Chapter 3: The Awkward Family Meeting

You could say little has happened in the past week; I had told Drew. We then decided he should move in to help with the baby. His reaction was better than I thought it would be, actually. He took it well.... I know he's not ready. But I'm not either, so why should I criticize him?

Oh, there's something I should mention. This monster is Beauty. Same name as me, actually. Belle is short for Bellezza, which is Italian for Beauty.... Anyways; Drew's an animal lover, and I'm a cat person.

The BOOM. We have a kitten.

The baby's room is a bit dull, I know. But we tried to make it match the house and do it in as little funds as possible.

Pregnancy's a little.... Stressful. It's magical but it makes me moody and I can tell Drew isn't a fan of that. We haven't even told our parents yet. We've been planning on it. I'm just scared to know how my mother's gonna take it. Last time we spoke we weren't really the nicest to each other.


And she'll probably take it WORSE than I think. Considering that me and Drew aren't necessarily a couple, even though we act like one. It's a confusing relationship.

"Don't be scared," he tells me. "It won't go as bad as you think it will."


"You don't know that...."


"Do you really think she'll snap in front of me?" Drew asks. "Or my mother?"


I think for a second. "I have no idea."


"C'mon, we have to tell them one day." Why was he so perfect? How the hell did I think he was just some stuck-up jock?

He kisses me like he means it, like he feels something for me. I don't know if he does, or if he's trying to make me feel like it. Either way works for me; these kisses were worth it.

My hearts racing. How will my mother take it? How will Drew's? God, I wish this was already over with.

After the introductions we just sit down and talk. My mother doesn't look happy at all, but I don't care.


"Hey, um...." I start. "Mom, Amber. Me and Drew have some news."

"Yes, dear?" Amber says. She seems like one of the nice old lady's you only see in movies. Maybe she was? She could be like my mother for all I know.

Drew's the next one to speak. "Belle and I are having a child together." He was calm about this. CALM. Oh, how I wanted to just collapse into his arms right there. He was confident.

"You're kidding, right?" Mother has the most dreadful voice in the room. "Someone actually knocked you up? Did you drug him or something?"

You have no idea how bad I wanted to smack her right then. Everybody had a moment of silence.

To my surprise, Drew reacted to her. "Don't talk about Belle that way. She's a great girl."

"I've lived with her for 16 years." She says. "Don't tell me how to treat my daughter."

"18. She's 18, not 16."

She stares him down for a couple seconds, then looks back at me. "How did this happen? Did this boy rape you? Don't lie to me."

"Mom, no!" I exclaim. "It was our choice!" There was another awkward silence. An abnormally awkward silence. I felt my palms moisten and started to feel uncomfortable.

"When's the wedding?" Amber asks.

We all stare at her. Wedding? Like, man marry girl? Drew marry me? MARRIAGE? I can't get married. No way. Not happening. My -- Our baby would be fine without married parents, right? We'd just have a ring on our finger. Marriage is too much for me to handle right now.

"You can't have a baby with her and not get married, am I correct?" She says.

I stare at Drew in desperation. My eyes asked "What are we suppose to say?" and his say "I don't know." Reading eyes was something we accidently picked up after he moved in. Moments of silence were too common in our household, it just happened. =

"We wer -- We never thought of getting married." I hated to dissapoint Amber.

"We never really paid attention to the thought of marriage. I guess it never came up." I look at Drew again.

Amber shifts uncomfortably in her seat. "Well darling, think of it now! My son is not having a child without getting married. I don't want my grandchild to grow up with unmarried parents."

Drew looks at Amber. "Mom...."

"Drew, honey. I know marriage is a tough decision but it's for the best."

I'm still looking at Drew, studying his eyes. My mother looks at Amber. "I don't want my daughter getting married." I shoot up in my seat and stare at her defiantly. "Marriage brings heartbreak." I hated her for bringing her own marriage experience into mine. I'm pretty sure the majority of marriages don't end with cheaters.

"I've been married for 47 years. Never once have we had any big conflict."

I could sense the envy my mother had towards Amber.

I spoke up again. "Mom, you can't control my life. I'll get married if I want to get married. Okay?"

If it was just me and her in the room she'd slap me. She'd slap me so hard I'd have a red mark for days. She hates it when I'm defiant.

It looked like she was about to kill somebody. "She's not getting married."

