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I sense that she knows why I live with my brothers, which makes that part of our reveal seem less ominous. The other part still has my heart beating quickly.
I guide her to the living room where the guys have already sat their father down. Mom sits beside him, and he steals a kiss. It’s good to see her this happy.
My predetermined seat is between Commando and Stonewall. Taz wanted to stand. He stops behind me and says, “Dad, Mom, we have something we need to tell you.”
My mom’s eyes light up and she gives me a wink.
He continues, “Cheri and the three of us are in a relationship… and we’d like your blessing.”
The room is silent and my mom looks like she’s about to bust.
Finally, their dad says, “It’s about time you admitted it.”
Mom adds, “We figured that’s why you were so serious when you asked us to come over. We were going to act offended…”
My stepdad resumes, “But, well, that didn’t work. We’re too happy for you.”
“You knew?” Stonewall asks.
He looks at Mom, then back at Stone. “That day on the island, when I was trying to get your attention by throwing pebbles at your window…”
We wait.
“You boys were all in one room, despite insisting that you all have separate rooms… and she was in your bed.”
“There’s no way you saw her,” Commando says.
Their dad points at my bare feet. “I’ve never seen anyone else paint their toenails white with a cherry on each big toe. Her foot was visible.”
Mom squeezes his hand. “We figured you needed time to explore. If it became something, we would be here for you. If it didn’t, we didn’t want you to feel any pressure.”
He adds, “But we can’t be happier.”
“Oh my god, seriously, Mom? Why didn’t you say something?” I’m dumbfounded.
“We didn’t think it was our place. But since you seem to think I should have…” She looks at her husband and grins. “When are you going to tell us the due date?”
“What? No! You can’t know that.”
“Oh, Cheri…” Her fake French accent is back. “You’ve never been so radiant. It’s just a guess. I wouldn’t want to overstep.”
Commando says, “They already know, apparently, so let’s make this official. Yes, we’re having a baby.”
Mom tugs her hand from my stepdad’s, then holds it out expectantly. “That’s twenty dollars.”
My brothers and I stare in confusion.
Taz moves to the end of the couch. “Twenty dollars for what?”
“We made a bet.”
“On whether I was pregnant or not?”
Mom smiles. “You’ll always be my little girl, and now I’m happy you’ll experience that same joy.”
I can’t believe her. Apparently, neither can my brothers. I glance from one to the next and we break out in laughter.
Stonewall says, “We’ll take good care of both of them.”
