Live Like A Dream

Early Thanksgiving

It was two days since Jared had returned from his brief trip to New York and Evelyn's morning sickness symptoms had doubled. She alternated from laying on the sofa and croutching on their bathroom floor puking into the toilet.
Jared stood with Athena on one hip and Evelyn's hair bundled into his other fist, holding her hair back as she emptied the contents of her stomach. After a few dry wretches she leaned against the tile wall and cooled her back.
"Is it really a good idea for me to come on the tour Jared? I'm a mess." Evelyn groans closing her eyes.
"I'll look after you, you'll be fine." Jared promises.
"Look after me, and Athena, go to interviews, meet and greets and then put on a show every night? Jared it's too much, I'll have to stay home." Evelyn complains.
Jared sits beside Evelyn, releasing Athena who quickly toddles off into the bedroom.
"I'm not leaving you like this and I can't cancel the tour, so you'll just have to let me look after you." Jared kisses her nose. "We'll take it one day at a time cupcake."
"Well today is the first challenge. How in the hell am I going to hide the fact I'm pregnant from your mom and Shannon when I'm running back here to puke every five minutes?" Evelyn rolls her eyes.
"I mean, we could always just tell them." Jared suggests hopefully.
"No, its too soon, when the first trimester is over, maybe." Evelyn shoots down his hopes.
"I'd better go catch our daughter and start dinner. Remember celebrating thanksgiving early was your idea" Jared changes the subject.
"Id better wash my hair and try to look less like a zombie." Evelyn laughs rolling her eyes.
"Still beautiful as ever." Jared smiles and heads after Athena leaving Evelyn alone in the bathroom.

The cool water of the shower eases Evelyn's sickness substantially. Within the hour she had applied her makeup, styled her hair and pulled on her chosen outfit. Soon after, Evelyn carries Athena down the stairs dressed in a beautiful Navy blue dress. Evelyn is wearing a similar coloured dress matching her daughter. Jared observes her from the kitchen and wolf whistles across the room.
"Wow, you both look stunning!" Jared rushes over and kisses both Evelyn and Athena on the tops of their heads. He takes Athena from Evelyn's arms and places her in her high chair.
"I dont feel stunning thats for sure, but I've stopped puking so thats a start!" Evelyn laughs.
Just as she finishes her sentence the door opens and Constance runs in followed by Shannon.
"Happy early thanksgiving!" She exclaims and rushes toward Athena who giggles through the hundreds of kisses bestowed on her. Shannon and Constance both hug Evelyn then Constance finally runs up behind Jared, kissing his cheek and comments on the delicious smelling food.

After some small talk Jared sets the table. He carries different dishes of thanksgiving foods to the table and gestures for everyone to take a seat.
Shannon opens a bottle of wine and pours a glass for everyone.
Evelyn looks at Jared with Panic. She mouths. "How am I going to drink that?"
Jared shrugs deep in thought.
Everyone seats themselves down and Constance begins to list everything she is thankful for this year.
"I'm also thankful that we can celebrate thanksgiving early this year so we can all be together." Constance grins.
Shannon adds a few reasons to be thankful to her list. Jared adds his thanks for his family and finally Evelyn admits she is thankful for new adventures every day.
"I'll also be thankful that my sons call me on thanksgiving no matter where they are in the world, despite us celebrating the holiday early." Constance winks.
Shannon raises his glass and everyone clinks their servings of wine together before taking a sip. Evelyn brings the wine to her lips but does not drink, hoping no one would notice.
At every opportunity Jared drank from the wrong glass, disposing of a little of Evelyn's wine. Shannon leaned across the table to show Constance a photograph on his cell phone, Jared took a deep gulp of Evelyn's drink. Athena dropped her baby fork on the ground, Constance retrieved it and as Shannon watched her Jared took another large gulp of Evelyn's wine. Just as her glass was starting to reach the bottom Shannon noticed Jared had not touched his own wine.
"Are you pregnant?" Shannon points at the full glass.
Jared nearly spits out his food in sheer shock.
"Excuse me?" He laughs nervously.
"You've not touched your drink, Evelyn's nearly finished hers. Top up Evelyn?" Shannon offers to fill her glass.
"Not right now thankyou Shan." She refuses.
Jared rolls his eyes and drinks half of his glass of wine in one take. Feeling tipsy he tries to act normal.

After the meal Constance serves her traditional pumpkin pie and ice cream. Shannon doesnt take no for an answer and refills Evelyns and Jareds glasses of wine much to Jared's annoyance.
Jared continues to drink from both glasses when possible, his head feeling more fuzzy by the minute.

