Page 14 of Our Unexpected Beginning (Club Surrender #4)

Julia

“ I t’s so nice having a strong man around again.” Aunt Elaine cheered from the couch in her living room. Graham was moving a few bins back into the attic that had cluttered the woman’s living room.

“Listen, next time you want a visit, just say so. You don’t have to twist your hip out, okay?”

“Your uncle always said I had the flair for the dramatic.”

“So that’s where I get it from.” Julia teased, walking over to join her aunt on the couch.

Julia curled her leg under her and leaned against the arm, stretching her lower back. “I will be happy to get this watermelon out.”

“Not so fast, Jules.” Graham pointed out. “She isn’t near watermelon yet. She’s a little sweet potato.”

“Oh,” Aunt Elaine gasped, her green eyes sparkled. “A girl! You know?”

“No, oh.” Graham winced. “I’m sorry. ”

Julia rested her hand on her Aunt’s leg. “We haven’t been able to get in for a scan and Graham has been going back and forth.” She thought it was sweet. Julia didn’t have hope of one over the other, her only thought was happy and healthy. Anything else would wash.

“No no, it’s okay. I’m so excited for you both.” Aunt Elaine adjusted herself and turned her attention to Julia. “How have you been feeling? Are you having a party? Or photos? I’ve seen some that your cousin took a few years ago. They were sunflowers and cute.”

“I haven’t decided yet. Graham’s schedule keeps him gone but I’m managing.”

“I’m glad. I know you don’t come by as much as you need.”

“I’ll try to do better,” Julia promised, squeezing her aunt’s hand. The truth was, between Graham’s unpredictable absence and her own exhaustion, visiting had fallen to the bottom of her priority list.

Graham descended the ladder from the attic, dusting his hands on his jeans. “All done. Those bins won’t be bothering you anymore, Aunt Elaine.”

“My hero,” Elaine said with a wink. “Now come sit. Tell me about this schedule that’s keeping you from my niece.”

Graham’s shoulders tensed slightly as he settled into the armchair across from them. “My buddy runs a mining plant across the state line and the pay is good. I’ve been picking up extra shifts to save up before the baby comes. ”

“Before sweet potato comes,” Julia corrected with a small smile.

“Yes, the sweetest sweet potato.” Graham teased.

Julia watched Graham, noticing the tired lines around his eyes. His work had been demanding lately, leaving her to navigate most of the pregnancy preparations alone. She had the help of her friends and Melody. She hadn’t complained—couldn’t, really—knowing what Graham was doing wasn’t frivolous.

Financially she could stand on her own, but he’d insisted on making the necessary steps to cover the hospital and her recovery. He would be back at the garage or see if Wes had something in town for him.

“I promised Julia that once the baby came she would need a crowbar to get rid of me.”

“Come to think of it, I probably have one in the front closet.”

“You have everyth–”

The sound of a car door pulled their attention and Aunt Elaine swore. “She is a stubborn one.”

Julia’s belly cramped and she closed her eyes, breathing through the wave of anxiety. “Maybe this will go okay. It’ll be fine.” They hadn’t always been at constant odds. Even though they’d be few and far between.

“Laine, where are you? You know Steven warned you this–Oh. Hello.”

Aunt Elaine struggled to stand, and Graham hurried to help as the two women stood in uncomfortable silence .

“Cass, why’d you come over? I told you I was fine. Charlie around the corner is coming to check on me. He’s bringing his wife’s chili.”

“Because you’re my sister and I was worried about you.” Cassandra looked at Julia and Graham, her eyes narrowed. “I didn’t know you had company.”

“It wasn’t planned, Mom. Sorry or I would have called and maybe tried that dinner again.” Julia smiled awkwardly, scrunching her toes in her shoes anxiously.

“It would be nice to talk to my daughter once in a while. I haven’t seen you in months.”

“I know. I’m sorry, that’s my fault.” Graham offered politely, putting himself into the line of fire. “We’ve been meaning to, Ms. Sinclair.”

Graham walked over to the couch and Julia grabbed his hand. He helped her off the couch and stood next to her, his hand on the small of her back.

“Mom, I’m,” Julia cleared her throat nervously. “Graham and I are having a baby.” It was the first time she’d said it that way.

“I didn’t know.” Cassandra looked at her sister. “Did you? Sorry. Of course you did.”

“That’s not fair. This is the first time I’m here, but you’re right. I did tell her first.” Julia shifted from foot to foot. “I’m sorry, everything with us is a sore subject.”

“I don’t know why you’re like that.”

Julia stared at her evenly. “What do you want me to say to that?

