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WE PULL UP TO MY FAMILY home, sweat beads around my hairline. “I’ve never been so nervous, not even when I was suspended from school. Or the time I got arrested and had to call mom to come to bail me out.” Diesel takes my hand in his, “Nicki, your parents love you as much as I do, if not more.” I squeeze his hand for reassurance, take a deep breath and reach for the truck handle to climb out.
“Ready or not, here we come.” I shimmy down the side of the truck and wait for him to join me on the sidewalk. I take a moment to glance down at my ring finger, “I really do love this ring.” I smile as he reaches out to take my hand.
We walk quietly up the front path and let ourselves in. Laughter comes from the living room as we make it through the front porch. On the television is the video we made for my parents' anniversary, and I can’t help but blush.
“Our girls look so fucking hot,” Jacob says, standing to shake Diesel’s hand in greeting, and then he steps toward me with a kiss on the cheek, whispering, “congratulations.” I guess Dani told him that we are married. My face flushes with embarrassment, and I move to the side to lean down and kiss dad as he relaxes in the recliner.
“That was definitely an experience. I don’t know how we got the final take without bursting out laughing.” Diesel sits next to Jacob on the couch. I roll my eyes and excuse myself to find my mother. I walk through the living room and dining room to locate Keni and Dani in the kitchen, prepping for dinner.
“Can I help?” I offer to roll up my sleeves. Mom shoves a piece of broccoli in her mouth, “nope, we are just about done. Go bring this out to the guys. We’ll be in shortly,” she says, passing a vegetable platter. I kiss her cheek, “okay.”
“What’s this about?” Her voice has me halting because you do not ignore your mother when she asks you a question. Not in this house, “Nothing crazy, I love you.” I blow her a kiss with a smile, continue my way through the hall and place the tray on the coffee table.
“Everything alright?” Diesel asks while I stare at the big-screen television. “Yup,” I say, swallowing hard. It’s not uncommon for Diesel to join us for family dinner. My sisters have always thought of him as a brother since he’s my best friend.
After about a half-hour of blindly watching whatever the guys had on the big screen, mom calls us to the dining room table.
“Let’s go!” We all make our way in to find lasagna, baked ziti, meatballs, sausage, garlic bread, and salad, a normal Sunday family dinner. I glance at Diesel. This is nothing but normal. I think to myself as he holds the chair out for me.
“It looks delicious, Mrs. Johnson,” Diesel says.
“Oh please, shouldn’t you call me Julie or Mom by now?” As I plop into the chair, my eyes go wide, afraid to look and see my father’s expression. Instead, I’m utterly surprised to hear him add, “Seriously, Diesel. You are part of this family. Julie and David are fine. No more of this Mrs. and Mr. Bullshit,” he insists.
I can feel my face flush, and my sisters giggle as they pass the salad in my direction. Without any warning, Diesel says, “Actually, I wanted to talk to you both about that.” I begin to panic. He is going to tell them. With the salad bowl in hand, I shove it toward him. Lettuce leaves fall onto his plate and some onto his lap, “Oh fuck. Sorry.” I say, not really sorry. Keni burst out laughing, “just pull off the band-aid.” Dani says, hiding her smile behind a piece of garlic bread.
My father looks to Mom, then back to me, “Nicolette? Is there something you want to tell us?” I grab my glass of soda and take a sip. Diesel takes the hand closest to him and squeezes with support. I take my final breath and, “Actually, Dad,” I gulp down hard, then look at Mom, “Mom,” I pull our joined hands up from under the table and expose the ring.
“It seems that what happens in Vegas doesn’t always stay in Vegas.”
“Are you pregnant?” My mother claps her hands together, “No, no, no!” Diesel answers. I squeeze his hand. He looks at me. “We’re not, right?” He asks, surprised. I can’t help but burst out laughing, “Oh, for fuck’s sake. Don’t you think I would have told you?” I ask, giving all my attention, afraid to look toward my father.
“Well, I guess this is no surprise to the two of you?” My father asked my sisters, sitting quietly as if we were all school kids, and I just handed him another detention letter. He then glances at my mother, who has the biggest smile on her face.
“We knew you two would eventually get your shit together. I guess we are surprised it happened so quickly. Then again,” he turns to Diesel, “you’ve had your eyes set on her for a few years now. I’m glad you stuck it out, and you didn’t let her chase you away. She’s a handful, I know.”
Dad stands, and Diesel follows suit, “I know it was kind of untraditional, and if you would like to have a church wedding and reception, I’d be more than happy to,” My father reaches out toward Diesel, shakes his hand and pulls him into a hug.
“Diesel, if there is one thing you should know. There is nothing traditional about Nicki, shit!” He glances around the table, “there is nothing traditional about any of my girls, and I wouldn’t want it any other way.” They sit down, and Mom passes the ziti, “although, maybe a party? You know how we love a good party!”
I agree we do like to party, and a small reception would be nice, but not any time soon. We rather wait and spend what money we do have on finishing the renovations on the house. Once the table is cleared, we all settle on coffee and desserts. As I glance around the table, I appreciate what’s here in front of me. I’ve been running around all of this time when everything I’ve ever needed was right here in front of me.
The End
