I shake my head. “No, but we don’t hide our relationship either. I mean, the three of us go out to dinner, see movies, and generally hang together, so it’s not a big secret or anything. We just haven’t articulated it to our friends and family yet.”
Selena throws me a look.
“Are you going to?”
I nod.
“I’m sure we will, when the time is right.” But then I stop and glance at the counter. “OMG, hold on just one sec. I’m going to run over and get a pastry because the line’s short right now. Be right back.”
With that, I scamper over to the glass case before ordering a cranberry galette, a mini-banana loaf, and a peanut butter cookie. I bring all three delicacies back to the table, and offer to share.
“Would you like a bite?”
Selena shakes her head and shoots me an odd look.
“Is that all for you, Liss?” she asks. “Or are you bringing some of it home?”
I shake my head. “Nope, it’s all me. I’m just a little hungry, that’s all.”
Selena looks at me askance.
“Maybe you’re running a little too much, Alyssa, because this is a lot of food. Did you not have breakfast this morning?”
I shake my head. “Nope, I did. But it’s not the running that’s stoking my appetite. It’s something else,” I say as one hand slips over to caress my belly. Selena’s eyes follow the tell-tale gesture and her eyes go round.
“OMG, you’re pregnant, aren’t you?” she breathes. But then she gets really confused again. “But which man is your babydaddy? Do you know?”
I shake my head.
“Actually, I’m not even sure I’m pregnant. It’s just a feeling because I’ve been eating a lot more than usual and some of it’s funny stuff too. For example, this morning I crumbled Nacho Doritos on my eggs and had a side of pickles with some whipped cream on top,” I quip. “Pretty strange, right?”
My pretty friend nods.
“Okay yeah, that’s definitely weird. But everyone gets bizarre cravings sometimes. I think the more important question is: have you taken a pregnancy test yet?”
I shake my head. “Nope, but I plan to soon. And guess what else? I want it to be positive,” I confess in a rush. “I want a baby. I’m ready and I have two men who love me, so what else is there to wait for?”
Selena nods, her eyes wide.
“Nothing,” she says softly. “I’m happy for you, Alyssa, if that’s what you want. You know I support you one hundred percent.”
I smile happily while basking in the moment because even though I haven’t confirmed it yet, in my heart of hearts, I know there’s a baby in my belly. Plus, I’d love to have Bart and Liam’s child, and it doesn’t matter who the biological father is. All that matters is that the child is adored and cared for because a new life is a blessing, and I’m brimming with hope and elation at my future.
Selena takes my hand in hers. “Congratulations, Alyssa,” she murmurs again. “You’ll be a wonderful mommy.”
I turn to her with tears in my eyes.
“You think so?”
“I know so,” she says with conviction. “Now finish your pastries because you may be eating for two!”
With a laugh, we turn back to our drinks and snacks, and sure enough, I down everything, leaving only crumbs in my wake. I’ve never felt so happy before, and speaking about my pregnancy aloud only enhances my ecstasy. After all, a baby is the ultimate highpoint for our threesome, and I can’t wait to tell Bart and Liam about this wonderful news.
9
Alyssa
I practically bounce into the apartment I share with Liam. It’s been a long day at school, especially since I stopped to socialize with Selena, but I’m super excited because there’s a pregnancy test in my bag and I can’t wait to take it. I just know I’m expecting, and the thought of having a baby fills me with hope and wonder. What better way to cement my love for Bart and Liam? The two men will be such great fathers, and I kick off my shoes with a flourish before rushing to the bathroom with my bag in hand.
But then a low voice booms from the living room.
“Alyssa,” a man barks.
What? I spin and sure enough, there’s my dad looking ominous as he rises from the couch.
“What the heck, Dad? You scared me!”
Cyrus’s expression is dark as approaches me. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you,” he says.
I roll my eyes. “Yeah, but you did. Besides, what are you doing here? I told you that you can’t just show up and let yourself in, okay Dad? I’m an adult now so you can’t just barge in anytime you want. I gave you a key for emergencies, and that’s it. You should have called first, and then we could have met somewhere for dinner or something.”