I work at the River's Edge restaurant located conveniently on the res. It had been my first job junior year and up; I had quickly acclimated to the work environment, learning regulars and their orders to a t. And before you wonder, no my boss and coworkers were not aware of my pregnant state. I didn't exactly want to go around alerting everyone of the situation until it became obvious. You see, I'm a procrastinator at heart.

I was a hostess dabbling in the art of waitressing ( because it was illegal for me to serve alcohol until my long-awaited nineteenth birthday). As I passed one of the mirrors bordering the beachside, half-closed interior of the restaurant I took into account the size of my ass. It had never been small, but now I grimaced, and after looking around to make sure no one would be privy to the moment, swiveled my body and patted my own butt. Looked like I'd have to buy some more black dickies, seeing as they'd already been tight enough, even before my pregnant swelling and weight gain. Geez, how did a person even gain that much weight so quickly? I examined my River's Edge uniform shirt too, making sure that there were no puke stains. The seafood and being right on the coast certainly did no favors for my nausea.

"Dev, there are customers waiting to be seated." My boss Richie rolled his eyes at me and directed his sight to a pair of elderly tourists donning Patagonia jackets. I chuckled because no one should ever be seen in Patagonia in a North Face zone and set down the trays I'd been carrying, walking over to them. Richie was a pretty cool boss overall, kind of off-putting if you didn't know him. The guy was huge- not just tall, but a big muscular guy too with a lot of tattoos. And also, it wasn't like a guy living in Washington who never wore a jacket wasn't already obvious enough; I had never so much as seen the guy in sleeves longer than five inches.

After seating the overly happy but harmless couple, I occupied myself with wiping down tables and sweeping the floor. Lately, I had been even more dedicated to my work than usual. I was hoping for a raise because $8.05 an hour didn't exactly pay for maternity leave. Also, I had nothing else to do.

As I knelt down to pick up a piece of something that would just not cooperate and get in the dustpan already, I felt a wave of sickness rush over me. I could feel everything I hadn't eaten that day rushing up my throat. So a mix of clear, acidic liquid in other words. My throat burned as I attempted to lift my eight pounds heavier body out of my kneeling position, but my swollen ankles and feet had other things in mind. I toppled over onto my ass, thanking the Lord for blessing me in the area as I didn't seem to damage anything.

I felt Richie's hands on my forearms as he lugged me up onto my feet. His eyes questioned me, but before he could say anything, Jeanne, one of the waitresses had grabbed my elbow and led me into the bathroom. She held my ponytail back as I puked my guts out into the toilet. I rocked back on my heels and sagged down onto my butt, resting my back against the stall.

"Thanks. I guess I just caught the yearly flu bug."

She raised her eyebrows at me, "flu?" She questioned disbelievingly. "Dev, Hun you're pregnant, aren't you?"

My eyes burned and my face fell into my hands as I groaned. "It's that obvious? Do you think everyone knows? Richie, the customers-" I babbled.

"No. I have kids, remember? Swollen ankles, nausea, weight gain, loss of appetite. And you've been pale as a sheet all through your shift."

"You won't tell, will you? It's just that I need to keep this job and stockpile money for the later part of my pregnancy, so.. I really need this job," I ended pathetically.

Jeanne rubbed at her temples, shaking her head at me. "It's not for me to tell. But you'll have to eventually. You can't hide a baby bump under dickies and a tight shirt."

She helped me to my feet and I went about my business for the remaining part of my shift. I washed my hands, so no I'm not icky.

I had about half an hour left when he showed up. He being the estranged baker of my bun.

Xxxxx

So this is how it went down; the universe decided that it wasn't already enough for me to have been knocked up by the asshat, I had to see him in my enlarged state as well.

I was in the back room taking a quick break, drinking ginger ale that Lena had brought for me about an hour ago.

"Richie." The intense voice called out. If it had any emotion in it, I guessed the emotions would have been urgency and maybe even a hint of anxiousness. Of course I recognized it, if you blindfolded me and set me in a dark room with screaming chipmunks and that voice I would remember it. The voice that had flirted and somehow beckoned me into being under the owner of the voice.

My mouth gaped open and I sloshed my ginger ale and then dropped it on the ground. Typical clumsy Devery.

Now there were two choices. One, go back out and continue with my side work so that I could get out on time. Or two, my personal favorite, cower in the back room and stick a pacifier in my mouth. I opted for two with a side of light stalking and peeked from the corner of the back room into the main dining room where I immediately spotted Brady's back and Richie's front as they whispered conspiratorially. After a few minutes of this, they seemed to come to some sort of decision and Richie ripped his black apron off, throwing it quite gracefully onto an empty table.

"Dev, could you come out from behind there." My boss's eyes landed right on my poor hiding spot and I emerged guiltily. " I know you're off soon, but I need you to stay a few more hours and cover for me." He didn't even look angry at my eavesdropping, and after I shot him my best stubborn face, he added, " I'll pay you $9 an hour."

I pretended to think about it, "deal." He rushed off and I grabbed his apron where he'd dropped it and tied it around my waist.

"Dev." That same deep voice whispered my name in a way I couldn't quite grasp as I realized that Brady was still in the same spot and had just turned around.

" It's Devery." I answered not looking up at him as I walked off to go do manager stuff. I felt an inhumanly hot and large hand grasp my elbow.

" Back for some more?" I shot at him, finally tilting my head up to meet his gaze with my best stink eye.

"Some more?" Tall dark and asshole was in front of me looking genuinely confused and then understanding lit up his Neanderthal-like face. "Uhmm no.. Dev, look. I'm sorry about that."

My brows raised, I'm pretty sure they could have reached the sky, and I laughed dryly, tugging my arm from his hand. It dropped and hung limply at his side. "Sorry for what exactly? I was the one dumb enough to fall for your little act."

At this, Brady seemed to tense, which was actually the opposite reaction I had expected to get from him.

"Don't say that about yourself." Looking angry he shook slightly and then clenched his fists.

"Alright, Ivanhoe, cool it. I'm not calling myself a slut or anything."

I turned around again and found myself at square one, this time with his body blocking my way and obscuring my view of, well, anything.

" So, you aren't mad at me?" He questioned.

I broke out into a loud, almost mocking laugh. " I didn't say that, buster. Look, I'm at work though so could you be a normal creep and follow me home or something?"

Brady looked hurt by this and I felt a whole lot of satisfaction. "Creep? Dev.." He broke off, "Devery, I just want you to give me a second chance."

"A second chance at what? Getting into my pants, painfully taking my virginity?" I could have gone on forever, and yes, I know the second part was a bit melodramatic, but I'm a pregnant woman so fuck off.

Brady's eyebrows almost met in the middle as he scrunched his face up. "look, I'm sorry. I just want- need- you to give me another chance."

So, not only am I a knocked up teen, but now I also have baby daddy drama? When did I sign up for this shit bucket?

"You know what I need?"

At this, Brady perked up and eagerly intoned, " what? I can get you anything!"

" I need a hot bath, a foot massage, some of those pea chips dipped in Ben and Jerry's, and for you to get the hell out." This time I rushed off as fast as my swollen ankles would allow, leaving Brady in my dust. Eat it Brady.