Three’s a crowd!

Moving on

Christmas came and went without any incident and so did my 16th birthday. I patiently waited on Jason approaching me now that I was legal but he never did. He still hung out with Daniel but instead of coming into the house he would always just peep the horn on his car to let Dan know he was there and would only come by when he knew I wasn’t home. I have to admit that hurt but I wasn’t going to hang around my whole life waiting on him. As much as it killed me I had to move on.

By the time summer came along Michael Dalton had made it very clear he was interested in me. He was one of the most popular boys in school. The year above me and on the rugby team. He had been asking me out for a while and I finally gave into him and agreed to go on a date on the first day of the summer holidays. We went out to a cafe and had chips and milkshakes and although it was akward at first by the end of the date I realised I did really like him and even gave him a kiss as we parted ways. The kiss was nice but nothing compared to the passion I had shared with Jason.

He was relentless after that and always text me and messaged me anytime he noticed I was online. Things got serious pretty quickly and by my 17th birthday I had to confess to my parents that I was, in fact pregnant with his child.

My mother went crazy! Calling me for everything and telling me it would never last and I would be left raising a baby alone. Dad was better, even though I could tell how disappointed he was he assured me they would both always be there for me and that my mum just needed time to calm down. It hurt like hell knowing how much I had disappointed them but I really did love Michael and scary as it was I knew we had as much a chance as anyone of being a happy family. Age doesn’t come into your parenting abilities in my book. If you are going to be a good parent it doesn’t matter how early you meet your babies.

Things weren’t so easy for Michael. His mum had recently been diagnosed with cancer and his dad worked away so his family never found out about the baby until I was already 12 weeks along. I tried to give him an out telling him that they never had to know and I could do it alone but he would just get angry and say we were a family and he just needed some time.

When we did tell them they weren’t very happy either. Michael was an exceptional student and was due to go to university the following summer. They felt I was ruining his chances but his mum clearly didn’t have much time left. She was getting sicker by the day so Michael asked me to move in with his family so we could all be together and take care of his mum and younger sister Jessica at the same time. It felt right. We were a family.

We would both go to school during the day while Michael’s aunt sat with his mother and at nights we would sit with her and study or look at baby things and talk of the babies future. We knew Mary wouldn’t be here for much of that but it was fun to pretend and create a fantasy life for our baby and her grandmother. When Mary went to bed for the night Michael and I would spend time as a couple. He would stroke my growing belly and talk to the baby and we would make love.

Things went on like this for a while and we were happy and content and then came my brothers wedding!

My brother Daniel had been with rebecca since they were 16 years old and now at 22 they had decided to tie the knot. Some people were saying they were stupid and they were too young but theirs was the purest love I had ever seen. I was so looking forward to their wedding and honoured that Rebecca had asked me to be bridesmaid despite the fact I would be almost 6 months pregnant at the time.

When the day came around I really enjoyed getting dressed up with the girls and despite my bump I knew I looked decent in my mustard bridesmaid dress. Rebecca had allowed us all to pick styles of the dress we liked the most and I had gone for a sweat heart neck line and floaty bodice. My dark hair was pinned up with ringlets framing my face and the make up artist had done an excellent job at concealing my pregnancy acne and black eyes. I don’t know why people say they glow when they are pregnant. For me the glow is sweat and the sweat causes huge outbreaks of pimples.

Rebecca looked breathtaking! Her dress was a simple satin with no details and a cowl neck. Her blonde hair was curled and flowing freely and in places and instead of a tiara and veil she had chosen a headband made of daises to match her bouquet. My brother was an unbelievably lucky man and being totally honest Rebecca had done well for herself too. Daniel had always been the best big brother and was so kind and generous to all around him.

As we reached the venue I was overcome at how beautiful everything was and as I began walking down the aisle ahead of my big sister to be I spotted Michael and Jessica in the congregation. Michael gave me the biggest smile ever and Jessica blew me a kiss as I walked by. My brother looked a vision standing at the alter next to his best man. s**t! HE was his best man! I was told he wasn’t going to be able to make it!

My stomach flipped over and I felt suddenly sick as I felt his eyes on me. I had barely seen him since our almost incident and still wasn’t totally over it if I was honest with myself. It was everything I could do not to trip up the aisle after I spotted him but somehow I made it. As I stood at the alter watching Rebecca make her decent I could still feel his gaze on me. I couldn’t believe he was here. Ruining this moment for me.

The photos were torture for me! As best man and bridesmaid we were in several shots together and a couple just us. He put his arm around me for the photos and I could smell him. He still smelled the same and it still did strange things to me. As he touched me I felt the electricity pulse through my arms. Finally I got to pose with Michael and I swear as he held me close and kissed my head he was looking right at Jason.

The meal looked amazing but felt like sawdust in my mouth as I choked down what little I could for the sake of the baby and then it was time for the first dance.

I watched my brother elegantly push his new bride around on the dance floor with tears in my eyes. I loved those two so much and hoped that one day that would be Michael and I. My good mood didn’t last long as it was announced I had to dance the next dance with Jason. Heart in my mouth I made my way to the dance floor.

He took me in his arms and I was overwhelmed by his scent. Memories of our night on the sofa came flooding back and I wanted him now as much as I had back then. I felt him inhaling my hair again and wondered if it was the same for him. I looked up at him and he held my gaze with a look of longing and I knew it was true.

“So you’re pregnant now?” He asked softly.

“10 out of 10 for observation Jase! What gave it away?” I tried to joke back.

“It should have been me” he whispered as he buried his head in my shoulder.

I felt light headed all of a sudden and almost collapsed on the dance floor. My dad came rushing over and helped me outside as I really needed some air. God only knows where Michael had disappeared to. I sat with my dad for a minute enjoying the cool evening breeze and the silence around us. He put his hands on my shoulders then gave me a hug that only a daddy can. I felt safe and secure in his embrace and as though I was his little girl again. They were calling for my dad so he had to go back in just as Jason appeared.

“Be careful sweetheart! You have a family now” my dad whispered as he patted my belly on the way by.

“Feeling better?” Jason asked as he sat down next to me.

“Much” I replied truthfully.

“I meant what I said” he started “it should have been me! I shouldn’t have cared so much about what people would think and then it could have been us starting a family. You are amazing Sarah and breathtakingly beautiful. I hope Mr Dalton appreciates what he has”

I sat in stunned silence for a minute. Then replied “I waited for you Jase… I wanted it to be us too but I couldn’t just put my life on hold”

“You waited what a few weeks. Hardly shows your love does it?”

I was so angry I got up to storm away when he grabbed me. He pulled me right against him and smashed his lips to mine. Suddenly I felt the sparks between our mouths and desperately wanted to stay there. I wanted to inhale him and kiss him and become one with him all night long but I was pregnant with Michael’s baby and Michael was a good man who really didn’t deserve this. So instead of kissing him back I found myself taking a step back and slapping him hard across the jaw.

My hand still stinging from the impact I looked up to find Michael watching us. I have no idea how long he was there or what he saw but his face was blank. He couldn’t quite meet my gaze and he walked over to me and took me in his arms. He hugged me close to him and kissed the top of my head then asked if I needed to go home. I was so happy to oblige!