Hey there, thank you so much for your reviews, I hope you'll keep them coming since this is my last chapter. I hope you enjoy it.
Thanks again to my beta reader, you have done a wonderful job
Nervously, he rang the door bell. He had just left his house without thinking. What was he going to say to her? How would she react?
Wearing short cotton pants and a long shirt, she opened the door. Although he came here for a reason, he couldn't help but risk a glimpse at her almost bare legs. She was surprised to see him standing at her door. Knowing Calleigh so well, he could see in her face that she was angry with him. Slowly counting to ten in her head, she still had to hold back, not to yell at him. Calleigh took a deep breath before she started talking.
"Eric, what are you doing here? Why are you here?" She did not hide the anger in her voice.
"Calleigh, I am sorry. I'm so sorry. May I come in, please? I really need to talk. I was such a jerk. Please let me explain. I need to talk to you about all of this,"he apologized. "Please". His last word was a mere whisper.
She was hesitant. He had hurt her that night and then again the following morning. Calleigh would have loved to retreat to her flat, her safe place. But deep down inside she knew that eventually she would have to give him the chance to explain or take position. The need to know what he thought was strong, even though she didn't want it to be. She struggled with herself but eventually decided to give him a chance, hoping he would use it wisely. But before she could ask him in he started talking again.
Eric asked her how she felt; he seemed truly concerned. But then, Eric had always been concerned about her, no matter the situation. To his credit, he had also always offered his help and comfort when she had been in difficult situations before. Then he started asking her why she was absent yesterday.
She answered a bit evasive. When he started questioning her health, she answered honestly; he knew her too well anyhow to lie to him. When she told him about the morning sickness that had just started, he was truly concerned. He would have loved to just take her into his arms. And tell her she would be fine. He longed for closeness but knew that it was too early; he just wanted one chance.
"Calleigh, just give me five minutes?" Putting on his best puppy dog look, he tried to convince her to give him a chance to explain; he didn't even do that on purpose, it was something he did subconsciously ever since he was a little boy.
"Okay, come in," she told him; not even knowing if she was willing to talk yet, but at least she was willing to listen. She looked at him closely, and noticed how tired and sad he looked. Although she was very aware of how this particular look could influence her, she still let it affect her, she knew it was genuine. Despite herself, it made her feel better. Not because he was suffering but rather because it made him seem honest.
He stepped into her living room; she grabbed two bottles of water from the fridge and joined him on the couch. Shifting his position a little, he remained silent for a moment, not really sure where to start.
"How do you feel?" he started.
"Eric, you just asked me that same question not even a minute ago. I'm doing okay." she responded softly.
"Good, good. What about the baby, I mean, is everything alright?" Eric didn't know how to put it. But Calleigh got his implication.
"Yes. Everything is alright. The doctor told me that everything looked good and gave me an appointment for an ultrasound in a few weeks. Listen, Eric, I am going to keep this baby. I am not really sure how to do all of this with work and things, but I decided to have this baby. I can do this on my own…"
"Of course you can. You are going to be a wonderful mother, Calleigh. I would never doubt that." He was relieved.
As so often; he could sense her worried about her abilities. She made the impression that she was scared and did not trust herself with her decision, yet. It was painfully obvious that she had doubts and he assumed that it had to do with her childhood; his guess was that she did not want to make the same mistakes her parents had made. She wrinkled her forehead with worry, a look he'd attributed the name, 'brooding Calleigh', to.
"Well, I guess I'll just have to be a good mother. I just hope I will know what to do when the times comes."
"Calleigh, you are the most caring and wonderful person I know. You will do great. This is going to be one lucky kid."
"Thank you, Eric. You know, I thought about this, I really did. And I am very sure about my decision to keep my baby, but I am still unsure about how to really do this. I mean, I was quite panicked about the thought of having a child. I still am very nervous, and I honestly also thought about not having it, but I know I couldn't do that," she admitted; the nervousness still evident in her voice.
