Place your guesses here: Boy or girl? - to my friends who know, zip it lol
*Leighton's POV*
"Do you think this is stupid?" I worried, Colby and I leaving the arts and crafts store with three different bags of supplies, a white canvas under Colby's arm.
"Leighton, I think they'll leave it no matter what we do. They're finding out if our baby is a boy or a girl"
"I know, I know! I just, I don't want it to be dumb, ya know?"
"It's not dumb Leighton" He eased, slipping the canvas into the back seat, taking the bags from me. "I think everyone will be excited. I don't know why you're so worried"
"I don't know. I just want it all to be perfect. I want Gemma to enjoy it and be excited and I'm nervous as fuck for your parents to be there. I mean, everyone is finding out at the same time that I'm pregnant, and what the gender is. That's a lot to digest in one afternoon"
"I can't believe we're trusting April with this" Colby chuckled, looking over his shoulder as he reversed.
"I know. She was losing her mind last night on the phone, telling me I needed to come to her house immediately so she could tear open this piece of paper. I still can't believe that I could just like, flip it open and see, ya know? Like our baby's gender reveal is sitting in my bag. That's fucking wild"
We arrived at April and Kevin's home, April sprinting out the door before we even had our seatbelts off.
"GIVE ME IT!" She yelled, her hands slapping the window on Colby's side, both of us laughing as we got out, April's eyes wide as she looked between the two of us.
"You're not allowed to look till we're gone! I don't want to hear or see your reaction!" I warned, April glaring.
"You can't do that to me!"
"Yes I can! It's my baby!" I laughed, helping Colby grab the stuff.
"God, you guys weren't kidding when you said you bought a bunch of stuff"
"I had a vision!"
We entered her backyard, Colby filming on his phone as I laid the canvas down, going through the bag, showing April what we got.
"So I thought we could use these" I showed her the balloons, "and like we fill them with paint and then pop them on the canvas? It be like the correct colors or whatever" I showed her the different paints we got, "And I thought about using like tape or something on the canvas and put like Brock or something? Something more personal? I thought we could test it out and if it didn't work, just scrape that all together" I giggled, letting her dig through the supplies we got.
"Tell the camera what we're doing Leighton" Colby spoke up, getting me to look over my shoulder, seeing his phone pointed at me.
"I'm showing April my idea for the gender reveal" I smiled, starting to get giddy at the fact that we'll know soon.
"I can't believe you're having my baby" he teased, a smirk on his face behind the phone.
"Shut up" I laughed, turning back to focus on the project.
~
"God I'm shitting bricks" I let out a breathy laugh, knowing our guests are going to be here soon.
"I just can't believe you got everyone to come. I mean, Colby's family is flying in, and Sam and Kat are coming" Cynthia noted and I nodded, both of us helping April set up the party.
People started trickling into the house, a few questioning why the windows to the back yard were covered, no one questioning why I was wearing a 3XL hoodie that covered my dress, and bump.
Logan and Sam helped my dad get my mom downstairs in her wheelchair, Landon holding the oxygen tank, mixed feelings bouncing around in my chest as she came into my line of sight.
I was happy to see her here, to be involved, to see her... upright, but it also saddened me to see her just look soo.. lifeless? Fragile? Like with one wrong move, it was over.
I felt a hand grasp mine, causing me to jump, our two hands intertwining as I looked over, seeing Colby was next to me, a sympathetic lazy smile on his face as he squeezed my hand, mouthing "You alright?" to which I nodded.
"Do you think Lexi will show?" I asked quietly, watching Gemma and Harper mess around with Landon and Finley.
"I hope so, but I wouldn't hold your breath. Don't let her ruin your day though, okay?"
I nodded, Gemma running up to us, Colby picking her up, "How is my Gem Gem?" He asked, a big smile shining on her face.
"Good!"
"Yeah? Are you excited for the party? Excited to see your uncles and cousins?" He asked, Gemma nodding, my hand pulling out my phone to take a photo of them.
"Can you smile for me G?" I asked, Gemma grinning, Colby kissing her cheek as I snapped the photo, snapping another when Gemma started to giggle as Colby messed with her, placing endless kisses on her face.
"Stop!" She squealed, wiggling against his grasp, "Coco!"
"What's the magic word?" He asked, Gemma's adorable laughter catching our friends and families attention, the smile on my face growing as my cheeks tightened.
"Peas!" She begged, Colby shaking his head as Harper came over to try and help, jumping up towards Gemma and Colby before tugging on his shirt, demanding that he put Gemma down.
"Say I love you" He demanded, everyone laughing, both of us knowing Gemma was quite the ham for attention.
"I wuv you!" She giggled, Colby flipping her upside down as her tickled her, his arm staying around her stomach, "I can't hear you"
"I LOOOVE YOU COOOCOOO!" She squealed, catching her breath as Colby turned her right side up again, kissing her cheek, "I love you too Gemma" before setting her down, Gemma running over to me.
