Peace and Love

Chapter fifteen - Pregnant

Abby's POV:

My parents are still at home. I thought that would be a chance to make things better. I guess I was wrong. Dad is keeping an eye on every move that my boyfriend makes. He is annoyed but can't do anything. I tried to understand what he wanted from him but without results. I don't think my boyfriend has to prove himself. I chose to be with him because I know what type of person he is. Also, I don't need someone to tell me how to live my life. Dad has no idea how many things Luke has done for me. I live like a spoiled princess who never moves her finger for anything. I'm trying to change that. It's not easy. I mean, especially when your boyfriend wants to care about everything alone. He wants me to have free time, but he needs it, too. Otherwise, he won't be able to spend time with me. It's enough that he is busy with work. I have to say he earns a good amount of money. The other thing is that we are not that big spenders. Both of us like to save money. You never know when you will need them. With kids, we would spend way more. Luckily, we won't have this problem. I want everyone to understand this once and forever. I know we are old enough, but it doesn't mean I have to get pregnant. Also, I don't want to go through this. I can't be the only girl who doesn't want kids. The difference is that people want to make me feel bad about it. As if not leaving a trace after you isn't good. Well, I won't let anyone tell me what to do. That is our decision. The other thing is that I will be the one who gets the pain from the baby inside me. No, thanks. I'll pass. People can say whatever they want. Nothing will change my mind. I'm glad that my boyfriend is on my side for this. I want to spend my free time with him, not taking care of someone else. I hope that no one will talk to us about this anymore.

Currently, I am working on the project. As a graphic designer, I learned about many tools and apps. I bought an iPad to practice at home. No matter what I draw or create, Luke will love it. He likes everything I do, even if it's terrible. That is the thing about him. He tells me what I want to hear, not the truth. It's not like I mind, but I like it when he is honest. That way, I will know how to fix whatever I have done. At work, I use the software on my computer. The bigger screen is better.

One of our clients wants to have a website, which will attract more viewers. That means I have to pick colors that will get the attention. Some colors go well together, but I have to be careful. I don't want them to blend. I like blue and green together, but there isn't a difference. I mean, in the palette, they are next to each other. If you take green and yellow, that is a good combination. Yellow is a bright color. It goes well with darker shades. As I was working on the colors, someone came in. It was Andrew.

- Hey. Do you need something?

- No, I came to check on you and to bring you this.

- What is that? An offer for work?

- You wish. The client wants some changes to the website.

- I haven't even started this one. I mean, I'm doing the design.

- Here is everything he needs. - Andrew said and gave me a list

- Are you kidding? I have to redo the whole thing. I already had a vision about it.

- Well, change it. Otherwise, he will find someone else.

- I already have a lot of work.

- Look, I'm sorry, but I can't do anything except help you.

- It's ok. You have work to do. I'll start working on the list.

- Thanks. If you want, we can go for lunch.

- I don't want to go outside. Maybe we can order something.

- I'll take care of it.

- Thank you.

- I'll leave you now. Call me if you need anything.

- I will.

I opened my software and started a new project. I will use the sample I made. Now I have to add the latest changes. That means redoing the whole thing. One of the things I don't like is when people change their minds at the last minute. When I finish the design, I will give it to the team to do the rest of the work. That will take me more time than planned. Next week, I was supposed to be done. I will try to make all the changes, but I don't think a week will be enough. Hopefully, two weeks will cover for me. There is time for which we have to be ready. That won't happen if this man asks for new things every day.

Around lunchtime, I got off the computer. I need a break. I'm not even hungry anymore. There are days on which I want to go home and lay down. Well, I will go through this. It can't be that bad. Soon, Andrew came with a bag of food.

- Lunch is ready.

- Thanks, but I'm not hungry anymore.

- I know you are annoyed, but you have to eat. I'm sure you would've eaten everything if Luke had been here.

- Maybe.

- Don't make me call him.

- No need to. Hold on! From where do you have his phone number? I never gave it to you.

- He did. Your boyfriend said if something happened to you, to call him.

- Why am I not surprised?

- He cares about you a lot.

- I know. I'm trying to do the same.

- I'm sure you are doing great.

Andrew and I talked for an hour. He gave me some ideas for the project. I still don't know how much time this will take me. The list has at least ten things. All of them are different from what I have been doing now. I can do them, but I have to start from the beginning. It's not like I have a choice. Hopefully, that will be the last thing the man wants.

The whole afternoon I spent working on this project. Later, I waited for Luke to come and take me. Honestly, I don't want to go home now. I told him to drive somewhere else. The choice was his. We stopped by a lake.

- Are you ok?

- Yes, I need fresh air.

- I have the feeling that something has happened.

- It's not that. I have a lot of work.

- Do you mind sharing?

- One of the clients gave me a list of new things he wanted. I have to start the whole project from the beginning.

- I understand. Can't you tell him that you already did what he wanted?

- If I do that, he will find someone else. We won't get paid. I can't lose the deal.

- Take care of yourself. That's all I will tell you. I can't be with you all the time.

- That's why you gave your number to Andrew.

- What? I have no idea what you are talking about.

- Save it. I know everything.

- Fine. I wanted to make sure you were ok.

- I work all the time. You don't have to check on me every minute.

- What if something happens?

- There are many people on my floor.

- If you say so.

I stayed with Luke by the lake for a while. Later, we walked home. My parents were already there. I went to leave my things. Before bed, I might take a shower. I need to calm down a bit. Luke went to make dinner. I was about to help him when I heard the doorbell. It was Loren and Jason. We haven't seen them in a while.

- Hello.

