Determinism (Cara & Abel's Story) (27 page)

I go into the living room and grab my cell phone, placing a kiss on Cara’s forehead and tummy. “Love you,” I say and head for the door.

Vincent is parked out front in his Bugatti with the top down. As I get in, he’s wearing grey dress slacks, and a white dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up. Okay, maybe I’m way underdressed for what he has in mind.

“How ya holding up, big papa?” he jokes, speeding off.

“I’m good. How’s my douche of a brother?”

“I’m great.”

“So what do you need my help with today?”

“I take it Lex didn’t call you and spill the beans?”

“Dude, your lingo fucking sucks, who even says ‘spill the beans?’”

“Fuck you. Who says ‘lingo?’”

“Shut up! No, Lex didn’t call me, should I call her?”

“No. Just relax, man, you’re so edgy today. I told you I needed your help with this for Cara. Enjoy a few minutes away. She’s fine. Lex is gonna swing by anyways with lunch in a bit. Plus we won’t be too long.”

“Sorry. I just hate leaving her. It puts me on edge. Last time I left her … well, you remember what happened.”

“I know, but she’s safe. You know you can’t keep her in a bubble all the time. You both are going to go back to work next week.”

“I know,” I respond. Then I think about her going back to work, on her feet for twelve hours a day, dealing with sick patients, and putting herself and the baby at risk.

“How is she?” he asks.

“She’s great. She’s so resilient; I really admire her strength. I hope the baby gets that from her.”

“It’s still weird to hear you talk about a baby.”

“I know it is.”

We’re both quiet for the rest of the drive. I stare out at all of the sights and the people who are enjoying this summer day. It’s not long before Vincent says, “We’re here,” turning into the lot of a Tesla dealership.

“No way. You’re not buying her a car.”

“The hell I’m not.”

“There’s no way she’s going to accept it.”

“Oh yes she will. I promised her a car if Lex said yes when I proposed. You know I’m a man of my word. Plus you have to admit these cars are sick. She’s gonna love it.”

“Dude, I can’t let you do this.”

“Yes, you can and you will. I wouldn’t have brought you if I thought you were going to be such a pain in the ass. I’m making good on my debt. Plus, my nephew or niece needs the safest car available.”

I shake my head and get out of the car, following my brother over to a row of sleek four-door sedans. A salesman greets us dressed in a navy suit with black wavy hair.
Man, I really am underdressed today.

“Gentleman, I’m Raj. What brings you in today?”

“Nice to meet you, Raj. I’m Vincent, this is my brother, Abel.” We both shake Raj’s hand. “We need to buy a car for my sister-in-law,” Vincent says. Hearing him use the term so casually catches me off guard.

“Perfect, will she be coming in as well to pick it out and do the paperwork?”

“No, it’s a gift and I’ll be paying cash. I was hoping I could put it in her and my brother’s name?”

“Yes, sir, that’s not a problem. Do you know which model?”

“I was thinking the four-door S. After researching, that seems to be the most practical and has the best safety features.”

“The S is a great vehicle. Follow me this way; I’ll show you what we have in stock. If there’s something that we don’t have we can always custom order it for you.”

I walk behind them looking at the rows and rows of cars. Cara really does need a new car. I’m sure it will still be a few weeks before she sees any insurance money for hers. Plus, that’ll just be enough for another used car. This will be brand new, top of the line, with the best safety features for her and the baby.

“What color do you think she’ll like?” Vincent asks me.

“Oh, man. I honestly don’t think she’ll care. She’s going to be so excited, it could be shit brown and she would love it.”

Raj laughs. “Women seem to lean towards the white and silver colors. I have a white one right here. Surprisingly this one has black interior; most have white on white. It’s a Tesla thing.”

“Dude, it’s gorgeous,” I say.

“Can we test drive this one?” Vincent asks Raj.

“Sure, I’ll just need a driver’s license and I can grab the key.” Raj takes Vincent’s ID, and runs inside.

“Are you sure about this, Vince?”

He laughs at me and shakes his head. “Yes. Don’t ask me again, or I’ll buy you one too.”

I lift both my hands up signaling defeat. “Are you sure about the white?” he asks me.

“Yeah. Her room is white, so I know she loves the color.”

Raj hands Vincent the key, who tosses it to me and says, “You’re driving.”

I know better than to argue with him. Quite frankly, if my family is going to be in this car, I need to be comfortable with it as well. The three of us load up and Raj explains the bells and whistles of the interior. There’s a touch screen on the display panel – it’s huge! It’s also an electric car, so no gas is required, which is awesome.

Pulling out onto the road, I notice the vehicle handles exceptionally well. It’s smooth and easy to maneuver. “Raj, what if you need to charge the car while you’re out during the day?” I ask.

“I’m glad you asked that. I was just going to mention that across the city, Tesla has multiple charging stations located at popular attractions. All of them are in their own special parking locations. You pull in, front row, plug in, and enjoy your day. But you shouldn’t need to do that often; your battery will run for three hundred miles on a single charge. And we include an extra battery that can easily be exchanged if needed in less than three minutes.”

Driving back to the dealership, Vincent asks me, “What do you think?”

“It’s perfect. She’s going to love it. Thank you, Vince.”

“It’s my pleasure. We’ll take it, Raj.”

“Awesome, I think your brother’s wife will love it.”

“Yes, yes, she will,” Vincent says, not correcting Raj.

