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“Y’all finally gettin’ married?” Rose quickly asks.
Kaitlyn shakes her head. “No, but we’re having a baby.”
“Oh, thank you, Jesus.” Rose stands and pulls Kaitlyn into her arms. “Now I can die a happy woman.”
“No talkin’ like that, Grandma. You’re immortal,” she teases, though I know she wishes that were true.
“I’m not goin’ anywhere anytime soon, but I’m no spring chicken either. All I wanted was to see all my grandbabies have their own babies, and now it’s happening.” A few tears run down her cheeks, and Kaitlyn reaches forward to wipe them away.
“You’re gonna make me cry,” Kaitlyn says, and I can hear the shakiness in her voice as she speaks. “I’m already hormonal.”
Rose stands a little taller. “So you’re the father?”
“Yes, ma’am,” I proudly say with a grin, and she gives me a nod of approval.
“Good. I was scared she was gonna get knocked up by some truck driver passin’ through town.” She gives me a pointed look that has me cracking up.
Kaitlyn gasps. “Grandma! Who do you think I am?”
Rose shakes her finger. “I’ve heard some of the things you’ve said, sweetie. Had me worried about ya. Well, when’s the weddin’? Maybe a fall one? We could plan it quick. That way, you aren’t showing too much in your dress.”
“Uhh…” Kaitlyn stalls. “We’re not gettin’ married.”
Rose sits on the couch and pats next to her so Kaitlyn will follow. “Yes, you are.”
“We’re not,” Kaitlyn confirms. “We’re going to co-parent and raise the baby as friends. We’re already roommates, so it won’t be much of a transition.”
“I hear what you’re saying, but I’m not listenin’,” Rose states unapologetically. “I know you two are gonna get married regardless of how stubborn you’re being right now. So much like your daddy, it’s ridiculous. Worse than your brothers, honestly. You can say whatever you want, but I’d just like to request that you get hitched before I turn ninety. Got it?” Rose turns and looks at me. “That gives you a good five years to fall in love and have more babies.”
I scratch my cheek, not wanting to argue with the queen of Eldorado.
“Well, since that’s settled, do you know what you’re having?”
“Not yet,” Kaitlyn says, then pulls out the ultrasound photos from her crossbody purse. She was so busy trying to calm down her mom, dad, and brothers that she forgot to show them. “We got these today.”
Rose studies them, and I can see the excitement on her face. “You know, when I was pregnant, we didn’t have stuff like this. Stand up for me, sweetie.”
Kaitlyn does, and Rose lifts her shirt without asking.
“I’m gonna make a prediction that it’s a girl. Your bump is small, but it’s high. We Bishops carry a certain way for each gender.”
“Ya think?” Kaitlyn laughs. “That would be incredible, but I honestly don’t have a preference. I’m just happy to be having one. And that our baby will have several cousins to grow up with now that Hadleigh and Ivy are pregnant.” Her eyes go wide, and Kaitlyn quickly realizes she slipped.
“Hadleigh’s pregnant again?” Rose gasps. “And they didn’t come tell me first?”
“Shit, I wasn’t supposed to say anything.” Kaitlyn smacks her forehead. “Pretend you didn’t just hear that.”
“My lips are sealed, but this is why you’re my favorite grandchild. You actually cared enough to come visit, eat some cookies, then share the good news. But Knox’s in trouble.”
I laugh, knowing he’s in for it now.
When I finish my cookies and milk, Rose offers me more, but I politely decline. Kaitlyn takes a few more, and they laugh and chat about the crazy cravings Rose had when she was pregnant with each of her kids.
“Peanut butter, maple syrup, and pickles?” Kaitlyn repeats. “That’s disgustin’.”
“You’d think so, but it hit the spot.”
After the conversation comes to a lull, Kaitlyn stands, then we give hugs and say our goodbyes.