- Hey, hey. Tell your boyfriend not to cook. We brought dinner. - Loren said

- Hey, guys. - Luke said

- How are you, man? - Jason asked

- Tired, but good.

- I wonder who tired you.

- My work.

- Let's eat now. I'm hungry. - Loren said, chuckling

- Hey, mom. Meet Loren and Jason. They are our neighbors and friends.

- Hi.

- I will spill it out because I can't keep a secret for long.

- Loren, what is going on? - I asked

- I'm pregnant.

- What? Really?

- Here. Check this out. - my friend said and gave me a bag

- How many tests did you take?

- Five by different brands. I wanted to make sure it was positive.

- Finally, your wish came true.

- Yes, it did.

- I told you that one day you would get pregnant.

- The two years of waiting were worth it.

- Weren't they more?

- I don't know. I waited enough.

- Well, my friend. I will find you a suit. Please tell me what size you are. - Luke said

- For what?

- Your wedding. With a kid, you need to get married.

- Hold on. I found out two hours ago. Let me enjoy the moment for a bit.

- Mom, where is my dad? You can call him for dinner.

- He is in our room. I'll check on him. - mom said and left

- I didn't know your parents lived here.

- It's temporary. They have problems with the house.

- I see. Hopefully, your dad and Luke won't fight.

- I won't be so sure.

All of us sat around the table. I can't believe that Loren is pregnant. It's good that she managed to do it. Maybe that didn't happen earlier because she was stressed. My friend used to be obsessed with being a mom. I'm glad she calmed down a bit. Hopefully, she will have a good pregnancy. I have heard what some women had to go through. Loren doesn't deserve it. The wait was more than enough. She should enjoy the moment.

- You need to start thinking of names. - I said

- If it's a boy, I want it to be Adam. That is a name for a good boy.

- What about Hunter? - Luke asked, chuckling

- I don't want him to fight and sleep with random girls. No, thank you.

- No one said that would happen.

- Trust me. I know it will. That's why I will pick his name carefully.

- What if it's a girl? - I asked

- I was thinking about Bella or Angela.

- Not bad.

- You can help me with that. I'm not good at naming.

- Why do you think I am?

- You work with people every day. Ask what the names of their kids are.

- Loren, I won't do that. Probably, they won't tell me either.

- Fine.

- The baby is yours. Choosing the name is the easiest part. Do you know how many responsibilities you will have?

- I do, but I wanted this for so long. I'm ready to do everything.

- Even giving up on your free time? - Luke asked

- Yes. We spent enough time together.

- If you say so.

- Luke. Loren and I are not like you and Abby.

- What are we?

- Obsessed with each other. I'm sorry, but it's true. You don't let her breathe for a second. - Jason said, chuckling

- I do. She works all day without me.

- Thank god for that.

- Your friends are right.

- Mom! You have to be on my side.

- I am, but you can't be together all the time. It's good to go out with friends.

- We do go out.

- Yes, together. You can be without him for a while. Nothing will happen.

- I won't be so sure.

- Abby, Luke won't run away.

- Dad, I need you to defend me.

- I'm not taking a side. - my dad said and left

- Is he ok?

- He talked with the workers today. At least a month will be needed for the house to be ready.

- Ok, where is the problem?

- He wants to go back there.

- It's because of me. Right? - Luke asked

- Not only. We haven't been in someone else's house for so long since we started living together. We visited your grandparents, but it was for a while.

- I will talk with him later.

- Maybe it's better to get married after the baby is born. - Loren said

- Why? - I asked

- So we have more time to plan everything. I have nine months. Well, if the baby doesn't decide to come out earlier. Until we pick everything, the baby will be one year old.

- If you think that way is better, do it. I will help with what I can.

- Thanks. I might need help. You can choose instead of me.

- The wedding is not mine. Also, I'm not a fan of these events.

- Why?

- Because everything is white.

- The wedding dress is white, yes.

- Not only that. I have seen pictures of people's weddings online. There is no color.

- Ok, if you had to design a wedding, what color would you choose?

- Black.

- Why?

- Because it makes everything ten times prettier. I have seen pictures. It's amazing.

- Maybe I will let someone else help me. - Loren said, chuckling

- It's your choice.

Our friends stayed for two hours. Later, they went home. I wanted to help Luke with the dishes, but he cut me off. In that case, I can talk with my dad. I know he doesn't want to be here, but I don't want to let him go. We haven't been together for years. I want to spend some time with him. I knocked on the door and walked in.

- Can I come in?

- You are in.

- I know. How are you?

- Fine.

- Dad, you can talk with me. I want to help you.

- I have nothing to tell you.

- The most important thing is for the house to be ready. It doesn't matter how long it will take.

- It does for me.

- Luke didn't do anything. Also, I won't let you go there.

- The decision is not yours.

- We haven't been together for a long time. Don't you want to spend some time with me?

- You already have someone to occupy you.

- Yes, but it's not the same. I love Luke a lot, but I love you, too. He is my boyfriend, not a father. I need you, too.

- For what?

- Support. Luke is always by my side, but it would be nice if you were there, too.

- I don't know.

- But I do. I need you, dad.

- Then why did you move out?

- Because I had no choice. You didn't want to understand me, and I didn't want to argue with you.

Dad and I talked until midnight. I had some things to tell him. He still doesn't like my boyfriend. I think we are making progress. All I want is to have him by my side. It's not that much. Mom has always been with me, but sometimes I need him. I will always be his little girl. The thing is that I have to grow up. He can't keep me by his side forever. Luke might help me with everything, but there are times when I will need his help. I want him to understand this. We could've talked earlier, but he wouldn't listen to me. I don't know how I can make him appreciate Luke. I hope that one day, all the problems will be gone. I got tired of them.