Disclaimer: This is the fifth and my last installation of my All Bets Are Off stories. As usual, the story is Rated M for sexual content, strong language, and violence. I hope you have enjoyed these stories as much as I did writing them. Also, I don't own these FFX characters. They belong to Square.
All Bets Are Off V: Chapter 1
Paine's Secret
Part One
The Zanarkand sky was dark and overcast. As it was, it fit the occasion perfectly. The air was bitterly cold with strong winds. The crowd wore dark colors. And that too fit the occasion as they had come to pay their last respects to Jecht and Zalora Stone. The high priest said the last words, and the mourners began to file out of the cemetery. All but one. One particular young man stood there, the cold air whipping through his blond hair, his face expressionless. He felt nothing. His body was numb. He knew that the mourners were heading to the house that was now his and yet he couldn't make his feet move. He stared inside of the ground at the lowered caskets. He hoped that Jecht and Zalora were in the farplane. He wondered briefly if his mother was there and what Jecht would do. He knew he was being silly, but he needed something, anything to keep him from screaming. He felt a hand touch his arm, and it startled him into the present again.
"We're going on to the house. You want to ride with us?" Wakka asked.
"Yeah, I just need another minute."
"Okay. I'll wait for you. Take your time," he said, heading down the path away from the cemetery.
He felt really bad for Tidus. His problems paled in comparison. Of course, he understood better than any other Abe what he was going through. He had been much younger, but he was certain that the pain was the same. He got into his car to wait for Tidus and turned on the heat. It was a freezing day in the city. While he waited, he lit a cigarette and thought about his own problems for a moment. He still didn't know what he was going to do about Chappu. He had avoided him for the past week. He couldn't believe that his own brother would destroy something so important to him. He hadn't given him a chance to explain. He had punched him repeatedly until Auron had ordered him to stop. Why had Chappu done it? Hadn't he done everything he could to help him?
He and Auron had kept him out of trouble with the bank and he'd only gotten community service for his offense. He had noticed briefly that Lulu wasn't at the funeral, but he hadn't thought to ask anybody about her absence. She wasn't a close friend of Tidus', but he was one of her housemates, so she should have at least the effort to show support. He was very disappointed in her lately. Even Talynda had been there with Paine. He had stood by Tidus' side, and she had seemed to understand that was important today. He thought that he would have to go bring Tidus in out of the cold. It seemed as though he were going to stand there all day. As soon as Wakka put his hand on the door's handle, Tidus turned from the gravesite and began to slowly make his way down the path.
Wakka watched him until he had settled into the passenger seat. Without speaking, Wakka put the car into gear and headed to the Stone house. Tidus reached for his pack of cigarettes and lit one. Wakka was shocked, but he still said nothing. He knew that Tidus had abandoned that habit long ago. He kept an eye on traffic and made his way to Gagazet Heights. He wasn't concerned that people were already there. He knew that Thelma, the Stone's housekeeper, was there and she would control the scene until they got there. Or Zalora's mother would. He felt good about that because he intended to stay by Tidus' side. When they got to the house, he could barely find a place to park.
"Just park on the grass," Tidus said dryly.
Wakka obeyed, pulling onto the curb and into the grass a few feet away from the front door. Tidus got out slowly, with Wakka close on his heels. He walked up the steps and into the house. He stood for a moment, staring at the all the people milling about.
"Hey, why don't you take a load off? Want something to eat or drink?" Wakka asked, taking off his coat.
"No. I just want to go lie down for awhile."
"Okay. I'll keep an eye on things down here."
"Thanks, Wakka," Tidus said, heading up the stairs.
Wakka decided to get a bite to eat and drink and keep an eye on everybody. He saw their housemates huddled in a corner of what used to be Jecht's room. All there except Lulu and Baralai. He joined them.
"Hey, how everybody holdin' up?" he asked no one in particular.
Rikku shrugged. "This is terrible. I feel so bad for Tidus."
Paine nodded. "I know what it's like to lose your parents."
"Me, too," Wakka and Yuna said in unison.
Rikku smiled ruefully. "And me, too. I guess this is why we make the best housemates. We have a lot in common."
"Where's Tidus?" Yuna asked.
"He went up to his room to rest. I'm gonna grab something to eat and keep a eye on things," Wakka told them.
"I'm not staying long. I just came for Tidus," Paine said.
"Yeah, me, too," Rikku muttered.
Wakka nodded at the girls and made his way to the kitchen where he found the Abes sitting around the round table. He paused.
