Crashing Waves

By: Julie Campbell

Chapter1

The rain gently hit the small apartment window. In her mind, her heart beat as fast as the rain was hitting the window. She swallowed, she, only, had a half an hour before he would get home and she wanted to know before he would come tumbling in and take her to bed.

God, She never was so scared in her life. How could live this life of a rock star? She wasn't a rock star nor was she even a groupie. She was just a simple woman. Or she was until this very moment.

She sat down on the toilet lid squeezing her hands together. How could she let this even happen? Even if it was just a scare, she should have been more careful.

Her hands started to shake as she heard the timer next to her god off. She closed her eyes and took a few deep breaths. Once she had caught her full composer, she opened her eyes and picked up the little stick. Two little pink lines stared back at her. Her heart dropped down to the pit of her stomach.

"Oh dear lord," Layla Bucklin muttered to herself.

Tears threatened to spill from her eyes. She was pregnant but not only that but she was pregnant with Charlie Pace's kid and neither one of them were ready. He was having too much fun on his stage and backstage groupies.

How was she going to tell him that she was pregnant? Something crossed her mind that sent an even worse terror through her. Would he leave her? She knew he wasn't the father type. He never was the family type. Not with his asshole of a brother that he had.

"Layla, what are you going to do?" She whispered. "How did your life spiral so out of control?"

Layla walked on the beach with the crisp sea air blowing lightly against her soft pale features. She felt the sand between her toes and enjoyed it. It was nice not having to walk around with shoes on. Her ankles were all ready tender. She was mixed between hating being pregnant and loving it.

She caressed her growing stomach. She was all ready five months pregnant and it had been four months since the plane hit turbulence and crashed on to the island. She was started to think of it more have home and she was glad she hadn't been the only pregnant woman on the island. All she had to do was ask for a few extra clothes.

"Layla!" a female voice called.

Layla turned and saw Claire Littleton walking towards her. Claire was holding her three-month-old son, Aaron. He was the cutest thing she had ever seen and it made her kind of excited about having her own child.

"Hey, Claire," Layla greeted.

Claire got up and shifted Aaron to the other arm.

"Hey. I saw you walking out here alone and thought I give you company," Claire smiled. "Plus, it isn't safe for us moms to be alone."

Layla sighed. It was there in the back of her mind. Ever since Claire had gotten attacked and kidnapped, it made everyone edgy and it scared her to death. She could be the next target and everyone was well aware of it every moment she let out a breath.

"I know but I was just going down to the little cliff and dip my feet into water," Layla explained.

Claire smiled knowingly.

"Isn't that by Sawyer's tent?" Claire asked bumping Layla's shoulder.

Layla rolled her eyes and looked at Claire with amusement and annoyance.

"Claire, remember I'm carry Charlie's kid?" Layla said.

Claire laughed and shook her head.

"I know, Layla. But you're not dead or blind either."

Layla and Claire laughed as they walked down to the little dipping whole. The ocean sparkled like diamonds with its crisp blue water looking tempting for a dip. Trees and grass was as green and lush as the Scotland hills with beaches of white sand. It was truly paradise.

"So, how are things with Charlie? Has he stepped up to the plate yet?" Claire asked.

Layla sighed and glanced over at Claire. If Claire only knew whom the real Charlie was. Everyone saw him as the druggie or the recovering drug addict. He wasn't that kind of man. At least use to be. He was a fun, caring guy. Of course everything changed when he started drugs. Perhaps it was her that didn't really know him.

"It was better when he wasn't a rock star," Layla answered. "So basically the same ole."

Claire shook her head. Her blonde hair flew over her shoulder with her sun wrapped up in his blue baby blanket. She kept shifting the baby from arm to arm. It was very clear her arms were getting tired.

"Here let me take him," Layla offered.

"You know, Layla, you shouldn't have to be alone while you're pregnant. You need as much love and compassion as a baby does. If Charlie can't provide that then why be with him?" Claire said in a serious tone.

The words haunted her. Even in her sleep what Claire said haunted her dreams. It was the main reason why she was awake now walking towards the bone fire in front of the tent. She had to admit, she made a few good friends on the island. Some of their pasts not the greatest but that didn't change their personalities. The one person who seemed to change on the island but still tried to isolate himself was Sawyer.

She had taken a fancy towards him. She would admit it now. Let Claire had said she wasn't blind or dead. She couldn't ignore his good looks or his southern accent. A girl from America herself, it sent thrills down her body. He was a true blown southern boy and she could see it in him. His dirty blonde hair and his crisp blue eyes made her wish she could move to south with him and sit on the porch and drink lemonade.

