23 - Abby POV
1280 Words
"Hey, you guys finally made it." Clarke proclaims as we walk into the main bar area of The Archer.
The pub was winding down as it was coming towards the end of the shift. Adelaide and Clarke had bagged a table near the window, and they kicked the two empty chairs out for me and Colt to sit on as we approached; we both give my mum a wave as she was serving behind the bar as we entered.
"Train strikes." I slump into the chair opposite Clarke whilst Colt does the same with the last chair.
"Go figure." Adelaide pushes the big plate of nachos that sat between them towards us, gesturing for us to help ourselves. "You should have said. I would have come and got you."
"Trust me, we were close when the bus got stuck in traffic. Sadly, we were surrounded by people, so it was too late."
"Well, next time it happens, call me."
Mum comes over with two pints and places them in front of me and Colt. "You two look like you could use these."
"Thank you, Helen." Colt smiles after her as she goes to serve more customers and collect the empty glasses.
"In more ways that one." I mutter before I was about to take a swig, halting seconds before it reached my lips.
Pregnant, Abby. You are pregnant. No alcohol.
"Hey, uh, Ads. Is there any chance you can make this alcohol free?" She scans her surroundings before pointing a finger at my glass. Purple light zips across the gap and illuminates my drink for a second before slowing dissolving away. "There. It's now just squash."
"Thank you."
"So, how did the trial go?" Clarke whispers in a gruff manner as he leans forward on the table, elbows supporting his weight as he does.
Colt looks at me before recounting the events of the day: all of the trials that took place, the talks with the Alphas, I spoke about what was said with the Lunas, and, of course, the Hunter's attacking the Houses of Parliament.
"Damn..." Was all the two of them could say as we finished our story.
"Abby, that was a very brave and noble thing you did for... your friend, all things considered." Clarke states as he hesitantly glances between the three of us.
"I just hope it works." I sigh to myself whilst rubbing my forehead; Colt pulls me into the crook of his arm and starts to rub my back in response. "Let's just see how the therapy goes and, hopefully, he will become... less insane and murderous."
"It can work, Abby. It has worked." Adelaide leans forward to place a comforting hand on mine that was resting on the table.
"Like how it is working with Willow?" I had to ask.
Adelaide slightly hesitates before speaking. "She is a hard one to crack. Not even sure if it's for her love for Colt anymore. She seems to just have a deep seeded hatred for you for some reason."
"Cheers." I roll my eyes. Not the news you want to hear. "Maybe we can send her to the therapy place in America as well."
"No, no, no. She's not that bad."
"She tried to kill me in a duel."
"Ah yes..." How did she forget about that?
"But, I am seeing signs of improvement. I am going to trial a few more things before I can give a better judgement but we are getting there." I could see the ideas spinning in Adelaide's head.
Grr...
My stomach gurgles, causing the others to snicker whilst I give them death stares.
"Eat up, my love. Remember, you are eating for two now." Colt pushes the plat of nachos directly in front of me.
"I'm going to be suggesting healthier foods for the future but I will let this slide for today." Adelaide says as she takes a couple for herself and places them on a napkin.
"Hey! This is now my food! Hands off!"
"That I paid for."
"Well, how about I count this as a gift from you to baby Ash."
"Baby Ash?" Both Clarke and Adelaide c**k their heads to the side in confusion as I continually munch away on my food.
"We picked out names as we were heading to the station. Asher if it is a boy and Ashley if it is a girl." Colt answers as he tries to take the nachos Adelaide stole back but she swats them away. "May have to get more as people aren't sharing."
"Pretty names." You could see the love in both of their eyes as they looked down at my stomach. Clarke was probably more for his future Alpha. Adelaide, for the little niece or nephew she would have; and, let's face it, stopping Maeve from spoiling too much.
"You'll be able to tell which one soon, if you want to know." Adelaide spoke before fixing me with a serious look. "You will need to tell your parents before then, you will start showing soon and we will have to tell them you are further along than you are."
"I know that, Adelaide, but it is easier said than done!" I thump the table, a bit too loudly as I gain some of the last patrons attention. "Sorry." I shy away as I hold my hands up to them before turning back to the others.
"Abby, hunny, I didn't mean to set you off like that." Adelaide comes round and hugs me in her warm embrace. "Just, making sure you won't leave it too late."
"I know, I should be showing soon and that's scary enough, but telling them... would prefer it if I didn't have too."
Adelaide was about to say more when her face slightly scrunched up. It only went like that for a few seconds before it relaxed. "That was odd - could sense someone being hurt but it didnt feel like an injury." She turns her head towards the kitchen. "Perhaps Maeve has done something. I'll be right back."
She was about to retreat before she clasps me on the shoulder, leaning close so I could hear her whisper. "If you need help telling them about your pregnancy then let me know."
CRASH!
We all jump as glass shattered behind us. My mum stands a few feet away from us, her gaze flickering to my stomach and back to my eyes on repeat as scattered broken glass laid at her feet, making no effort to pick it up.
"Er... mum?" I slowly rise and approach her. She didn't move - only her eyes shifting to my stomach and back the only indication that she was still responding.
Clarke let's out a chuckle behind us. "And I thought Maeve was the sister who let the secrets slip." He was shushed by Adelaide, who decided to clip him round the back of his ear. I wanted to do the same to Adelaide. Thanks for letting it slip, sis.
"Mum... did you hear what Adelaide said about..?" And I gesture to my stomach. She slowly nods her head, her eyes unblinking and her lips glued shut.
"So then... you know what this means... right?" I wish I didn't have to say this. Why wasn't it simple to tell my parents that I was pregnant?
"Mum..? I'm having a baby... Colt's baby." I hold my hand out behind me for Colt to take, bring him alongside me as we wait for my mum to do... well, anything.
She looks between the two of us, her brain whirring with all the information. Finally, she makes a sound, her arms raising aloft as she does.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!"
- Writer
