PROMISE ME (OSCAR DIAZ x OC)

Chapter Forty-Seven (Alana)

CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN

Alana

Christmas Eve

"You're as bad as Jamal!" I shout at Cesar as I hand Mia over to my dad who's the only one smiling at me right now.

Papi being the only one to have whispered with excitement hearing Vero's outburst about how I'm pregnant. Which I wanted to keep hidden until New Year's the soonest to let the excitement of Vero and Ruby's baby and gender reveal smooth over.

Apparently Cesar couldn't keep his big mouth shut for five minutes while Oscar and I unloaded the gifts and Mia from the car. He had one job and that was to keep this quiet for the night.

"I'm sorry!" Cesar puts his hands up in defense. "I'm really sorry, Ma!"

"Ew." Ruby groans. "She's not your mother."

Cesar glares at him. "Yes she is."

He then turns to me as I walk over to him and he runs his hands over his head and apologizes again. "I didn't think she'd do that- I let it slip on accident; I really didn't mean for this to happen."

I pat his shoulder and just shake my head. Yelling and screaming at him won't do anyone any good. I just decided to push down my anger just like I've been pushing down the vomit that has wanted to creep up the entire car ride here.

Mami comes over to me and doesn't look happy at all. "You couldn't let your brother have this one night?"

"Do I look like I'm the one who shouted that out?" I argue with her. "I didn't plan this at all."

"You never have." Vero snorts and then eyes me up and down. "I mean seriously your second unplanned baby in less than two years? Ever heard of a condom?"

"Little girl I'm not sure who you think you're talking to when you're literally pregnant with an unplanned baby."

Vero says nothing. She just walks away and sits on the couch, pouting like a toddler. Ruby shrugs at me and then goes to sit next to her. I look at my mother who's got her arms crossed and a sneer curled onto her lip.

I match my mothers look and give her the same exact attitude that she's giving me right now. To which she turns and heads toward the kitchen. My cue to follow her. Once we're in the kitchen alone her anger turns to sadness.

"Yet again... I'm last to know." She says looking me up and down. "Last time you told Abuelita and Oscar before telling me."

"And Monse."

"Seriously?" She scoffs and swallows hard. "Just once I'd like for you to come to me like you used to when you were little. You tell me nothing-"

"I tell you nothing? No one tells me anything. Like what the hell is going on with Abuelita? I'm not stupid and Luisa told me that she doesn't eat anymore. She's in bed most of the time and tonight is the first night in two weeks she's gotten dressed in something that isn't a house coat."

Mami shrugs and looks confused. "She's just old, Alana. Luisa is always at school or on that damn phone. She doesn't know anything."

"Neither do I, apparently-"

"Funny. I feel the same way." She reaches for my hand. "Since the day you were born I thought about all the things we'd do together. All the talks we would have. I dreamed of you trusting me and coming to me with any and everything. Did I do something to make you never come to me? You hid Oscar from me for years. You hid your pregnancy with Mia from me and now this baby too? How far along even are you?"

"I'm due June 13."

She nods. "Still so early... No wonder you look like shit. That little girl must be draining you."

"Mia?" I breathe out a shot of laughter. "Of course she drains me. She's up at five in the morning every morning when Oscar gets up for work and doesn't nap until one in the afternoon and then-"

"I meant the one you're carrying." Mami says. "You look just like I did when I was carrying you."

I shake my head. "Then we must be opposites."

"You already know?" She smiles. "Please tell me I'm not last to find this out."

"Only me and Oscar know... We didn't want to tell anyone until after Ruby and Vero because we didn't want to steal their thunder. So... Don't tell anyone? Please."

"I promise."

Mami takes my pinky and wraps it around hers, she knows how I am about promises. Everyone knows. Which means she'll keep it locked and sealed. "It's a boy."

It takes no time at all for my mother to wrap her arms around me and hold me close to her. Sniffling and crying but these are tears of joy. "Oh, mija... I'm so happy. I'm so happy for you..."

"Thank you Mami..."

She takes a step back and wipes her tears then claps her hands. "Well, I hope you're hungry. I made tons of food and I know you love when I make tamales so I made a bunch. Don't tell me you're too sick to eat because that little boy needs to eat."

I shake my head and cover my mouth with my index finger as she uncovers the pan. "I can't eat that. The smell of it already is making me want to die."

"Oh no... Is that how tonight is going to go?"

"Probably the next six months." I dust off my skirt and exhales through my mouth trying to breathe through this fit of nausea. "Did I wear enough bronzer to not look like a complete zombie?"

Mami laughs. "You look beautiful, mija. Lifeless but beautiful."

"Gee, thanks." I roll my eyes and head back into the living and dining room. Oscar looks at me stiffly and I smile and give him a nod. Letting him know that everything is okay. Poor Cesar looks distraught so I decide to wrap my arms around him and rest my head on his shoulder.

"Please don't be mad-"

"Cesar. Enough." I tell him with a smile. "It's fine. I'm just going to take back one of your Christmas gifts."

"What!"

"You heard her." Oscar says as he hands Cesar a beer. "You get one because it's Christmas and because I'm driving. Cheers," He clanks his bottle with Cesar's then takes a sip. Pulling me toward him and holding me tightly. "You okay, mi amor?"

"Yeah, I'm good."

Cesar looks at his phone and sighs. "Jasmine texted me. She's with Monse."

"Monse is here?" My heart falls to my stomach when Cesar nods and shows me the picture. She's here and didn't even tell me... But I recognize where they are. They're at the bodega down the street. "I'll be back."

"Where you going?" Oscar asks as I make my way to the door. "It's Christmas you shouldn't go alone."

"I'm going to go and see my best friend. Since she forgot about me I should remind her that I still exist."