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“Well-” She stops at a stop sign before turning right. “We are planning on getting married in a small ceremony this summer when he’s off, but I really want to be a mom. I stopped taking my birth control, and we have been trying for the past two months, but no luck so far.”
“That’s incredible. We can have babies that are the same age.”
“My dad would be in heaven. Not one, but two grandchildren; he’d be over the moon. What about your family? When are you planning on telling them?”
“Oh, um, I was emancipated at seventeen, so I don’t speak to my family anymore.”
Although, I did talk to Dad recently. It wasn’t by choice, though.
Francesca reaches across the center console and squeezes my hand for a second. “I’m so sorry, Alexandra. I can’t imagine what you’ve been through, but you have a family now.”
Tears fill my eyes. Even though I’m not romantically involved with Joseph, I’ve always felt like I was part of the Marino family.
This baby will always be a part of the family. He or she will be loved, treasured, and will never have to worry about being safe.
“Alright,” Francesca changes the subject. “Are we still craving sushi? I know the best restaurant down by the river.”
“Tacos.”
She chuckles and shakes her head. “Do you want to go to a sit-down restaurant or stop by the food truck in the park?”
“Ooh, the food truck. Those tacos are the best in the city.”
Francesca laughs and drives in the food truck’s direction. My stomach growls as she parks in the semi empty parking lot.
“I guess we just missed the lunch rush.”
There are a couple of people in front of us, but it doesn’t take long to order and get our food.
I carry my plate of tacos to a picnic table under a large oak tree. “I swear they must be mind readers. Every time I come here, I never have to wait more than a minute or two, and the food is always fresh and hot.”
Francesca sits across from me. “I know. Rhett and the guys will order like six tacos each, and it still only takes a couple of minutes. I don’t know how Manny does it, but he’s amazing.”
I glance around the park as we eat in silence. Children are swinging and sliding down the slides as parents watch nearby. Older couples rest on the benches as others run and walk on the walking trail.
“Hey, are you okay?” Francesca nudges my foot with hers.
“Oh, yeah. I was just people watching.” My gaze wanders to a stressed mom who is feeding an infant a bottle while a toddler pulls on her leg, begging and pointing at the slide.
“I know it might sound crazy, but I’m ready for that life.”
I glance at her and follow her gaze to the mom. “You want two kids that close in age? That seems too stressful.”
“I teased Rhett that I wanted three in three.” At my questioning look, she says, “Three kids in three years.”
My mouth falls open. “Why? That’s a lot of diapers. A lot of tantrums, too.”
“I want my kids to be best friends. I want them to grow up and be close to one another.”
I get up and throw my trash in the trash can. “More power to you and Rhett. That’s more than a handful.”
“We have an entire village behind us that would be willing to chip in and help. The same goes for you. My dad and most of the guys will help put together furniture or whatever you need when the time comes.”
“I’ll probably need help moving my furniture around to make room for the baby’s furniture.”
“We will all help out.”
We head back to her car and head to a shopping center.