"Momma!" She panted, "Coco mean!"
"He can't be that mean if you've got a big smile on your face, bug" I teased, carefully squatting down, praying to god I didn't pee myself. "But if your feelings are hurt, go tell him" I nodded towards Colby who was now talking to Sam, his body slightly tense as his eyebrows furrowed.
I watched Gemma toddle over to Colby, his little finger stabbing him repetitively in his side, catching his attention; his eyes looking down at her as her arms crossed, there quick exchange ending in a hug and a kiss before Gemma ran back over to me; my brain using every ounce of willpower it could find to keep my arms at my side, and not caress my fluttering stomach.
"Momma!"
"Yes, baby?" I answered, this time not crouching, generally afraid of the baby pressing too hard against my bladder.
"Coco say.. say sworry!" She giggled, her face full of pride and glee.
"He did?" I played along, my eyes flickering between my daughter and my fiancé.
"Yes!"
"I'm so proud of you Gemma Lorraine" I smiled down at her, her beautiful little face reminding me far too much of my own.
Her fathers eyes twinkled bright, but her smile shined just like mine and I swore our smiles were identical to my mothers.
I took a deep breath, my hand brushing her baby hairs out of her face before she ran off to go play with Harper; my eyes glancing back over to where Colby was, only to see that he wasn't there anymore.
"Hey sis" I heard behind me, my head whipping around quicker than I intended, Logan chuckling when I winced, my hand coming out to smack him.
"Stop doing that!"
"I didn't do anything" he laughed, pulling me into a hug, carefully giving me his big brother hug, gasping when I smacked him on the back of the head. "What the hell, Leighton!"
"You're a dick" I laughed, shoving him away from me, "And you can't hit me back because I'm.... pregnant" I whispered, checking to make sure no one was paying attention. "Now stop scaring the shit out of me every time I see you. You're going to make me pee myself"
"You didn't even jump!" He defended himself, his eyes crinkling as we grinned at each other.
"I didn't have to jump to still smack you, you're still an asshole"
"I'm your favorite asshole though" he shot back, both of us grimacing at the way it sounded, "You know what—"
"Actually" I heard behind me, a hand sneaking up on my waist, pulling me into their hold, "I'm her favorite asshole" he murmured against my ear.
Logan was flabbergasted, "Now why didn't you smack him?!"
"Because she loves me" Colby smirked, my hand pinching the sink on his waist, Colby jumping slightly, looking down at me, "You're both equally annoying" I grumbled, moving out of his hold, Colby quickly grabbing my hand, keeping me hostage, "Where are you going?"
My eyebrows raised, "The love of your life has to pee" Colby let go of me and I quickened my pace down the hall, locking myself in the bathroom, practically tripping over my own feet in the rush.
"You've got to stop leaning on my bladder, bubs" I quietly griped, still feeling unstratified as my dress fell down against my thighs, the sound of someone knocking getting drowned out by the toilet flushing. "One sec!"
"It's just me" Colby announced, my fingers quickly pushing in the lock, allowing him to twist open the door as I washed my hands, carefully closing the door behind him, locking it again. "You alright?"
"Mhm"
"You've been in here a while"
"What if I had to poop, huh?"
"This is not your pooping bathroom. It's too public" He snickered, my jaw dropping.
"What does that mean!"
"It means if you had to poop you would've gone upstairs" He chuckled.
"I told you I had to pee"
"When would you ever tell me you had to poop?" He asked, passing me the towel.
"When it's an emergency"
I ignored his stifled laughter, snatching the oversized hoodie off the counter.
"I can't believe we're telling everyone today"
"I know. Do you think your mom is going to hate me more?"
"She doesn't hate you, Leighton"
"Well she doesn't love me. I don't buy the nice act. I'd place my bet on the fact that this whole buddy buddy thing is for you. I'm pretty sure if you weren't here, she wouldn't be coming"
"Well, you are having my baby, Leigh"
"That's not the point" I huffed, double checking that my bump was hidden, Colby quickly on my trail to the living room, Katrina being the first new face I spotted.
"Hey!" I greeted, attempting to give my best friendly smile, Colby slipping past us back over towards Sam.
"Hey" She smiled, the awkwardness being enough to make me wish I hadn't said anything.
"Thank you for coming" I smiled, my hands hiding in the sleeve of my hoodie, balling the extra material in my palms.
"Anything for Colby" She passed a tight smile, my lips pursing as I nodded.
"Alight, well uh, I should um.." I pointed back towards my family, Katrina nodding.
God that was awkward.
I mingled for a bit, silently hoping the quietness of the children wouldn't end in destruction.
"Leighton, babe, are you ready?" Colby questioned, eyeing down towards my stomach.