Drew moved his gaze up to me and his eyes showed love. Love. "Can we have a say in this?" He asked. "Because this is our decision."

Amber smiles. "Of course, dear."

"Belle, let's get married."

From what started as lust turned into love, I never knew this would happen. I never expected it. He wanted to get married, he really did. So why not? I think I might actually be in love with this man.

Amber loved the idea. My mom.... not so much. Drew's mother was the next to speak. "Wonderful! Belle? How do you feel about this?" In a way she reminded me of Yumi, my Realtor. She was so sweet and full of consideration.

"I don't see why not." I was surprised that I didn't stutter at the fact of me agreeing to marriage. This was it.

Me and Drew are getting married.

***

I had the strangest dream that night. I was with a unicorn. A unicorn. And I was petting it. It's mane was like silk and it was glowing like nothing I've seen before. It made me feel.... at a daze. But then something happened.

It stamped at me. The horse was showing nothing but hate. I tried to back away, but it just came closer. My heart started pounding and I was feeling faint. I backed away faster and faster, about to run. Suddenly I couldn't move my feet and I was locked there.

Then the horse did something to me. It lifted me up in the air and I couldn't see. It felt like I was being surrounded by fire and hatred. My body's temperature shot up and I thought I was on fire, trapped where no one could get me.

But soon I felt safe. Drew had woken me up and he seemed horrified. What had happened to me?

He ran outside and I hate no choice but to follow. Turns out there was a fire by the pond. It makes no sense, really. How would the tree's spontaneously catch on fire? It didn't matter, then. It was around 3am and we were too petrified to call anybody.

Drew brought the fire extinguisher and let it out, he was saving us. He was truly a hero in my mind.

***

We spoke nothing of the fire the next morning. He watched me play my piano and I heard him humming to the familiar tunes.

Not to my surprise, he was the first to speak up that morning. "Lets go out tonight."

"What?" I smiled.

"I want to take you on a proper date, I already have the whole thing planned. C'mon, it'll be fun."

I pretty much pampered myself throughout the whole day. Long showers, nail attempts, hair and makeup perfection. I've looked my worse around Drew but today he had to see me look good. My stomach was full of butterflies all day, I couldn't wait until our date! You could say I got a bit too excited, but I didn't show it.

***

The evening arrived and he drove me to the beach. As soon as I saw what was happening I covered my mouth and tummy in pure awe.

"Our first proper date." He said. Oh, it was so beautiful. I loved every bit of it. The radio played simple love songs and our only light source were little candles. I knew tonight was going to be perfect.

"Drew you didn't have --"

"Yes, I did. I want you to know that I'm not just here for the baby; I'm here for you, too."

"Thank you." I felt myself near tears. "Thank you so much. It's beautiful."

"So are you." I didn't deserve to have this man in my life.

We sat down under two cherry tree's and devoured the salad Drew prepared for us. "It looks delicious." I say.

"Hopefully it's as good as it looks." He smiles.

After taking a bite I just tell him "It is" and we continue on with our dinner. Making small talk was our specialty, me and Drew were so much alike we could talk about anything. I've known him for such little time but it seems like forever.

When we were finished he started to get up. "Where are you going?" I asked.

"To dance. Care to join?" How could I say no?

"Marry me." He said.

"No." I joke and smile.

"Why not?" We were both smiling. "I'm not that bad, are I?"

"You are just repulsive." I say. "I only need someone to help pay rent."

"Funny." He tells me. "I guess this doesn't make us a couple, does it? Since you're just mooching off of me."

"Not necessarily...."

He looks into my eyes playfully and grins. "So we are a couple?"

"As long as you say so." Did this just happen, or did Drew really become my boyfriend? I've never had a boyfriend before. My tummy was full of butterflies.

"Then marry me."

"I'll marry you on one condition."

"Anything."

"Don't be like my dad."

Chapter Two: Birthday Presents

First of all, I want to thank all of you. The amount of readers is increasing far better then I expected, so thanks. c:

Oh, and this chapter is longer than I intended it to be. So.... yeah. >.>

***

"I love the house." I say. "Thank you for waiting until my birthday, it means so much."

"No problem!" The Realtor says on the other line. "Think of it as our birthday gift to you."

This is the house I'm going to buy when I turn 18. I'll be living here in just a week. My birthday is in 2 days though, but I still need to pack. I haven't even told my mother yet.

"I guess I'll stop by some time next week?" I ask.

"We'll let you know when a final date is settled."

