The Pumpkin Was Stuffed_A Holiday Family Novella by Tara Sivec

Author:Tara Sivec [Sivec, Tara]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Swerve
Published: 2018-04-02T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter 7: Smell These Pills

Noel

I’m setting a small, carved pumpkin in the middle of a table when a Braxton Hicks contraction hits me. I grab my stomach and focus on my breathing.

“You okay?”

I nod at Scheva as she walks over, taking a few deep breaths until the tightness in my belly finally goes away.

“I’m fine. Just getting these stupid things more and more lately,” I tell her, glancing around the yard and changing the subject. “This place looks amazing. We did a pretty awesome job.”

Scheva smiles in agreement as we take in the transformation of my parents’ backyard. Since Scheva’s parents suck and couldn’t be bothered to come home from their vacation in Barbados for the wedding, naturally my parents immediately agreed to have the wedding here. Scheva and Alex rented the same giant white tent that Sam and I used for our wedding. Underneath it is a bunch of round tables with dark brown tablecloths. In the center of each tablecloth is a cluster of fake leaves in every fall color, and nestled on those are jack-o’-lanterns containing candles we’ll light right before the guests arrive, in two days. We decided to set everything up today, instead of tomorrow, so we won’t be exhausted rushing around the day before the wedding, scrambling to get everything ready.

My dad, Alex, and Sam strung orange lights all around the ceiling of the tent, and bows made from orange and brown plaid fabric are tied around the backs of all the chairs. My mom and Aunt Bobbie are currently sticking black wrought-iron stakes into the ground all around the outer edge of the tent. The stakes are topped with small orange-glass pumpkins, which will also hold lit candles.

It’s beautiful and not over-the-top crazy with decorations, like I initially imagined it would be when Scheva announced she wanted a Halloween wedding.

“Honey, are you okay? You look a little pale,” my mom states as she walks up next to us with a box of treat bags for us to start putting at every place setting.

“Just some Braxton Hicks contractions, I’m fine.”

I’m exhausted is what I am. Sam, true to his word, brought out all of my Halloween decorations the other day, and I immediately went to work putting out pumpkins and ghosts, hanging leaf garlands from every doorway, and stringing orange and purple lights wherever I could find room. And now I’ve been here all day, helping Scheva get ready for her wedding when what I really want to do is take a nap with a giant container of cookie-dough ice cream.

Mom sets the box down on the table in front of us and gives me a stern look.

“You should be taking it easy. Didn’t you learn anything in that What to Expect When You’re Expecting book I gave you at the start of your pregnancy?”

“Yes. I learned not to jump on a trampoline, smoke meth, or handle a firearm while pregnant,” I deadpan.

“All excellent suggestions,” Scheva muses.

“Did you read the chapter about having more

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