"Your parents?" I mouthed, Colby nodding over towards Sam.
I spotted his brother, his brothers' girlfriend and his parents, confusion washing over my face.
Are they ignoring me too, or is that just something my brain is making up out of insecurity?
"Yeah, I'm ready" I sighed, Colby grabbing my hand, leading me towards the patio door, clearing his throat.
"Hey everyone!" he started, the volume of his voice making heads turn, "I just uh, wanted to tell everyone how much Leighton and I appreciate you showing up, especially on such short notice" I nodded, a smile plastered on my face as the nerves ate away at me. "I'm sure you've gathered that this isn't just a get together" He chuckled, a few people following suit, "Leighton and I actually have been meaning to tell you something" he led on, my eyes immediately finding the most supportive faces I could.
My dad, the small smile on his face as memories flooded through of him finding out, and then Cynthia, and the wave of emotion that brought upon me, Logan right next to her... April, how excited she was to do this whole party. To be involved.
My eyes scanned the room, catching all of my biggest shoulders to lean on, but there was someone missing.
"Leighton?" Colby nudged, my eyes filling with tears as my smile waivered.
"Colby and I are uh.. um, expecting" I stuttered, the tears threatening to fall as I lifted the hoodie, showing off my beautiful baby's bump.
I scanned the rooms as faces lit up, cheers were let out and people began to huddle closer, hurdling a thousand questions to both of us, passing on congratulations and how they expected this to happen, and yet the person I really wanted by my side wasn't here.
I mindlessly answered the due date question, how my pregnancy has been, when we found out and even how both of us reacted to finding out before excusing myself, throwing the hoodie to the side and rushing back off to the bathroom, carefully falling to my knees as I emptied my stomach.
Tears streamed down my face as I exhaled, leaning back against the cabinets, listening to the flush cycle through.
I don't know how long I sat here, messing up my makeup until the lock clicked open, my eyes squeezed shut, not ready for Colby's reprimanding of leaving my own party.
"Hey" A soft voice surprised me, my eyes popping open as streaks of light continued to hinder my vision, "What's wrong? Everyone's excited" She said, taking a seat next to me.
"What are you doing in here? You don't have to do this" I sighed, wiping under my eyes, not wanting Katrina's pity right now.
"I know" She stated, her shoulder brushing against mine.
My eyes rolled, snatching the toilet paper roll in hope of saving some of my makeup and not looking like a girl the morning after.
Kat sighed, "Why are you hiding out?"
"I'm not hiding"
"Oh, so this isn't looking like that time in the bowling alley?" She joked, the room falling quiet.
"I'm alright. You didn't have to check up on me. I know you aren't my biggest fan—"
"I never said that"
"You don't have to Kat, and it's okay. I don't have to be everyone's friend. It's fine, I just, I don't want your pity either. For whatever reason you're here.. you don't have to be"
I struggled to push myself up, hesitantly accepting Kat's help, the two of us staying silent as we walked back out to the party, Colby's eyes meeting mine, the room having cleared out; everyone in the backyard.
"What's wrong?" He asked and I shrugged, offering a pity smile, stepping into the backyard.
I found my best actress smile, mingling until it became time to find out what April and I have been waiting for only for Colby to pull me away.
"Leighton, why do you look like a beaten puppy? What happened? People are starting to notice, and I know that's not a big deal, but this should be a happy day. We're finding out our baby's gender!—"
"Gender doesn't even mean anything" I grumbled, snatching a cupcake off the table, undoing the wrapping and taking a bite.
"Yes, of course, we will love that baby no matter what, but it helps us figure out a name" He continued.
"We can name it anything" I huffed.
"I'm just going to stay quiet now" He noted, ignoring my glare as I grabbed another cupcake. "Are we just going to angrily eat cupcakes now or can we talk about why you were crying in the bathroom?"
"Is it that obvious?"
"Your mascara is a little smudged"
"Shit!" I pulled out my phone, fumbling to open my camera, "I look like shit, Colby!"
"You don't look like shit"
"Shut up" I grumbled, shoving my cupcake at him, "Hold this" before scurrying away to fix my makeup.
I wiped off the smudged disaster, carefully reapplying a hopefully even coat only to be met by Colby again.
"Talk to me, please" he begged, "You're always telling me to communicate-" I shot him a glare, "So please, communicate with me, Leighton"
"Not the time. I need to plaster a happy smile on my face and go find out if we're having a mr or misses Brock"
"Please"
"It's not going to fix anything"
"At least tell me what it's about. Is this still about Lexi?" He asked and I shook my head, "Your mom?" he guessed again, my obvious glare making him continue, "Gabe? Come on, Leigh. Tell me"
"It's Aaliyah" I caved.
"Oh"
"Yeah oh"
"Have you talked to her since you kicked her out?" He asked, throwing away the mascara covered makeup wipes.
