Baby Daddy

Chapter Ten

When I get home, I find light spotting on my underwear and quickly discard it.

My hands are bruised and painful by the time I finish washing the stains off.

And as I sit in the bathroom, a whirlwind of emotions overpowers my senses and I find myself scrolling through google, searching for any plausible explanation to this.

But I don't.

Something chips at my heart as I bite on my finger nail. My foot is unsteady, tapping against the floor as I scroll further, reading.

It's all the same.

Miscarriage.

Ectopic pregnancy.

Cervical changes.

Since I'm still in my first trimester the worst I see is molar pregnancy.

I could have cancer instead of a baby. But the test were positive.

My face is wet before I even feel it, and I use my hand to clean up as sobs escape my lips.

I can't take this.

I try to calm my nerves, taking small, deep breaths but nothing works. I can feel it, stuck in my chest but I can't let it out.

It takes me forever to get my bearings, and when I do, I march around my room gathering some necessities. A few clothes enough for the weekend.

I change my clothes and pause when I find some pads stashed in the bathroom. I hesitate before grabbing them with a heavy heart.

I exchange Maddie's note on the fridge with mine, letting her know that I'll be back by Monday.

If I do decide to come back.

I manage to breathe when I lock the door to our apartment. In a matter of minutes I'm in a bus, on the way back home.

I can't help the smile growing on my face, a sense of relief and peace overcoming me as I watch the beautiful scenery pass us by.

It's like embracing a fresh start. When my hand hovers over my stomach, I look down and my eyes burn.

I quickly wipe away the tears falling down my cheeks and look out the window.

Luckily I'm seated alone and apart from the middle aged, dark skinned man two seats away, it's just me at the far end of the bus.

I take a deep breath, closing my eyes and envision it; a fresh start. At home, just the way it should've been.

It only takes me six hours to get home.

When I get to my childhood home, it's six thirty and dark but kids are still scattered around the streets; girls playing hop scotch and skipping rope while some boys race around with their bikes.

It brings back memories. Oh to be a child again. Not a single worry or stress to be burdened with.

I bite on my lip, contemplating whether to knock or just use the spare key hidden under the flower pot. After all, this is my home. I'm no stranger, and, it's only been like what, three months?

I only knock twice and immediately my mom's cheery face greets me with open arms.

"Kira," she beams, hugging me tightly.

"Hey mom." I smile, flinching and pulling the lower part of my body from her. Just like clock work, I start crying. "I missed you."

I feel cold when she pulls away, rolling her eyes as she pulls me into the house. It smells like lavender and laundry detergent in here.

"Aww, I missed you too sunshine but you were here what, a week ago?"

I roll my eyes and grumble,"Three months."

"I know that," she smiles cheekily, wrinkles forming at the corners of her lips. Then she cranes her neck and yells out for dad. "Sweetheart, guess who's here."

"Is it Logan?" He yells back, his voice muffled. Logan?

My heart skips a beat and I frown. Logan.

Mom catches on and shrugs, her lips pursed as she waves me off.

"He comes over every Saturday for soccer." She says nonchalantly.

Since when?

"But it's Thursday." And he's my ex. He has no purpose coming here. Who in their right mind does that?

"You're just in time for dinner." Mom says, letting go of my hands. "Put your bag upstairs and come help me."

The table is barely set when I walk into the dinning room. And food is far from ready, pots are still bubbling in the kitchen and mom is nowhere to be found. Only God knows when she'll reappear.

Just like that, I take over and start cooking and cleaning up.

Why do I even bother coming here?

It takes me about an hour to get dinner ready, I set the table for three and call everyone.

"Pumpkin!" Dad exclaims, arms wide open.

"Daddy!" I beam and jump into his embrace.

"What are you doing here?" He asks, sitting down.

"Oh you know," I laugh softly, "Just missed you guys."

"Well you're welcome home anytime," he smiles. "The food smells delightful."

Let's hope it tastes as good as it smells, I think to myself.

"So, how's Maddie?" Mom asks as she lightly chews on her food. I glance at my father as soon as she asks. I gulp, sensing the tension.

"Oh, she's okay. She just misses you guys." Then I smile, looking at dad. "She got an agent, this could be her big break."

I look down at my plate, and she's engaged. So am I.

I'm also pregnant.

I sigh.

Dinner is over in the nick of time. Both mom and dad, talk about their day throughout. I sit there, unable to eat or even look at the food I served myself.

Neither of them notice.

I excuse myself, head for my room and throw myself on the bed, feeling my heart break. My hand hovers over my stomach as I stare at the ceiling.

I don't feel anything out of place, and last time I checked, no more bleeding. What if I was just hallucinating?

I roll over and stare at Maddie's empty bed. What if I just move back home? For good this time. I could get a high paying job, better than the laundromat.

But what will I say to everyone?

Maddie? And Randall. Last time we were together, I told him I wasn't even sure about being pregnant. And then there's Reilly. Will he even care?

I feel a pinch in my hip, remembering the marriage contract in my bag.

Fuck that.

"Mom, can I borrow your laptop?" I asks before I even enter the kitchen.

She turns her head, looks me up and down, her brown eyes lingering, then she turns back to the dishes.

"Yeah, sure." She answers. "It's in the living room. But first balance the sheets please."

I groan, throwing my head back. I'm about to leave when curiosity gets the best of me.

"Hey mom, do you think bleeding is normal during pregnancy?"

This surely catches her attention. She turns around and leans against the sink her eyebrows furrowed.

"Yeah, a few women do." She says calmly with a shrug. "I bled a little in my first trimester when I was pregnant with your sister. But you need to get that checked out, professionally."

I let out a soft laugh, resting my head on the threshold. "I don't know what you're talking about."

She takes a few steps closer and looks me the eyes, boring into my soul.

I gulp, nervously. She knows.

"I'm not stupid Kira. People talk, and the news is all over."

Oh s**t. She walks back to the sink.

"I was going to tell you." I hear myself say. Right then and there I feel a weird sense of deja vu.

I was going to tell you. Randall said the same thing to me earlier. I shouldn't have been so hard on him.

"I'll call my doctor for you in the morning." She says dismissively.

"No need," I say, ignoring everything in me screaming. "I already went for a test. I'm okay."

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Don't cry snowman, not in front of me. Who'll catch your tears if you can't catch me darling.

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I honestly would have written more and made this chapter longer but . . . I feel like I've been writing too much systematic stuff and not low-key heart to heart stuff.

Anyway, sorry for the late chapter. And sorry to those who are disappointed in Kira for not going to the doctor.

Another thing, I'd like to take this time to greet, thank/ appreciate my readers all over the world. I love you guys.

P.S. Don't be a ghost, comment, share and follow.

Oh, and Happy Valentine's day ❤️