Chapter-3
1042 Words
It's positive, Beth. What do I do?"
Jessica had thought her life couldn't get worse when Luke had left her at the altar.
But having a baby? For a man whose name she doesn't even know?
She was screwed.
"I'm coming over right now, Jess. Just calm down and hold on for me, please. We'll figure something out, I promise."
The door to the room opened several minutes later but Jessica had not moved from her spot on the counter since she checked the test results.
"Jess? Where are you?" Beth shouted frantically.
"Here." She was engulfed in a big hug as tears fell from her eyes.
"Shsh baby girl, we've got this. We'll figure it out."
"Figure it out? How, Beth? I don't even know his name"
"That doesn't matter, we'll go through this together. Whatever choice you choose to make."
"How do I face everyone, Beth? The shame. People still talk about Luke and I. What would people say?"
"We are not going to care about what anybody has to say. They don't matter, except your mum and Sarah though. We'll figure something out."
"I just don't know what to do. I am so stupid."
"That's enough, Jess. You need to stop being so hard on yourself and take responsibility. What's happened has happened."
"What do we do, Beth?"
"First of all, we talk to your mum and Sarah."
Henry stepped into the dark condo, heading straight to get some painkillers. He had a bad headache.
Work was hectic as always but it's been worse lately, the Greene brothers were dragging out signing the contract and the board of directors was on his neck.
He heard a creak coming from his room, standing up straighter, he grabbed the baseball bat behind his kitchen door.
Hearing the shower running as he steps into the room, he tiptoes towards the bathroom door, sliding the curtain and raising his bat high, he nearly bursts with anger when he realizes who it is.
Ella.
"Baby, I didn't hear you come in. Wanna join?"
"No, Ella. I would appreciate it if you stopped coming to my house uninvited."
Ella steps out of the shower and wraps a flimsy towel around her body.
"Uninvited? Baby, I didn't realize I had to ask before I could come over. Is there something going on?"
"You tell me, Ella."
"Well, nothing is going on with me, you are the one who's been giving attitude and acting cold ever since I got back from Paris"
"Get dressed and leave, Ella. I do not have the time for this tonight. I am tired as it is."
"I intend to spend the night, I won't be going anywhere. You should treat me better since we'll be engaged soon."
"Engaged? What are you talking about?"
"Oh, you thought you could make it a surprise, didn't you? Why do you think I came back early from Paris? Dad told me about the ring you showed him"
Oh.
Henry had shown Simon the ring and asked for his permission to ask for his daughter's hand in marriage. He had been so distraught after what he had seen in Paris that he had forgotten about showing Ella's father the ring.
"I don't care about whatever you think is going to happen. Leave my house, Ella."
Ella stared at him, teary then ran into the closet to put on some clothes.
"Dad will hear of this. You are so cruel."
She swore as she made her way out of the condo, banging the door on her way out.
Henry rubbed his forehead as his headache got worse. He knew he was going to have a worse day tomorrow as Ella's father was one of the major shareholders on the board.
He needed to be on his good side for a little bit more. He headed into the shower, hoping to relieve his stress with a warm shower.
Getting into the bed, his mind is filled once again with the strange girl from the local town. Surprisingly, he missed her.
He didn't even know her name.
He had been so confused as to whether he should drop his complimentary card before leaving, but she seemed like the type of person who was hurting and just wanted to forget.
He didn't want to push anything and girls like that were unpredictable, especially when sober.
"Well, there's nothing to do about that now. I'm here in New York and she's in her little town, miles away"
She remained on his mind till he dozed off.
"So you mean to tell me, you are pregnant but it's not for Luke? But for some stranger, whose name you don't even remember?"
Jessica grimaced as her mum stared at the both of them, confused.
"Yes, mum. I know I am so stupid and reckless and I am so sorry but I need you right now, both of you."
Sarah sighed through the video call, she knew how much her sister beat herself up over the littlest things.
"I'll be here for you, Jessica. Whatever you need."
Jessica smiled gratefully at her sister as she struggled to blink back tears.
"Mum?"
"There is nothing much I can do, you girls are my world and I would do anything for you both. I'm just worried about how you would cope, Jessica. It's a small town and people talk."
"I know, mum. I'm worried too but I just needed to get your support first."
"Well, you can come over to New York, Jessie. Tony needs help with the flower shop, with the baby coming. If you don't mind, that is."
"Really? You wouldn't mind? I can do that?"
"Of course, you can. If Mum is okay with it?"
"Of course I am, I just want you guys to be happy and I'm so glad you have each other's backs. I will just miss you so much, it would be lonely without you here."
"What? What about me? I'm not leaving you." Beth chimed in.
"Of course, you wouldn't, Betty. I will always have you"
"Please don't start with the Betty name thing, I'm a woman now"
They all burst out laughing. Everything was almost figured out, just like Beth had promised.
New York City it is.
- Writer