"I've tried to. I wanted to apologize for my actions. Make it up to her, yet I got nothing in return and I'm pissed off that she won't talk to me, and It's my fault and I know that. I do. I know I fucked it up and I know that she was right.. but.. did I mess it up this fucking bad? So bad that she won't show up to my gender reveal party? How was that worse than picking me up from jail? I mean, I know we've both had our moments and shit happens, but it's always water under the bridge. It's always been okay after a little while"
"How about we go see her tomorrow? Tell her the good news, let you guys talk? I know it doesn't fix her not being here now, and I'm sorry that her absence is causing you pain and sadness, but don't let one person's grudge hold back your happiness. It's supposed to be a good day, baby. Gemma's going to tell us if it's a girl or a boy and we can go from there. Whether it be the most beautiful unisex name and nursery and upbringing, or the more basic bitch name that they'll get teased for at school.. this is our baby. Our pride and joy. A piece of our family, and I want to share this joyous moment with you. With our friends and family, our daughter. Please, let's just take a deep breath and go enjoy our day, okay?" He suggested, bringing my knuckles up to his chapped lips.
"Okay"
~
"Are you excited, G?" Colby asked, squatting behind her as we handed her the water balloon full of paint, the canvas propped up by a child size easel, a white tarp covering the fence and grass, creating what will hopefully be a stress free clean up. "You know what to do, right? Just throw this at the white board" He pointed, Gemma nodding, giggling as she messed with the water balloon, the small amount of water and paint shaking up in the black balloon.
"Cameras rolling, right?" I called out, knowing Sam was recording and April was taking photos.
"We're rolling!" He called back out and I nodded, shaking the jitters out of my hands.
We're going to know within seconds.
Blue or pink paint in that balloon changes our entire life.
Was it basic bitch colors? Yes. But it was easy, and Gemma knew what it meant, so fuck everyone else. I'll love my baby no matter what it wants to be, no matter if it's got Colby's shitty communication issues, or my crappy drug issues, or our so called gay gene as Colby puts it, this is my baby and whether it's porn with a penis or vagina, it's part of our family-
"Leighton!" Colby's fairly loud voice shook my thoughts.
"What?"
"Ready?"
"Ready" I nodded, grabbing my own paint filled balloon, Sam stood behind the canvas, capturing our reactions as everyone counted down from 10.
10
9
8
7
"I'm so fucking nervous" I muttered, Gemma practically bouncing in front of us.
"I'm excited" Colby grinned.
5
4
3
"Ready G?" He asked, Gemma nodding.
2
1
"Throw at the board, Gemma!" I gave her the green light, all three of us tossing our paint filled water balloons at the white canvas, the water mixing with the paint making it splatter in chaos against the canvas.
"OH MY GOD!" I shrieked, Colby pulling me into a hug, his arms wrapping around my back and before I knew it, my lips were placed on his.
A moment passed before our eyes fluttered open, wide smiles mirroring each other, our eyes holding gaze for a few seconds before Colby picked up Gemma and spun her around.
"It's a girl, Gemma! Can you believe it? You're going to have a baby sister, lovebug! Are you so excited?" Colby cheered, Gemma giggling as she got tossed in the air, my heart dropping to my stomach until his hands swiftly caught her, littering her in kisses.
It's a girl
We're having a baby girl!
Oh my god
OH MY GOD
"Holy shit" I muttered, my eyes wide as a million things began to go through my head.
We're doing this again.
It's Gemma all over again.
It felt like the past 4 years were replaying through my head. The labor and delivery, the late night feedings, the frills and the sparkles, the barbies and baby dolls.
Times two.
We're doing this again.
My eyes found my mothers, and as lifeless as they looked, I swear I could see life within.
She's going to be a grandmother to another baby girl.
She'll have three granddaughters.
Three beautiful bundles of joy to carry on her legacy.
I quickly walked over to her, carefully crouching in front of her as I wrapped my arms around her.
"You're going to be a grandmother to a baby girl again, mom" my voice cracked, tears starting to roll down my cheeks as I pictured introducing my second daughter to my mother.
Showing my mother her beautiful eyes, her ten fingers and ten toes, the way her chubby cheeks smiled.
"I can't wait for you two to meet" I smiled, swiping the tear off my own mothers cheek.
"Con......grat....ulat........ions...... su......n.....sh....i....ne" Her slow raspy voice let out, my entire body crumbling beneath my feet.
"Thank you, mom"
~
I felt guilty for sitting, watching everyone else help clean up, my gaze lingering a little too long on Colby's mom who has yet to talk to me; in fact, his entire family seems to be avoiding me for reasons I was unsure of — quickly looking away when she'd turn around, only to land on Landon who was sitting next to Finn, Gemma and Harper appearing to be showing them something.
