Bear My Babies

They pulled up and Melissa had tried to explain to Thomas how she could be sometimes. He put a hand on her knee. “However she’s acting today, I’m sure I’ll love her.”

His smile was genuine and she knew he meant it. The nurse opened the door and Melissa tried to judge the type of day her mother was having by her face, but she couldn’t.

“Hello, Melissa, sir,” she said, nodding at Thomas.

“This is Thomas. Is she okay to take visitors today?”

“She’s going great, watching her programs. Come on in.”

They walked through her mother’s quaint house. It was where she grew up, and knowing Thomas lived in a big mansion made her a little self-conscious about it. She shook that thought from her mind as they entered the living room. Her mother was sitting on the couch watching television with a blanket she was knitting. She looked up and smiled. Melissa’s anxiety melted, she was having a good day.

“Hey, Mama.” She moved into the room and took a seat in the recliner gesturing for Thomas to sit on the loveseat.

“Hey, sweetheart, who’s the babe?” She winked at Thomas and Melissa saw him blush. It was a nice change for someone to make him squirm.

“Mom, this is Thomas. I’m working with him in my fertility research.” She would tell her mother later about what that research entailed. To be completely honest with herself, she wasn’t really sure how her mother would react and it was better that she did it when they were alone. To his credit, Thomas didn’t even bat an eye.

“You have a very smart daughter, Mrs. Rancic.”

“Well, I know that’s true, Thomas. She’s one of a kind.” Her mother smiled and then launched into a bit of a coughing fit. Thomas jumped up and ran to get her some water. After she composed herself, she looked up at him and tilted her head from one side to the other. “I like you.”

That was it. Her mother went back to watching television, and after they politely watched it with her until it was time, they saw their way out. It was a good visit and Melissa was thrilled it went as well as it did. She was still very nervous about meeting his family.

They pulled up to a large home with a screened-in porch and large shuttered windows. The yard was massive and there were trees lining the driveway all the way down. It would have been an amazing place to grow up with all the playing she could have done. She tried to picture a smaller version of Thomas climbing the trees while he and his brother played hide-and-seek. She was excited that her future child would have a place to go like this where they could play and enjoy their grandparents. A thrill ran up her spine as she remembered Thomas’ heated hands on her body as they attempted to create a life.

“Are you okay? They can be a little much, so don’t be intimidated by them.”

She looked at him and smiled, not wanting him to know what she was thinking about.

“They are going to love you, don’t be nervous.”

Melissa chuckled a little but let him think that was the reason she shivered.

“All right. Let’s do this,” she told him, trying to portray confidence. “Thank you for being so great with my mom.”

“I liked her. She has spunk and she thinks I’m a babe.”

“’Well, she’s on a bunch of pain pills. I wouldn’t value her opinion.”

Thomas grabbed her hand and led her up the driveway. “You know I’m sexy. You can’t tell me that s*x with me wasn’t an experience.”

Melissa felt the heat of his palm touch hers and she had to fight to contain herself. He was right it, was definitely an experience, but she wasn’t going to let him know that. “Oh yeah. The best s*x I’ve had was when I got my nose elbowed and fell to the floor.”

“Next time I won’t harm you.”

Melissa stopped just when they reached the porch and stared at him. What did he mean by next time? Before she could ask, the huge wooden door flew open and a short, thin woman walked out onto the porch. She had Thomas’ eyes and the same little smile he had when he was taking things in. She looked Melissa over and then surprised her by pulling her into a hug.

“When my son falls in love, it’s a good day for all of us. You’re so pretty! I’m thrilled to meet you, Melissa. My name is Alma McMillian, please come in. Son, wipe your feet.” With that, she turned around and hurried back to the kitchen.

Melissa turned to look up at Thomas completely confused. “I might have told her you were my girlfriend and we loved each other. I’m sorry, but my mother still scares me and it will be easier this way.”

She was shocked and a little angry that he would put on such a fake show. It was hard to know what to say to him when she was going to be forced to pretend they were together and in love. Great, she thought, the pressure had just been increased significantly. Whatever she was cooking smelled heavenly and Melissa’s mouth watered.

“Unky Tom.” A tiny girl with blonde hair and a frilly pink dress came running up and wrapped herself around Thomas.

“Rosy, you big sweetie,” he said scooping the little girl up. “Where’s the birthday girl?”

Another little girl with blonde hair with a similar face came running from the back somewhere. “Tom Tom,” she screeched and he scooped her up, too. Melissa’s heart fluttered a bit. A lady who looked younger than her came walking up next, feeding a bottle to a small baby in a bright pink blanket. She looked exhausted.

“Hello, Thomas, wait until you see the spread Mom put out for this kid’s birthday. We’re eating dinner and then going out there to eat dinner again,” she said. “Hi, I’m Emma, AJ’s wife.” She stuck a hand out just beneath the baby, not able to extend it any further and Melissa shook it. Melissa’s eyes held the babies for a second, thinking that in a few short months she could have a baby of her own. The thought was surreal.