A Baby By Bestie

19: Whoa! Hold Up!

I sat on the floor beside the toilet in my towels, one wrapped around my head and the other, my body. I didn't have the strength to get up after hugging the thing for what felt like the entire morning. I had moisture drying on my cheeks that could either be from cold sweat or tears, or both as I strained my ears to listen to the rest of my house instead of my unsteady breathing.

It's Sunday, and Ricky's favorite Moxie has come over once again. It seems to be a ritual these days. Ever since Ricky came back, mom has made it a point of duty to come look for us every Sunday. They'd cook together, breakfast, lunch and dinner. They'd play chess, and other boring board games together. They'd share chips and inside side jokes together... It's like she just shows up every Sunday to steal my best friend from me!

But now, things have changed. I bet she has no idea what she did, threatening my Ricky to propose to me. That means he's mine now, Mother! MINE! But she doesn't know that yet. We haven't really told her yet since it all happened just a few days ago. We planned to do it today, as well as tell her that she'll be a grandma in about nine months.

I heard soft sounds resembling talking from downstairs and laughter that made me sigh to myself and the familiar jealous feeling washed over me again. Who am I jealous at really? She's my mom, but they bond together more than I do with her. He's my best friend and my first and only love, (but he doesn't know that last part and I'm too scared to tell him) and he almost severed our relationship when he left. Am I turning into the green-eyed monster because of my mom being his Moxie or because I feel like I'm being sent to a corner every time she comes around?

I shrugged, rolling my eyes, then shivered as I felt the cold start to creep in. I then left the bathroom to put on some comfortable clothes and find myself downstairs. As soon as I got to the kitchen, all laughter died down and mom greeted me with a bright, warm smile that quickly turned into one of concern. She looked me up and down before she got off her stool and held my face into both her hands.

"Are you okay, sweetheart? You don't look too well." Her voice was ever so soft that I felt the care dropping from it.

I nodded and forced a smile of my own. I just spent my morning as a barf machine. So, yeah. I'm fine. Just peachy. I didn't say. "I'll be okay, mom."

She took my hands this time. "Are you sure, honey?" No. I want a hug, but I'm not about to ask you for it. I nodded and glanced over at my fiancé, standing by the stove, clutching a spatula in one hand and watching me with equally worried eyes. Only he didn't seem too worked up because he knew.

"I'm fine, mother! I'm just having a bad day." I almost screamed. Why is it that people get so annoying when they feel like you need help?
With my patience at the edge of Mt Everest, ready to take a dive, I grabbed myself some orange juice and went to take a seat. At that same time, Rick added eggs to the fry pan and the smell made another wave of bile rise inside me.

I quickly pinched the bridge of my nose and swallowed my glass of juice, deciding not to let my mom wait another minute before she's up to date. I grabbed her by the hand and pulled her behind me. "Mom, there's some things we need to talk about. Rick can join us later when he's done with whatever he's brewing in there."

I sort of mumbled the words as I left the room with Mom on my tail. She was suspiciously quiet, and something told me that she already knew what I was about to tell her but she wants to wait until I said it before she starts screaming "I knew it!" at the top of her lungs. Initially, I was heading for the bathroom, but my nausea passed, thankfully, and I settled with the living room couch instead.

We sat down together and she turned to face me, raising her eyebrows and grinning at me. I sighed again and resisted the urge to roll my eyes. I placed my left hand in her warm hands and allowed myself a genuine laugh. "So I guess you know about this already."

"Oh!" She squealed as if she had no idea, but I saw right through her. "I mean, I knew he would pop the question, but I didn't know you would say yes!"

I shook my head, "well then what did you expect I would do?"

"I don't know!" She still had that huge smile on her face, and it was filled with pride and complete happiness. She was also starting to tear up, something I couldn't stand at the moment because I fear that I would start crying too.

I took a deep breath, readying myself for the rest of my news. Rick came to sit beside me at that same time, wrapping his arms around my middle. "There's something else you should know."

"Okay, what?"

"If it's a girl we'll name her after you." I rushed out, probably saying the first parts in my head before I remembered I should use my voice instead.

There was a short, millisecond pause before she started leaking from her eyes and threw herself at both of us. "My baby!" She cried and I wasn't sure if she was talking about me, Ricky or my unborn child. We hugged her back, knowing that she wasn't done and just mentally preparing for the next phase.

It didn't disappoint us. "Ohmygosh! Ohmygosh! You're pregnant! Holy shit! My baby! And you're engaged! You're gonna get married! We have to start planning. How are we gonna set a date with your growing stomach? Oh crap! She's pregnant! I'mma be a grandma! I'mma have a new baby!"

Oh boy!

"Whoa! Mom, hold it!" I put both my hands up, attempting to silence her. "I'm not getting married now." I tried to explain.

"What do you mean? You're engaged. And you're having a baby." She was the definition of excitement, all but jumping up and down all over the place. I could literally see her mapping out how and where they'll set up the bridal trail. "We can use the back yard for the reception!"

"Yeah, I know, but Ricky and I have decided to wait until we have the baby." I said simply. Rick just stayed, quietly watching us as if he knew better than to try and defend me against his Moxie. Ugh.

Mother looked at him with a questioning furrow in her eyebrows. "Is that so, son?"

"Yes, ma'am - I mean, Mmmoxie." He squeezed me gently and rested his chin on my shoulder. I could tell he was trying to keep his shit together but his crazy heartbeat was enough to let me know how he felt. I'm pretty sure he felt like a deer caught in headlights. Mom's headlights.

Mom stared us down for a long while before she called it quits. "Alright. If that's what you want. I'll tell Henry to put a hold on plans for now."

What! Who's Henry? And how long has mother been planning whatever she has up her sleeves for? And was her not knowing I would say yes even the truth? Is Alexis Scott-Johansson even her name?