Toni
"Toni!" I ran to the kitchen and saw Janet leaning against the counter.
"What's wrong?"
"I can't do this either. Can you help me?" I grabbed the spoon from her as she sat down on a chair.
"Baby, you don't have to cook dinner."
"But everyone's coming over for the holiday."
"That doesn't mean you have to cook. You're nine months pregnant and need to be careful." She took a deep breath.
"I just want it to be special because Tommy's leaving next month."
"I know, but it'll be special regardless. Don't over do it." Today was Christmas Eve and everyone was coming over tonight for dinner. They were going to spend the night here too and opened presents in the morning. We had the biggest house so it made the most sense. The kids were going to pile up in the boy's rooms while Amelia and Amiyah shared their rooms with their aunts and their cousins. My mother and Mama K were going to stay in the guest house where Tommy was staying.
"Toni, I need some help to the couch."
"Okay. I'll get TJ." I wiped my hands and went to the doorway of the kitchen. "TJ!"
"Yo!"
"Come help your mother." I soon heard footsteps and he came in, panicking.
"What's wrong? Is it the baby? Do I have to get the stuff? Oh my god, where's the stuff?"
"Tristan! Calm down." We looked and saw Taylor in the doorway. TJ took some breaths. "Does it look like she's in labor?"
"No."
"Then chill."
"Okay." He turned to Janet. "What's wrong, mom?"
"I need to get to the couch, sweetie. Just help me stand up."
"Okay." TJ helped Janet stand. "You sure you're okay? I mean, you're not about to fall and don't feel pain or anything."
"I'm fine."
"But I read that sometimes labor can be happening and we don't even know it. I don't want you to be dropping the baby in the toilet or nothing."
"I promise, I'm okay."
"You, maybe we should call Aunt Missy and...."
"TJ!"
"Tristan!" Taylor and Janet yelled at the same time.
"I said I'm fine."
"You sure?"
"TJ, I've had six children. I think I'd know if I was in labor." Janet walked towards the living room. "Taylor sweetie, come with me and leave the dummies alone."
"Okay, Mama J." Taylor walked with Janet before turning around and sticking her tongue out at TJ. They went into the living room and I heard them turn the television on.
"I should've left her at her parents' house." I laughed.
"Why?"
"She acts like she's in charge of me."
"She is, Tristan." He rolled his eyes.
"She's the only person I let call me by my full name."
"Your mother is the only one I let call me Toni Michelle." We laughed. "But she's a nice girl and she fits in perfectly with the family."
"Yeah, she's special. I really like her."
"I know you do. You never brought or talked about your ex-girlfriend this much."
