Pulling Through

CHRISTMAS

They were in the middle of the highway, heading for Gus´s childhood home when her phone started vibrating with an incoming call. She reached for it and took a look at the caller ID.

-Hi mom!- she said holding the phone to her ear.

A moment later, she had to hold it a lot farther as the yells coming out of it threatened to turn her deaf.

-Did you know?- her mom shrieked – Did the i***t tell you what he did?

-Mom- Ally replied rolling her eyes and trying to reason with her- I don´t know what you´re talking about, so please, slow down and come again.

-Don´t play fool with me missy!- she shouted totally ignoring her pleas- I know he must have told you! That little piece of s**t! He got her pregnant Ally! Your brother is having a child!

Ally´s eyes widened as she looked around hoping to find something to say.

“s**t!” Ally thought to herself “Crap is out in the open now” “f*****g Adam! Why wouldn´t he give me a heads up”

-Ma, he´s an adult, he can handle it, stop treating him like a child.

Her mom paused her ranting for a moment, silence lingering at the other side of the line.

-So you knew then- she finally uttered accusingly- Why wouldn´t you tell me?

Ally took a deep breath and sighed, stalling and buying herself some time, looking for a possible way out of such an insane conversation. When the silence became too awkward for her to bear, she groaned and braced herself for her mother´s fury.

-Of course I knew mom, he trusts me- Ally replied in a serious tone- And of course I wouldn´t tell you, because it was his right to do so. If he´s told you guys now, that means he´s ready with a plan and he just wants to keep you in the loop. So stop whining and start asking what can you do to help them. We don´t have much time left.

Her mom remained silent and Ally started thinking she´d hung up on her in anger. She was about to check her phone´s screen, when she heard her speak again.

-I´m gonna be a gradma!- she uttered shakily and Ally smiled in relief.

-Yeah mom, you are… Merry Christmas! - Ally replied laughing- Now, quit wasting your time with me and go talk to him.

She ended the call and turned her head to find Gus glancing at her with an amused look in his eyes. He raised an eyebrow inquisitively and smirked.

-The Adam thing?- he knowingly asked, his smile widening.

-Yep, it was about time now- she breathed out, resting her head up on the seat back and relaxing a little- They´ll be fine.

-Yeah baby, I bet they won´t even remember this once they´d taken a look at the kid- he said smiling and Ally was stabbed by the twinge of his comment.

She knew it wasn´t directed at her, she knew that wasn´t even something she should take so hard. And yet, she couldn´t stop her guts from twisting in revolt at the reminder of her barren womb and all the happiness she just seemed to be incapable of bringing into their lives.

Ally closed her eyes and turned her head to the window, trying to fall asleep and failing miserably at it. Ziggy soon rested her head on her lap and when she looked down at her, she found her eyes staring at her with all the wisdom only a dog can emanate, making a tear roll silently down her cheek.

She rubbed it away before Gus could see it and went to run her fingers through Ziggy´s soft fur. Twenty minutes later she finally dozed off.

-We´re here princess- Ally heard Gus whispering into her ear, kissing her cheek softly and she opened her eyes to find them parked at her in-laws’ garage.

They got out of Gus´s truck and started getting all their luggage and the presents they brought into the house.

-My babies!- his mom cried as they crossed the door, almost choking them to death with her hugs- Thank god you´re finally here!

They settled down and then the four of them sat at the kitchen table to have lunch and catch up a little. Ally washed the dishes as usual and after that they all went to take a quick nap.

When she woke up, she walked to the kitchen to help Caitlyn with the turkey, leaving Gus gently snoring on the bed.

-Why are you so sad?- his mom asked as she placed some nuts into the fruit salad she was making- You´ve been radiating misery all day.

Ally forced herself to smile while she tried to avoid her gaze, focusing on stirring the pot where she was boiling the spaghetti’s sauce.

-I´m not- she hurried herself to say- I´m just tired.

Honey- her mother in law walked to where she stood and hugged her from behind, placing a kiss on her head- You see? You can´t fool me, I know that look perfectly well, I had it for years.

Ally´s eyes darted to the ceiling as she tried to fight her tears back in vain. A heavy stream running down her cheeks.

-Does it ever get easier? Does it ever stop hurting so much?- Ally sobbed as she held her arm

-Well, It took me years, but I had finally made my peace with it when I got pregnant with Gus. I was almost in my forties and scared to death of having another miscarriage , but everything went fine in the end- she made her turn around and wiped a tear away from her face- Just don´t lose hope Ally, things happen when they´re meant to, not sooner, not later.

Ally smiled at her and both went back to finish cooking in silence. She set the fancy tableware in the dining room as Gus´s mom took the turkey out of the oven and a little later Gus and his dad joined them for dinner.

With their bellies full and after having some cider, they sat by the Christmas tree and gave each other their presents. A little while later her father-in-law announced he was going to bed, so Ally and Gus kissed his mother goodbye and headed for the door.

-Where are you going baby?- she asked as she rubbed his cheek

- The guys are having a little Xmas time over Phil´s place, ma, so we´re joining- He replied as he escorted Ally out- Go to bed… Don´t wait up.