Best Mistake

"You seem a little nervous," I laughed as I glanced at Alex.

He was gripping the steering wheel so tightly, his knuckles were turning white. Thankfully he'd taken the time to make sure I was ok before getting back in the car so I could give him coherent directions to my dads house.

He looked over at me, forcing a small smiled. "I got you pregnant and I'm about to meet your dad. I think that's a good reason for being nervous."

I laughed again, shaking my head. "I'm telling you, he's gonna be ok with it."

Alex sighed heavily and drove into town. He slowed to a stop at a stop sign and looked around.

"Are there no stop lights?" he asked.

I shook my head, giggling a little.

"Your dad literally lives in Smalltown, USA."

"He lives on the outskirts of it," I laughed, pointing to my left. "Turn here."

After about ten more minutes, Alex was slowing down to turn into my dads bumpy driveway. He glanced over at me nervously.

"I bet he owns a lot of guns," he said quietly.

"I think he's at about twenty now," I shrugged.

Alex groaned noisily as he put the car in park. I laughed a little, rubbing his hand to ease his nerves. I opened my door to get out when I heard the screen door slam from inside the screened in porch. I looked up, seeing my dad walking to the other door that leads outside.

"Daddy," I whispered and hopped out the car.

"Hey Whit Whit!" my dad yelled, opening the door.

"Hey daddy!" I yelled back, moving quickly into his embrace.

He hugged me tightly and kissed the top of my head. "It's good to see you," he said, his southern accent thick.

"You too," I smiled and backed away.

My dad could be pretty oblivious, so it was no surprise to me that he didn't notice the large bump protruding from my stomach until after he'd met Alex. When he did, he gasped and pointed at it.

"You're pregnant?!" he asked, looking from me to Alex.

"Yes sir," I laughed.

My dad laughed in excitement and slapped Alex on the back. He was pretty heavy handed and I realized I forgot to warn Alex of that when he winced.

"Is it a boy or a girl?" he giggled.

"Boy," Alex grinned.

"Hot damn, another grandson," my dad beamed. "When's the due date?"

"July 15th."

"Well shit," my dad huffed. "You couldn't tell nobody?"

"I was hoping I'd have the chance to tell you in person," I shrugged.

My dad nodded, shrugging back. "It is what it is. But I'm thrilled for you two. Congratulations! Y'all come on in, make yourselves at home."

We followed into the house through the small kitchen, then the living room, and finally the living room where we sat on the couch. I let Alex and my dad talk to get to know each other, and I was very happy once Alex seemed to be easing up a bit. I caught him steal glances at my dads gun cabinet every now and then, and I'd squeeze his hand to relax him.

My dad was a pretty simple person that hardly ever left town. He was fascinated by Alex's profession and asked about all of the perks of being in a successful band.

"Damn," my dad said after Alex finished telling him about Rio. "Farthest I've ever been away from home is Myrtle Beach."

"Well maybe sometime we can all get together and go on a trip somewhere," Alex shrugged.

"I really wanna go to New York," my dad said excitedly.

I scoffed. "Really? Daddy, you'd get so lost up there in that big city."

He shrugged. "I'll just camp outside the studio where Kelly Ripa films and I'll be happy."

Alex and I both laughed, then Alex started telling my dad all about New York. I'd never been either, so I was pretty fascinated by what Alex was saying too.

"Well how about that?" my dad said. "Finally got me a son in law that'll take me to the big city."

I felt the blood drain from my face when my dad said "son in law". I hadn't filled him in on the status of mine and Alex's relationship yet, or lack there of. I wanted to see if Alex's reaction was similar, but I was too scared to look at him.

"So where's Traci?" I asked, desperately needing a subject change.

My dad pulled out his old flip phone, looking over the brim of his glasses at the time. "She should be back any minute now. She went to the store to get supper."

I nodded, finally looking over at Alex. He smiled at me, and I felt a wave of relief was over me.

"What's she making?" I asked.

"Beer Can Chicken, broccoli and cheese casserole, yellow rice, and Aunt Annie Ruth's biscuits," my dad said, winking.

My mouth instantly watered. I hadn't had a nice, southern, home cooked meal in so long, I was suddenly starving thinking about it.

"Beer Can Chicken?" Alex asked from beside me.

"You'll see," I laughed.

Traci was soon home with the groceries. I introduced her to Alex and she congratulated us on the pregnancy. I sat at the table with her for a little bit and she gave me tips and pointers on motherhood, for which I was extremely grateful.

I walked out to the porch where my dad was showing Alex how he makes Beer Can Chicken.

"All you need is salt, pepper, an eighteen ounce can of beer, and a whole chicken," my dad said.

Alex nodded, watching intently. My dad sprinkled the salt and pepper over the chicken, coating it evenly. He then opened the beer, took a sip, and shoved the can up the chickens butt. Alex's eyes widened in horror.

"Fuck," he muttered.

"Right?" my dad asked, bursting with laughter. "But it make some damn good meat."

My dad and Alex sat around the grill while the chicken cooked. I offered to help Traci in the kitchen, but she refused. With nothing to do and a desire to give the men privacy in hopes that they'd bond, I layed on the couch to watch some tv. I was unaware that I'd fallen asleep until Alex woke me up, crouching in front of me.

"Hey," he smiled, brushing some of my hair out of my face.

I stretched and yawned. "What time is it?"

"Its almost seven. You hungry?"

I nodded and he helped me off the couch. I wobbled a little once I was standing - I still hadn't gotten used to the misproportionate weight distribution from my belly.

