She stalks away towards the kitchen just as both sets of parents come in.

“Shawn, can you start the grill, man?” I wave to the folks, and race to catch up with Evelyn.

“Can Tristan and I get y’all to all come into the living-room please? We will eat after the news. I’m still trying to work up a big appetite.”

She walks back to the couch, dropping slowly down next to Adella. She reaches one hand toward me while patting the spot she left open for me. I take her hand and let her draw me down onto the couch, where she snuggles into my side.

Shawn comes back in from lighting the grill. Everyone is sitting on the floor or the couches. “What’s going on? Did I miss the news, damn it?”

I laugh at him. I don’t know where his head is at.

“No man, sit down.” I gesture toward the floor.

I see a bunch of shiny baldheads and curious eyes that just stare at us and I can’t help but smile. They did this for my baby. They are really here for us.

“Babe, do you want to tell them?” she whispers.

I do. I really f**king do. “Can I?”

She nods her head, smiling at me and sliding onto my lap.

“We spent the morning at the hospital having some more tests run. Before we left, we got the results and we wanted to share them with you. The first great news is Evelyn’s chemotherapy is working. Her cancer numbers continue to come down, and the doctors are excited about the results. Our second great news shouldn’t even be called great, so I think we will call it our miracle news.” I take a deep breath to prepare myself to say this out loud. Wrapping my arms tightly around my infinity, I say the words that are going to shock everyone. “Evelyn and I are having a baby.”

The room goes so silent that I could hear every single breath that is taken. All eyes are opened wide in shock. I can see the tiny irises of each and every set.

“You’re pregnant?” Adella asks quietly, breaking the silence.

“Yes, we’re having a baby. Apparently miracles really do happen.” Evelyn smiles widely, the joy written plainly across her face.

“Either that or my brother has super sperm.” Leave it to Drake to crack a joke.

“Drake,” my father growls in exasperation.

“I’m just saying that it’s obvious the Monroe sperm are strong and can swim,” he says and shrugs.

Evelyn starts laughing, which in turn causes me to laugh with her.

“You’re keeping the baby?” her mother asks, shock evident in her voice.

She jerks her whole body towards her mom and looks at her straight on with eyes that plainly say ‘I dare you to try and stop me’.

“We are,” she stresses.

“Do you think that is a wise decision considering you are still in chemo?”

I gape at Alexandra. What is her deal? She stole one child from us already. How could she even want us to consider giving up this one?

“All three of my Oncologists assured us that everything should be fine. I am strong, Mother. I am a fighter, Mother. I’m glad to see you question your own daughter’s strength, Mother.” By this point, Ev is shouting. “You can go now. I do not need your negativity around me. This is my happy time and I won’t let you steal that from me again.”

I look over at Evelyn and see the hurt on her face. Her outburst has taken all her energy but I can tell that she means every single word she just said.

“Go on. Father, I don’t want her here anymore. She can go now,” Evelyn whispers, standing up.

“If that’s what you want,” her mother whispers.

Evelyn says nothing. She wobbles on her feet and I grab her as she passes out. She has used her last ounce of strength dealing with her mother and now she is empty.

22

I am now five months pregnant. My body is so weak. I am barely showing because my figure is stick thin. The doctors assure me that the baby is healthy and growing. Even though the chemotherapy is taking a toll on me, I am still getting great results back on every test. Today we are having an ultrasound done to see if we can find out the sex of the baby.

The last several months have been productive, but very hectic. Tristan finally hired his bar manager full time. He no longer handles the bar business unless there is an issue that requires his attention. I handle the bookkeeping for the bar.

Tristan is also practicing regularly with the band. ‘Lost’ was signed to ‘Crazed Recordz’, a company that deals with up and coming rock bands. In the last month, they have recorded almost an entire record. The guys are still trying to drag me on stage, but I laugh. They cannot be serious.

Tristan and I both decided that we are not going back to college. We both already know all about music and our plates are full enough as it is. The women are all still wearing our wigs. Right now, mine is long, straight, and blonde. Of course, Adella’s is the cutest hot pink pixie cut. Someone spotted my mom wearing a brown, short close-cropped wig and Tristan’s mom surprises me with a new look every time I see her.

I arrive back home from the grocery store. I had to beg Tristan to let me go by myself since he seems to be stuck right up my butt.

He is sitting in the living room watching our home movies.

“Hey babe.” I come up behind him and wrap my arms tightly around his neck.

“Hey. How are my two babies?”

I sigh and grin against his neck.

“We’re great. Whatcha doing?”

“Watching our videos. You need me to carry in the groceries?”