Complicated Love 2 (2 page)

When we pull up to the bed and breakfast, she gets out and I follow. I grab her from behind resting my hand on our baby.  “Keira, I love you with all my heart.
You
are my world. Please marry me?”  She starts to sob again. But then she turns in my arms. I hold her tight with her face resting across my chest. “Please baby. I want to see you every day and every night. No more Skyping. No more distance. I want you
both
close to me.”  She nods her head. “Is that a yes?”  She nods again.  “I love you Keira. I love you so much.” I just hold her. My fiancé .

Part II

Keira

I’m nervous. I should be, right? I’m married. I am Mrs.Lane Callahan. Gramps delivered, as promised. The ceremony was simple and sweet. Now, we are on our way to meet Lane’s parents. Looking at Lane, he doesn’t seem nervous. He’s relaxed and ready to conquer the world. I still have my doubts about how we can do this and be so young.

Lane must be reading my thoughts. “You okay?” He asks. I want to say yes but I can’t so I just stare straight ahead out the window. “It’s gonna be okay. I promise.” I can only stare. I just don’t know. But I agreed to try. I promised Lane I’d try.

We pull up to the Callahan home. I’ve never been here before.
And yet you’re married to him.
I’ve been to Gramps’ home- I live at Gramps’ house- but never been here.
Why did I agree to this?
Lane spends most of his time with his Gramps, so I guess he’s not here very much either. But I still find it strange that he’s never brought me home.
Don’t think about it too much.
And now, we’re married.

I have to stop thinking this way. Lane loves me. I am not my mother. I am not chasing a man. He loves me and he wanted to be married to me. I didn’t force him or get pregnant on purpose. I have to keep reminding myself. Maybe my thoughts will get better.

“Before we go in,” Lane says as her grabs my hand. “I want you to know that I love you. I want to thank you again for trusting me enough to take care of you and our baby.” He reaches over and gently places his hand on my tummy. It’s been a gesture he’s been doing quite often. It’s the same words he said a few hours ago when we were married. I feel better when he says the words. They reassure me but I just can’t believe I am married. For Christ’s sake I’m eighteen years old. Before I can let my mind wonder too long, Lane has the car door open and waiting for me to get out.

Wow! Just…wow! The Callahan home is amazingly beautiful. The foyer is adorned with a large glass table which looks like a sculpture it’s so beautiful. The walls are crisp white and the ceilings are so high they’re nonexistent. I literally have to hold my head all the way back to see the chandelier hanging from it.

Through the heavy wooden doors, we walk straight to winding wooden staircase which leads to Lane’s room. This room is like a hotel. Not like the bed and breakfast we were in for two days. Not like the suite where I lost my V-card with Lane. That room was nice but this is indescribably extravagant. The bed is huge. The covers are blue and the sheets are white with white fluffy pillows. He reaches into the closet and starts to pack a small gym bag. He’s in the closet and he comes out with a few pairs of shoes then looks at me.

“You’re too quiet.” He says as he lifts me and sits me on the edge of the bed. “What’s wrong?”

“You have to ask?” I give Lane that pointed look.

“I know. You’re nervous and my parents suck. I know it. But I love you and this is our life. Plus, we have Peanut to think about.”

I bust out laughing. “Peanut?” He’s rubbing my belly again. It feels so reverent when he does that. I both love and hate it. He’s so in love with this baby. I just wished we’d started out differently. Before I can say another word, he kisses me. I love the feel of him. It
is
our wedding day. I want to be with him. When he leans backwards and pulls me onto him I go willingly. Laying on top of Lane kissing him, our tongues are mingling and we are moaning. I don’t hear the door open. There is a mix of a chuckle and throat clearing.

Lane closes his eyes in irritation. But I look over my shoulder at his father. For a brief second his eyes are fixed on the exposed skin where Lane’s hands are resting on my bare back. I sit up and pull my shirt down. Mr.Callanhan blinks out of his trance like stare. “Sorry, I thought I heard voices.” He says.

