The Dead Among Us

Frazzled nerves

Fabia's POV

A pin drop could be heard. The entire table just fell into stillness.

This was good news...right?

Pedro speaks first, with happiness wafting from his fragile voice: "Congratulations, my dear!" He then raises his cup of water, and we all follow suit, cheering them.

I smile at the kids, who laugh at the fact we are saluding with water, as I listen to the congrats going around to Jason and Jessica.

When I look at Victor, he is the sole one who doesn't understand what is going on.

Amused at his innocence, Manny leans in and whispers an explanation into Victor's ear. I watch as Victor's eyes widen in astonishment, his mouth falling open to reveal his missing front teeth and a gross display of saliva and chewed-up pizza.

Turning towards Jessica, he blurts out in disbelief, "There's a baby in your belly?!"

She smiles big, the biggest I've seen, as she nods at her young boy.

Jason suddenly reaches out and grips her chin, pulling in close and plopping a kiss on her lips in front of us all. The kids exclaim in mock disgust. Her eyes close as she savors his affection.

As I glance around the room, it dawns on me that this is a happy family moment. I don't have many of those memories. Even Benji's vibrant color is back in her face, and Kenji's grinning ear to ear, joking around with Howie.

Manny's chewing his food delicately but no longer looks ready to kill someone; his infamous smirk is back in full forse.

Jason's focus has completely left his notorious little sister and is now solely on his wife at his side.

The only one who looks off is Pedro. I do believe he's happy. It's almost as if his genuine joy is overshadowed by the visible signs of exhaustion, causing him to struggle to immerse himself fully in the prevailing atmosphere.

As the meal reaches an end, I start cleaning up. I keep finding myself checking the front door, waiting for Jon and Sabin, who have yet to show up. When it's not the door I'm sneaking glances at it's at Pedro to make sure he's okay.

Almost finished with the dishes, I look back at the table and see Pedro asleep in his chair, his head leaning so far back that I worry he'll wake with a painful kink in his neck.

"Jessica?" I murmur, who's at my side drying and putting the dishes away. When her eyes reach mine, I ask, "I should put Benji and Kenji to bed. It's getting late. They have school tomorrow."

She rolls her eyes, and her nose wrinkles, taking me by surprise. "Anything to get out of chores, huh, Slave?"

I gulp, biting my bottom lip.

Why is she so nasty towards me?

I shift my attention back to the sink, taking in the scene before me. The stainless steel basin is cluttered with a jumble of dirty dishes, submerged in a sea of bubbles, and adorned with a red oil residue from the remnants of tomato sauce.

"It's not just the kids, but Pedro... look at him," I remark in a hushed tone.

She peeks over at him and lets out an audible sigh filled with genuine concern. "Well, where's Manny?" she queries.

I glance through the window and spot him smoking in the front yard.

Without seeking her approval, I make my way out, explaining, "I'll be right back."

As I dry my hands hastily, I hope to slip away before she can object. Hurrying through the front door, the crisp night air greets me with a bracing chill.