Cynthia plopped down next to me, mirroring my position by kicking her feet up, "Hey creeper"
"Creeper?"
"Mhm"
"I'm not a creeper" I pouted, turning my neck to look at her, taking her appearance
How did she look so good in this heat?
Her hair was pulled into a tight bun, her tight curls falling over the top of it, giving this cute messy look; the blue t-shirt popping against her dark skin, the white shorts making me raise a brow.
"Experimenting?" I half jokingly teased, motioning towards the stark white shorts.
"It's called Logan bought me them and I'm being a supportive wife" She replied, ignoring my laugh.
"He tried. Doesn't he know you never wear white pants? I mean, I think you barely own white sundresses"
"We're being supportive, Leighton" She chuckled, her lips staying in a tight line, threatening to crack into a smile.
"HEY LOGAN!" I yelled across the yard, catching his attention, motioning towards us.
"Leighton!" Cynthia hissed.
I waved her off, watching my older brother make his way over to me.
"What?"
"Your wife? You're the only white she does. Got it?" My eyebrows raised, Logan's face masking confusion, Cynthia gasping.
"Leighton Rae!"
"What is going on? Was that a race joke? From you?" Logan asked, tossing me a weird look.
"Cynthia says she's being supportive by wearing the ugly white shorts you've bought her. I thought I'd save your marriage and let you know that your wife? Doesn't do white"
Logan and Cynthia began to converse about the drama I've stirred up, Cynthia sending me a harsh glare as I excused myself, wandering back over to the snack table that I know Colby and April have ordered no one to clean up.
"Leighton" Colby's dad greeted, nerves making the muscles in my back tense.
"Mr. Brock" I smiled, hoping he bought it and couldn't read me like the worst book ever written.
"Congratulations on your pregnancy. I can't wait to meet the little one" He tossed me a supportive look, my eyes catching Colby's blue ones, seeing he was talking with Gage and Landon, his face full of worry not setting me at ease by a landmine.
What was he so worried about?
Shouldn't he be happy I was talking to his dad?
"You and I both. I can't believe it's a girl. I honestly thought it was going to be a boy. I literally voted for boy on that game my friend set up" I giggled, my hand running over my stomach, feeling another flutter, naturally starting to rock my hips side to side a little bit, knowing the baby settles with movement, praying to god she didn't add more pressure onto my bladder.
"Take it from a Brock boy, who raised Brock boys.. be glad it's a girl" He laughed, my nerves immediately take ease at how lighthearted he was being.
"That bad, huh?"
"These gray hairs? Gage has one half and Cole has the other. Now if you ask Lesa, they're her perfect boys who've never broken a lamp in their day" He chuckled, my eyes flickering back over to Colby, catching him quickly looking away.
"Got room for more gray hairs? Something tells me it's about to get a lot more messy" I joked, my hand going in a soothing motion over my stomach.
"You've done this before, it'll be alright" He reassured, my head tilting.
"You just told me the Brock genes gave you gray hairs!" I laughed, "Gemma's working on it, but this one is going to have your son's DNA written all over it. I'm going to need all the help I can get"
"Speaking of" shit, now what? "I've heard you guys have been thinking about moving" double shit. Who told them? Colby... "Have you considered Arizona? I'd love to be a lot closer to my granddaughter" Granddaughter? Singular? What about Gemma?
"Sir... Mr. Brock, as much as I'd love to be closer to you guys.." I caught my lower lip between my teeth, slowly releasing it, "I wouldn't want to get hotter than California, and Arizona sounds god awful. I mean, how do you guys survive? I heard that some days you can cook an egg right on your driveway! That sounds like hell. I mean, how don't you cook alive? California is kicking my ass.. er.. butt, as it is. I can't imagine being pregnant in that kind of weather" I rambled, annoyed at myself and Mr. Brock for not having cut me off sooner.
Colby I swear to god if you don't come save me—
"It's not terrible all the time" He attempted to coax me into an agreement and I quickly excused myself, pulling the I'm pregnant and need to pee card, praying to god I can outwait this conversation in the kitchen.
I walked into the living room, finding Landon sitting on the couch with Nova, his eyes lighting up when he spotted me, calling out "Leighton!" being a much welcomed disaster.
"Hey" I smiled, plopping down next to him, getting a closer look at his face, my jaw dropping, "How the fuck is your liner so even? What the hell?"
"Years of practice" He teased, my face shifting into a glare of disbelief, Landon stifling his laughter, clearing his throat, "I actually have been meaning to talk to you"
"Oh?" My ears perked, my head tilting as he chewed his lower lip.
"Yeah, I uh.. It's um.. been... somewhat of a long time coming?" He started, visibly swallowing the lump in his throat.
"Well I already know you're gay" I joked, Landon rolling his eyes. "Just spit it out, you know I'll love you no matter what. I didn't think talking to me was so scary"
"It's not scary, I'm just.. nervous of you disapproving" He led on, my eyes squinting.
