Page 62 of Christmas Chaos
Elle looks taken aback but says, “Let’s not attack Tabi about her parenting skills before she’s even a parent. Give her a week or so.”
I stomp towards their kitchen. Tabi blows me a kiss and slips out the front door. When I reach the kitchen, Elle rubs my back until I reach for coffee.
“DRESS.” I put it back and she hugs me from behind. “Let’s cool down and we’ll figure this out.”
“How? It’s Christmas Eve and we don’t have a crib nor a bed.”
Becca comes in the room. I glare at her.
“Don’t apologize to me. Apologize to her.”
Becca’s holding her phone. “I will. I am sorry. Your life isn’t the only one in chaos today but I shouldn’t have let it affect these proceedings. I don’t know where the line is sometimes. But there’s something else I have to talk to you about, and it can’t wait. It’s just happened. Bax. Go get Tabi.”
“Is it about the baby? Tell me now and I’ll break it to her.”
“Kind of.”
Elle walks out of the room, and I panic. What if the baby is sick or the birth mom changed her mind?
Becca puts her hands out and says, “Your adoption baby is fine. He’s perfect, healthy and on schedule for release this evening.” I well up. Somehow knowing he’s a boy makes him all the more real. A boy. Tabi will be thrilled. Becca puts her hand on my arm.
She says, “There’s a wrinkle. Your adoption is closed and what I’m about to tell you won’t legally change a thing. But you know how I’m your attorney for the other pursuits.”
I interrupt. Tabi needs to remain calm. So whatever shit this is, I want to take the brunt of it first.
I say, “Do we have to meet the parents? Or do we just show up? And can we see a picture of the baby?”
Tabi barrels into the room. I can’t stop her from hearing this. I throw my arm around her. Becca smiles and says, “I don’t know what time we’re supposed to show up this afternoon. They’ll call us. He’s perfect according to the doctor and the lawyer for the other side. It’s a semi-closed situation. You’ll have medical records and history, but they don’t want any contact or updates. They don’t want any part of his life.”
I squeeze her. Then tears stream down Tabi’s face. I turn her towards me. “Are you ok? We can back out,” I say quickly.
“It’s a boy. Thank fucking God. I would have no idea how to handle a girl.”
Elle says from the living room, we knew she was listening, “Thank fucking God it’s a boy. We need more boys in the next gen.”
I kiss her deeply. I feel like it’s the punctuation on this part of our life. As if in the next stanza the kiss will somehow be different. We’re exhausted, sore and ready to be parents.
I say, “Go do your Pro/Ho stuff and deal with your parents. I’ll clean up and update my dad. Then call me and we can meet up at the homestead and wait.”
“Where?” She pops a hip.
I smack my forehead. “Fuck. I forgot we’re homeless.”
Elle walks into the kitchen in a different gown. She seriously did a costume change in the last two minutes. She takes a twirl and Tabi whistles. This one is sexy. Simple silk, deep V in the front and back. Her baby bump on display with a very visible belly button ready to pop.
She curtsies. “This was the first one. My idea of a reception dress so I could dance. But I’ll never dance again. My cankles can’t take it and I’m never not going to be pregnant. So, I’m in this Valentino.”
We all applaud, and Josh appears holding all three little girls.
“It’s gorgeous, honey. But I can’t hold the succubae off any longer. The twins need to be fed and this one—” Their oldest reaches for Tabi.
“TABI!”
“Sup, little Emma. We’re having a boy!” Tab raises her hand and high fives two-year old Emma. They both giggle.
“Boy! Boy! Boy!” She shrieks, then sees me and reaches for me. She’s used to being passed around and has affection for all of us. Except David’s dad. But very few of us like Mr. Gelbert. Little Emma’s the first of the babies to start showing up. I’m happy my son won’t be too far behind her in age. My son, that phrase is blowing my mind.
Josh has a twin in each arm. I take Emma and blow raspberries into her stomach, and she giggles. Then she settles on my hip.
