La Tienda (Joel Pimentel)

30

"Y-you're what?" I ask.
Laura sighs, "I'm pregnant."

I look at Joel who has wide eyes. He's definitely receiving the same news from Christopher.

"Are you happy?" I ask.
She pauses.

"I-I...." she trails off. I stay silent, waiting for her response.
"I am happy. I love Christopher with all my heart and would love nothing more than to have his baby" she says.

I smile, "then I'm excited for the both of you! How far along are you?"
"3 weeks. We're going to have a meeting with the wedding venue to see if we can change the date. I shouldn't be too big at 3 months" she says.

"We got this chica. I'll call the catering company and go down to the dress place and see if there's any good dresses" I say. She sighs contently, "would you really do all that?"

"Claro que si chica.. I'm your maid of honor. Anything for you" I reply. "You're such a life saver. I love you so much.. I um I already spoke to Christopher and we both agree that we would love for you to be our child's godmother... if that's okay?" she says.

I smile widely, feeling tears threatening to spill. "That's more than okay, I would love to" I say.

"You sound tired, I'll let you go now" Laura says. "You sure? If you need anything else just call me" I say. 

"Alright get some rest I know how hard you work" she says. "Thanks, talk to you later" I say, hanging up. 

Joel is still on the phone. I walk over to him and wrap my arms around his waist, sighing contently as I lean my face against his back. 

"That's awesome I'm so excited for you" Joel says, his back vibrating with each word.

He laughs, "okay okay I'll see you tomorrow dude." 

Joel hangs up the phone and looks back at me. "Can you believe that?" he asks. 

"Yes and no" I say. He pulls my arms off of his body and turns around to face me. "Why do you say that?" he asks. 

"I guess what i'm trying to say is that it's kind of a shock but it's not too surprising because those two are at each other constantly" I say, chuckling. Joel laughs too and nods his head, "you're right about that." 

"We should have kids" Joel says. I choke on my spit and begin having a coughing fit. 

He stands there laughing at me. 

"W-what?" I ask when I calm down. "We. Should. Have. Kids" he says, pausing between each word. 

"Like now?" I ask. He laughs, "I wouldn't mind getting a head start." Joel wiggles his eyebrows causing me to smack his chest. "Maybe not right now, but in the future" he clarifies. 

"That's if we're still together" I say. He frowns, "I stupidly let you go a few times, but I'm not making that mistake again. You're mine forever Anitta." 

My stomach starts swirling. 

"I intend on marrying you one day" Joel continues. 

By now my face is warm and surely beet red. 

"I wouldn't mind that" I say honestly. "How many kids do you want?" he asks. 

"I-I don't know" I blurt. "I want a lot.. I loved having so much family in the house as a kid so I want our kids to have the same experience" he says. "If that's okay with you of course, you are the one that will be pushing them out of your-"

"Joel!" I scream. 

He throws his head back in laughter, "I love you." 

I smile, "I love you too."