We sat around the table and ate, and Alex declared Beer Can Chicken to be the best chicken he'd ever eaten. My dad beamed with pride.

After dinner I insisted on helping Traci clean. My dad and Alex went back outside and I was putting the last clean dish away when I heard Alex groan loudly. I hurried out the door, seeing my dad laughing and pointing at Alex, who was sweating.

"What's going on?!" I asked, quickly moving to Alex's side.

Alex started laughing, too, catching deep breaths when he could. He pointed to an open jar of moon shine on the picnic table and shook his head.

"Never tried it before. Never trying it again," he said with a shake of his head.

My dad was coughing from laughing so hard. "I guess I should have told you to sip, not rip," he said.

Alex nodded, wiping sweat from his forehead. I mildly glared at my dad. It wasn't a very nice prank, but it was kind of funny.

"Are you ok?" I asked Alex, trying to hold in a laugh.

He rolled his eyes, a smile slowly forming on his lips. "Go ahead and laugh," he said.

With Alex's blessing, I joined my dad in loud, uncontrollable laughter. I was glad when Alex started laughing, too.

Traci came out of the house, holding her cup of Crown and Coke and a beer that she handed to Alex. "Chase it with this," she smiled. "It kills the burn."

Alex eagerly took the can and opened it, chugging. He sighed with relief, thanking Traci.

"Consider that your punishment for impregnating my daughter out of wedlock," my dad chuckled once he'd finally calmed down.

Alex nodded, taking another sip from his beer. "If that's the worst I'm gonna get, I'll take it."

We sat outside for a couple of hours. My dad, Alex, and Traci continued to drink while I sat sipping on tea. I was a little jealous, but very content seeing my dad and Alex bonding.

My dad turned on the radio, switching the station to the Classic Country Jukebox. Alex really seemed to be enjoying himself, and I was surprised by how many old country songs he knew.

My dad was absolutely tickled when "Friends In Low Places" by Garth Brooks came on and Alex started singing along. I was pretty amazed, too. I laughed and listened as they drunkenly sang along, lifting their beers when Garth sang the word "oasis".

Traci decided to go to bed and told us all good night before walking back in the house. I yawned loudly, considering doing the same.

"So what's his name gonna be?" my dad asked, turning the radio down.

Alex and I looked at each other and shrugged.

"Johnny's a good name," my dad said, winking.

Alex laughed really loud. "Little Johnny Gaskarth."

My dad laughed with him. "Hey, kinda flows, doncha think?"

I rolled my eyes, shaking my head. "We are not naming him Johnny."

Alex gasped, turning his head towards me. "Whitney! We haven't even talked about this. What are we going to name our son?!"

I stood up and ruffled his hair a little. "We'll talk about this later. Meanwhile, I'm going to bed."

I walked over to my dad and gave him a hug. Alex stood as I walked over to him.

"Do I need to come with you?" he asked.

"No," I shook my head. "I'll be ok. You stay out here as long as you'd like."

He nodded and kissed me quickly before I walked inside and went to the guest bedroom Alex and I were staying in. I changed into some pajamas and noticed I could still hear them talking through the window. Shamelessly, I cracked the window open to eavesdrop, catching the tail end of Alex saying, "but yeah, she's great."

There was a moment of silence before my dad said, "So you ready for parenthood?"

Alex paused before saying, "I guess I have to be, huh?"

"Yeah," my dad laughed. "He's coming whether you're ready or not. Are you scared or something?"

"I don't know," Alex sighed. "I'm excited for him to be here. I just don't know what to do from there. I don't wanna fuck anything up."

"All soon-to-be fathers are worried about that. It helps if you've got a good woman by your side to help you through it," my dad said.

"I guess I'm set then," Alex replied, and I smiled.

"Y'all are going to be just fine. You got each other. Its going to be stressful at first, but once you get the hang of things, it's a gravy train."

Alex laughed. "Thanks Mr. Johnny."

"You're welcome, son," my dad said, yawning. "I think I'm gonna turn in for the night, too."

I quickly shut the window and climbed into bed, pulling the sheets around me. Alex was soon tip toeing through the door, shutting it quietly behind him. He smiled when he saw me and tip toes to the bed.

"So I'm a little drunk," he said, falling down beside me.

I laughed. "Yeah, I noticed that," I said, laying down.

He frowned quickly. "I'm sorry."

"It's ok," I laughed again. "I'm just glad you had a good time with my dad."

Alex smiled and got under the covers with me. "I did. He's awesome, we talked about-"

I cut him off with a loud gasp. The baby was pushing against my stomach, and it felt like he was trying to get out. It was a very odd feeling, but it made my heart swell to feel him being so active. I rested my hand on my stomach, smiling a little.

"What?" Alex asked.

I took his hand and placed it on my stomach. He looked at me with risen eyebrows, clearly not understanding what caught my attention. I waited patiently for a few seconds before the baby kicked again, and Alex jumped.

"What was that?" he asked.

"It was him," I smiled.

I saw the breath leave Alex's lungs. He stared down at my stomach in amazement.

"Oh," he whispered. "Oh wow."

I smiled at him as he moved his hand around my stomach, feeling for another kick. When it happened, he smiled wide.

"Oh my god," he laughed. He looked so happy.

I watched him as he layed down next to me and rested his head above my bump. He cradled the bottom of it in his arm.

"Hey little guy," he whispered. "I'm your dad."

As I layed there with Alex, listening to him talk to our son, I felt so happy. It was moments like that made me sure Alex was going to be a great father.

I listened to him mumble a few more words before he was lightly snoring. I brushed his hair out of his face a soon felt myself drifting to sleep as well.

Notes