Saturday Night Dinner

KAYSEN*

It is crazy how a week flies by, and you look up and try to think about what had transpired that week. Pregnancy hormones don't allow me to remember much. It has been hard keeping the fact that I'm pregnant from Lyra and Vega. Sometimes they would look at me with questioning looks, as if they knew, but wouldn't say anything. The new medicine Dr. Ryan has given me works like a charm, and Tanner has gotten me some saltine crackers to hide in my room.

The new furniture for our new home arrived yesterday. Blaze and Jace have been helping Tanner move the furniture in and get all of the furniture assembled. It is now Friday, and Tanner feels like the home is ready for Cora and me to move in. I've gotten all of our things packed, and I'm patiently waiting for Tanner to arrive so that we can load up mine and Cora's things and head to our new home. Tanner seems to be taking forever, though; my patience has grown thin these days. I don't know whether to blame my mom or the pregnancy hormones.

So far, my mom has not attempted to contact me. I feel like it's the calm before the storm, but it has been nice to have some peace before my mother tried to wreak havoc on my life. I'm sure the only reason I was so perfect in high school and up until now is that I was always scared of my mother. Let's say she never spared that rod with me, and I did my damnedest to stay out of trouble and do all of the right things. My life was downright dull as hell. While all my friends were partying, I was laid up in bed listening to music, reading, and watching movies.

This past week I have taken some time to reflect on my life. From the time that I met Michael up to now, and I've been trying to figure out if I did certain things because I wanted to or because, deep down, I wanted to get away from my mother. Like getting married to Michael after only dating for a couple of months, at the age of eighteen. Though I loved Michael with my whole heart, would I have gotten married so young if I weren't trying to escape the clutches of my mother? If that were the case, why did I move back in with her and my father after Michael passed away? All I know is if my mother tries to lay a hand on Cora, she will regret it.

I got that job at the strip club to drive my mom nuts and succeeded at it. I'm so glad I did because if I hadn't, I wouldn't have met Tanner. He has awakened my soul in so many ways. I know that I have also done the same for him. True love at its finest. We have both been through so much, but now we both have a chance at happiness with each other. Being pregnant isn't ideal, but I'm growing to love the idea now that Tanner is by my side.

I know that someday we will get married, but in all honesty, I don't want to until after we have lived together for a while. I also want to wait until after the babies are born. I don't want us to get married just because I'm pregnant; many marriages have failed by doing so. I feel like Tanner, and I need to take one step at a time.

Tanner and I have skipped a few steps by me getting pregnant already, but hey, I think the only one who is going to care once she does find out is my mother. My mother can kiss my ass at this point; I don't care what she thinks. So Tanner and I will be doing things a bit backward, which is fine. We move in together, then we have the babies, and then later on, after the babies are born, we get married. That's my thoughts right now, but we all know life is full of twists and turns.

"Hey, babe, are you ok? I've been talking to you for five minutes, and you haven't blinked or anything," Tanner said. I had been so lost in thought I hadn't realized he had arrived, let alone heard him talking to me.

"Oh yes, sorry, I'm fine; I was just lost in my thoughts, I suppose. So uh, repeat everything you had said from before because I didn't hear a thing," I said and laughed as Tanner sat next to me.

"Long story short, we forgot to order comforters and bedding. Do you feel up to doing some shopping? Also, tomorrow night is Saturday night dinner with my whole family. I might talk to my Aunt Diana about throwing a housewarming party. We need kitchen appliances and, well, a little bit of everything," Tanner said.

"Shopping sounds fun, so yes, let's grab Cora and take off. I'm ready for us to be in our new home already. As far as tomorrow night and a party, I'm fine with that. Sounds like fun," I said, and Tanner walked off to grab mine and Cora's suitcases.

***SATURDAY NIGHT DINNER***

TANNER*

I'm beyond excited for everyone to meet Kaysen. Especially Aunt Diana and Uncle Jared, my Aunt will freak out for sure. I'm going to take some time to talk to my uncle Jared about Kaysen's mom and Cora tonight. I would talk to my dad, but even though we are on better terms now, things are still quite awkward. Uncle Jared is more of a father than my dad ever was.

Kaysen and I arrived with Cora at my Aunt and Uncles house a little over thirty minutes early. I decided that it would be best to talk to my Uncle before everyone arrived for dinner. My Aunt Diana answered the door and beamed at Cora and Kaysen.