"Hey, Wakka, did Tidus ride home with you? Where is he?" Datto asked.
"He's upstairs resting. Where's Baralai?" he asked pointedly.
Letty shrugged. "He told me he couldn't get out of something scheduled today, but he did send that enormous fruit basket and flowers sitting over on the counter."
"What the hell could be more important? Never mind. Tidus probably wouldn't notice he's not here, anyway. I'm going to grab something to eat and keep an eye on things."
Yuna made her way through the crowded hallway toward the stairs. She knew that Wakka had told her that Tidus was resting, but she needed to see him for herself. He had seemed a zombie throughout the entire funeral procession. The stairs were crowded with people she didn't know. When she reached the top landing, she froze. She could see Rikku at Tidus' closed door. She blended in with the crowd to get close enough to hear what she was saying.
"I just want to make sure you're okay. You don't have to say anything. Just let me in," her cousin said to the door.
She waited to see if Tidus would let her in. And if he did, then she would go back down with Wakka and keep an eye on everything. Sure, Zalora's mother had tried to keep the house under control, but she seemed preoccupied with legal things to really pay attention. Rikku waited at the door another moment, looking slightly embarrassed, and when it seemed like Tidus wasn't going to open it; she made her way through the crowd toward the stairs. Yuna turned her back so that she wouldn't spot her and waited until she headed downstairs again. And then she went over to Tidus' door. She didn't bother knocking. She tried the knob, not really surprised that it was locked. She looked around again, and then reached into her purse.
She took out a key. A key that Tidus had given her a long time ago for the bolt that he'd placed on the door. She put it in the keyhole and unlatched the bolt. She opened the door quietly, yet quickly and stepped inside of the room. As soon as she had, she bolted the door again. Tidus lay on his bed, his back to her. She wondered if he were sleeping. Though they had broken up months ago, she wanted to sit in his desk chair and just watch him. She knew that he had loved his parents. She played with her hands. She didn't know what to do. She picked up his coat from the floor and placed it in the desk chair. She walked over to his bed, watching him. She wondered if she could take his shoes off without waking him. She took step in that direction when she heard a distinct sniffle. She paused and stared at his head again. She could tell immediately that he was trying to make her think he was sleeping. His shoulders shook slightly and the back of his neck was extremely red.
She licked her dry lips and took a step away from the bed. She knew that he was crying and he didn't want her to know that, too.
"I…just wanted to check on you. I'm going downstairs again. I'll come back later," she said softly, backing up toward the door, though she wanted more than anything to hold him.
She unbolted the door, looked at him one more time, and exited the room, locking it back again.
After the last person left the house, Wakka was relieved. He had helped Thelma with the cleanup and then he would check on Tidus one more time and go home. Talynda and Yuna were still there to lend a hand, but Rikku had disappeared earlier. He knew that Gippal had been hospitalized, but he would be okay. He was going to try to talk Tidus into going back to the Mika house tonight.
"Well, that's everything," he said to the girls.
"Thank you all so much," Thelma said.
"No problem. Listen, I'm gonna go up and try to get Tidus to come back to the house with us," Wakka said.
"Let me do it," Yuna said, surprising him.
He stared at her for a long moment. "Okay. I'll see you back at the house," he said, grabbing Talynda's hand and heading for the front door.
"I'm going to go too. I'll be back in the morning just to check on things. I guess my services won't be needed here much longer," Thelma said.
Yuna shrugged. She didn't know what Tidus planned to do about the house. She locked the front door behind Thelma and looked around. Teenan had flown to visit relatives for the holiday break. He had invited her, but she had declined, wanting to be with her father. He had left earlier, asking Thelma to give Tidus his condolescenses. She headed upstairs again. She turned the doorknob to Tidus' room and found it open. She opened the door and surveyed the room. He wasn't there. She checked his bathroom and it was empty, too. She left the room, wondering if he had left the house unnoticed. She was about to go downstairs when she noticed a light coming from down the hall. She walked down the hall and turned the corner. He stood in the doorway of what must have been his parents' room. She walked up behind him slowly.
"I…just can't believe they're gone. Dad would kill me if he knew I was in his room without permission," he said quietly.
"Do you want to be alone? I can leave."
"No. Not tonight. Any night but tonight."
"We can go back to the Mika house."
"I want to be here. Just for right now. Will you stay?"
"Yes. Are you hungry? I noticed you didn't eat anything."
"No. Just tired."
"Okay. Me, too."
He closed the door to his parents' bedroom and started back to his room again. She watched him walk inside and began to unbutton his shirt.
