Modern Family

Chapter Six : Release The Belly

Chapter Six : Release The Belly

I stood in my walk-in closet, surrounded by the fabric of my past—old clothes, forgotten memories, and the comforting scent of familiarity.

It was a quiet moment with Trinity and Jonathan, the world outside temporarily paused. But today, a heavy weight sat on my chest, and I knew I couldn't keep it inside any longer.

As I rummaged through the shelves, my fingers brushed against something soft. I pulled out an old onesie, its tiny shape instantly triggering a flood of emotions. It was just a piece of fabric, but tears filled my eyes, and I felt the warmth of despair creeping in.

Jonathan and Trinity exchanged worried glances, their brows furrowing with concern. I took a shaky breath, my heart pounding as I prepared to share what had been gnawing at me for weeks.

I decided I couldn't hide my pregnancy any longer especially since I'm showing now. "I'm pregnant," I finally said, my voice barely above a whisper.

The silence that followed was deafening. Jonathan's eyes widened in shock, disbelief etched across his face. "Are you serious?" he managed to stammer, as if he couldn't quite process the weight of my words.

Trinity, on the other hand, took a moment to digest the news. I could see her mind racing, trying to grasp the implications of what I had just said. "You've been pregnant for this whole time?" she asked, her tone shifting from shock to concern.

I nodded, unable to stop the tears. "I didn't want to tell you because... well, honestly, this isn't supposed to be happening right now. You weren't supposed to exist. But here you are, trying to be father of the year, and I'm just supposed to go along with it. These are supposed to be my kids that I raise by myself, and now I have to share them with both of you." The words poured out, a mixture of fear, frustration, and sorrow.

As the weight of my confession settled in, I felt overwhelmed. Hormones surged through me, intensifying every feeling. Trinity stepped forward and wrapped her arms around me, offering solace without judgment. "I'm here, Tookie," she whispered, her voice warm and understanding.

Jonathan sighed, his expression shifting to one of regret. "I'm sorry. I know I messed up your life plan by wanting to be a part of the kids' lives. But family is all I know, and I can't live in a world knowing my kids are out there and I'm not in their lives."

I took a deep breath, the air thick with conflicting emotions. "I know, and I'm trying to understand that, but damn, it's hard." The vulnerability in my voice was palpable, and I could see the empathy in their eyes.

We talked it out, each of us sharing our fears and hopes. It was cathartic, and gradually, I began to feel a bit lighter. They reassured me that they were here to support me, no matter how complicated things became.

Just then, my phone buzzed, breaking the intensity of the moment. I glanced at the screen and saw it was Phil. My heart warmed at the thought of him. "Papa," I answered.

"Jora called me and said you were crying in your closet. What's wrong, sweetie?" Phil's voice was immediately comforting.

I took a deep breath. "I told Jonathan and Trinity that I'm pregnant."

"Are they upset? Did they make you cry? I'll beat Jonathan's ass and get Kayla on Trinity. You know Kayla loves a good tussle," he said, attempting to inject some humor into the situation.

I couldn't help but giggle, picturing Kayla charging at Trinity with her signature enthusiasm. "No, they took it well. It's just my hormones," I replied, smiling through my tears.

"Put one of them on the phone," Phil instructed, his tone shifting to one of seriousness.

I held the phone out to Jonathan, who looked apprehensive but took it nonetheless. "Hello?" he said, uncertainty in his voice.

"It's Phil. Go downstairs and grab some pudding pops from the freezer. That'll make Tookie feel better. And congratulations on your triplets," Phil said, hanging up before Jonathan could respond.

"Triplets?!" Jonathan exclaimed, his expression a mix of shock and bewilderment.

I rolled my eyes, exasperated. "I don't know why that man keeps wishing triplets on me," I said, shaking my head.

Trinity laughed softly, a smile breaking through the tension. "So, Phil is like a dad to you too?" she asked, genuinely curious.

"Yeah, I've known him since I was sixteen. Reeva and I started in the industry together, and Phil didn't like how I didn't have any adult supervision. Next thing I know, he was like, 'I'm Papa Phil.' I've been stuck with him ever since. Thank God for him, or else who knows what would have happened to me in this crazy music industry."

Jonathan nodded, the pieces of my life falling into place for him. "Okay, so why does he think you're pregnant with triplets?"

I sighed, shaking my head again. "A damn dream that April had about holding triplets," I explained, half-laughing at the absurdity.

Trinity raised an eyebrow. "What if she was just holding three babies born around the same time to different mothers? It doesn't necessarily mean you're carrying triplets."

"Exactly! But I know Reeva isn't active right now, and Kayla wouldn't have a baby this early into her relationship. I'm not sure if Roland is even seeing anyone—he can't keep a woman!" I replied, frustration creeping into my voice.

"Wow," Jonathan and Trinity said in unison, both taken aback by the reality of my situation.

I took a moment to gather my thoughts, feeling the weight of uncertainty settle in. This was my life now, intertwined with the lives of Jonathan and Trinity in ways I hadn't planned. I had always envisioned raising my children alone, without the complications that came with shared parenting. But now, everything was different.

"I just keep thinking about everything that comes with this," I said, my voice trembling. "Changing diapers, sleepless nights, I need a bigger house. And sharing it with both of you?" The tears threatened to spill again as I voiced my fears.

Jonathan moved closer, his hand resting gently on my shoulder. "Look, I get it. You've always planned to do this solo, but we can figure it out together. It won't be easy, but you won't be alone in this."

Trinity nodded in agreement. "We're in this together, Tookie. You don't have to carry this weight by yourself."

I sighed, feeling a flicker of hope amidst the chaos. "It's just hard to wrap my head around it all. I'm scared of how everything will change."

Jonathan squeezed my shoulder gently. "Change is always scary, but it can also be beautiful. We'll find a way to make this work."

I looked at them, the reality of our situation settling in. "I don't have all the answers, and I don't know what's coming next, but knowing you're both here gives me strength."

As we sat together in the cozy confines of my closet, I felt a newfound sense of solidarity. Yes, my world was shifting in ways I hadn't anticipated, but I wasn't alone.

With each passing moment, I began to accept that this journey would be messy and complicated, but it would also be filled with love and support.

And maybe, just maybe, that was enough.