"Disapproving? Of what? I've already met your boyfriend"
"Yeah... that's the thing" He murmured, struggling to keep eye contact.
"What? Did you guys break up? I thought you said he was busy today" I interrupted, Landon's lip turning white from how hard he was biting it.
"No we're still together" He eased, confusing me.
"Then what?"
"Well.. uh.." He stuttered, my patience growing thin.
"Spit it out Landon Roy"
"I'm in a polyamorous relationship" He quickly slurred, my lips parting out of shock.
"A poly what now?" I gaped, Landon turning white, uncomfortably shifting away from me. "Wait, so you're in an open relationship?" I asked, my head feeling like it was spinning.
Landon quickly shook his head, "No that's different"
"Then you're a what? What's a poly— poly what? What did you say?"
"Polyamorous"
"Polyamorous" I repeated, Landon nodding. "What's that?"
"It's uh.. well, I'll explain from my perspective to make it easier" he explained, myself nodding, allowing him to continue, "So I am dating Xavier" he stated and I nodded, having already knew that, "And I'm also dating Finley" he dropped the biggest bombshell of my life.
My jaw dropped as my throat became dry, my eyes widened, Landon's reddened cheeks flushing white as he nervously licked his lips.
"You're dating Finn? Like.. like best friend Finn? Like Landon, Finley and Molly, the trio that we once knew to basically be added on siblings? That Finn?" I confirmed, feeling like I got slammed into a wall.
Landon nodded slowly and I blinked a few times, struggling to wrap around whatever the fuck he just told me.
"For how long?" I started, figuring I might as well give him the third degree if my brain wasn't going to keep up in speed. Might as well go on autopilot.
Landon hesitated, "It's been.. a while"
My eyes narrowed, "Define a while"
"You're how far along?" He asked, my eyes widened again.
"Landon! Oh my god" I scolded, "I'm almost five months" I glared, scared as to where this was going.
"Um... so around... seven months?"
"SEVEN MONTHS?!" I shrieked, Landon wincing. "WHAT THE FUCK?!"
"I'm sorry" He immediately apologized, his face filling with sorrow as hurt lingered in my chest.
"You've been together for almost a year, and you're just now telling me?!"
"We uh, wanted to wait-"
"NO SHIT! Seven months is a long time, Landon!"
"I know, I'm sorry" he frowned, my anger beginning to boil.
I thought we were close?
We fucking lived together! How did I miss any sort've signs that he was interested in Finn?!
"We wanted to just test the waters. See if this is really what we wanted... and uh, a few months past, and then I was scared"
"Scared? Scared of what? Of me?" I questioned, my heart feeling heavy when he nodded. "What?" I whispered, "Why?"
"I didn't want to lose you" he confessed.
"Lose me? Lose me, how?"
How could he think that?
"I didn't want you to judge me? Disagree?... hate me"
"Hate you? Landon, I could never hate you" I reached forward for him, frowning when he yanked his hand back.
"You hate Lexi" he shot back, the creases on my face softening.
"I don't hate her"
"You don't talk to her, and you disagree with her relationship"
"I disagree with her relationship because of their age gap. It's different when you're older, but when you're so young.. I just.. I don't agree with it"
"You can see why I'd be nervous to tell you I'm poly" He pointed out, my lips pursing.
"I'm sorry I made you think you couldn't tell me" I apologized, hating that he felt the need to hide such a big secret for so long.
Who all knew?
"What's going on in your head?" He asked, surprising me by how mature he sounded.
I always forget he's no longer my annoying twelve year old brother.
"A lot of things" I answered honestly, not even knowing where to start.
"Well, ask away"
Surprisingly Landon answered every question. He and Braxton broke up because Landon wanted to experiment with being polyamorous; everything slowly starting to piece together at how out of left field their breakup felt. Landon stopped hanging out with Molly as much due to her constantly feeling awkward now that Landon and Finn were in a relationship.
I decided to learn about what being polyamorous meant, Landon explaining that it meant x amount of people were committed to each other like a typical relationship, whereas an open relationship you were able to mess around with anyone. Or at least I think that's what he meant. I don't know, I'm still learning.
"So you're not mad?" He asked quietly and instead of answering I pulled him into a hug.
"I'm not mad. I'm curious and have a shit load of questions, but I'm not mad. Thank you for finally telling me, and I'm sorry that you felt like you couldn't just because of how I reacted with Lexi. I love you, Landon"
~
"Leighton, I don't understand why you're so nervous" Colby expressed, holding the door open to a somewhat nice apartment complex.
Clearly Aaliyah had to of gotten have her feet to afford this place.
