I’m pushing the shopping cart and stopping along the way to toss in diapers, wipes, burb cloths, and diaper rash cream. I stop myself at the bottles, wondering if I should get a breast pump so Jake can feed, if he’d like to when I hear someone say, “Larissa, honey, is that you?”
I turn around and come face to face with Jake’s mom, Katrina. She’s smiling and waving the whole time. The one thing Jake and I didn’t talk about was when we’d tell his parents, but from the joy on her face, I have a feeling he already told them. I smile back at her and say, “Hi, Mrs. Price. How are you?”
“I can’t believe you’re home. I’m so happy to hear the news. I couldn’t be happier!” She’s basically dancing in front of me before she brings me close and hugs me. I erupt into tears. I can’t believe how unbelievably amazing Jake has been, but now with his mom, too, I’m a blubbering mess.
“Oh dear,” she says as she pulls back and holds me by the shoulders. “Larissa, you know I’m always here for you. Why are you crying?” she questions.
“Because…because, I don’t deserve this. I did so many things wrong and here you are and even Jake. He should hate me. You should hate me. Hell, I hate myself for staying away for as long as I did,” I say with tears streaming down my eyes. It seems all I’ve been doing the past few days is cry. Sure, I did that when I was out west. So, I’m sure it has something to do with pregnancy hormones, but what it’s really from is guilt.
“Oh, you sweet, sweet girl. We could never hate you. Sometimes life pulls you in a very weird direction and we don’t know what to do. We get a little lost along the way, but the best thing you did was come back. Back to Jake and back to us. We’re here for you. Not just Jake either, but Mr. Price and I both are,” she says looking into my eyes.
“I’m not sure what I did to deserve to have the three of you in my life, but I promise I’m so thankful to have you all,” I tell her.
“Well good, now let me be Grammie today and shop with you. We have loads to stock up on.” She grabs the shopping cart and we get everything we need and then some.
Jake
I thought this meeting would never end. I’m rushing out of the office, knowing I only have thirty minutes to get to Larissa’s doctor’s appointment when my phone rings as I get into the car. I glance down at the dash and see it’s my mom.
“Hey, Mom,” I say into the Bluetooth that travels through my truck.
“Don’t let Larissa get away. She’s the absolute best thing ever.” She doesn’t even say hello back.
“I know, Mom. I’m keeping her. I promise. I want a ring on her finger and my last name attached to her first name, but I’m trying to take it slow for right now. Well, at least until the baby comes,” I respond.
“Good, because I just spent the last two hours with her, and I plan on coming over tomorrow to help get the baby’s room set up while you’re at work,” she states.
“Wait, back up. Where did you spend two hours with her? I thought she was at home?” I question.
“She was walking around Target, and it was by pure chance that we were both in the baby department. We shopped and talked the whole time and I have to tell you, Jake, I know she has pride, but I also know she was watching price tags and looking for coupons the whole time. Make sure you’re helping,” she admonishes.
“Had I known she was going baby shopping I would have gone with her or asked her to wait until after her appointment today,” I explain to her.
“Oh good, I thought she was trying to do it all by herself. She about burst into tears when I bought her a bassinet to keep next to the bed after the baby is born. Speaking of, do you know if it’s a boy or a girl?” she asks.
“I’m going to spank her ass,” I whisper out, so my mother doesn’t hear that information and then tell her, “No, Rissa didn’t want to find out without me. We have her appointment today and we’ll know more afterwards. Hey, ma. I gotta go, I just pulled into the parking lot.”
“Love you, Jake. Give Larissa a hug from us,”
“Love you. I will, even though you just saw her,” I chuckled.
“Just do what you’re told. Bye,” she says with sarcasm in her voice.
“Bye, Mom,” I click the phone off and take the keys out of the ignition, unfolding from the truck I own. I make a mental note to see if Larissa will let me trade in her old beat up car and get her into something bigger and safer.