Free One Night Stand (New Yorker III) by M.O. Kenyan

in a hotel,” Adrian senior grumbled.
    “That’s
not the point, sweetheart.” Rosalinda tapped his hand as if to reassure him.
But then an incredulous look came over her mother’s face that had everyone on
the table pulled in. “Are you pregnant? Is that it? Is that why you want such a
quick wedding?”
    “No!”
AJ and Katherine said in unison.
    “I am.”
Catalella sneaked in. She had whispered it, more to herself than everyone else,
so that she didn’t think anyone had heard.
    “I
can’t believe AJ knocked you up.” Lisette chortled.
    “I
didn’t,” AJ said defensively.
    “Quiet!
All of you.”
    Catalella
stared at Reno. He never raised his voice. Usually that was left for his
chattering wife. He was silent while Lisette was loud. They balanced each
other.
    “What
did you say?” Reno asked , his body turned towards
Catalella.
    How
could she think no one heard? The man was sitting right next to her and his
usual silence allowed him to hear everyone. She thought he had picked up his
keen sense of listening when his first child was born a few years back. But
that was Reno—he was always in big brother mode when he was around his sister,
Daniela, and her. He was caring, loving, and considerate. That was what made
him a great father. But what qualities or qualifications did Rich possess that
would make him a good dad?
    Catalella
shook her head, terrified all of a sudden to divulge her secret.
    “I
heard what you said, Lella.” Reno took her hand and squeezed it in support.
    “Are
you dumb all of a sudden?” Lisette put in. Although she meant for it to mean
she could hear the concern in her voice.
    “Peanut?”
    “I’m...”
Catalella stared at her siblings, not once risking a glance at her parents. She
swallowed hard and a squeeze for support from Reno urged her on. “I’m
pregnant.”
    The
next thing Catalella heard were chairs being pushed back and feet rushing
towards her. Lisette scanned her with a worried look—Catalella was sure her
older sister thought she was mad. But AJ grabbed her arm and lifted her off her
seat, leading her into the living room. Catalella heard the rest follow. She
had no doubt that her brother was about to play doctor.
    Silently
he instructed her to lie flat on the sofa and kneeled next to her. His hands
hovered over her as he stared into her eyes.
    “Let me
do it,” Katherine offered.
    Reluctantly,
AJ moved away to give Katherine space. She was an OBGYN so Catalella was sure
that she knew what she was doing.
    “I’m
going to use my hands to examine you. You are going to feel a little pressure,”
Katherine said as her hands pressed on Catalella’s abdomen as she felt around.
    A gasp
and a proud look on Katherine’s face confirmed what Catalella had said. “If you
had asked I would have shown you the ultrasound pictures,” she said.
    “Are
you serious?” Her father’s voice boomed in the room.
    Catalella
sat up and stared at her family as they stared back at her. “Doctor Caplain
said everything is fine. He says it’s a miracle…a fluke, that I should be
careful. I am. I have a better diet, and I’m taking my vitamins everyday—”
Catalella held onto her mother when she pulled her into a hug and went on with
her list. “I try my best to eat five times a day even though I’m nauseous all
the time. I don’t work overtime. I’m careful, I promise.”
    Catalella
fell silent when Rosalinda framed her face with her hands. Her mother pressed
her forehead to hers as she had countless times when she was emotional.
Rosalinda pulled away and hugged her daughter then made room for Adrian.
    “I’m
proud of you,” the large man said as a tear rolled down his cheek.
    “My
sister has been having sex,” Lisette exclaimed, making everyone in the room
laugh, but her father groaned.
    “I feel
like I should beat up this guy. But I want to buy him a drink even more,” AJ
put in.
    “Where
is your boyfriend?” Rosalinda asked.
    “My
what?” The
question had caught