"I'll be right down the hall in the guest bedroom if you need anything," she said.
He looked at her. "I need you to sleep in here with me tonight. I can't be alone tonight. Please."
She hesitated. She knew what he was asking her. To lie in his bed with him, in very close proximity. It had been a few months since the last time they'd been like this. But, she wouldn't deny him tonight. She nodded.
"Okay."
He finished removing his shirt and took off his slacks. Then, in his t-shirt and boxers, he slid under the thick comforter and blanket.
She pulled her black dress over her head and hesitated again. She didn't have anything to sleep in and she sure wasn't going to Tidus' stepmother's room for anything. She slowly made her way to the bed and crawled under the covers next to him.
Yuna hardly slept. Tidus tossed and turned most of the night. She knew that he was having nightmares because he cried out often. She turned to her left and stared out at the moonlight. She had purposefully left the hall light on because she was a little afraid to sleep in the house in the dark. Suddenly, Tidus sat up in the bed. He breathed heavily for a few moments, and then he sank back down slowly to the bed.
In the morning, the bright sun woke her. She sat up slowly and looked around. Tidus wasn't in the room. She got up from the bed, thinking it best for them to discuss what last night had meant. After all, she had a boyfriend and she didn't want Tidus to confuse sympathy sex for anything other than that. She slipped her dress over her head and slid into her shoes. She went downstairs. She could hear the television going. She walked to the door of Jecht's room and saw him sitting in the zebra print recliner, eating a bowl of cereal.
"Hey," she greeted him.
"Hey. Thanks for staying with me last night. It's just that I was a wreck yesterday."
She nodded. "I understand. It'll take some time. But, I think we shouldn't let what happened last night happen again."
"It won't need to. I'm coming back to the house and we'll be in our own rooms again. I just needed someone last night."
"Yes. Because I have Teenan and I don't want to confuse things…"
He raised an eyebrow. "Relax, Yuna. There's nothing wrong with two people sleeping in a bed together."
"I know."
Rikku walked down the long hall slowly. She hoped Gippal would be up and about today. The last two times she'd seen him, he'd been heavily sedated. And his parents had been there. It had been a week since the incident. She still couldn't believe it. An obsessed Penance fan named Pepper Franklin had stabbed him for unknown reasons. This was one of the many reasons she had been against him becoming a star. People were crazy. She knew that she should be with Tidus if she hoped to become his girlfriend, but she was never good at being around people while they were grieving. She didn't know what she was supposed to do. Mostly, they wanted to be left alone, and she felt obliged to give them what they wanted. Besides, he would seek her out if he wanted comfort from her. She had noticed that he hadn't come back to the house last night.
She knocked on his closed door. No answer. She opened it slowly and peeked in. To her relief, he wasn't sleeping. He wasn't even in bed. He was sitting in a big chair facing the big window. Though he wore his hospital gown, she could make out the outline of the heavy bandaging around his middle.
"Hi, Gippal. I hope you're feeling okay today," she said quietly.
No answer. He continued staring out.
She walked up beside his chair. "I understand if you don't really feel like visitors. Just say the word and I'll leave. But, I wanted to see you."
He still continued to stare out. She wondered if he were drugged.
"Well, I just wanted you to know because you might not have heard, but that crazy girl's in jail. She won't be able to hurt you again. And this is why I hope you're thinking about getting extra security, Gippal. This was a close call. Too close, don't you think?"
He continued to stare at the busy downtown traffic. He was listening to her, but he couldn't help but think about that last day at the clinic. He'd been packing his things to leave. Dr. Sanders had said he was well enough to be on his own again.
He'd been packing his socks and jeans when he had felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand up. Someone was in the room with him. He turned slowly to find Pepper standing in front of the closed door. He had felt nervous by the expression on her face. She seemed angry.
"And where do you think you're going?" she had asked him, struggling to sound playful.
"Oh, I'm outta here, Pepper. The good doc has released me."
"But…we've hardly had a chance to get to know each other."
"We can still be friends. Let's exchange numbers."
"Friends?"
"Yeah. You're a cool person. Why not?" he'd shrugged.
"Because I don't want to be your friend. You have plenty of those. I want to be more than friends. I want us to be lovers."
He'd tried not to grimace. "I…don't see that happening."
"Why not? I thought you loved me."
His eye widened. "I never said that."
"I love you, Gippal. I always have and always will."
"What do you mean by always have?"
"I've been a fan of Penance since your first single."
