If You Make a Deal With a Shadow...

Chapter 58

"I wanna' grow grey wit' you, have a little baby wit' you, and just cater to you. Just rain on me, I'll rain on you. I'll tell you the lies now, yeah. It's okay to cry now, yeah. Nothing to hide now, yeah. Love on the line now, yeah. Let me make it right now, yeah. Dry your eyes now, yeah, yeah, yeah. And I'm hoping we survive now, yeah. I got faith, girl, we'll be fine now..."

- Rain On Me (Intro) by Bryson Tiller

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Aubrey jolted awake in a cold sweat. She put her hand against her rapid beating heart. Her eyes averted to Payton's side of the bed where he laid soundlessly. She had stayed up all night worried about him and now he was here. A sigh left her lips as she looked around.

Every night she would wake up in cold sweats and look around the room, thinking someone was watching her. It definitely had something to do with the pregnancy because she never felt this way before. She was paranoid... and tonight was no different.

The internet recommended taking melatonin because it was natural and wouldn't harm the baby. Her doctor appointment was scheduled for next week Wednesday in the morning so she could go while Payton was at practice and therapy. It was still racking her brain on when it would be a good time to tell him. This weekend they'd be flying down to Alabama for Payton's family reunion so that was out of the question. She exhaled heavily.

Those few days leading up to the weekend went by fast. The day eventually came for them to go down south for Payton's reunion. Junior was afraid to get onto the plane, but Payton reassured him that everything would be okay. Junior's birthday was the same weekend so she promised him that next weekend he could have a pool party with all of his friends. That definitely convinced him to get onto the plane.

Payton's family immediately fell in love with Aubrey and Junior. Raina was extremely nice to Aubrey and even apologized again for the last altercation. That's how a great friendship started. There was so much to do during the weekend. They went water skiing and water tubing with a few of his other cousins. There was a family picnic which consisted of a water balloon fight. The women in Payton's family loved to cook and Aubrey took full advantage of it. She hadn't had a good down south meal in a long time so she enjoyed that to the fullest. After being introduced to the entire family by Payton's mother everything went by super smoothly. Aubrey definitely felt like she was apart of the family.

On that Sunday, after everyone ate dinner, it was time for them to recognize the family's dead loved ones. A tradition that started in the Hampton family years ago. Everyone who wanted to go to the front and light a candle did so and also did a speech. When Payton stood up Aubrey watched in bewilderment, but didn't say a word.

"Hello family, Payton here," he smiled and grabbed two candles from the table. There were a few murmurs, but once they quieted down he continued. "Almost two and a half years ago I've come to fall in love with this beautiful woman over here," he nodded at Aubrey and she blushed. "But not only her, but everything and everyone who comes with her. Her great son who I've come to recognize as my own. And even her best friend and siblings," he sighed as he took a lighter and lit the two candles. "Not too long ago she was reconnected with her brother and sister after a fateful car crashed they endured long ago. Not even long after the reconnection her best friend from high school was killed and then her younger sister died from cancer. They meant a helluva a lot to her, to me, to all of us. Now, they may not be our blood, but they were our family. I am forever grateful for the borrowed time I was able to share with them. They were taken from us too soon, but everyday we wake up celebrating their lives. Forever in our hearts, Austin and Anastasia," he picked up the two candles and placed them next to the others. "You ain't missing nothing down here, we just missing you," he finalized before turning around to a handful of applause. Aubrey was smiling happily through her tears.

Aubrey was so happy that Payton's family welcomed her and her son with open arms. Junior got along with the kids just fine and Payton was having a blast with his family members. He could barely make family functions throughout the years because of football so of course he promised to visit soon. They treated Aubrey with respect and made sure to make her feel comfortable enough to branch off and talk to family members without Payton by her side. She made a lot of new cousins and other family members. They all promised to keep in touch after trading numbers throughout the weekend.

When they got home Aubrey made sure to visit Austin and Ana's graves. She realized it was the hardest to visit those two rather than her parents and her brother. It was like they were just here and she wanted so bad for them to stay, but they were gone now. Just like that. It was still so unbelievable. Time seemed to be flying and it never got any easier. She wished she could go back and change so much. When five years have gone by she knew she was going to wonder where all the time has gone. Then it'll turn into a decade... two decades. Yet, it'll always still feel like yesterday.

Aubrey sat out there talking for what seemed like hours. She remembered she had promised Kasey she'd stop by once they got back to Philly. After dusting off her pants and saying one last goodbye she trudged over to the car and Bryce closed the door behind her.

Once they got to Kasey's apartment she texted him and told him she was outside before getting out the car. Kasey opened the door and pulled Aubrey in for a hug. "You look great, Nicole. You're glowing and everything," he smiled as he put her at arms length. "How are you?"

She giggled. "I'm fine. I just left from seeing Austin and Ana. How are you and the misses?" she wiggled her eyebrows suggestively and Kasey laughed.

"We're great," he ushered her in and took her coat while she went to sit on the couch.

"Where's Alysa anyway?" she looked around before looking back at Kasey.

He smiled lazily and rubbed the back of his neck. "Actually that's what I need to talk to you about."

Aubrey gave him a questioning look. "What did you do?" she asked and he smacked his teeth playfully.

"I did nothing. Alysa went out to hunt for wedding dresses," he rushed out.

Aubrey laughed. "What did she go looking for—" she stopped herself and looked at Kasey's face. "Ohh," she said slowly and her eyes widened.

Kasey smiled from ear-to-ear and Aubrey grabbed him for a tight hug. "I didn't think she'd say yes, but she said it before I even finished the question. I'm so happy, Aubrey," he whispered in her ear.

Tears threatened to fall, but she held herself together. "I'm happy for you, Kase. You deserve it. You deserve her."

They let go of one another and she blinked away her tears. "You're invited of course and we haven't come up with a date yet. I just wanted to tell you. I wanted to make sure we are okay."

"Of course!" she shrieked and shoved him playfully. "Why wouldn't I be okay with it? I love her. You love her. She's great. We're all we have left. I could never not be happy for you," she was a blubbering mess.

He laughed at her and they embraced each other again.

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