The paperwork is easy, I guess because there isn’t much to be done. Cara just needs to stop by and sign her half. Then Vincent hands over his black AMEX card and we are on our way to Cara’s. I can’t wait to see the smile on her face when she sees her new car. Pulling up, Alexa’s Porsche is in the driveway next to my truck. I guess that’s my cue to park on the street. I do so and climb out just as Vincent greets me.

“Do you want me to get her?” I ask, handing him the key.

“Have her come to us.” He leans in and presses the horn a few times. I see Amber look out the kitchen window and then the front door opens. My mouth turns into a smile at the sight of her. She is stunning, dressed in a white linen dress with a brown leather belt below her boobs. As she walks towards us, I swear she is starting to show a little bit.

“What the hell is this?” she asks me.

“Your new car,” Vincent interjects and tosses her the key.

“Holy shit. No way.”

She looks from my brother to me and wraps her arm around my waist. Shocked would be the best way I could describe the expression on her face. “Why?”

“Well, for starters, your car is totaled. And I told you I would buy you one. I’m just paying off my debt,” he says.

She slaps his arm and he flinches away from her laughing. “That was a joke!” she yells.

“Oh, it was? Well, too late now. Enjoy your new car.”

“I don’t even know what to say.”

“Don’t say anything, baby. I already fought with Vincent about this. Accept his gift and let’s take it for a test drive.”

She lets go of my waist and hugs him. As she reaches her arms around his neck and presses herself against him, she is definitely showing. I can see the small bump pushing through her white dress.
This is really going to happen
.

Waking up next to Cara is such a surreal feeling. I’ve dreamt of this so many times and since she is home, it still doesn’t feel real. This morning I feel like a ball of nerves. I’m hoping to have all of that eased at her appointment today.

I know I’ve been overbearing but my mind keeps drifting back to my past with Abigail, and I’m terrified that something is going to happen to Cara and the baby. She has been so tired and that scares me. While I lie here and watch her sleep peacefully, I don’t want to wake her, but I have to. She’s a picture of perfection. Her lips are slightly parted, with her hair spread across her pillow. Her cheeks are red and I worry she has a fever. I lean down and kiss her cheek to cheek, but it’s cool to my lips. A smile spans her face and she stretches. Nudging my head into her neck, I continue to bathe her with kisses to wake her.

She laughs a little and pushes me away. I look at her as she blinks a few times, trying to completely wake up. “That tickles,” she grumbles.

I crease my eyebrows and run my hand over her neck to sooth the skin I just ravished with my mouth. “Better?” I ask.

She nods her head and I lay my head against her chest, listening to her heartbeat and breathing. “What time is it?” she asks.

“It’s almost noon. I didn’t want to wake you, but I don’t want you to rush getting ready for your appointment.”

“Thank you. I can’t wait to see the baby today.”

I take a deep breath thinking about what the day will hold. I know everything will be okay. It has to be. God wouldn’t have given them back to me in turn to take them away. The appointment will go as planned and she will get the green light on her health and the baby’s.

“Are you hungry?” I ask.

“Yeah.”

“Why don’t you get ready and I’ll make you some breakfast?”

“Thanks, babe, that would be great.”

I kiss her lips and then her belly before I hop off the bed and head out of the room.
Just give her some space.
I tell myself that, but it’s not as easy. I force myself into the kitchen and pour another cup of coffee. Once I take a sip, I look in the cabinets and then fridge.

I decide on a bagel and some orange juice. Just when I push the toaster down, I notice a note on the counter from Amber.
I got Mom out of the house so you guys could enjoy your appointment in peace. Love ya.

Geez, that girl has had my back. I really need to find a way to thank her. As I finish up Cara’s breakfast, she comes out with her hair in a towel, dressed in a short summer dress.

She sits on the bar stool to eat and I can’t help but watch her, even though I know it drives her crazy. “I’m going to change while you eat, then we can hit the road. Okay?”

She nods her head yes with a mouth full of bagel and I can’t help myself from wiping the cream cheese off of the corner of her lips. She watches as I lick it off of my thumb and then walk away. Just touching her mouth like that gets my dick hard. I don’t know how much longer I can last without being inside her.

On the drive across town for her follow up appointment, both of us are extremely quiet. I know for me it’s because I’m nervous. I hope she’s not experiencing the same fears and anxiety as I am. All either of us can do at this point is pray. As we park and head in, I wrap my arm around her waist pulling her close against me. Deep down, I know everything will be okay, it has to be …

Brushing my teeth, I watch Cara in the reflection of the mirror. She is glowing and finally looks back to her old self. After her appointment the other day, I finally feel a bit calmer although it has been unusual to adjust to no longer worrying. For me it’s like I can’t process that she and the baby are both actually okay. I find myself still hovering and still being overbearing when I know deep down I shouldn’t.

“How are you feeling?” I ask.

She glares up at me from her iPad, “You know that’s the twelve-hundredth time you’ve asked me today.”

I rub the back of my neck thinking about her statement. “I don’t know if I would say twelve hundred. Maybe a thousand, give or take a hundred.”

She laughs at me and sets her iPad on the nightstand. “Are you going to get in bed with me?” she asks.

“I don’t know if that’s a good idea.” I look down at my erection straining against my sweatpants.

“Oh,” she says. “Well, it seems like we need to handle that.”

“No, really, it’s fine. I don’t want to hurt you.”