His southern hospitality sometimes fell flat because of his childhood. She knew there was a tender side of him. She saw it every time he held Aaron or when she needed help getting fruit. He was the first one to feel the little child in her kick. She would never forget his astonished face as he felt it. Of course, she couldn't forget the feel of his hands on her. They were smooth yet rough. Something about him was so masculine. He was more of a man, she realized, then Charlie may ever be.

Layla walked up to Sawyer's tent and saw him trying to read by firelight. His soft features were crunched up straining to get the words into sight. His jaw was strong yet gave his face a balance. It fit him so well. He was a strong man, and with a strong man, there has to be a strong jaw line.

"Didn't your mother ever tell you if you read by fire light you will go blind?" Layla smirked.

Sawyer looked up and flashed his beautiful model smile. She could have sworn he would have been a model with his true southern features. Soft skin complexion and yet hard features made you drawn to him. It was as if they were challenging you to try to open the deep past of his.

"What are you doing up, Blondie? It's not good a pregnant woman to be walking around or so the doc says," Sawyer asked before moving the bag and patting the seat next to him.

She didn't realize until she saw the seat how much her feet were killing her. She wondered how long she was standing there gawking at him and admiring his male beauty. She walked over and took the seat next to him.

"I couldn't sleep," Layla answered. "I have a lot of things on my mind."

She moved her sun kissed hair over her shoulder and pulling it back. Sawyer caught himself staring at her soft beauty. She had an amazing glow to her from both pregnancy and the sun. There was something about her that made him want to build a boat and get her off the island. Everyone knew it wasn't safe for any woman on the island, especially a pregnant one. Yet, she sat next to him stretching her long smooth legs. He did notice her ankles were swollen.

"British boy snoring too loud?" Sawyer asked cockily.

Layla let out a laugh that seemed to run through Sawyer like a waterfall. It seemed to settle deep into his heart. He didn't know what the hell was wrong with him. He had been around a pregnant woman before and yet this one stood out more then the other. From her gorgeous smile to her soft voice.

"No, he's sleeping by Claire again," Layla answered. "I swear he's more interested in Claire and Aaron then he is in his own pregnant girlfriend."

Sawyer shook his head before setting down his book and slipped off his corny black reading glasses. Since they were on the island, they didn't have contacts or hippest style of glasses. It was the true curse of the island.

"That just shows you how little a brain he has," Sawyer said turned towards her.

Layla smiled softly at him.

"Thanks, Claire suggested that I move out of the tent and relocate," Layla informed.

Sawyer felt his heart drop to the pit of his stomach. He didn't like the idea of her living in the forest either in the hatch or anywhere else. It just didn't settle right with him.

"Where would you go?"

"I don't know. I was hoping you would help."

Hope suddenly filled his soul and his brain started working quickly.

"Well, how about you pitch your tent by me? I promise I won't bite and plus I have all the guns to protect."

Layla's face filled with appreciation and hope.

"Oh, Sawyer, thank you. I can't tell you how much I appreciate it."

He shooed the comment away with his hand before smiling at her.

"Why don't you sleep in my tent for the night and I'll sleep out here then we can get you moved and settled tomorrow?"

She smiled and gave him a friendly peck on the cheek.

"All right, I'm sorry to impose."

"Just get some rest, girlie. You need it for the little one."

She smiled before getting up and disappearing into his tent. Sawyer let out a happy sigh. So she would now be near by. He liked that idea. He could protect her better then Charlie could.

As if summoned, Charlie came running up to Sawyer in a pure panic. He was sweating and white as sheet. It was as if he had seen a ghost.

"Sawyer! Get Jack! The others kidnapped Layla!"

Sawyer didn't move. He wasn't sure whether to tell him that she was asleep in his tent.

"Easy, there, British boy. She's fine," Sawyer assured. "She's asleep in the tent."

"No! SHE ISN'T! She's not in her in her tent!"

Sawyer got up and pulled Charlie away from the fire and his tent. Layla needed rest and he didn't want Charlie to burn him to death.

"You do realize some people are trying to sleep. No, don't start yelling again. Again, I say she's fine. She's sound asleep in my tent. Now, why don't you go back and tend to your other girlfriend?"

Charlie stared stunned at Sawyer before he tried to swing at him but Sawyer grabbed his fist.

"Face it, British boy. You're not what she needs right now. She needs rest. So, why don't you just go back to sleep."

Before Charlie could say anything, Sawyer turned and walked off leaving Charlie stunned with tears glistening in his big gray eyes.