The Guard To My Sanctuary

Chapter 20

Elm

I hadn't realized my birthday was so soon because I hadn't celebrated it in a decade. I used to see the date maybe a week or two after my birthday passed and figured out that I was a year older than I had thought. Sometimes, months after my birthday, I'd learn that I was no longer eleven or fourteen. Birthdays weren't celebrated while London had me, mainly because it brought unwanted attention. In that environment, attention was like placing a sign on your back saying "rape me."

I hadn't told my family I was expecting and had remained in my room when my dad came home so he wouldn't notice me throwing up every hour. Morning sickness was a misleading name because it didn't end in the morning. I preferred the name Nausea and Vomiting while Pregnant (NVP). I didn't want my family to know, mainly because I knew that they would freak out on me. This was a profound new development, and I feared how they would react.

Marco was already baby crazy, and I had to tell him to wait until we were further along to start buying baby clothes because we could have complications at any time. He treated me more like a delicate flower than ever, which was grating on my nerves. I couldn't have coffee or sodas or run like the average person. I could barely lift a finger or do anything for myself if he was around.

"Uncle Elm, Grandaddy said to come downstairs and eat," Cartier said, toddling into my room with her hand in her mouth. She was so cute; I hoped my child would look just as pretty and have a similar personality.

"Come here, Car," I said, holding my arms out for a hug. She ran into my arms, squealing, and I picked her up and gave her a bunch of small kisses.

"Aww, you're so pretty, and you'll be so smart when you grow up. Always remember that being smart is a better compliment than being pretty. Anyone can be pretty naturally or with the help of science and makeup, but not everyone can be smart," I said. Cartier began playing in my hair, not understanding what I was saying.

"Now your uncle is going to have to use his smarts to figure out how to get out of drinking on my 21st birthday," I said, leaving my room and making my way downstairs, where everyone was in the living room drinking. I was really jealous since I had waited so long to drink. London would drug me, but he didn't like his boys drinking, so I never tasted it before. Thalia walked over to me and looked me deep in the eyes before squealing and taking Cartier out of my hands, running to sit her on Pine, who smiled at the little girl plopped in his lap. She ran over to me and pulled me upstairs back into my room, closing the door quietly.

"So he finally broke that backdown, huh," she said, smiling.

"What?" I played like I didn't understand the question. Usually, I could feign ignorance with phrases like the one she had used, but she wasn't dumb, and we both knew that.

"Marco put his penis in you? You're pregnant; you're almost luminescent. You could glow in the dark," she said, and I blushed at her statement.

"Oh my god, how far along?" she asked, smiling and touching my flat stomach.

"Three weeks," I said.

"And you haven't told your dad and brothers?" she asked in disbelief.

"No, I'm scared. I'm going to tell my family today. I mean, I really don't have much of a choice since I can't drink anything. I only found out two days ago. I'm waiting for Marco to get here for support," I answered.

"Support for what? Those men down there love you no matter what. Do you know how happy they were when they realized I was having Cartier? Your dad loves grandbabies. Are they going to be scared for you and a little angry? Well, of course, they are, but by the time you go to bed, they will all be on your ass about doctor visits and your chemical intake. Probably argue about whether you can have cake or not. Plus, I got your back, so that's one huge consignment," Thalia said, kissing my cheek. I liked her being around; she was like the cool older sister I never had but always wanted as a young child.