Lovebeam

Chapter 18

After church, we head over to Madison and Keith's. Madison is sitting on the counter when we walk in, and Keith is making breakfast.

"Hey guys." Maddie says.

"Hey." I say.

"What brings you two here, dressed, and out of bed at ten in the morning?" Keith asks.

"We were at Church." I say. "We're getting married."

Maddie's jaw drops.

They both start cheering.

<><>

My heart is in my throat and I feel like I'm gonna puke when we call everyone to my house for dinner to announce the wedding. Everyone is here and we're just acting normal, but I'm literally going to be sick. I excuse myself and slip upstairs. Mrs. Lawrence and Mrs. Marshall are here, and Maddie's family, and everyone else.

Fuck, I'm so nervous.

Brody follows me upstairs. I sit down on my bed and bury my head in my hands.

"What's wrong, Button?" he crouches in front of me and rests his hands on my knees.

"I feel sick. I'm so nervous."

"Why?" he whispers.

"I don't know." I mutter. "What if they all think it's too soon?"

He shrugs. "Do you think it's too soon?"

"No. I'm ready." I whisper.

"So who cares? I don't think it's soon."

"But if they get mad, that's everyone we know down the drain."

"Stop." He whispers. "You're making yourself like this, sweetheart. You're pessimistic right now, and you're being paranoid. If you don't want to wait until dinner, you don't have to."

"I-"

"Danielle Jacee Riley!" My Dad's booming voice shouts from the stairs.

I cringe.

I stand up. That's his you're in so much trouble voice.

Brody follows me downstairs.

"What?" I ask.

"Outside." He says. "Now."

He glares at Brody.

My heart starts pounding.

He starts to walk.

The entire room is silent.

I look back at Brody. He looks nervous and confused.

"Now, Danielle." He says.

I follow him.

He slams the front door behind me.

"What the fuck is this?" he pulls a positive pregnancy test out of his jacket pocket.

"I don't know!" I say.

He's not bothering being quiet.

"Danielle," he starts.

"Dad, I'm not pregnant."

"Have you had sex with him?"

"No!"

"Danielle, I want the truth and I want it now. Why did you call us here today? There's a reason, and I know it's because of this." He waves the test in my face. "There will not be a bastard child in this family! It's not right, Danielle. You know how wrong this is!"

"Dad, I'm not pregnant!" I say.

"Then why are we here?" he demands.

In answer, I lift my left hand.

His eyes rest on the ring.

His arm holding the test goes limp.

"Wait-"

"Don't be loud." I whisper.

"You're getting married?" he whispers, barely above a whisper.

"Yes." I whisper.

A grin spreads across his face, and then he frowns.

"Well who does this belong to then?" he holds up the test.

"I don't know." I say. "It's not mine."

He stuff it back in his pocket and opens the door.

"Brody, come here." Dad says.

Brody comes outside, clearly nervous.

Dad shuts the door.

"I'm sorry, I found this and I thought it was Danielle's." he shows Brody the test.

Brody frowns. "Nope, it's not Dani's."

Dad nods.

"Well, I apologize. I probably scared both of you." He hugs me, and then shakes Brody's hand. "And by the way, congratulations." He whispers.

"Thank you." Brody smiles.

We go back inside.

"False alarm." He says to Mom.

Brody leans over and whispers, "Should we just tell them?"

I shrug.

"You do it." I mumble. Everyone is talking.

"Alright, guys, can you listen up?"

Everyone quiets.

"So I know everyone is wondering why you're all here today."

Everyone mutters in agreement.

"It's Sunday dinner." Jonathan shrugs.

Brody nods.

"Right, well there's an actual reason." He takes a deep breath. "Dani and I are getting married."

I'm nervous. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

I tighten my grip on his hand.

And then everyone starts screaming, hugging us, or kissing us, excited, demanding questions.

Courtney doesn't move, or say anything, and after everyone stops, she starts sobbing.

Fuck.

She's mad.

"This is a dream come true!" she chokes. "I was worried for a second that I wouldn't get you as a sister."

I hug her, laughing.

She hiccups and pulls back.

"Take care of her." She points at Brody and hits him upside the head.

Jonathan is quiet for a long time.

"Brody," he starts.

Brody takes a deep breath. I was expecting him to be a twat anyways. But to my surprise, he sticks his hand out. "Take care of my sister. I'm glad it's you she's marrying. I wouldn't want anyone else for her."