He froze. "I didn't know you knew about my band."
She smiled widely at him. "Of course I do. Penance is the hottest band out right now. And you're hot. And sexy and you have an amazing body. I'd do anything for you."
"I'm starting to feel uncomfortable, Pepper. I'm really flattered and Penance appreciates your support. But I'm not looking for a girlfriend right now. I've got to get back into the music."
"What are you saying? You don't love me?"
"I hardly know you. Listen, I think you better go. You're freaking me out. Just look out for the next album. I'll make a dedication to you or something," he said, turning back to his packing.
He didn't hear anything more. The next thing he felt was an extremely sharp hot pain in his back. He groaned silently as he fell to his knees. He stared up at her.
"You were supposed to love me. Now, I'll be the last person you think of before you die," she said, grabbing him roughly around the collar and kissing him deeply.
She released him and left the room. He'd laid there for a moment before he was able to pull his phone out of his pocket and call for help.
"And as you know, we all went to Tidus' parents' funeral yesterday. It was really sad. It's been a long time since I've been to one, but it depressed me," Rikku continued, though she was certain Gippal wasn't listening.
She wondered if he were in pain.
"Well, I won't stay long. I just wanted to see how you were today. You know that you can call me if you want to talk," she continued as a nurse entered the room.
"Hello, Gippal. I hope you're feeling much better today. Dr. Zeep has you scheduled for physical therapy today," he said cheerily.
Rikku frowned. "Physical therapy?"
"Well, yes, of course," he said, going back to the door.
Her green eyes widened the size of golf balls as he pulled a wheelchair into the room. Was Gippal hurt worse than she had thought or been told? Maybe it was just hospital procedure. She watched the nurse lift Gippal and carefully place him in the wheelchair. He finally looked at Rikku.
"Now everyone will get me off the stage as they've always wanted. I can't walk," he said bitterly.
Lulu walked the quiet streets of Bevelle. She had only been in the city over a week, but she hadn't found out any information about her father. She had assumed that he would be listed in the phone book, but he hadn't. She wondered why. After all, the man was a professional. Or at least he used to be. In Zanarkand, he had been a pediatrician. He was too young to retire, so she wondered what he was doing now. She had rented a room at the Bevelle Towers hotel. Now, she was thinking that this was an impossible mission. She should have stayed in the city where she was needed more. She hadn't been able to attend Tidus' parents' funeral, but she had sent him a card and flowers to the ceremony. Rikku had told her that Gippal hadn't been seriously injured, so she could rest easy on that front.
She decided that she was hungry and walked inside of a fancy establishment. The host seated her at a table for two by the window. While she waited for her drink and appetizer, she took out her notepad to write down everything she'd learned today. The list turned out to be remarkably short. She hadn't found out a damn thing today. Someone had to know him. He'd lived in this city for a very long time now. The only reason she knew he was still here was because the certified letter her mother had received had been postmarked from this city. Loud laughter from a table in the back distracted her for a moment. She hadn't been expecting that type of behavior in a place like this. She shrugged it off as her waitress placed her drink and appetizer on the table. She thanked her and took a sip as another howl of laughter reached her ears. Really.
She thought about Wakka for a moment. She really wished he were here with her. He would reassure her that they would find her father. He wouldn't let her give up. She never realized how much he encouraged her before. No matter what she tried to do, he always stood behind her. And now Talynda was enjoying the benefits of having a good man. She tried not to be jealous, but she couldn't help it. After all, she hadn't found anyone else yet. Another peal of laughter was released with a howl. She'd had enough. She'd been hoping to enjoy a quiet dinner. If she'd wanted to endure this type of behavior, she'd have gone to a fast food restaurant. She got up to pretend to go to the restroom so she would purposefully have to past the obnoxious table.
She saw immediately who the cause of so much fun was. Three young women sat at round table. They were still laughing as she walked slowly past. She froze in her steps. At the head of their table sat none other than Zelton Flannigan. What was he doing here? In Bevelle? Without thinking, she strode up to his table. He'd been laughing along with his entourage when he saw her. His eyes showed surprise, but he quickly tried to cover it.
"Hey…it's Lulu. What are you doing in Bevelle?" he asked, still holding his smile.
She didn't smile back. "I just came from seeing a specialist. Do you want to know why?"
He lost his smile. "I hope nothing's wrong."
"No. Not recently, but a few months ago, I…"
"Hey, you don't want to broadcast your personal business in front of these people, do you?"
"I should think these women would want to know what I'm going to say."