We then hang up the phone, I love this house. It's already furnished and its only 14,000. I have money saved up from my childhood and my job at the library. She's asking for a little price, I've offered to pay more but she insists on this price.

***

2 days seems to go by fast, especially when it's your birthday. It's been about 2 weeks since the dance and I couldn't have felt better. I haven't felt a single spark of regret. But today's my birthday. Today I turn 18.

Before I know it, my candles are blown out. The familiar sparkles will soon surround me and I'll be the age I've been waiting for my entire life.

My mother is sitting at the table, she's not cheering or even smiling. She's just watching. I guess it's better than just having her hide alone in her room.

Soon the sparkles are around me. I love the feeling, it makes me feel like a kid again. But I'm not. I'm an adult. A mature, young adult.

"It's okay, right?" I ask my mother. "What do you think?"

She sits in silence for a moment, and looks down. "You've grown into a very.... wonderful woman."

At least she's making progress, that's the best compliment she's given me in 8 years.

She gets up and I walk over to her. This is the time I tell her.

"Hey, um.... I have some news."

"Well what is it?"

"I found a house about 15 minutes from here," I start. "The Realtor said she'd hold it for me until I'm ready. I have the money saved up and I'm planning on moving in later this week."

"What?"

"It's great, isn't it?"

Her reaction isn't what I expected.

"You're LEAVING me!?" She screams. "After all we've been through!?"

"Mom, it's --"

"I'm you're god damn mother!"

"Please.... Please don't get mad." I try to be comforting. "I just think I"m ready to be on my own, I promise I'll visit."

"What have I done?" She's getting louder. "Did I do something wrong? Why did you choose this!?"

"I -- I just --" I can't say anything without saying the wrong thing.

"I've cared for you." She spat. "For the past 18 years. And you're throwing that all away?"

"18 years!?" I'm yelling. "You've done NOTHING for the past 8! His affair couldn't have brought you down this much! You could've been a mother."

"Stop acting like this is my fault." She said, anger in her voice. "You're the reason he cheated."


"We both know that's not true...."

"He said it was YOU!" She was screeching.

"He also said he loved you." I regretted that as soon as I said it.

"You're a disgrace for a daughter."

"At least I care about this family!" I screamed.

I just ran out of the house after that. I couldn't take it anymore. It felt like I'd been running for hours, and it probably was. But I got to where I wanted.

The house.

I pulled out my phone and dialed. "Sunset Realtor, this is Yumi Sekemoto's office. How may I assist you?"

"May I speak with Yumi, please?"

"Yes, just a moment."

"T -- Thank you." I'm shaking, I'm not crying. But I'm shaking.

It takes a moment for her to get on the phone. "This is Yumi."


"Hi, um.... it's Belle. I'm sorry to bother you but I need to speak to you about this house."

"Oh, Belle!" She says, she's all cheery. "Anything you need, dear. Now what is it?"

"I'm having some personal issues with my mother at the moment....." I explain. "It got a little out of control and I was wondering if I could use the house tonight. I'm sorry I just really need a place to stay."

"That'd be okay, darling. Feel free to use it as long as you want."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, I'm sure. You've been a dear to me, I couldn't just turn you down." She says. "Just as long as you sign the papers by Monday. Would that be okay?"

"I can do that, thank you so much."


"Happy birthday." She says, then hangs up the phone.

I admit the house is a bit dull, but I love it anyways. I can't believe how lucky I am to have a Realtor like Yumi, she's too kind. I don't think anybody else would let me stay here before buying it.

I sit on the bed, thinking about what just happened. My mother didn't want me to go. She's been avoiding me for almost a decade, but once I decide to leave she freaks out.

I still don't see why she blamed me for the affair. How could a daughter lead him to cheat? Personally I believe the wife would cause it, but they were so in love. It all makes no sense.

I shake my head and think about the house. The structure, the furniture....

I think about the keyboard in the living room. My mother use to play, so did my grandmother. I remember listening to them play together. I know a couple lullabies my mother taught me, back when she was happy.

I find myself walking towards it, I couldn't let it go to waste. It'd be a waste of money and space, wouldn't it?

The seats cold, but I don't care. I still let my hands dance along the keys and make countless mistakes. The sound filled the room, it felt good. It makes up for my loneliness.

I end up looking out of the window, has that much time passed already? I needed to get out of this house. I need some fresh air.