“We’ll be down in a minute dad.” Lane says as he sits up.

“No worries. Take your time.” Then he winks. Ewww!

Lane must feel my reaction to his father. He sits up a little further. He is now blocking his father’s view of me. Just for comfort,I slide a little closer to Lane. When the door closes, Lane says “Let’s get out of here. I’m ready to get this over and done so I can have you to myself.” He grabs my hand and drags me into a big bear hug. God, I love it when he does that. I moan. I just love him. I may be stupid but I do.

Lane

“Lane, your home?”  Mom asks. “This is a surprise. Aren’t finals soon?” She looks from

me to Keira and back to Keira with a frown. I know she’s wondering what we were doing in my bedroom. I know what she’s hoping we weren’t doing. Just to piss her off, I want to take Keira upstairs and make her come so hard she screams loud enough for my mom to hear- for the whole neighborhood to hear. But, I would never put Keira in an uncomfortable space. Clearly, she’s already uncomfortable. Meeting my parents to announce we’re married is enough. I’ll hold off on telling them about Peanut for a while.

I’m proud of Peanut and my wife but my folks won’t be happy. I will tell them without Keira being around. She doesn’t have to be front and center to the fall out and stress this will cause.

No doubt they’ll be pissed. When my folks are pissed they become venomous. I won’t subject my wife and Peanut to it. Ignoring my mother’s snobby tone, I pull Keira closer, “ I was in town to see Keira and wanted to get a few things before heading back to school.”

“Oh. I can only guess what you made a stop,” She’s raising her eyebrows as if to suggest she knows what we have been doing, “to
visit
Keira?” She runs her eyes up and then down Keira, “It is Keira, right?”

My mother has issues. I can see it more now than ever. This whole situation is going to blow up. Everything in me wants to tell her Keira is my wife and the mother of my Peanut, but I’ll wait like I promised Keira until after finals.

Before Keira can respond to mother’s foolish question-she knows who Keira is- I jump in, “You know Keira mother. And for the record, I stopped to get more clothes.” I hold up the duffle bag in my hand.

My father laughs. “That’s not what I saw when I walked in.” He winks at me. Keira burrows in to my side slightly.

“What you saw was kissing. And nothing else. “

“If I hadn’t walked in it would be more.” He gave a pointed look at me and then my mother.

“I have what I need. See you guys in week or so. Let’s go Keira.” I grab her hand and before I can get out the door, my mother calls my name,.

“Lane? Before you go, can I talk with you for a moment?” She is standing there with her arms crossed and her foot tapping.

I pass Keira the keys and wait for her to walk out the door, “Yes, what can I do for you mother?”

“Umm, I know you and father have
talked
, but I hope you’re being careful. This young lady is not like us. She’s …different. So, make sure you’re protecting yourself.”

“That’s funny. I know she is different. I love that about her. Keira is the best thing that’s ever happen to me. If you don’t hear anything else I say mother, hear this and take it to heart. I
love her
. Not some infatuation either. I really love Keira. You need to accept that now and make peace with it.”

I walk out the door before she can speak.

Keira

The week is finally over .Lane and Sloan have driven to my dorms and have packed me up. I don’t really have that much.I could have caught a bus but Lane insisted. Sloan was just along for the ride.

Sloan is the first person Lane told about the baby and our marriage. Sloan was more than happy to help. He keeps refusing to let me do anything. I can’t even carry my backpack.

This journey is so bittersweet. I love Lane and I want a life with him but I want a future for myself. I have been having this debate in my head for days now. I wish that Peanut would have waited a little longer. Lane keeps telling me, as if he knows my doubts, that it will get better. Sometimes I think he’s talking about the nausea and at other times I think he’s talking about the life we have.