He laid his hand on hers, gently squeezing her hand, waiting for her reaction. With Calleigh it had always been like that, him having to wait for her reaction, before he proceeded with showing her his affections. When she didn't pull away, he continued holding her hand and started voicing his fears, concerning her doubts and not her abilities.
"Oh Calleigh, I am really worried, of course you are anxious and nervous. I mean this really changes a lot. Just trust in yourself, please. You are warm and considerate; you are responsible and have so much to offer. You'll see this'll work out for you and your baby. Don't let your doubts keep you from being the person you are. Cal, you are not your mother or father," he continued, having already sensed where her lack of self-confidence came from. "Just because they failed you and your siblings doesn't mean that you will make the same mistakes. And, Calleigh, I promise, I will be there for you. In any way you want me to. My feelings for you have not changed, the situation has but…I still love you."
"You know, you just can't do that, Eric! You can't just come here and tell me that!" she replied angrily. Actually, she didn't even know why she was angry at him; he had told her exactly what she needed to hear. He knew her so well and he was being honest. Maybe that was the real reason, maybe she was afraid that he knew her that well. "Eric, I don't just need you in the good times; I need to know that I can count on you. I have always trusted you; please tell me I can still do."
"You can still trust me. That is why I am here with you. I am going to do everything to show you that you can." He was sad and a bit disappointed in himself but also a bit in her, because he needed to know that she would at least forgive him. He knew he had to go all out, had to lay his heart on his sleeve.
"Cal, I love you, and if you still want me I'll be there, for you and the baby. I know we can make it work, I hope you do to."
"I just don't know." Betraying her words she searched his closeness. He reacted immediately taking her into his arms when he felt her getting closer. He tenderly scooped her into his embrace drawing his arms around her. He whispered soft words into her ears: words of love and apology.
"What do you think?" Still fearing a negative reaction, he dared to ask her.
"I think that I overreacted. I know that I can still trust you, and that your reaction didn't have anything to do with your feelings for me. I was just so disappointed, but maybe I just expected too much. Eric, you mean so much to me, you've never disappointed me before."
"Calleigh, do you still love me?" His voice was raspy.
"Yes, I do." These words were spoken softly, but she left no doubt she felt what she just admitted. "Eric, can you be there for me and the baby? I mean, this is not going to be easy."
"Cal, it would be my pleasure. I know that we need to talk about things, about how we are going to handle the situation and stuff."
"You know this'll change things, everything."
"Baby, I am looking forward to it."
Eric hugged her closer; they sat on the couch for a long time just holding on to each other. Both were happy, but still a bit unsure about what the future would bring and how they would be able to handle it. Maybe it was okay that not everything could be planned. Calleigh usually loved to make lists and plans, but she knew that a child wouldn't react accordingly to her impeccable planned life style. She was willing to accept the challenge. After all, Rome wasn't built in one day…
"I want to spend more time with you. As your friend, as your confidant and as more if you let me…" Eric interrupted the silence.
"Well, I'd say that's mutual," she said, cautiously tilting her head, looking him in the eyes.
"Really?"
"You know that, Eric", she said in a calm voice. "You should know that," she added in a low whisper.
"Cal, I won't pressure you, okay. We'll do everything at our pace, see what feels right and comfortable, and take one day at a time."
"That sounds good," she replied, trying to keep her voice steady. She was incredibly touched by his concerns.
"I want to do this right."
"You are."
"I am?"
"Yes."
Softly, he touched his lips to hers and they started kissing. When she felt his tongue demanding for entrance, she let out a low moan; finally, she granted him access and let him distract her from all of her worries. Carefully, very carefully Eric started letting his hands find Calleigh's abdomen. He didn't want to startle her, so he drew soft circles with his fingers to her tummy. Calleigh giggled lightly when she realized what he was about to do. When he felt her chuckle, he looked at her, eyes silently asking for permission. She nodded slightly, again biting her lower lip out of a nervous habit. How would he react to her changing body? She wondered. Not that there was much change, yet, but, eventually, she would start showing.
Slowly, he lifted her shirt and let only his fingers touch the soft skin of her abdomen.
