Best Friends to Lovers

Chapter 8

"Good Morning. Ms. Clark. I read that you are here because you took a pregnancy test that came back positive. You are worried and want to make sure everything is okay with the baby. Is this true?" the doctor asked.

"Yes, that is true," I say. 

"This would be the father, am I correct," 

"This is my boyfriend, Hayden Rowland. He is indeed the father,"

"Okay, when you peed in the cup, we gave you a pregnancy test and it was positive. So we'll go ahead and see if we can see anything on an ultrasound. Then we will draw blood. Please lay back here and raise your shirt and we'll have a look." the doctor says.

"I do as she asks and she does what she needs to. Then, after a few minutes, she points to what looks like dots on the screen, "These here are the yoke sacks. If these continue to develop, you will have twins. You look to be six weeks along." 

I look over at Hayden, who looks like he is about to freak out yet excited. "So if they continue to develop, when will we find out they are doing okay," Hayden asked. 

"We will have you come back in a month and do another ultrasound to see if things are still moving along alright. I will have the nurse come in and draw some blood. I want to have you come back in three days to draw more blood. Then we will be able to tell if your HCG hormone is increasing the way it should. Here is a prenatal vitamin prescription." 

***

Finding out that I am pregnant with twins shocked me. Hayden and I head back to the house and sit in the living room, looking at each other shocked. I smile at him, "What are we going to do with two? I mean, I'm not sure I can take care of one, let alone two babies." I say.

"I was wondering the same thing about myself. Plus, if the twins look alike, how will I tell them apart? Do parents just know which is which? I am scared but excited at the same time."

"Me too. Let's keep the twin's thing to ourselves until around three months. How does that sound to you?" I ask.

"Sounds good. Brenden and Maddison are going to freak out when they find out we are going to be parents,"

"Yeah, they will, but they will be happy for us," I say, smiling.

"How are you feeling? Are you still feeling sick?" Hayden asked me, pulling me onto his lap.

"I am feeling better than I was this morning? I'm still a little nauseous, but I think I will have to get used to it. It's going to be around for the next few months. After that, it will just be a reminder that the babies are healthy."

"Good, now I know you love your job, but I would feel much better if you didn't work. Then, we can get married and add you to my insurance. This way, you can get the rest you need to grow those babies of ours."

"I will call the boss man in the morning and let him know that I quit. I will tell Maddison night when they are here." I say, yawning. 

"Why don't you lay here and take a nap. I will look at some houses online for us. Then, I will set a day before the justice of the peace to get married. I will wake you in a few hours," Hayden says as he gets up and lays me down on the sofa.

"I can use a nap. I love you, Hayden," I say as my eyes drift closed.

"I love you to kitten, have a nice nap," he says as he pecks my lips.

I have a blanket on me; Hayden is sitting in the recliner, looking at his laptop; when I wake up, "Hey babe, how long have I been asleep," I say as I stand to go to the bathroom.

"About an hour and a half. I set up an appointment with the justice of the peace for next Friday at one o'clock. We just need a couple of witnesses," 

"We will ask Maddison and Brenden. I am sure they will do it for us. I will be back. I need to pee," I say, dashing off to the bathroom. I hear him chuckling as I run down the hall. He thinks my discomfort is amusing the brat. I do my business, come out of the bathroom, head to the kitchen, and make myself a sandwich. Igo back to the living room,

Hayden looks at me, "I take it you were hungry. The toast didn't last long, did it." 

"No, but it helped with the sickness," I say with a smile.

"The camera guys will be here soon. Do you want to come over here and look at some houses with me? I think I found a couple that will be good for our growing family." 

"Yeah," I say, walking over to him and sitting on his lap. We looked at some houses and decided that we would contact the realtor in the morning; by the time we decided what places we wanted to walk through, the camera guys were knocking on the door, 

***

There is a knock on the door as soon as I open the door, "So why did you play hooky from work today, Mel. Did you and Hayden stay up late last night?" Maddison asked.

"Well, if you and Brenden will come in and set down, Hayden and I will tell you," I say, smirking. 

"Fine, but you need to explain yourself," Maddison says as she and Brenden sit down on the sofa. I walk over to Hayden and sit on his lap.

"Melinda is pregnant. We went to the doctor today to confirm." Hayden says.

"I will be quitting my job and selling this house. We are getting married next Friday and would like you both to be our witnesses." I added. 

"So you are going to get married, sell this house, quit your job and buy a home? Is that your plan?"

