Chapter 40: Family
*Jasmine*
The music blared as I sat across from Carmen, making talking nearly impossible.
“How do you feel about him?” Carmen asked. “Really.”
Even though it wasn’t any of her business, Jasmine didn’t mind answering. “I love him. He’s my first and only love.”
Carmen nodded. “Just make sure he doesn’t give up on his dreams.”
For a moment, I wondered if they were really his dreams or his father’s. But I quickly pushed the thought aside, knowing how much Zain loved baseball. “That’s not my intention.”
“Good!” A broad smile spread across her lips. “That’s all I wanted to hear.”
But Jasmine’s smile faded as she thought about having to leave him soon.
“What’s wrong?” Carmen leaned back and rubbed her enormous stomach, which looked more like a beach ball.
Jasmine bit her lower lip. “I just hope when we both go off to college that it’s not the last time we see each other.”
Carmen leaned forward and held her hand. “It won’t be. If Zain is who you want, then fight for him.”
“How?” Jasmine asked in disbelief. “I can’t compete with baseball. And he’s going to be halfway across the country—”
“You found each other here, didn’t you, halfway across the country?” Carmen shrugged. “Then you’ll find each other again.”
I nodded, hoping she was right. Then she noticed Carmen’s face contort in pain, biting her lower lip as she winced. “Carmen, what’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” She let out a deep breath, rubbing her stomach. “Don’t tell anyone.”
“Like hell I won’t!” Jasmine looked across the porch, and Zain was drinking a beer, talking to Raphael. “Zain, come here!”
Carmen scoffed, shaking her head. “And here I thought we were friends.”
“We are, but friends don’t let friends go into labor alone.”
Carmen stared at her for a moment and then burst out laughing. “So, you’re going into labor, too?”
“Oh, you know what I mean!”
“Who’s going into labor?” Zain asked as he approached. “Juan? Get your ass over here!”
“Language!” his mother said and then realized what was going on. “Carmen! Is it time?”
Carmen narrowed her eyes at Jasmine. “Traitor.”
Jasmine burst out laughing. Although they had just met, Jasmine already liked her.
“Everyone, just settle down!” Carmen held up her hands as she rose to her feet. “This isn’t my first rodeo, and I’m not going to the hospital until I sample some of this wonderful food.”
Zain looked over at Juan and burst out laughing. “Well, man! I hope you know how to deliver a baby.”
“No. Way!” Juan was frantic as he ran toward Sylvia and came back. “Let’s go, Carmen!”
“I still have time,” Carmen grabbed a plate and started loading it up. “Let’s eat first. I’m starving.”
“Nothing stands in the way of your stomach, huh, Carmen?” Zain laughed, shaking his head. “Even labor.”
“Well, you heard the woman!” Maria said, looking around her. “Let’s eat, and then we’ll take Carmen straight to the hospital.”
“Who’s going to the hospital?”
Jasmine’s head snapped up, and relief washed over her. “Miguel!”
Miguel crossed the room toward us and kissed my cheek, pulled Zain in for a manly hug, and kissed Carmen’s cheek. “So, are you in labor?”
“Yes, but I’m eating first.” She shoved a bite of potato salad into her mouth as everyone laughed.
Miguel held up his hands. “Don’t worry, everyone! I can deliver the baby, if needed.”
“Like hell you will!” Carmen said around bites of pork roast as everyone laughed.
Juan watched his wife suspiciously but sat beside her with his daughter on his lap at the ready. “Well, everyone! I think we’d better say grace before my wife eats everything.”
Carmen playfully hit his arm. “Thanks a lot!”
“Why didn’t you say anything?” Juan asked, concern filling his eyes.
Carmen shrugged. “This is Zain’s last night here, and I didn’t want him to spend it at the hospital.”
“It doesn’t matter if we’re here or at the hospital,” Zain said, taking his seat between Jasmine and Carmen. “As long as we’re together.”
Carmen stopped eating mid-bite and stared at him. Then burst out laughing again. “Yeah, right.”
“Miguel, would you say the blessing so we can eat and go to the hospital?” Maria asked, rolling her eyes.
“Let’s do it!” Miguel sat across from Zain and Jasmine and said a beautiful blessing over the meal, but ended it with, “Also, please protect the new little one coming into the world and let his mother make it to the hospital on time so I don’t have to deliver it. Amen!”
“Amen!” everyone said in unison, laughing.
Throughout the meal, Jasmine and Zain stole glances at each other, knowing this would be the last night with his family before they set off on their big adventure. Their eyes met as they smiled, a mixture of excitement, anticipation, and a little fear. Jasmine just hoped they were doing the right thing and that everything would work out.
But whether it was the right thing or not, it was what they were going to do. Somehow, marrying Zain—even if it would only be for the weekend—would make him hers forever and their relationship more real, no matter where their lives took them over the next year… or two.
Jasmine looked around the table, and Maria had cooked enough food for an army. Besides the hamburgers, hotdogs, and roast pork, there was a big pot of jambalaya; a spicy, tomatoey dish with sausage, peppers, and onions; and salad shrimp. She had also made macaroni and cheese and a salad with lots of fresh vegetables. And for dessert, she had made praline pie. Jasmine had discovered earlier that Carmen had brought over a big pot of a spicy yellow rice dish with lamb, potatoes, carrots, and cardamom. Maria had also cooked kebabs and a massive plate of raita, a yogurt-based sauce.
“So, what’s the first thing you’re going to do when you get back to college?” Raphael asked, giving Zain a mischievous look as he took another sip of his beer.
“I’m not sure,” Zain smiled as he took Jasmine’s hand under the table. “I haven’t thought that far ahead yet.”
Excitement filled the air, along with the scent of the delicious food.
“I can’t believe you cooked all of this!” Jasmine said, looking over the table.
“I cooked the Yuka con Mojo and the yellow rice dish!” Carmen teased, raising her hand and then winced in pain.
“Okay.” Juan stood up, threw his napkin on the table, and scooped his wife into his arms. “You’re going to the hospital.”
“No, not before dessert!” she yelled as Juan carried her toward the door.
Juan looked over at Zain and raised an eyebrow. “Will you bring Sylvia?”
Zain laughed. “Don’t worry. I’ve got her. Go! We’re right behind you.”
Maria hurried to her daughter’s side and kissed her cheek. “Good luck. We’ll be right there.”
“Thanks, Mommy!” she yelled as another pain gripped her.
“I swear if you waited too long and I have to deliver our baby in the car, I’ll never forgive you!”
Everyone laughed as they followed behind. One thing Jasmine wished was that her own family was as close as Zain’s.
***
**A/N: What do you think will happen next? Will Jasmine and Zain make it to Las Vegas?**