Chapter Three | Halloween Party

tookie ✓
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tookie Cinderella 👑✨
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I'm throwing a Halloween party, and let me tell you, it's
more chaotic than I ever anticipated. The energy in my house is wild—kids are darting around, shrieking with excitement, while the adults mingle, their laughter blending into a muffled hum.

It's a colorful blur of costumes, decorations, and, of course, sugar. I didn't even think to invite Jonathan or his family; that was Jora's doing. She's fully embraced her daddy's girl persona and now here I am, stuck hosting a family reunion for people I barely know.

"Nice house," Jacob comments, balancing two plates stacked high with food.

I nod, feeling a wave of pride mixed with overwhelm. "Thank you," I manage, but the words feel hollow amidst the chaos.

The backyard is swarming with bodies—children giggling, adults chatting, and the smell of sweet treats wafting through the air.

"I told you, his family is super close," Reeva says, licking icing off her cupcake.

I can't help but sigh. "It's only been a week, Reeva."

"Hey, Samoans are friendly. They only need an hour with you before they claim you as family," she retorts, grinning.

Everywhere I look, there are Halloween-themed delights. I went all out for this—balloon arches, a slime-making station, and a mountain of pumpkins. My backyard is practically a haunted carnival, with fake cobwebs and witch hats draping from the trees, while a massive purple, black, and orange balloon arch towers beside the pool.

Ghost and spider inflatables bob gently in the breeze, and the arts-and-crafts table is loaded with supplies: slime-making, pumpkin decorating, spooky gingerbread houses, and canvas painting. Inside, my dining room is decked out in bat balloons and a shimmering silver arch that reads, "Happy Halloween."

I ordered nearly every sweet imaginable from the Cake Gourmet Sugar Service—cupcakes, cake pops, candy apples, mini donuts, rice crispy treats, and cookies.

The custom candy wall? Let's just say it could give Willy Wonka a run for his money. Yet, as I survey the scene, I feel a familiar knot of anxiety forming in my stomach.

"Are you okay?" Trinity asks, concern etching her features. I wave her off, forcing a smile. "I'm okay, just a little overwhelmed." I step away, needing a moment to breathe.

As I navigate through the crowd, I catch glimpses of the costumes. Most are low-key, but I went all out as Cinderella. I feel a little silly, but it's my party, so why not? Trinity rushes off to find Reeva, and my phone buzzes in my pocket. I ignore it for now, too wrapped up in the moment—or the chaos, rather.

Moments later, I'm cornered in the bathroom, clutching the edge of the sink. The nausea hits hard, and before I know it, I'm throwing up. Great, just what I needed on my big night.

Kayla finds me first, rubbing my back while I lean over the toilet. "What's wrong? Is it your anxiety? Go get her some water!" she instructs Reeva, who's just outside.

I flush the toilet and crawl over to the sink, rinsing my mouth out. "What's wrong, Tookie?" Kayla asks gently, her voice full of concern. I groan inwardly, debating whether to share the truth. Can I trust her to keep it a secret?

"Tookie, talk to me," she insists, her hand still soothing my back.

"Okay. Okay, I'm pregnant," I finally admit, the weight of the words heavy in the air.

Reeva gasps, nearly dropping the glass of water she just fetched. "What?!"

"Oh my God! Scream some more so everyone can come running over here," I mutter, a mix of irritation and humor in my voice.

"Tookie, did you just say you're pregnant?" Reeva's eyes are wide, shock painted across her face.

"Yes, I'm thirteen weeks, okay? And yes, I used his sperm. No, I'm not telling him yet because I don't even know if he's going to stick around for real."

Kayla shoots me a look that's part disbelief, part concern. "Tookie, do you not see how Jonathan is right now? He's going to stick. That man doesn't play about his kids. You need to give him a chance."

Reeva nods vigorously in agreement. "So, what? I'm supposed to accept it?" I asked.

"Yes!" they both shout at the same time.

"And love it, because you know how we grew up. We got lucky to have Phil in our lives, so let your kids enjoy that with Jonathan," Reeva adds, her voice steady.

I sigh heavily, the weight of their words hitting me. "We need Papa Phil to come talk some sense into her," Kayla says, and I groan.

"No, leave him out of it! He'll get on the mic and announce it to the whole room!" I can already picture it—the embarrassment flooding over me.

"Okay then, act like you got some sense," Kayla says with a teasing smile.

"Wait, are you having twins? Is that why your boobs have been looking extra perky?" Reeva asks, a mischievous glint in her eyes.

"I was just about to ask if you got them done, but now I know your ass is just pregnant," Kayla jokes, and I roll my eyes, unable to suppress a smile.

"At this rate, Tookie will have all the kids for us," Reeva laughs.

"Right? I might not need to pop one out when I can just come and borrow one from Tookie," Kayla chimes in, and I can't help but laugh despite everything.

"Fuck y'all," I say, shaking my head.

"Oh, she's feeling better now," Reeva quips just as Jora bursts in.

"Momma, daddy is looking for you. He said something about letting a few people sleep over," she announces excitedly.

"Sleepover!" Reeva and Kayla exclaim, jumping to their feet.

"Let me go claim my room," Kayla rushes out, followed by Reeva, who chases after her.

"Can daddy stay over, mommy, please?" Jora pleads, her big eyes sparkling.

I nod, feeling my heart swell. "Yes, he can, but you better clean up your room because you're sharing with one of your cousins tonight."

Jora cheers, throwing her arms around me. "Oh, and mommy, your secret is safe with me!" she adds before bolting out of the bathroom.

I lean against the sink, the exhaustion of the day hitting me hard. I don't have the energy to deal with all of this.

With a deep breath, I sink to the bathroom floor, feeling the cool tiles against my skin.

The world blurs around me, and before I know it, I've drifted off to sleep, overwhelmed yet somehow comforted by the chaos and love surrounding me.