Dallas met his father for lunch. I still hadn't told him about the baby. He was somewhere sitting at a table catching up with his dad, and I was at home wondering how I'm suppose to tell him that he's about to become one. I looked in the mirror at my reflection. I turned dude to side staring at my flat stomach and imagining it swelling up like I knew it soon would. I gently ran my hands over my belly. I grinned softly at the thought of becoming a mother.
"It's crazy." I said aloud to my unborn child. "It's crazy how much I already love you." I continued rubbing my stomach. "I love you so much." I broke into a whisper.
"Who do you love?" Sodapop asked scaring me.
"Geez why don't you knock?" I sassed at my little brother.
"Caffeine, who are you talking to?" He seemed slightly concerned as if I was a mental patient.
I chuckled under my breath. "My stomach." He didn't respond. Just furrowed his eyebrows in a confused manner.
"I'm pregnant."
His eyes widened and then his smile followed. He ran and swooped me up. "Are you serious!?" He yelled ecstatically.
"Yes." I giggled and continued hugging me.
"I'm gonna be an uncle!" He was so thrilled and I laughed at my kid brothers excitement.
"Dally doesn't know..." I said taking away the happy mood.
"Well why not?"
"I just found out yesterday. And his father is in town so he's worried about that. I don't want to stress him out."
"Well Cafe I think he's gonna find out sooner or later don't you?" I sighed and raised an eyebrow at him. Sodapop was only sarcastic with me. And that's because I was the same way.
"I don't know how to tell him, Soda." I spoke quietly and the mild concern that was hiding in the back of my mind crept into my throat.
"Hey," he started while wrapping me in his arms. "It's gonna be alright Cafe I promise. He's going to be so happy." He kissed my temple and I buried my head into his chest.
"I hope you're right Sodapop Patrick." I mumbled and he chuckled.
"When ain't I right?"
"All the damn time." I responded. "You want something to drink, I'm gonna make some coffee."
"No thanks." He declined as I walked into the kitchen.
I heard the door open while I was in the kitchen. I stepped out and saw Dally walking in.
"Hey baby." I greeted as he kissed me softly.
"Sodapop what are you doing here?" Dally asked and it suddenly occurred that Sodapop never told me why he had come over in the first place.
"Just came to see the sis. We kinda miss her sometimes ya know?" He responded making me smile and roll my eyes.
"Can't imagine. I miss her every second." Dallas replied kissing me again.
"How'd it go?" I asked referring to the lunch with his father.
"It was alright. We talked and he said he'd like to live here until he.." He trailed off not knowing how to finish his sentence.
"Well that sounds good. Does he like Tulsa?"
"Yeah man, he says he likes alright. It don't have near as much to do as upstate New York but it ain't half bad." He replied. I nodded understanding.
"Dally how about we go to my old house for dinner." I looked away from my husband and to my little brother. "Since my brothers miss me soooo much." I said sarcastically.
"That good with y'all?" Dally asked Sodapop.
"Of course." Soda answered.
"Let's go then." We all walked next door. The whole time I was thinking how I was going to announce this. I was going to tell all of them. And I was terrified.
"Hey guys. What's the occasion?" Darry asked hugging me as we walked in the door.
"Nothing man, we just wanted to have dinner with y'all like the old times." Dally answered for both of us.
Everyone was there, Opal and Dani even. It was a perfect time. But all of the sudden I changed my mind. I wanted Dally to know before the rest of them. It's his baby.
"Dally we need to talk." I said grabbing his hand and pulling him outside.
"Woah baby what's wrong?" I lightly chuckled at the use of the word 'baby.'
"I love you." I started and worry set into his eyes.
"Kathleen."
"I'm pregnant Dallas. We're going to have a baby." I blurted out before the fear could stop me.
His lips parted slightly and he looked startled at first. Then a genuine smile crept across his face and he closed his eyes. He laughed and grabbed me and sound me around. I laughed with him. He set me down and then kissed me passionately.
"We're having a baby?"
"Yes Dally. And I think it's a girl."