"Who is she, Zelton? An old friend?" one of the women asked.
He didn't bother answering her. "I think we should discuss this privately," he told Lulu.
"Why? Don't they all know you have Dragonitis?"
"What!?" one of the women shrieked.
"You have what?" another asked.
"Oh, my God. I slept with you last night," the third one said, jumping up from the table and hurrying away.
"Me, too," another one whined, following on the heels of her friend.
"I didn't, and I'm glad. You'll never get this," the last one threatened, throwing her drink in his face and storming off.
His green eyes glared at Lulu. "Are you satisfied now? They'll be spreading rumors in no time."
"I could care less. You gave me a disease and I'm supposed to feel bad about your reputation?"
"Lower your voice. What proof do you have that I gave you anything?"
"Because I had it immediately after we slept together."
"Didn't you have a boyfriend? How do you know it wasn't him?"
"I know it was you! You're a no good piece of trash sleeping with anything in a skirt. I only wish I had stuck to my guns and not allowed you to seduce me."
He smirked. "I didn't seduce you. You wanted this. You still want this, or you wouldn't be upset."
"What's the matter with you? Of course I'm upset. I hope you went and got yourself cured."
He took a sip of his wine. "Of course I did. Listen, Lulu, I'm sorry about that. I didn't know I had it. That's the truth."
"Well, the damage is done," she sighed. "What are you doing here?"
"My family lives here. I had a break between plays and decided to get out of Zanarkand for awhile."
She stared at him. Had he really left the city for a break or because he was afraid he'd run into her after spreading his disease? It was pretty convenient timing.
"Since my dinner guests have gone, why don't you join me?"
"Are you serious?"
He nodded. "Yes. Very. Why should we both eat alone?"
"Fine, but you join me at my table."
She didn't know why she was even allowing herself to be bothered with his company. Maybe she just wanted someone else to talk to. After all, it was very lonely to be in an unknown city. She sat down at her table again and picked up a bite of her now cold appetizer. He joined her.
"Are you really worried those women will gossip?" she asked.
He shrugged. "No. I'm a celebrity, remember? It comes with the territory. Why are you here?"
"I'm looking for someone."
"Who? Maybe I can help. I grew up here."
"It's kind of personal," she said, too embarrassed to tell him that she didn't know where her own father lived.
"I see. Well, where are you staying?"
"Bevelle Towers."
"You should stay at my family's home."
"I can't do that. They might think you and I are…"
"What? I can't have a guest over? It's really okay. They won't mind."
"It's really okay. I'm fine."
"But staying in a hotel is so impersonal. At least you'll be somewhere cozier. And my mother loves to talk, so she'll keep you entertained."
"Zelton, I don't want you to get any ideas about us. I…"
"I know. You have a boyfriend."
"No. We broke up months ago."
He stared at her. This was the best news he'd heard all night. He hadn't been ready to leave Zanarkand, but his agent thought he should do so in case Lulu tried to cause major problems about the disease. He hadn't really cared what kind of problems she caused. From the moment he'd laid eyes on her, he knew he had to have her. And the fact that she hadn't been willing to fall into his bed simply because he'd desired her spoke volumes about her character. She was the type of woman he'd been searching for. The very first one that had told him no. And he knew she would have continued if he hadn't kept pursuing her so strongly. Well, she was in his city now and single. Nothing short of an instant trip to the farplane would stop him from having her again. He'd been thinking of nothing else since the night they'd made love. She knew how to handle a man in the bed. For the first time, he wondered what it would be like to be married. His mother would love the idea of that. She desperately wanted grandchildren some day.
"Then you should come to my parent's house. I insist."
She sighed deeply. She would like to be around other people, but not a large group. And perhaps Zelton's parents could give her some information about her father.
"Do you have any siblings?" she asked him.
"Yes. I have a younger brother and sister."
"And your parents have lived here your whole life?"
"That's right. Why?"
"I was just curious. Yes. I'll come to your parent's home," she said.
Paine paced the floor of her bedroom. She had tried unsuccessfully for the past two weeks to get a hold of Baralai. Today, he had finally answered and had told her that he would be by the house this afternoon. She was nervous. She had to say everything right today. She would begin by profusely apologizing for all of the things she'd said last to Baralai. He had been right. She hadn't known her parents as she'd thought she had. She thought about her situation again for the millionth time. This was surely a sign from Yevon. Since she had been fifteen years old, she had never missed a day taking the prescribed pill. Only one since then. The day after Baralai had returned. She had slept over from the previous evening, and had stayed in his bedroom suite with him all day the next. They had make love several times over. She smirked at the term "make love". They had never made love. With the two of them it had been all about fucking each other brains out.
