Scars

Tonya couldn’t help but smile as she placed a mug of ginger tea on the counter, watching as Stella walked slowly into the kitchen, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear.

“I thought once I’d gotten past the first trimester this morning sickness crap would do one.” She muttered as she perched on one of the stools beside the counter. “I was looking forward to seeing the end of this stuff too” she added lifting the mug to her lips and taking a cautious sip.

“I could always get the fennel seeds out for you; I still have some here somewhere.” Tonya replied with a teasing smile.

“Oh god no! I’d rather spend the next six months with my head down the toilet than try eating those things again.” she said recoiling at the thought of the seeds.

“It’ll get better sweetie, when I was pregnant with Jake I was sick every night for the first four months and then just suddenly stopped as soon as I hit the four month mark.”

“I hope so.” Stella muttered taking another sip of her tea just as Brian’s voice echoed in from the living room.

“You ladies ready to go?”

“Shit, I was so busy throwing up I completely lost track of time.” She said taking another larger sip of her tea before getting up and walking over to the sink with the mug.

“It’s ok sweetie, we’ve still got time.”

“Everything ok?” Brian asked as he stepped into the kitchen.

“I will be in another minute.” Stella replied taking a gulp of the tea before tipping the last of it down the sink and swilling the mug out, leaving it to drain.

“More morning sickness?” he said, his nose crinkling at the thought as Tonya nodded.

“Right I’m ok let’s get moving.” Stella said grabbing her purse off the counter where she had left it before her sprint for the bathroom just a few minutes before.

Just over twenty minutes later Brian was pulling up his Escalade outside the high school. “You ladies go make sure you get seats, I’ll park up and join you in a second.”

Stella and Tonya got out of the SUV and straightened their outfits before following the signs that showed them the way to the school field where Graduation was about to take place.

Working their way through the crowd of parents, grandparents and siblings they made their way down the aisle between the rows of seats looking for the ones reserved for their family.

“There’s Luke’s dad.” Stella said, Tonya looking in the direction she was pointing.

“Oh my goodness, our family is taking up a whole two rows!” she exclaimed as she saw the people who were sat in the row behind hers and Luke’s parents.

“Jesus, if this is who turns up for Jake’s graduation, then if you and Brian ever get married for god’s sake run away and do it or you’ll be spending a fortune just on your guests meals!” Stella muttered, Tonya playfully nudging her.

“You’re cutting it a bit fine, where have you been?” Tonya’s mom queried almost scolding her daughter.

“Sorry, my fault, morning sickness.” Stella answered with an apologetic smile as she took her seat.

“Where’s Brian?” Suzy asked from where she was sat between Brian Sr. and McKenna.

“Just parking the car, he shouldn’t be too long.” Tonya relied with a smile. She had had no idea that Brian’s family would be attending Jake’s graduation and it made her smile. The fact that they were here just showed that they regarded him, and her, as a part of their family too.

Just a few minutes later Brian joined them, just as the principle took to the centre of the stage and began to his speech. Each of her family members took out their cameras ready to capture Jake’s special moments. Patiently they all waited for the moment his name would be called out.

“Gibbs, Jake.” The principle called out finally, and Tonya stood up to get a better view of her son as he made his way over to the lectern and took his diploma from his principle with a shake of the older mans hand. As he made his way back to his seat he waved over to his mom and the rest of his family, reminding Tonya so much of his father on their graduation day. as she sat back down she felt Brian place something into her hand. Looking down she was confused at first to why he’d placed a tissue in her hand and hen she felt something trickle down her cheek and she realised she was crying. Dabbing her cheeks she mouthed a silent “thank you” to him. With a small smile he took her hand into his, lacing their hands together to watch the rest of the ceremony.

It seemed to take an eternity for the ceremony to end, Tonya wanted nothing more than to run and congratulate her son, but then finally the last student collected their diploma and in a tradition that she remembered fondly, the class threw their black mortarboards into the air with a cheer.

Tonya then watched as Jake hugged Sophia, feeling the need to turn away as they kissed before he made his way across to his family, Sophia heading towards hers. Before anyone else could claim a hug from him Tonya threw her arms around her son, pulling him into a tight embrace. “I’m so proud of you.” she whispered into his ear, placing a kiss on his cheek as she pulled away from him.

She watched quietly as everyone else congratulated him, a proud smile on her face, tears threatening to fall once more, Brian’s supporting arm around her waist.

“Mom, are you okay?” Jake asked once he’d been congratulated by everyone. “Have you been crying?”

“Happy tears sweetie, I’m just so proud of you.” she replied smiling pulling him into another embrace. “Your dad would be so proud of you too you know.”

“I know mom.” He said quietly.

“Ok, go and ask Sophia if she and her family would like to join us for a post-grad grill back at ours.” Tonya said her smile brightening.

“Seriously? Her whole family?” Jake queried, his eyebrows popping.

“Of course, she’s part of the family too, it’s only right that she celebrates with us. And anyway we’ve got enough meat to feed a small army, can’t have it going to waste.” She replied gently ushering him in the direction of his girlfriend and her family.

Two hours later, Tonya’s back yard was full of people eating. Her family, Luke’s family, Brian’s family, their friends as well as Sophia and her closet family.

“So, next step, college.” Tonya had to stop herself from flinching at the sound of Suzy’s words.

“I can barely think about that.” she said with a slight shake of her head.

“Oh honey, he’ll be fine, it’s only Oregon he’s going to.” she replied.

“It’s still fourteen hours away.” she said quietly, letting out a small sigh. “I know I’ve got to let him go live his life but he’s still my baby boy and it’s going to be hard not having him around the house every day. it’s going to be so quiet without him.”

“Well, there is one way to fill that void.” Suzy said, Tonya turning her head quickly hearing the playful tone in the older woman’s voice. “I’m just saying, you’re still young and I know Brian you love to, well, you know…”

“He’s never mentioned anything to Me.” she replied quietly. “Are you sure?”

Suzy nodded with a smile, “Definitely, he’s just afraid to ask you if you’re in the same place as him.”

Tonya slowly let her gaze wander around the yard until it landed on Brian where he was taking to Matt and Stella. As she watched them she thought about how excited Brian was for the two of them to become parents. Did he really want that for himself? They had been concentrating so much on Jake and keeping him happy they’d never mentioned being parents to a child of their own making.
Was it something she wanted? She had never really wanted Jake to be an only child but fate had never provided her with the opportunity to give him a brother or sister. Until now. like Suzy said, they were still relatively young, and why wouldn’t Brian want to be a father to his own son or daughter, experience all that parenthood brought? He would make an amazing father.

“Sweetie are you ok?” Suzy brought her out of her gaze with a gentle touch to her arm.

“I need to come off the pill.” She said with a small smile.

THE END