"Oh My Goodness! I'm so excited Tanner has brought you both. Blaze has told me a bit about you. Kaysen and Cora, right?" My Aunt Diana said excitedly as she ushered us into the house. My Aunt didn't even give me a chance to introduce Kaysen or Cora.

"Yes, Mom, this is my girlfriend Kaysen and her two-year-old daughter Cora," I said as my Aunt bent down and hugged Cora and stood and hugged Kaysen. I have always called my Aunt Diana mom.

"This is so perfect, Tanner; I'm so happy that you have finally decided to settle down. Kaysen, you are so beautiful, and Cora, baby, you are so precious. How have you liked playing with Adelaide this week?" My Aunt asked?

"I have had so much fun; I love my new friend," Cora said with a massive grin on her face.

"Is dad in his office? I need to talk to him about something?" I asked.

"Yes dear, Kaysen, come with me, and I'll get you some wine. Cora, would you like some milk or juice?" My Aunt Diana asked as she ushered Kaysen and Cora to the dining room, and I went off to find my Uncle.

KAYSEN*

"Some water or tea would be fine, Mrs. Cunningham. I don't like to drink around Cora, and Cora will have some milk," I said as I sat down at the table, and Cora climbed into a chair next to me.

"Ok great, give me a moment, and I'll get those for you both. Oh, and please call me Diana," Diana said as she walked away.

I wonder if Tanner may be talking to his uncle about our situation with my mother. I can only hope that she doesn't do anything, but knowing that we could have a lawyer to back us just in case makes me feel so much better.

***

Diana and I sat and talked for a while, she has such a kind heart, and I can't wait to have a chance to be around her more often. I told her a bit of my past, and she didn't judge me on how Tanner and I met. I was truthful with her about everything except for being pregnant, of course.

When the doorbell went off, Diana got up and, shortly after, Lyra and Blaze walked in with all of their children. Lyra sat all of her children down at the kid's table and gestured for me to take Cora over so that she could sit next to Adelaide. Once all of the kids were settled, we walked back over to the dining room table and chatted for a bit until Vega and Jace showed up with their children. Soon after that, other family members I had not met before began to show up. It was at that time that Tanner and his Uncle walked in chuckling.

Tanner walked over to me and introduced me to his dad Jason and his wife, Crystal. They were glad to announce that Crystal was now four months pregnant with a baby girl. Tanner's dad looked like he couldn't be happier. They both seemed like amazing people.

Then Tanner took me over to meet his cousins Wade and Connor and his Aunt Jackie and Uncle Josh. And last but not least, I was able to meet Tanners Uncle Jared. The room was filled with Identical twins. Jared and Jason, Connor and Wade, and Lyra and Vega. I'm going to have serious problems with telling Connor and Wade apart. I tried to remember which one was wearing the what shirt color and the different hairstyles. It'll be easier to remember Jason and Jared, though, as one wore glasses and the other had contacts in.

It was long after all the introductions were made that Diana announced that dinner was ready, and everyone made their way to the dining room.

I grabbed a kid's plate for Cora and made a plate for her and sat it in front of her, and then helped Lyra and Vega with preparing plates for their children. Then we all went and prepared our plates and sat down with our significant others. The table was buzzing with chatter as everyone talked about random things that had happened over the last two weeks. I never had any siblings, and my parents were single children, so I had never been around so many family members in my life. But I loved every moment of it.

I can't believe I was hell-bent on never getting married again or having any other children. Thinking back to how lonely I was growing up, I'm so glad that Cora will have some siblings to fight with later on in life. Tanner and I will soon contribute to the growing Cunningham family.

After dinner was done, all of the Cunningham men cleaned up the kitchen as we women went into the Living room to chat and watch over all the children. Once the men finished cleaning up the kitchen, all of the men came back to the living room, and Tanner came over to me.

"Let's talk to my Aunt Diana about a house warming party, and then I think we should probably leave. It's been a long day for you, and we need to get you off of your feet," Tanner said as he kissed my forehead.

"I am tired; maybe we can cuddle up on the couch and watch a movie after Cora has been laid down to bed," I said.

"Sounds perfect; let's go," Tanner said as he placed his hand at the small of my back and guided me over to Diana.