Destiny & Distance

93°

—I love this song -I say to Chris, turning the volume up- too much. Your daughter seems to like it too, she's kicking

Fast Car by Tracy Chapman is playing in the car, Christopher and I are heading to my parents' condo. I miss them and Chris wants to ask them to go to Boston.

—I love this song too, I can play it on loop -he lightly smiles-

As we arrive, he park his SUV close to our parent's house. We had stopped at Target before coming, bringing some snacks with us. I dial my sister, but as I'm doing it, she opens the door with a smile plastered on her face.

—Fast enough -I chuckle and hug her-

—Yeah, we were waiting for you guys -we let go and she greets my boyfriend with a hug- how are you?

—Good -he smiles- you?

—Great, come on in -she motions him to follow her-

The smell of food hit my nostrils, I knew my mom would cook something, and to be fair, my mouth is watering. I look at my mom in the kitchen, brewing some coffee as well, I smile at her and she cleans her hands before holding me into a hug.

—Ay, mi amor! Estás hermosa -she proudly says, she looks behind my shoulder- Hi Chris! Get yourself comfortable, you're at home -she lets go of me and hugs Chris, too-

—Hi, ma'am -he nervously smiles, hugging her. I smirk at him and he lightly shakes his head- thank you

I find it amusing that after all this time and a baby on the way, Chris still gets nervous around my parents—they have a good relationship, though, specially with my dad. They could talk for hours together... Speaking of which.

—Where's dad? -I ask both my mom and sister-

—Ah, he must be at his -she interrupts herself- DAAAAD!!!

Chris and I laugh at my sister's scream.

—Bueno, díganme, how are you two? -my mom asks us-

—Oh! Great, everything's good, I'm super excited about the baby -Chris politely says-

—Who isn't excited? -my mom chuckles- I can't believe we're having a baby in the family

I walk to Chris and grab the Target bag he has in his hand and walk to the kitchen to place it on the counter top. The house isn't big... Actually, it's small, you can see and hear the living room from the kitchen—it has two bedrooms and two bathrooms. My mom walks back to the kitchen and my sister throws herself in the couch, looking at Chris who's still standing up in the middle of the living room.

—What are you, a statue? -Sara teases him- you know you can sit, right?

He playfully rolls his eyes and chuckles as he sits. Then another voice gets our attention.

—Hellooo! Sorry, I was at the bathroom -my dad jokes and walks to Chris offering his hand to handshake, Chris stands up again- but don't worry, I washed them -he laughs and Chris joins him, shaking his hand-

—How are you, sir?

—You knocked up my daughter, stop calling me sir -my dad teases my boyfriend, laughing and he gets noticeably reddish-

—Diego -he corrects himself amused-

—I'm good, I already missed you two -he admits- and my little grandkid,
of course

I stop paying attention to their conversation and fully focus on my
mom.

—Ma -she looks at me- tengo hambre -I pout. I wasn't even hungry before coming here, but it's my mom's food-

—Already? I was hoping we'd drink coffee and chat first -she points at the cups of coffee-

—Ay, ma. It's not me, it's your granddaughter -I try to convince her with my puppy eyes, she clicks her tongue and turns around to the living room- Chris, I hope you're hungry because I made dinner!

—Ahh, I've missed your food! -Chris' face lights up and my mom smiles-

—Say no more

I help her prepare the plates and set the table—we sit, start eating, talking and laughing. From little anecdotes, to recent events and the future, our daughter's existence, to be precise.

—Talking about her -Chris says staring at me- we missed you, but it's not the only reason we came tonight... Erhh, I-I, -his tongue tangles, revealing his nervousness- Gabbie and I decided our daughter is going to be born in Boston and of course, it's an important event for all of us -he looks at me, hoping I'd finish his sentence, but I don't; so he continues- we want you to be there as well... Hence why we'd love to have you there—you don't have to worry about any expense and we could all stay at my house...

—Where i-when are you leaving? -my sister asks-

—Uhh, in 3 weeks or so -he answers and focuses on my parents-

—Wow -my dad sighs- what can I say? Christopher, you're an excellent man and I really appreciate you... Thank you for always including us—but.

"Oh, there are but's..." I think.

—but we have to work -my dad continues- at least, I have to. I can't go to Boston and drop everything here, as much as I'd want to be there for you, hija -he now looks at me- if I skip work, I get fired and I can't be unemployed...

—Oh, fuck, work -Sara mumbles-

—Ay, Chris, tu siempre tan bonito -my mom says to him- but yeah, responsibilities won't allow us to go. Pero, de verdad, that's such a nice gesture!

—I completely understand you, you're right, I just wanted to ask... You know, in case you could come. But if not, you're still welcome at my house anytime, if not now, we can go to Boston in December, if you're free -he says-

—But -Sara says. Oh no, more buts- my dad and I can stay here and work. Mom, you could go, I mean, you're experienced and I'm beyond sure she could use your help more than mine -she proposes- what do you think? -she looks at dad-

—Yeah! That'd be nice. It's up to your mom.

—Of course I'll say yes -my mom rapidly responds, making us chuckle- I want to spoil my granddaughter so much already.

—Seems like our moms are replacing us for our daughter -my boyfriend tells me, making us laugh-

The rest of the night was pretty chill and fun. At first, I tried to help my mom do the dishes but neither Sara or her allowed me to, and I gave in quickly, my feet were swollen, so I sat on the couch, resting my legs in Chris' lap.

We had coffee and a pleasant conversation—Christopher also told them about the part he just got and they were happy for him.

By 10PM, we decide it is time to go. We say our goodbyes and my mom walks us to the car, I hug her and sit on the passenger door and as Chris is about to hug her. She asks him if they can have a word, so they walk a little bit away from the SUV. I look at them through the rearview, they then hug and Chris hops into the car.

—What was that about? -I furrow my eyebrows, bemused-

—Hey, hey, it's between your mom and I -he teases and I pout-

—Are you serious, babe? Look at me, I'm your pregnant girlfriend who loves you -I try to bribe him-

—She was thanking me -he finally says as he drives- about Boston.

—Oh -I say, suddenly feeling horny- fuck, Chris, I can't wait till we get home -I admit, looking at him with lust-

—Are you...? -he questions, but then takes his eyes off the highway and looks at me- Oh. You definitely are -he smirks- we'll be there soon.