“You twist everything I say. ”

Graham put his arm over Julia’s shoulders. “We haven’t told my family and few friends.” Oh he was good to try to defuse with a white lie.

“I never understood you. It’s been so hard since your brother’s accident.” Her choice of words stung.

“Accident.” Julia repeated, arching her brow at her mother. “Let’s not.”

“I agree. Come on Cass, you can’t tell me you don’t remember what it was like with yours?” Aunt Elaine used her cane and walked over to Cassandra.

“I remember one night you showed up at the door because someone,” Aunt Elaine gestured good-naturedly to Julia, “didn’t want to come out on her due date.”

“Really?”

“I always told her that you were too stubborn to be an August Virgo.”

For the first time, Cassandra softened and laughed with her sister over their shared memory. “She danced on my bladder and spine for more than seven months. Your brother gave me heartburn for an entire year.”

“The bladder part is definitely on schedule with this one.” She touched the top of her stomach. “My friend calls it belly burn, I get a lot of kicks high up.”

“I didn’t realize you were that far along.”

“Yeah, the weeks have been flying by.”

“You can’t tell much with your body shape. I wouldn’t waste money on maternity photos.”

“Oh. Yeah.” The words stung, and Julia looked away, unable to stop herself from shrinking internally. Her size never bothered her, and it was her mother’s main focus and a bone of contention.

Julia didn’t hate her stretch marks, and she embraced the few her pregnancy brought. They symbolized growth for not only her child but for herself.

“We’re a sweet potato for a few more days.”

Cassandra looked at Graham with obvious confusion.

“We have been keeping track with a fruit and veggie of the week.”

“It started out as a joke.”

“It’s supposed to help give you reference to the baby’s size.”

“Charming.” Cassandra looked at Julia. “It’s not all fruits and games you know. Being your mother is exhausting.”

“Oh yes, I forgot, the awkward kid who never fit into your bubble.”

“Now what is that supposed to mean, Julia Lynn?”

“That you’re a mother to the wrong children.

I was always your weird kid, right? The one you didn’t understand?

I got a college scholarship to design school.

But it was stupid, wasn’t it? That’s why you told them I wouldn’t be coming because it would severely affect my mental health that I wasn’t in a good place! ”

“I was protecting you! Your brother was just in an accident. You were broken.”

“Why mom, did you forget what you asked me? ”

“I–I,” she stammered. “I wanted your support. You’re my daughter. Of course I wanted to keep you close and safe.”

“Is that why I had to alter my clothes so they fit right because you didn’t see the value in buying them when you could shame me from eating.

Because I was too heavy to be in pretty clothes.

I heard you. I ate your bullshit for years and I don’t know how or why Aunt Elaine puts up with it as much as I have. But I’m done.”

“I don’t know where you get your rudeness from.”

Graham stood behind Julia and rested his hand on her shoulder, he leaned in and spoke softly. “Whatever you need, I’m here.” He squeezed her shoulder in reassurance.

“You know what, I’m not doing this. I came to help my aunt and now that we’re done it’s time to leave.”

“Cass, I wish you would stop. I don’t understand why you two are always fighting.” Aunt Elaine turned to Julia and rested her hand on her arm. “You don’t have to stay considerate where you don’t get consideration.”

“I don’t know how you manage to always get my sister to take your side.” Cassandra snidely remarked.

“There shouldn’t be sides, Mom.”

“You’ve become so difficult.”

“Please let this be a reminder on why I didn’t tell you until now. I have a garden of red flags that I should have paid attention to sooner.”

“Please,” Aunt Elaine sighed. “Devin wouldn’t want all this fighting, he loved you both. ”

“Tragedy’s change people, sister.” Cassandra sighed with a modicum of sympathy. “I don’t think you understand what it’s like to lose–”

“Stop. Don’t you dare talk to Aunt Elaine that way.” Julia’s heart raced and she closed her eyes, her hands balled into fists. “I’m not doing this anymore. It’s time to tell the truth.”

“Pregnancy really has made you delusional. You should see a doctor about that.”

“Stop!” Julia felt like she was swallowing nails.

Her eyes burned but she refused to cry. “It wasn’t an accident, Mother, don’t you understand?

The pedestal you shoved him onto… us. There’s no way anyone could live up to your standards.

He wanted to be a Marine, but it wasn’t what you wanted.

He just had to be a doctor or you couldn’t live with yourself. You pushed and pushed.”

The older woman’s mouth opened, and for once, no sound came out. Her jaw bobbed, and her face flushed red. “Stop!”

“But Devin’s death wasn’t an accident, and until you admit it to yourself and everyone else, maybe one of us will finally be able to move on.”

“Julia, what are you talking about?”