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Dereck couldn’t say a word, completely stunned by Alina’s parents’ arrival.
“Where is my daughter?” Laura said, rushing past Dereck to embrace Alina in her arms.
Her husband remained outside the door until Dereck invited him inside. “Darling.” The older man held out his arms to his daughter with a smile. “How are you?”
“What are you guys doing here?” Alina asked after the greetings. Her eyes were wild and her face held a baffled expression.
“Well, yesterday on the phone I suddenly heard moaning, and then I couldn’t get to you after that. So, your father and I drove up here to make sure you were alright,” Laura said, resting her hand on her husband’s shoulder. “We’re so glad to see that you’re alright dear.”
Alina eyed Dereck, who stood away from the elder couple and their daughter. “I’m sorry you drove all that way, but as you see, I’m alright.” She sighed. “I just got a little—startled yesterday, but everything is okay now.”
“Still.” She tucked her elbows with her daughter’s and led her even further from Dereck. “I would feel much better if we stayed here until the baby is born. You said this place had four bedrooms.” She turned around and waved her free hand. “And your sister has everything covered in Maryland?”
Alina’s eyes were wide. “Mom. You can’t just invite yourself here. I live with Dereck and you refuse to even speak to him. How comfortable do you think it would be?”
“I told her we can stay at a hotel or something, but she’s being stubborn as usual,” Lewis spoke up.
“You both are welcomed here anytime,” Dereck spoke over the hushed voices. “In fact, I will feel much better knowing Alina has her parents here while I’m at work.” Dereck took his jacket and folded it over his arms, nodding his head to Alina.
“What about Dina?” Alina then turned to her parents. “Dereck’s sister is doing business in the city, so she’s staying with us.”
“Dina will hardly even be around.” Dereck objected to Alina’s concern. “She basically just needs a bed for when she drags herself away from her meetings. And we will all be family soon. We should get to know each other.”
Alina’s parents were not pleased with Dereck’s assumptions of being a family and twisted their faces at his words. Still, they were happy he was agreeing with them.
“I have to go.” Dereck leaned in and kissed Alina on her cheek. “Have a good day,” he said, before fleeing the scene.
44
Dereck walked into the bar, his face sullen with a tight jaw and wrinkled forehead. An unusual expression for someone living with the love of his life and preparing for the birth of his first child.
“Come on, man. You’re ruining the atmosphere.” Martin’s words were Dereck’s welcome as he walked into the bar filled with rowdy patrons. Dereck ignored his friend and took a seat with Lee, immediately going for the stack of beer on the table. He took one sip, spotted Martin’s shot glass, and exchanged his beer for it. With his face scrunched as the liquid went down his throat, he felt no better than when he walked in.
“You’re welcome,” Martin said sarcastically, his face in a frown.
“Is something troubling you?” Lee leaned his head and observed his friend. Then he jolted upright. “You and Alina aren’t fighting again, are you?”
“No,” Dereck said and released a heavy breath. “Although I would prefer that to what is happening right now.”
Lee pushed another shot at Dereck – it was his way of encouraging his friend to continue.
“Alina is not doing too well,” Dereck said, his jaw becoming even tighter as the words came out of his mouth. “She’s tired all the time and is even losing weight.” He took a deep breath. “The doctor thinks it’s stress.”
“Then why are you here? ” Lee nudged his friend. “You should go be with her. Tending to her needs.”
“She has company right now,” Dereck said.
“Are Alina’s parent’s still angry with you? Is that what’s stressing her?” Martin asked.
“They are still angry with me. Despite all my attempts.” Dereck drank the other shot. “And apparently, Alina cut off the call with her mother when I brought her to the doctor yesterday, so her parents drove up from Maryland to check up on her.” Then he added in a flatter tone, “They’re staying at our apartment until the baby comes.”
“You’ve got to be freaking kidding me!” Martin blurted out with a slight chuckle. And added, “I do not want to be you right now.”
“It’s going to be hard,” Lee added. “No doubt they came to make sure you didn’t harm their daughter.”
“But,” Martin lifted his hand, his eyebrows raised. “This could be a good thing.”
“How’s that?” Lee asked as Dereck drank the last shot before grabbing a beer.