Central Park was my destination, there were people there. But I didn't mind, well that was until I saw somebody in particular.

Drew.

It wasn't long until he saw me, too.

He walked over and we shook hands.

"Hey." He said casually.

"Hi." I say, but it was more awkward than casual.

"I was gonna call you, but I couldn't find you're number...." He said.

Oh, sure, couldn't find it. More like he didn't want to. "Bummer." I say.

"Yeah." He paused for a second. "How about we go out to the Bistro? My treat."

I suddenly believed him about losing my number. Why would he ask me out to dinner if he didn't like me? I had no choice but to say yes.

***

"So how have you been?" He asks during our meal.

"I've been okay, how about you?"

"Good. I aged up last week, and I'm getting my own place soon."

"Oh, cool." I say. "I actually aged up today. And got a new place, too...."

"Wow, all in one day."

"Yep."

There was this awkward silence, well until he decided to break it. "So can I see it?"

"My place?"

"Yeah."

"....Sure." We both smiled, then got up and left.

***

We made no rush to do what we wanted to do. It was clear to both of us.

"You like the house?" I ask.

"So far, I think I'd be most interested in the bedroom." He says. "Well, if that's okay with you."

(Blargh, aren't I just awesome at set-ups? Note the sarcasm. xD - Your fellow author)

He then pulled me into a kiss. A long, beautiful kiss. I could tell tonight wouldn't be as nerve-wracking as the first but I know it'd still count. I didn't know what to label me and Drew, we weren't in a relationship. But I couldn't say Friends With Benefits because we weren't exactly friends. This was all too confusing, but I liked it.

Drew let me sleep in his arms that night like he did the first time, I felt.... wanted. It was like no feeling I've ever had before.

The first thing I did when I woke up was make salad, I know it's not a breakfast food. But I was having cravings. Drew was still over, I suspected he was in the bathroom.

We ate our food in peace. It wasn't an awkward silence, actually. I felt it kind of comforting.

I was about halfway into my salad when I felt it coming back up. I ran into the bathroom and knelt down in front of the toilet.

This made me feel bad in two ways. The first; this wasn't my toilet yet. And the second; I could've gotten Drew sick, too.

After my vomiting session, I didn't feel as bad. I just felt guilty. I know I wasn't sick before this morning, but he could've still gotten it.

"Hey, I'm sorry." I tell him. "I think it's best you leave.... I don't want to get you sick."

"Are you sure? I don't want to leave you here."

Drew didn't only want me for sex, what he said made me realize that. He actually cared about me.

"I'll be fine, I'm already starting to feel better. I promise that I'll call you later, though."

"Okay, get better soon. Promise?"

"Promise."


***

I looked into the mirror later that day, then I noticed my streaks were fading. I thought about re-dying them, and that's exactly what I did. I'm actually really serious about my hair, believe it or not. I always have to have a color in it.

After that, I just played my piano. My hair with fresh yellow streaks and my stomach feeling way better. I started to think about what happened earlier today, did he really care about me? Or was he just trying to be nice?


I admit both nights with Drew were FANTASTIC.... but what if he doesn't want to come back over when I threw up during his presence?


Then it hit me.

Around 2 weeks ago me and Drew had slept together for the first time. And today, just around the time my body could start showing pregnancy symptoms, I threw up. I never get sick. I'm begging God for this to be a coincidence.


I need one of those things, the tests. The pee-sticks. Fast.

I went to the first place I thought of first; The Grocery Store. I think I've seen those pee-sticks here before. I think. Oh god I hope the have them.


I walked up to the counter to find that they do, indeed, have those tests. I asked for one and the lady stared at me as if I was too young to get pregnant. But she let me buy one anyways.

This was my next destination. I was scared, oh so scared. But I needed to find out. I probably wasn't, but sickness wasn't just something that happened to me out of nowhere. Then again.... sex wasn't either.

This felt like the longest time I've ever been on the toilet. Just sitting there, peeing on a stick and waiting for results. I was shaking so much. I couldn't be pregnant, right? Like what if it's just historical? I've read about those.

The results aren't good.


Not good at all.

I'm having Drew's baby.


***


OHMYGODTHESUSPENSE.


I'm so weird >.>


But I snuck on the computer today. I'm grounded until Monday because of this whole thing I won't speak about. So.... yeah. I wanted to finish this post though.


Sorry for its.... longness. As dirty as that sounds.