The Baby Project [#Wattys2018]

Chapter Seventeen ~ A Thanksgiving we'll never forget

"Thanksgiving is literally next week and what I need you to do is gather a list together of who is coming; and I need that soon! Last year, I was pregnant and this year I cannot even spend time with my son on his first Thanksgiving dinner. Everything is just chaotic and puzzling, and very stressful; and I'm faking a happy face and trying to pull what should be the Best Thanksgiving Ever off! So, whenever you are able to get me that list - preferably before next week - that would be very kind of you. Oh - I'm going to be late. I love you - but I got to go to school." I say as I flip through a stack of books and paper in search of whatever it was I was looking for. Pulling it from the middle of the stack, I wave goodbye and head out the backdoor; and down the dirt path to school.

Walking onto campus, you see colorful and oddly shaped signs that read: Friday Night is movie night! Bring the family. Starts at 6 on the Baseball field. Charlie Brown's Thanksgiving! Continuing towards the front doors to the school; people walk pass me - not acknowledging that I even exist; but the babygate scandal seems to finally be out of their systems for now; as food and holiday season floods in. Almost tripping up the stairs, Jake catches me and I fall into his arms with his blue eye gaze stuck upon me. "Hey beautiful. Are you ready for next week? How are you?" Jake says as he finally stands me up right and kisses me slowly on the cheek.

"I'm such a klutz! Thank you Jake. I'm fretting about next week because I'm trying to make it perfect - but I can't... because Jack won't be with us. He'll be all by himself in that cold environment. He is five months today and I ---." I say in a freaked out sort of way before lowering my voice when my friends appear.

"Goofball - I saw you trip up the stairs. What an original? Classic blonde moment!" says Luke as he shows me almost falling on my face with a photo on his superman cased iPhone. "Delete that - jerk! You're suppose to not be an ass this holiday season!" I say as I attempt to swipe his phone out of his hand; which failed drastically as he is much taller than I.

"Just delete it, Luke! Hey, so about Thanksgiving? I can bring my family right as it is a very big holiday to spend with the people you are thankful for; which is you. Oh - isn't one of your little chat sessions quickly approaching for next week? Or is that not a thing?" questions Courtney before she takes the phone out of Luke's hand and deletes the picture. That's when he responds with a grumble. "Court - of course you can bring your family. Dr. V said that we are able to postpone until the week before court; or at least a few days prior. Thanks for deleting the photo." I say as I hug her.

"That does it. We're all coming over to your house with our families to spread the love and holiday cheer. We'll all make food as well. Maybe Dr. V should come?" says Mark as he messages someone on his phone. That's when my phone goes off and I receive a message from my mom that reads:

The list of people who are coming is as followed: Meme & Pop-pop, Kylie, Grace, and her family. Dakota and Kodi. Mark and his family. Rachel, Percy, Amadeus, & Rowan. Courtney and Luke and Emma and Courtney's family. Luna and Benjamin and Maddie. Dr. V is coming over with his sister, Evie. So far that is all I have. Enjoy your day at school. Hope you relax now.

"Well that was fast. Okay so this is the list of people coming. Next up - figure out what everyone is bringing and what time we should do everything and where; but let's get to class before we are late." They all nod as we shove the phones in our pockets or bags and walk up the steps into the front doors of the building.

With Jake walking beside me, he ask "Hey Rosie - so the Thanksgiving dinner is at your house? Parents would like to know. Also is there anything specific that you want us to bring? Trying to make it easier on you. It's our first Thanksgiving together and I'd like to make it perfect." says Jake as he pulls me in closely and kisses my very casually on my lips. The case was in the back of my mind; as planning a party took my entire focus away from it; and it's been nice being a kid. Two whole months since I started my sessions with Dr. V who is absolutely amazing. Also it was nerve-wrecking that I hadn't seen John in the whole two months; which freaked me out. He's still family. "My house. Bring what you would like. We're having Thanksgiving breakfast - if you guys would want to come over in the morning."