"Well, yes, I am. I am pregnant; Tanner is a stalker. I can't be pregnant in this house and feel safe. I can't take a chance. What if Tanner hurt my child and me?" I say with tears in my eyes. I hate being this darn hormonal.

"Melinda, I am happy for you and Hayden. I just don't know why you are quitting your job," 

"Just know that it will become clear in a few months. As of right now, my morning sickness is pretty bad. I won't feel like going to work and running back and forth to the restroom. I am sorry, but I have decided that this is best for me," I say. Hayden is rubbing my back, trying to comfort me. I look over at him and he nods. "Maddison, I am pregnant with twins. I would need to rest more than if I was pregnant with just one,"

"Oh my gosh, you are pregnant! I can't believe you are going to be a mom. Are you experiencing any symptoms? What are we going to do about Tanner?" 

"Yes, she is pregnant. She has been experiencing morning sickness. Tanner is the reason she is selling this house. Once we are married, she shouldn't have to deal with Tanner's bullshit. So will you two be our witnesses at the justice of the peace?"

"Dude, I will be there. I am happy that you finally got the woman you have wanted for so long. You deserve to be happy. I can't believe you are going to be a dad. I can't wait to see you wrapped around your kid's fingers." Brenden says.

"Okay, now let's eat, "I say.

"There are Hot dogs and chili sauce for cheese coneys and chips if you want. Plus, there are beers and wine coolers in the refrigerator." Hayden says as he stands up.

We all fix our plates and sit at the table and eat. The guys are talking about what was going on with Haydens breaks. At the same time, Maddison and I discussed how my boss would handle me quitting.

"Melinda, things in the office don't run right when you're not there. He is going to be driving me crazy. How am I going to deal with him by myself?"

"I am not going to stress myself out over the fact that I am quitting to keep myself and my babies healthy. You guys will find the new normal and work everything out. I am sure of it," I say.

"Your right, we will, but I will miss you in the office," 

"You will see me all the time. The four of us are best friends, after all."

"That is true. Life sure is changing for us, isn't it?" Maddison says, 

"Yes, and it is all for the better," I say as I look over at Hayden. 

After dinner, we sat down and showed Maddison and Brenden the houses we were interested in looking at. Then we moved on to talking about the cameras getting installed today. "We will put this house up for sale after we close on a new one. That way, we aren't taking the chance of selling this place before we find another." Hayden says.

We sit and watch movies for a few hours before I doze off. I felt Hayden lift from the sofa and carry, but I was too tired to open my eyes. "Baby, I will bring you to bed, then check and make sure the doors are locked," I feel myself being lower down on the bed. Finally, I open my eyes, "Thanks, babe, I love you."

The next time I open my eyes, there is sunshine through the windows. I set up and put my feet down on the floor. The urge to puke hits me and I run to the bathroom. After I finish, I stand up, flush the toilet, rinse my mouth out, and go to the living room to grab my phone so that I can call Deacon, the boss man. He picks up the phone on the second ring. "Melinda, what can I do for you this wonderful morning?' 

"This is going to be hard for you to hear, Deacon, but I need to tell you. So here it is. I am quitting. I loved working for you." 

"Then why are you quitting?"

"Well, I am pregnant and found out yesterday that I am carrying twins. The morning sickness is pretty bad right now." I say.

"Oh wow, tell Tanner, I said congra..."

"I am not with Tanner and haven't been for a few months. I caught him in bed with another woman. I have been dating my best friend Hayden, and the babies are his." I say, interrupting him. 

"Oh wow, I didn't realize that. Am I that far out of the loop that I didn't realize you and Tanner split up?"

"Well, I found him in my bed with another woman. I ended it the same night," I say, then add," I didn't go around telling people we broke up. I always knew that I loved Hayden. He was with someone when I started dating Tanner. He never told me he loved me until Tanner and I split up. We spent a lot of time together and realized that we had a lot in common and wanted to be together. When I am with Hayden, I can indeed be myself. I don't have to worry that I am going to say something that will set him off."

"What do you mean by that, Melinda? Are you trying to tell me that Tanner has hit you?" Deacon asked, shocked.

"Yes, Deacon, remember when a doctor took me off work for a few weeks? It was because Tanner beat me up and caused me to miscarry," I say.