Today we’ll move my stuff into the pool house and then we’re off to see the parents and deliver the news. Lane is excited but I’m terrified. My aunt Debb is going to have a fit. My mother? Who knows. She probably won’t care. Lane’s parents are going to have a bitch fit. I know it. He knows it too. He asked me if he could go alone. But I refuse to let him walk this journey alone. We are in it together.

I finally got enrolled in all my summer classes. They are online. Taking online classes is great because I seem to sleep all day and then I’m nauseous the rest of the day. Lane has his internship paperwork filled out. He’s ready to turn in once he talks to his parents tonight. I am a little sad for him. He seems to be giving up so much for me. But Lane keeps saying this is a compromise. We are both giving up something for each other and for Peanut.

I can’t believe I am calling my baby Peanut. Lane for the last week has been talking to my belly through Skype. He even threatened to drive to get me early if I didn’t eat more this week. It’s so scary to know that I am going to be a parent. But I am going to be someone’s mother. I better get used to it.

Lane

She looks both beautiful and sick. I can tell Keira’s not eating well. Earlier this week when we Skyped, she told me she was too nauseous to keep anything down. I had to threaten to drive to her college to get her to try to eat a few crackers for me. I was serious. Now, looking at her, she looks beautiful because I know she has my Peanut in her belly. But she looks tired, like she could use a nap. A really long nap. Sloan is going to sit up front and let Keira sleep in the back while I drive. He keeps looking at me as we load the last of her suitcases in the Rover, “What?” I have to ask.

“I just can’t believe you’re gonna be a dad.” I shrug. The word dad doesn’t sting like it should for a nineteen year old. “And you’re married?”

“Dude. We’ve already gone over this. Like a few days ago. I love Keira. I love Peanut.”

Sloan bursts into laughter. “You call your kid Peanut? Dude. Who are you and where is my best friend?”

“I’m here. But I’m serious. I’d do anything for Keira and this baby. “

“I know. You’re facing your parents and giving up football all on the same day. That’s pretty bold. Pretty serious. But I respect you. Keira is great. Hell, I still love her on some level.”

My eyes flash at the last comment.

“Whoa, Bro. I love her like a sister now. I know she’s always loved you. She always will. But if you screw this up, I’ll bust you up and won’t think twice about it.” Sloan says as he steps forward to let me know he is serious. His eyes meet mine. His jaw bone looks like it may snap. He is deadly serious.

“I get it. I won’t mess up. If I do I want you to bust me up.”

“Remember you said that.” He laughs as walks to the passenger side of the car.

After a three hour ride and packing, I don’t know if seeing our parents tonight is a good idea. But, I can’t put it off any longer. My dad knows something is up. He’s been calling to see when I am coming home. I gotta do this. I don’t want Keira to go. She is exhausted and she hasn’t eaten much today. Her Aunt Debb is expecting us to be at her apartment later. Time to man up.

Keira

“Not too bad, huh?” Lane says as we pull away from Aunt Debb’s apartment.

I shake my head. I can’t speak over the lump in my throat. I feel like I have disappointed her so much. She expected so much from me. We worked hard to get me this far and I ruined it. Lane has no idea how much work and sacrifice have gone into getting me to college. Aunt Debb didn’t say it but I could see through the smile on her face. She was sad for me. Disappointed. Just like my mother.

“One parent down and two to go. Keira, I can do this by myself.”

“No Lane.We talked about this.” I don’t want him to do this alone.

“I know but it’s been a really long day. I don’t want to throw you in the lion’s den tonight. Let me go by myself.”

“Why? Why don’t you really want me to go?”

“ I just told you why. You’re tired and you have not really had a full meal today.”

“Whatever Lane! Fine, don’t take me. I can go cook and clean while you go conquer your parents and the rest of the world while you’re at it.”

He narrows his eyes at me. “Exactly my point! You’re tired. I am dropping you off. You don’t have to like it Keira but you need to rest and back off this superwoman routine. Sloan and I had to fight you to pack you up and drive you back. I have to fight you to eat. I will not let my parents hurt you. If I take you tonight they will. Just trust me.”