And now she had the result of it in her stomach growing. What would Baralai say? He knew the rules of Zanarkand. Would he ask her to get rid of it? She knew she couldn't do that. She certainly never wanted to become a mother, but she would welcome the baby nonetheless. She also didn't want to force Baralai to marry her, either. If he did, it would be because he wanted to. It was the only way she wanted it. She hoped she wouldn't have to execute her back up plan. She loved being in the city. It was her home. However, if Baralai didn't want to marry her or asked her to destroy her child, she would leave. She would stay until she began to show, and then relocate.
He had never said that he loved her, but she suspected that he did. Neither had ever said the words aloud to the other. Sure, she had only once before, but she didn't think it counted when it was shouted at the heights of ecstasy. He hadn't noticed, anyway.
"Hey, Wakka. I'm sorry I missed the funeral. How is Tidus? Is he here?" she heard Baralai's unmistakable deep sophisticated tone say.
She paused. She knew that Tidus was hiding out in his room. She had thrown a bottle of sleeping pills into his pocket earlier.
"Ya. I think he's sleeping, though. Where ya been?"
"Attending to very important matters. Is Paine here?"
"I don't know. I haven't seen her in a while."
"Oh."
She heard the boys move away from her door. She waited a few moments, and then she went into the hall. She didn't see anyone, so she suspected that Baralai was in his room. She walked through the kitchen, glad that it was empty for once. There always seemed to be some hungry housemate lurking. She tapped on Baralai's door and opened it. He was standing at his closet, rummaging through his clothes. She noticed that he didn't acknowledge her presence.
"Baralai."
"Yes?"
"I…I've got some things to say to you."
"What things?" he asked, matching a shirt up against a sweater for approval.
She rubbed her sweaty palms together. "I found out who killed my parents."
He nodded. "That's nice."
"I also found out…that they kidnapped you…I'm sorry. You were right about them. I guess I just couldn't believe…"
"It's okay. Apology accepted."
She smiled with relief. He was being unbelievably forgiving today. She watched him take several outfits out of the closet and place them on the bed. Was he going somewhere? The break was over. She watched as he grabbed a few bags of his luggage.
"Where are you going?" she asked.
"So, is that where you were the day I called you? The day I told you I had something important to discuss with you. At the police station getting information that I had already told you?"
She nodded. "Yeah."
He began placing his clothes into the luggage carefully. "I wished that you would have seen me that day, Paine. I wish I had been important enough to you. You didn't even return my call that day."
"I'm sorry. What was it?"
"Unimportant now. I thought long and hard these past two weeks. I've come to realize that you and I would never work."
"What?" she asked quickly.
He shook his head. "We'll never work. You're just too stubborn and I can't spend the rest of my life fighting with you."
"People can change, Baralai. Neither of us ever thought we'd be together. And yet, we've been unable to be apart. I think that says a lot, don't you?"
"No. It just says we have an unhealthy sex obsession with each other. At any rate, I want to be your friend."
"Are you breaking up with me?" she asked in disbelief.
"I believe you have to be in an actual relationship before you can break up."
"You know damn well what I mean!"
"I can't do this anymore. That's what I came to say," he said, continuing to pack his clothing.
"Wait, Baralai. You don't have to move out because of me."
"I'm not moving out because of you."
"We need to talk. I want to know about my parents. You were with them for six weeks. Did they mention me? What were they talking about? Did they seem sane? You have to tell me something."
He finally turned and looked at her. "No. When I wanted to tell you anything you wanted to know, you told me to go fuck myself. There's nothing more to say. But I can assure you that I will not be fucking myself."
She felt lost. He had obviously made up his mind about leaving the house. She had to tell him that they were expecting a baby. No matter what he said, he should know. It was the right thing to do. She cleared her throat.
"Baralai, I have something else to tell you."
"Well, it's going to have to wait another time," he said as a familiar ruby red haired girl came to the doorway.
"Hello, Paine," Val said.
Paine sighed impatiently. "Baralai, I really need to finish this discussion. Tell your date to wait in the living room."
Val raised an eyebrow at her and smiled. She strolled over to Baralai's side as he wrapped an arm around her waist.
"You're mistaken, Paine. Val isn't my date. She's my wife. Say hello to the new Mrs. Baralai Griffin."
End of Chapter One. Thanks for reading.