"That son of a b***h, I am going to kill him,"

"Be my guest; maybe then he will leave me alone. The guy is stalking me. He tore up my yard and cut my screen in one of my windows. Then he cut the brake lines to Hayden's car, which we would take to the doctor's office yesterday. Hayden noticed that something didn't look right and we took my car instead." I ramble, then add, "Deacon, I am quitting. I am trying not to have that much stress. Tanner is stressing me out more than I should be as it is,"

"Okay, I understand. I will miss you in the office with us. I know Maddison can handle it. I may contact you sometimes to type up reports and stuff. Take care of yourself. Don't worry about Tanner. I am going to have him taken care of." Deacon says and hangs up the phone before I can question him.

Hayden walks into the living room. "Hey kitten, how are you feeling this morning,"

"Well, I got sick as soon as my feet hit the floor, then I remembered I needed to call Deacon and tell him I quit. That was an interesting conversation. I am sitting here trying not to get sick again." I say, smiling.

"I fixed you some toast for breakfast and set your prenatal on the table for you. I took a half-day today because we need to go to the police department with some video. Last night after you fell asleep, there was a loud noise in the yard, so Brenden and I looked at the video and saw Tanner out there, making a mess in the yard and throwing eggs at the cars." 

"Alright, let me get dressed and eat, then we can go," I say, standing up. Then dart off to the bathroom with my hand covering my mouth.

"Mel, are you going to be alright. I can call and have the police come here. That way, you have time for your stomach to set down." Hayden says, walking into the bathroom and holding my hair back.

"That would be great. I don't know if I could handle the car ride. I feel worse than I did yesterday morning,"

"I am glad we are having babies, but I hate seeing you sick," Hayden says.

"It will pass in a couple of months, and the results will be all worth it," I say, flushing the toilet, standing up, brushing my teeth, and washing my face. I wrap my arms around Hayden, "I love you and I love that you are worried about me." I say, kissing him.

"I love you too. I will do my best to make sure that you three are safe. Now go eat; I will call the police to come and look at the damage and show the officer the video."

After eating, I went to the living room and lay down on the love seat. I was flipping through my phone when there was a knock on the door. I sat up to answer it when I suddenly had to dash to the bathroom. I hear Hayden tell the officer to come in that he had to check on me and would be wite back.

"Baby doll, are you sure you want to sit in on this meeting? I can do it if you want?" Hayden says as he holds my hair out of the way. After I finish, I do the same thing I do every time I puke.

"I am fine; the babies are letting me know they are doing fine," I say with a smile and walk out to the living room. "Officer Conner, sorry about that but the morning sickness is kicking my butt. I want to settle all this stuff before my babies arrive." I say.

"Wow, you're expecting. I didn't realize that" Mason says.

"Yes, I am almost seven weeks," I say.

"So, there is no way Tanner is the father?"

"None at all," I say.

"So, what is it that you wanted to show me?"

"Last night, our friends were over watching a movie with us. Mel had fallen asleep. We were about halfway through the movie when we heard a loud banging. My friend and I checked the camera and seen this," Hayden says as he had the laptop over to Officer Conner,

"Wow, you can see him very clearly. Is this Tanner?"

"Yes, it is," Hayden says. 

I haven't looked at it. My stomach can't handle seeing Tanner and his craziness right now. Is it the Tanner that your sister introduced you to?" I asked.

"Yes, it is. I can't believe Tanner is this crazy. What in the hell is he thinking? Just with this, I have enough to arrest him. No wonder you don't feel safe," 

"Office Conner, let me see that," I say. He hands me the laptop. I watch what the man has done myself. First, he peed in Hayden's car's gas tank, slit the tires on one side of it, took a brick and smashed Hayden's windshield. Then he walked over to my car that we didn't put back in the garage and climbed under it with something sharp.

"Oh my gosh, he wants to hurt me," I say, grasping. "I want to file an order of protection. You see, I was pregnant once by Tanner. He ended up beating me and killing my baby. So I want him nowhere near me.

"Well, I need to send this to the judge and file charges against him. Then, I will send someone here to examine the cars for evidence. Then you can call and have the damage repaired." Officer Conner says.

"I am warning you right now, officer, if that prick tries to get in this house. I will beat him black and blue. Right here in front of the cameras." Hayden says, then adds, "I will not allow him to hurt my family,"

"Please call me Mason. I am on your side. I want him away from my sister. I understand where you are coming from with this guy and am scared for you. Let me call and get the ball rolling; maybe he will get picked up today. I will talk to my chief and see if I can get an undercover officer here this evening to make sure nothing else happens." Mason says.