Sunday morning brought a new wave of excitement over me. The thrill of knowing that Allie would be a part of the rest of my life was exhilarating. Knowing that we were going to share something so beautiful left my breathless.
“Why do you have the goofy smile plastered on your face?” Allie asked me. We were in my childhood room getting dressed and packing for our return trip to London later that day.
“The questing really should be why don’t you have a goofy smile?” Tickling her created the same reaction I had intended. She smiled and laughed that infectious giggle that was so joyous.
Knock, Knock. “C’mon guys. Breakfast is ready. We are just waiting on you two.” Ruth called from the other side of the door.
“We’ll be there in a minute.” Allie responded politely. “What?” She demanded when she saw the concerned look that had replaced the goofy smile.
“You know we have to tell her right?” I asked softly.
“Can’t we just call her in a week or two? After we go to the doctor and confirm everything?” She asked.
Holding her close, I responded. “She would never forgive me. And you, love, she would never accept into her family If we don’t tell her now. Tell her in person.”
A long sigh escaped her parted lips. “I suppose you are right.” She accepted. “Well then, if we are going to do this we should go now. It’s not going to get any easier.” Not wasting any time, she kissed me before leading the way down to the kitchen. She walked faster then usual, almost like she were afraid but would rather tackle the problem like a plaster, rip it off in one swift movement.
“Geoff, hold your horses. They are coming down the stairs now.” Mum’s voice carried from the dining room.
“I’m hungry dearie.” Dad complained.
“Well then it is a good thing we are here.” I said as Allie and I made our way to our seats.
“Are you all packed?” Mum asked.
“We are, Karen. And thank you so much for the hospitality this weekend. For everything, really.” Allie replied as she was served breakfast.
“It was such a pleasure having out Liam home, even if it was only for a few days. And you, Allie. I am so glad Liam has found someone like you, so down to earth and not bothered by his crazy life.” Mum said.
“Oh, I would say I am not bothered by his crazy life. I am still trying to wrap my head around that one.” Allie said, looking at me adding, “But I am willing to do it for him.”
“What is wrong with you Liam?” Ruth asked from the other side of the table.
“What are you talking about? Nothing is wrong.” I stated, pretending to be confused about what she was talking about while knowing full well that my darned goofy smile had appeared again as Allie looked at me.
“There is something off. I can’t put my finger on it, but there is for sure something up.” Ruth said.
“Liam?” Allie asked, silently asking if it was time to tell her, any my father for that matter.
“Aahh, I hate the fact that you know me so well Ruth.” I said, full well knowing that she was unwilling to give up even if I did not want to say anything.
“Spit it out.” Ruth demanded sitting in front of her untouched breakfast.
Allie placed a hand on my arm, gently resting her warm and soft skin against me. “Ruth, we have something to tell you. You too Geoff.” She took a breath to look at me. The twinkle in her eye reassured me that she was as excited as I was and somehow made it easier for me to stomach the idea of telling everyone. “It cams as a surprise to both of us, but we are going to have a baby.”
“You what?” Ruth yelled slapping her hand down on the table causing all of the plates and utensils to rattle.
“We didn’t plan it, it just happened. But that makes us none the less excited about it.” I butted it, knowing that I had to say something.
“Are you crazy? How can you even debate this? You are so young and you hardly know each other.” Ruth was absolutely fuming. Red faced she continued, “You can’t possibly think of keeping the kid. Not with your career where it is, Liam.”
Taken aback at her rash comment, I became upset. “You have got to be kidding me, Ruth. I can’t believe you are even suggesting something like that.” I said.
Allie was sitting quietly next to me, looking at her plate instead of the shit storm that was breaking out in front of her.
“Dad?” I turned to look at him.
He looked back and fourth between me and Allie, maybe looking at his wife a few times as well before he began to talk. “You knew about this Karen?”
“I was not sure, but I had a big suspicion.” She answered.
“Alright, Liam. I don’t know what you expect from me. You know I have always wanted grandchildren, but I think that this is happening too fast between you two. I will support you both no matter what, and I will love your child. But that does not mean I am a little disappointed in you, in both of you really.” He said.
“Thank you for supporting us.” Allie squeaked, obviously trying to hold back tears.
“So, tell me. What is your plan?” He asked.
“I don’t think we have a plan yet. We only found out yesterday.” I said, admitting that for once there was no plan to follow, no schedule to be had as of now.
“I was up last night thinking of it. I should be due around early May. That gives us time to figure out the logistics. But in the mean time, Liam is going to do his tour. He is going to leave next month. I can still work at the Museum for a while. I will try to stay from the public as much as possible. I don’t think it is good if he is photographed with me much any more.” Allie blurted out.
“Wait, what do you mean? You want me to leave you when I go on tour? Not a chance. And we are going to be photographed together because I want everyone to know that I am happily in love and ready for a family.” I almost demanded.
“Why would you want me on tour? I am going to be moody and get fat.” Allie said.
“I want you on tour because I hate the idea of being away from you, Allie. I love you. And you will not be fat, you will be beautiful.” I can’t believe we were having a fight in front of my family.
“You two are clearly not ready for any of this. You are both immature and not ready to have the life of a person in your hands.” Ruth affirmed across the table, spitting her comment like venom.
“If you will excuse me, I think I have lost my appetite.” Allie excused herself from the table. She placed her napkin on the table, scooted her chair across the linoleum floor, and walked away.
“Ruth, I understand why you are upset, but I do not agree with you at all. We will be ready for parenthood.” I answered her nasty remark. “You know the only reason we told you now was so that you might actually accept Allie as part of the family. She is going to be family whether you want her to be or not.”
I didn’t even bother excusing myself from the table; rather I pushed my chair out and followed Allie out of the room. I found her sitting outside on the step, tears sliding down her face.
“I don’t know what I expected.” She said when she felt my arm slide around her shoulder. She leaned into me, her hair falling across my arm. “It’s not like we live in a fairy tale where everything magically works out, but I didn’t think it would be nasty.”
I gently reassured her, rubbing her forearm and saying, “They will come around. For now they just need time.” After a few minutes of silence, I decided I did not want to be here any more. “Let’s go home.”