End Zone (SEU #3)

[ 02 ] CONNECTIONS

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[ 02 ] CONNECTIONS 

TOSHA

I was beyond grateful as my eyes did a scan of how gloriously decorated our home and outdoor patio was. With a live band playing upbeat music in the background and drinks, and cocktail appetizers circling around in rotation to our guests, everyone seemed to be thoroughly enjoying and happy to see one another.

Once KC awoke earlier this morning, she assisted Matteo and I with as much as she could to get prepared for the big day. Everything turned out to my liking and Matteo was pleased with the outcome of it all as well. I was very anxious about whether the shower would be enjoyable and how introducing many of the relationships Matteo and I cultivated over the years would mix well.

My husband already had many connections before meeting me back in university but stepping into professional football opened new doors with new opportunities. I will say, the industry of national sports wasn't a space that one could step into blindly. There was a lot at stake, and with a name as big as Matteo's, he made sure to vet individuals as much as he possibly could before stepping into business. He took precautions as his career was most important and while the Wittstock family lineage was wealthy beyond measure, Matteo wanted to secure his own chain of wealth for us as a family.

His attitude and work ethic gave me a lot of insight into the best ways for me to move, especially once I started my restaurant and now run multiple employees that have to cater to our customers. I made sure to learn as much as possible when I took my culinary arts program to perfect my skills but I definitely knew that I needed more training in order to keep the restaurant afloat. But with the surprise of this pregnancy, the next best thing was working alongside a renowned chef and adding alterations to my known taste to bring in new clientele.

"How is everything, new mama? Did we do your vision justice?" KC's voice creeped up behind me and I jumped, causing a sharp pain to pierce my side.

I frowned and clutched my belly through my Ituen Basi's custom-designed dress. It was a soft colorful design and it allowed enough room for me not to feel suffocated but also not to make me look bigger than I actually was. I could barely see my feet and I hadn't hit my third trimester yet. The weeks were slowly approaching but the weight I've put on in these short few months were enough to make me look as if I was due sooner than I actually was.

Everyone around me denied my size, and the worst liar of them all were Matteo and Vinny. However, I knew they didn't want to hurt my feelings, and with my emotions running high, they kept the truth hidden from me.

"Oh, KC, please, don't start creeping up on me, especially not while I'm pregnant,"

KC's eyes grew as she saw me wince. Immediately, she rushed to my stomach and paused before touching me. After I began to start showing, I learned very quickly that I was only seen because of my baby bump. Before people greeted me and gave me love, majority of their attention went straight to my baby bump. I didn't understand it in the beginning, however, after expressing my concern to Matteo at the start of my pregnancy, he expressed to me that I should set boundaries around letting people touch my bump. It took a while for me to really get the gall to speak up on it, but after telling my family, and Matteo's family of how much I didn't enjoy being touched and rubbed on my stomach, they listened and stopped.

From time to time, people still ask, especially since the baby has begun kicking more recently but the ball was back in my court to decide if I wanted to be touched or not.