"Because what if she doesn't want to ever talk to me again? Colby, you don't understand. We're never like this. Even when we're mad at each other, we get over it! It's rare for us to go this long without at least texting each other"
"Leigh, I understand. Believe it or not, I've known you longer than you're currently giving me credit for" He snickered, my finger jabbing into the elevator button as I tried to calm the nerves in my stomach.
Colby's hand rubbed soothing circles on my lower back as I rang the bell, praying I had the right apartment.
Is she going to slam the door in my face? Will she hear me out? Can we finally patch up this ridiculous tiff we had?
We were met with silence.
"Do I try again?" I asked softly, my voice dripping in insecurity, Colby shrugging, allowing me to hit the bell again.
I tried knocking, ringing the bell a third and fourth time before giving up.
"Maybe she's not home?" Colby suggested and I sighed, running my hand through my fairly long black hair.
With one final attempt failing, we quietly walked back to our car, no one saying a word until we reached a stoplight near my parents house.
"I'm sorry you didn't get to talk to her" Colby said softly, my head leaning back against the headrest.
"I just, I don't understand, ya know? Like I want to fix this. I want my best friend back. I want to share this with her and I feel like she wants nothing to do with me. Did I really burn our bridge over something so fucking stupid?"
"Leighton, you can't control how other people respond to things. The best you can do is keep trying. Maybe she's busy, maybe she wasn't home?" He rambled off, the feeling of his eyes on me becoming hard to ignore as I kept my gaze held outside the passenger side window. "Leigh?"
"Hm?"
"Are you okay?" He asked, his hand grabbing mine, getting me to look at him.
"I'll be fine"
"That isn't what I asked"
"I don't want to talk about it because I know it's my fault, and I regret it enough as it is"
"Okay...." he glanced back over at me, our eyes meeting for a few seconds before I looked back out the window, "Have you asked your boss about the trip?"
"I have"
"And?"
"It got approved. Four days off"
"Four days?"
"Don't push your luck Brock, I've got bills to pay" I warned, Colby smirking as he shook his head.
"I wasn't pushing my luck"
"Mhm"
"I wasn't!" He laughed, his smirk growing into a grin when he noticed my face was slipping to keep it's careless posture. "Come on! It's going to be fun, Leigh"
"I know it will be fun. I'm just nervous"
"Well don't be" He teased, my eyes rolling.
"Haven't heard that one before"
"Someone's moody" he hummed, his lips rolling inwards when I glared at him.
"I'm sad. I'm mad. I'm annoyed. I'm hungry and can't have fast food—"
"Why can't you have fast food?" he interrupted, his brows furrowed.
"Because I've had one too many McDonalds milkshakes and then thrown up afterwards"
"Ah. So we're done with the milkshakes? What's your current pregnancy obsession if it isn't hangover food?"
"Pretzels" I chuckled, "And chocolate. Anything chocolate is great"
"Oh!" he quickly opened the center console, blindly digging around before pulling out a small bag of something, "Here! I uh, I don't know how melted they are, but they were once Reeces" he snickered, handing me the orange bag.
I dug one out, seeing they were melted, and then resolidified, and slightly melted again, "How long have these things been in there?"
"I don't know"
"Colby!" I shrieked, laughter following behind my shock, "Were you planning on poisoning me?!" my chest shook from failed attempt of holding back my laugh, tossing the back into the cupholder. "You're going to need to start storing snacks in here if you want me riding with you to the Airbnb"
"I get the pleasure of you riding with me?" He asked, his gaze lingering as we waited at a stop sign.
"Only if you bring snacks"
"I don't know if I want pregnant Leighton has my copilot" he snickered.
"Hey! You got me pregnant! I don't want to hear your complainants!"
"So I'm thinking we leave two days after Kat's birthday? That way her and Sam can go do their thing, and then we can all start the few hour drive there?" Colby checked in, his head tilting when my lips pursed, "What?"
"We're not doing anything with Kat for her birthday?"
"Baby, I think they want to just do their own thing"
"But you always do stuff with her for her birthday?"
"We can do a bigger thing at the rental, how about that? Plus, I thought you guys didn't get along? You've made it clear that she isn't your favorite person to hang around, why I invited more people than just her and Sam to come with us"
"I don't hate her, I just... we don't mix well, ya know? We're different in a way that if we didn't have you and Sam forcing us to hang out, we wouldn't really hang out. She was great and all when I was pregnant, and had the baby, but I don't think us on our own works well"
"How is it that you and Sam are like best friends, but you and Kat don't get along?" He chuckled, my eyes lingering on his arms as he turned the wheel, biting my lower lip as I watched his muscles flex a little, doing a somewhat U-turn move.
