His arm wraps around me, encasing me protectively, showing my dad he’s ready to be the man I need, taking over his role as myprotector.
“We’re happy this has happened, and we hope one day you will be too. This is what we want for our family, one we hoped you would be a big part of for years to come,” Connor finishes, giving my dad no room toargue.
“Your mother and I are just worried for you, Kenzie. Your illness has taken a big toll on us. She only wants what’s best for you.” Dad sits next to me, placing his hand overmine.
I don’t respond. Instead I stand up to search for my mom. Walking down the hallway I hear the sound of crying from herroom.
“Mom?” I ask, opening the doorslightly.
“My baby…,” she whispers through her sobs. I move to sit next to her. “I’m so sorry, honey. I shouldn’t have reacted that way. It’sjust—”
“I know, but I really want this baby,” I say, holding on to herhand.
Her eyes meet mine, and I can’t stop the tears from filling my eyes. I can’t imagine what she’s going through. I’m starting to understand though. It isn’t supposed to happen thisway.
I place a hand on my belly, feeling a sudden urge to protect the life within. She must feel so helpless, not being able to protect me from my fate. I’m her baby, her onlybaby.
Her hand covers mine. “This should be the happiest day. I’m going to be a grandma,” she says. “I’m scared. I don’t want to loseyou.”
“But this way you’ll still have me,” I say, making her cry harder. My hand flips to grip hers more. “Shouldn’t I get to experience all the joys oflife?”
She nods, pulling me in for ahug.
“I’m really happy, Mom. Please be happy forus.”
“I am. I trulyam.”
She pulls back, holding my head in her hands. “My baby’s going to be amom.”
I’m going to be amom.
24
Dear Diary,
I’m tryingto ignore the symptoms, but they are there. I’m afraid to tell anyone. Please tell me they’ll go away?Please.
Mackenzie
Mackenzie
“Istill can’t believethat’s my niece or nephew you’re carrying around in there,” Tracy says, rubbing my belly ingreeting.
I’m about twenty weeks pregnant, and my belly is starting to get past that “I look fat stage” and people can tell I’m having a baby now. We get to find out the sex next week, and I couldn’t be moreexcited.
“My brother better be waiting on you hand andfoot.”
“He is. The other day he painted my toenails. I couldn’t stop laughing, because I can still do it myself but he said he wanted practice for when I couldn’t do itanymore.”
She smiles warmly. “I’m glad he’s making you so happy. I trulyam.”
I grin as I sit down at the table where Tracy and I are havinglunch.
“So how are you feeling?” sheasks.
“I’m good,” I lie, and she gives me a questioning look. “I mean, I’m as good as I can be. I get a little bored at times, since there isn’t much for me to do. Connor tries to keep me busy when he’s not working. But enough about me. What’s going on withScott?”
That changes the subject, and she is all too happy to tell me how serious they’re getting. I’m glad to hear they’re doing so well. He seems like a good guy, and he’s put up with enough shit by Connor, passing all his tests sofar.