"How does it feel?" he wondered aloud.
"Your fingers tickle," she replied amused by his awe.
He smirked at her humour: "I didn't mean that, Calleigh. I meant the baby!"
"I don't feel it yet, I mean I feel that my body is changing somehow, but nothing specific, maybe I am just imagining things… The doctor said that it would take a few more weeks until I felt the baby move. But I can't wait." Calleigh's reply revealed her excitement. When he saw her smile, he knew that his worries about her would be unnecessary soon. Calleigh would struggle with motherhood, but not more than any other concerned mother-to-be. His earlier words revealed their true character: Calleigh would be fine in her new role. She would be a wonderful mother.
They continued kissing, and he let his hands travel boldly around her exposed skin. When she shifted in his arms he reacted immediately.
"Cal, if you want we can take things slow."
"I don't actually want to go back to, well, before…."
"That is not what I meant. I mean, we don't need to rush things, well you know in…"
"Eric, is it weird for you to think about having sex with me in this condition? Because I think I would understand. I mean, honestly, I was hoping it wouldn't be an issue, but still this might be a bit strange…"
"No, it's not that, I swear. Calleigh, I really, really want to touch you and make love with you, I just thought that you might not feel comfortable with it."
"Well, I guess we just need to try it out."
Pulling her face closer to his, he couldn't help to become completely overwhelmed. His eyes were drawn to her mouth; the desire to kiss her was agonizing, but he withstood it for an instant to look at her. Finally, he kissed her lightly on the lips, feeling her respond he intensified the kiss.
"I missed you so much," he murmured in her ear.
Her breath hitched, Calleigh closed her eyes, and she brought her hand to the back of his neck, rubbing tenderly at his warm skin. "I missed you, too," she whispered, and fidgeted a bit in his embrace. Those few days had seemed like endless weeks without him, without his comfort, without his closeness. They had longed for each other, and now that she could feel his breath on her skin, and the heat from his body she calmed down for the first time since she had gotten the news.
"I was so lonely, without you" he whispered hoarsely, sending shivers down her spine. She was taken back by his words; that very moment, she could feel what he meant, his pain and desperation. She was a bit scared of his truthfulness but the urge to take his pain away was stronger.
Standing up, she pulled him off the couch with her, and motioned him to follow her into the bedroom. Without hesitation, he quickly slipped his shoes off and caught up with her, looping his arms around her from behind.
They slowly undressed. He laid her down on the bed and they made love, slowly. Their love-making didn't lack any passion, although it was not as rushed or desperate as it had been before.
Later, she scooted closer to him when she noticed that he had gotten settled on his back and cuddled him tightly, her head resting on his shoulder and one of her hands on his chest. Eric smiled and put one arm around her neck as his other hand came to rest on her lower back.
He woke up earlier than her, and as he watched her sleep, Eric couldn't believe his luck; she had forgiven him, taken him back. The woman he loved lay spooned in his arms, sleeping comfortably. He had to swallow hard not to let his tears of alleviation fall; he was happy and relieved.
Although he should know better, he couldn't help but touch her, he did not want to wake her but the urge to run his fingers through her hair was just stronger.
When she felt his fingers on in hair, she was certain he was awake She shifted in his embrace and opened her eyes, meeting his. They just lay there, staring at each other. He softly stroked her face, leaning forward to kiss her.
Morning, beautiful," he smiled, peering into her sea green eyes, touching his forehead to hers. "This is a pretty nice way to wake up."
"Yeah," Calleigh agreed, shoving the last doubts away, as she snuggled closer to him. He wrapped his arms around her and pressed a kiss to the top of her head.
"I love you, Eric," she beamed with joy.
"I love you, too," he replied, his face mirroring her joy; he couldn't help but looking forward to their future. Having her so close in his arms, he knew they would make it through, whatever life had in store for them. "
I am ending my story here, since I feel Calleigh and Eric have arrived at a nice point. I might be inclined to write a sequel, since there is still so much to say about Jake and work and the baby and... but I might need some persuasion from you guys...
