“I’m sorry about how I acted. I shouldn’t have kicked you out. I…I miss you guys.” As Dad continues, I lunge forward and wrap my arms under his for an unexpected hug. Everyone makes mistakes…I know I did.
The only thing that matters is that they are here now. No matter if Grandma forced him to come or not. The important thing is that they came for their family. As I let go, I hug my grandmother and Mom as well, thanking them all for coming here tonight.
“Dinner is ready; you might as well stay and eat. We have plenty,” Steven chimes up as he begins slicing the ham. My eyes shoot to my dad to gauge his reaction. To my surprise, he nods and gives a hint of a smile as he takes a seat.
Everyone else joins, and soon, our plates are full and so is the conversation. Damian is telling them all about what he wants for Christmas and about how nice it is living here with his dad. I can see the shifts of discomfort between my parents.
I know it’s new to them, but they are going to have to get used to the idea of Steven and me being together, especially because of the secret we’ve been hiding for a few days now.
“So, what made you guys come tonight?” I ask as the conversation dies down, looking at my father. “Don’t get me wrong, I’m excited to see you, but it’s out of nowhere.”
Dad sets his fork down and looks at Steven. “I actually got the idea from him. Ran into him and Damian the other day at the store. After I thought about what you said, I had a change of heart, I guess. That, and my mother didn’t give me an option.”
His eyes have since shifted to Steven, who nods knowingly as I raise an eyebrow at him. If he saw my father, why didn’t he mention it to me? Maybe the news of the new baby overshadowed it.
Either way, I’m glad it happened. We are together again as a family. Something I’ve been wanting this entire time but knew that it wouldn’t happen unless the truth came out.
Smiling, I take the last bite of my sweet potatoes and set my fork down. With everyone finally together in one place, I know that this is the time to spill the news to them all at once and rip it offlike a Band-Aid. I’m not sure if I’ll ever have the courage to do this again, so I clear my throat.
As everyone looks at me, my eyes lock with Steven’s. With a smirk and nod, he silently gives his approval. I take a deep breath in, trying to grip onto every last bit of courage I have left.
“So, I’m glad you are all here because I have something to say.” As my eyes trail across the table, they land on my dad, who looks confused. My stomach twists as I think back to the altercation outside Tony’s Deli, and I pray that this news doesn’t have the same outcome.
I don’t think I’d ever forgive my father if he acts that way in front of Damian.
With the risk of scaring them off again, I open my mouth and mutter the words. “I’m pregnant…”
“Wait,” Damian says as the table falls silent. “What does that mean?”
A giggle falls from my mouth, unsure whether it was brought on by what he said or the nerves that filter through me.
“It means you’re going to be a big brother,” I reply, placing my hand on his back. The moment it clicks in his brain, his eyes grow brighter as he smiles widely.
He leaps onto my lap from his chair and hugs me. “Mommy! I’m so excited!” I giggle and immediately look around at my family, who are all staring back at me.
I didn’t know what to expect when telling them. Would they get angry or shout at me? Maybe they will all just leave without a single word…
Their blank expressions leave no room for imagination, so I cling to Damian tightly, hoping that they don’t ruin Christmas Eve for him. For all of us.
