Plus Pops would tell Tay Tay, who would tell Dustin, and then they could say something to Joe, and that’s the last thing that I’d want. I do not want Joe guilted into being involved. I had hoped that his voicemail was just his nerves talking, but it clearly wasn’t.

The past two weeks I’ve finally felt good. I’m able to eat some stuff, but my stomach still hates chicken. I’m starting to get a little pooch, and I love it. Of course if I lie on my back it disappears, but I know it’s there. I even had to buy bigger bras, and that makes me so happy. My breasts were decent before, and now they’re fuller.

It’s my dad’s birthday today, so I’m going over to my uncle Tom and Aunt Mara’s place for his party. My family finally all knows about the baby, and everyone seems to be excited for me. My grandma is ecstatic about being a great-grandma. I think everyone is just excited to have something to look forward to, especially after my uncle Gary passed.

After my shower, I slip into my hot pink maxi sundress. It’s hot and humid today, so I put my hair into a twisty bun. I spritz a little sunflower-scented body spray on. My cats follow me into the kitchen, where I grab my purse and keys, and I give each of them a treat.

They both answer with a meow. “I’ll be home in a little bit.” I look at the calendar as I walk out of the kitchen and pause. I’m almost into the twelfth week of my pregnancy.

I feel like this baby is a girl. I don’t know what it is, but I just have this feeling. In my head, I’m already designing her wardrobe. Smiling, I place my hand on my little bump, and then I head out to the car.

As soon as I park down the street from my aunt and uncle’s, I climb out of my car. Uncle Tom and Aunt Mara’s grandson—my cousin Gabe’s youngest boy—comes running down the sidewalk toward me.

“Chloe!”

“Heya, Hunter.” He wraps his arms around me. I stroke a hand over his dark blond locks. “Am I the last to arrive?”

“Yep, let’s go because I’m starving. Uncle Garrett says you’re always late.”

I can’t deny it because it’s totally true. Hand in hand, we make our way down to the house, and there are people everywhere. I love our large, loud family, and our parties usually end in a jam session. My uncle’s neighbors are cool, though, and usually come join in and party with us.

Hunter leads me into the backyard, and I run over to my dad. “Happy birthday, Daddy.” He hugs me tight and kisses my temple.

“How’s my beautiful girl?” He’s been hovering since I passed out. I don’t know why he’s doing it, but my guess is he still feels guilty for how he reacted when he found out I was pregnant.

“I’m good.” I hold up the gift bag in my hand. “Open your present.”

He knows whatever I get him is usually something I made myself, and we’re both criers. He pulls out the jewelry box and looks at me. “Did you make this?” I nod.

When he opens the lid ever so slowly, I don’t miss his swift intake of breath. His fingers go to the platinum, diamond-cut box chain around his neck. Inside the box are two round pendants connected by a loop that says, I’m so special I have two grandpasto love.“Oh, honey. I love it so much.” He hands me the box and undoes his chain. I carefully pull the pendant out and slip it onto his chain.

I clasp it for him and finger the round discs. My eyes meet his, and I can see his are glistening, which makes mine glisten too.

“Pops, they’re over here.” I turn to see Carter come toward us, followed by Pops.

I kiss my brother’s cheek before going to Pops, hugging him tight. He lets me go and goes over to Dad, wrapping his arm around his waist. “Look what our talented daughter made for me.”

“This is gorgeous, baby girl. I don’t wear a chain like your dad, but I might consider it if you made one of these for me, too. Maybe instead of a chain you could do hemp.”

I can’t believe he wants me to make him one, too. My pops wears a wedding ring—that’s it. “Yeah, sure. I’ll see what I have at home.”

I excuse myself and greet my family. Everyone asks how I’m feeling and if I’m going to find out what I’m having, which I think I am. I want to be ready. Stepping into the house, I spot two familiar faces: Tay Tay and her mom, my aunt Renée, are in the living room.

“Tay Tay!” I run toward her, hugging her tight and then moving toward her mom to hug her. “I’ve missed you.” Aunt Renée kisses both of my cheeks.

My eyes begin to burn when she puts her hand over my little pooch. “Your uncle would be so thrilled for you.” Her voice cracks a little.

I place my hand over hers. “Thank you for saying that.” I turn to look at Tay Tay. We haven’t really talked since everyone found out. Joe is her nephew, which puts her in a weird position. “Please don’t be mad at me.”

She grabs me and pulls me into a hug. “Honey, I could never be mad at you. I’m sorry about Joe. We were all hoping he’d come around.”

I can’t answer her right away because I’m afraid I may start to cry. “Who can blame him? He’s twenty-four; he should be out sleeping around and enjoying being single. Not strapped to a thirty-one year old. Enough about that. How’re Vi and Diego?”

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