"It's not that we are at each other's throats, it's just... we don't mix well. We have different interests, different conversations.. I just, I don't think we would make good friends outside of our common interests of you and Sam, or even just Gemma. Nothing against her, we just— It's not like how her and Stas can have sleepovers, and Stas and I can have sleepovers. We can't be alone. It's honestly kind of awkward"
"Alright well, this time around we get the master bedroom instead of them. They can have your little closet nook"
"Hey! I liked my closet nook" I frowned, not understanding what Colby had against my little cozy hobbit hole.
"It has a twin bed in it, Leighton. I don't know how you survived being pregnant in that thing"
"If I remember correctly, you squeezed into that twin bed, in fact, you yanked me out of it—"
"I was quite rough with you, wasn't I?" He chuckled, "You should've told me you were pregnant. I would've gone easier on you"
"I can't believe we're going back" I sighed, astonished that this was really happening again.
"I know. So much has changed since then" he agreed.
"I know, you got me pregnant and put a ring on my finger" I giggled, wiggling my fingers in front of us, the ring twinkling against the sunlight.
"If you like it then you should've put a ring on it!" He began to sing, my hand coming over to cover his mouth, shrieking when he licked me, only to feel another flutter in my stomach.
Every time I feel the baby move, it feels surreal.
There is life growing inside of me, and these little flutters keep proving that.
"Here, hand me your hand" I rushed, Colby sending me a weird look, "Shut up, just give me your hand"
I placed his hand on my stomach, Colby constantly looking between me, my stomach and the road, "What are you doing?"
"I keep feeling a flutter and I want to know if you can feel it too!"
"A flutter?"
"Mhm! Remember when Gemma would kick? I don't know if the baby is positioned enough to feel it on the outside of the stomach, but I keep feeling a similar sensation in my tummy. Make me laugh again" I demanded, Colby stifling his laughter.
"I can't just make you laugh on demand"
"Yes you can! Come on, do it. You're not allowed to tickle me!" I warned, not wanting to pee my pants in his car.
"This is a lot of pressure!" He exclaimed, getting me to giggle, but not enough to make my chest shake. "Oh! Remember when we went to Minnesota and I had met your Aunt and Uncle and we had that dance party in the kitchen making those pizzas? I truly thought your uncle was going to disown me"
"I'm shocked Aunt Ginger didn't disown Melissa" I giggled, memories of dancing with the Rotty's flashing through my mind. "We should go back" I sighed, missing the environment that was my Aunt and Uncle's house.
"Tell me when to book the flight and we'll go"
"We can't. I have too many responsibilities"
"Leighton, you've got to live a little"
"I am! I am living! This is me living! I can finally get a good job now that I don't have my record over my head. I can possibility go to college"
"You want to go to school?" He questioned, putting the car into park outside my parents house.
I chewed on the inside of my cheek, "I've thought about it"
"Really? What would you go to school for?"
"I don't know... I want to do something though, ya know?"
"Is this you wanting to go to school for yourself, or to prove to others that you aren't a fuck up?" He asked, fully turned to look at me.
"You know" I sighed, "I'm learning that doing shit for others is getting me nowhere. I think I want to do this for myself. To feel accomplished. To feel worthy of something"
"Leighton, you're worthy of everything. You've already accomplished so much. If you want to go to school, I'll support you, but you don't need to do this just to add it to a list of accomplishments to show off. You're never going to be truly happy if you don't do it for yourself. Be proud of the list you made to show yourself, not others" He gave my hand a squeeze before taking his keys of the ignition, unclipping his seatbelt and opening the door, only to turn back to look at me, "Plus, I think having two incredible daughters is already such a huge accomplishment" he winked before climbing out of the car and shutting the door, leaving me alone.
Having two kids was an accomplishment, but what about my best friend? My mother? My sister? Having those people by my side as I achieved these things?
What am I going to tell my daughters when they ask what life was like before them? Or when they were growing up?
That I'm a drug addicted fuck up? That I lost everyone I loved and had to piece it all together, only to repeat it again?
"Leighton? Are you coming?" Colby called out, his voice muffled from the closed car doors.
I nodded, unclipping my own seatbelt and climbing out of the car, shutting the door, allowing him to lock it.
"You alright?" He asked, motioning for me to walk in front of him up the sidewalk and steps.
I nodded, pulling the storm door open, Colby's hand reaching out to hold it above my head.
"Coco!" Gemma yelled, scooting off the couch and running over to us, Colby happily picking her up.
Having two incredible daughters is already an accomplishment... Right?
* * * *
This was supposed to be out days ago but I was preoccupied having a birthday and seeing Taylor Swift lol I apologize
I also apologize for it being another girl, but it was already written into the storyline when I realized how annoying that kind of is...
My next Colby book he will have a son, I promise lol it's already planned - I kind of always write kids into my books if you can't tell lol
Lastly, did anyone suspect Landon's secret???
Written on: June 12th, 18th, 19th, 20th, 21st, 22nd, 26th, 27th, 28th 2023
Published on: June 28th 2023
Word Count: 7449