As was tradition the family sat down on the sofa and watched a movie after dinner. Shannon had poured everyone a large glass of scotch for the occasion. Jared sighs as Evelyn poured her share into Jared's glass. He drinks it obediently, his mother and brother still oblivious to the trick.

A little later in the evening Evelyn carries Athena upstairs to her crib. As she lay down the sleeping toddler in the dark room Jared stumbles in behind her, he has hiccups.
"Shhh! You'll wake Athena!" Evelyn gasps.
"Hic...can't we just tell them Cup...hic...cake?" Jared struggles.
"No! I told you, not until its past the safe point." Evelyn rolls her eyes.
Jared stumbles toward her and wraps his arms around her.
"I just...hic...I'm just so happy and I...hic...want to share it." Jared sighs into her neck.
"I'm glad you're happy baby, but you're also drunk. Please keep this a secret?" Evelyn pleads.
"Okay." Jared whispers with a finger on his lips. He checks on Athena who is sleeping soundly then leads Evelyn back downstairs by the hand.

Shannon is fiddling with the television as Evelyn and Jared return.
"We're doing karaoke." Shannon announces with a grin on his face.
Shannon performs first with a good attempt at Bon Jovi, Constance follows with a cover of Dolly Parton. Jared is next and almost squeals when he makes his selection of song.
"How did he get so drunk?" Shannon leans over to Evelyn.
"He was drinking while he cooked, he's had double of what everyone else has had." Evelyn giggles.
The music starts and Evelyn sinks into her chair, red in the face with shock.
Jared sings Baby by Justin Beiber.
He finishes on a drunken slur and Constance claps loudly.
"Secret Beiber fan!" She laughs.
"Nah not me, nothing against the kid but his music sucks." Jared stumbles back to the sofa and collapses next to Evelyn.
"Then why did you sing it?" Shannon narrows his eyes staring at his brother.
Jared nuzzles in Evelyns hair as she sits as still as a statue, shocked and angry at Jared's choice of song.
"Shit? Are you pregnant!?" Shannon exclaims.
Evelyn is broken out of her daze and she springs into animation.
"Shannon would I really be drinking if I were pregnant?" She states.
"Yeah you're right. Sorry Evelyn." Shannon turns back to the television.
"I think this guy needs to go sleep off that last scotch, and I'll be getting up early to feed Athena. Your beds have fresh linen on them in your rooms, if you need anything just call my cell." Evelyn explains and pats Jared's stomach, signalling him to follow her as she stands to her feet. He obeys and salutes his brother, he kisses Constance's cheek and follows Evelyn to their bedroom.

Once behind closed doors Evelyn gently pushes Jared. In his state she easily pushes him straight onto his bed. He groans as he hits the mattress.
Evelyn removes her shoes and her jewellery, slamming them down on the surfaces.
"Whats wrong with my cupcake" Jared slurs.
"Whats wrong? Whats wrong Jared? Why did you do that?" She exclaims.
"What did I do?" Jared sits up frowning.
"Of all the songs in the fucking universe you had to chose one called baby. You know how I feel about telling people right now Jared." Evelyn struggles to unzip her dress she screams in frustration.
Jared slowly scrambles to his feet and walks up behind her. He unzips the dress and she throws it to thr floor before storming into the walk in wardrobe. Evelyn opens the drawers with rage selecting clothes to sleep in. Jared places his arms around her stopping her from slamming another drawer.
"Stop it Jared. I'm so mad at you right now." Evelyn growls.
Jared pulls her toward the mirror anf stands her infront of it, she stares at herself wearing only underwear. Jared stands behind her and wraps his arms around her, placing his hands on her stomach. Tears fill his eyes as he whispers "I'm sorry."
The sight of Jared's tears sends a pang of overwhelming guilt through Evelyn's body.
"No, Jared I'm sorry. You're just excited and it's a big deal you keeping this from your brother. I appreciate you doing this you know." Evelyn weeps.
"Id do anything for you, for Athena and for this baby, say the word and its done, ask me for anything and its yours." Jared sniffles, his hands still on Evelyn's stomach.
"Take me to bed and cuddle me all night?" Evelyn smiles.
Jared whisks Evelyn off her feet and carries her out of the dressing room.
"Jared you're drunk! Dont drop me!" She squeals.
"Im starting to sober up." Jared laughs as he gently places her on the bed. He climbs in beside her and pulls her into his chest.
"Goodnight Jared." Evelyn whispers.
"Goodnight Cupcake and our little secret." He rubs her stomach.