I couldn't keep the truth from my mom anymore. I had to tell her the truth about Brandon and I not being married. Also, I had to explain to her that I wasn't having a child with him either. I'm sure my mom will understand. "How are you holding up?" Chad asked me over the phone. I told him that I was dealing with a lot of emotional ups and downs. I was craving all sorts of weird food. Most of it was disgusting, but apparently it was delicious and what the baby wanted. I told him that I think I scared Troy away due to my hormonal changes, but soon apologized to him afterwards and explained what was going on. "Eventful, I know. The baby is due sometime in April." I told him.
"You know the due date?"
"I don't think it's definite. The baby could come out a week early or a few days late, who knows." I had a tub of ice cream sat on the counter before me. "Would you and Tay like to join us for dinner?"
"Let me guess, your idea?"
"Troy's. Please say you'll go." said I.
"I'll ask Tay and text you what she says, unless she texts you first." I reminded him to let me know before 6pm this Saturday. I hung up the phone when a knock sounded at the door. I stood up and went to answer the door. "Brandon, hey." I smiled and gave him a hug. I stepped aside to let him in and closed the door after he entered.
"How are you feeling?" he asked.
"I feel good. I've been craving some really weird food, but I guess that's normal from what I read online."
He nodded, "You really want to tell your mom the truth?" He sounded hurt and asked him if he was okay. He walked into the kitchen and grabbed himself a drink. "Don't worry about me Gabs. I'm a big boy."
"I didn't think you'd come all this way to see me. Honestly, I thought you'd bail." I shook my head and told him that I would never stand him up. He was one of my really good friends. We had broken up about a month ago. This was the last summer that we were spending together before my mom and I moved to Albuquerque. "We're friends Brandon. I don't think I could ever do that to you." The two of us were at the park. We walked around, just talking. The two of us knew that I would be leaving a few weeks before the start of the new school year. I didn't want summer to end. I wanted to spend as much time as I wanted with him. It was a beautiful evening. The sun was just close to setting. "I wish we didn't have to go our separate ways." We sat down on the bench. I took his hand and held it in mine. I caressed it gently and looked over at him.
"Me too." I said. He had been there for me since the very first day I moved into this place. He had been there for me the longest out of all my friends. I couldn't stand to be away from him. "It's only going to be for a short time. Maybe we'll see each other again soon." I was trying my best to reassure him, but nothing was working.
"It's always been my job to worry about you. Besides, if I'm going to tell my mom, I would rather have you with me. I don't want to face anything alone." Brandon reached out and touched my hand. He caressed my cheek and told me that it would be better for me to have Troy there instead. Brandon had moved here to Albuquerque after college. I assumed that it was a way for him to be closer to me. I found it odd because he never decided to talk to me until just recently. "What are you planning to do once the baby is born?" he asked.
"Well, the plan is to change one of the rooms into a nursery." I looked down. He continued to hold my hand. I knew what he was implying, but I didn't choose to give him a direct answer when I didn't know what would happen myself. We hung out together for another hour until he had to leave. He was acting a lot differently now versus when I wasn't pregnant. It seemed he wanted to make up for the lost time when we had gone our separate ways.
That Saturday, Troy and I were getting ready to head for dinner. "So, they're joining us?" I nodded as we head out to his car. I told him that I received a text from both parties. We arrived at the restaurant. Chad and Taylor had met us there. Troy waved them over. "Don't tell us this is a double date." Taylor sat down in the seat across from me. Chad sat across from Troy.
"It's not. It's been a while since the four of us went out together as friends." I smiled. We all ordered our food and drinks. The last time we had gone out as friends was when Troy and I were dating. Our orders were served out to us. It was just like the good old days when we were all just hanging out, forgetting about life's worries. "So, coming clean to your mom?" asked Chad.
"I can't lie to her Chad. I feel guilty about keeping the truth from her. I know that she wouldn't want me to go through this alone."
"You're not alone Gabs. You have Troy." added Taylor. "Also, Chad and I are here as well. We're just a phone call away."
"Brandon too." I reminded her.
"Oh c'mon. We know Brandon's true intentions Gabriella." I raised an eyebrow at her when she spoke. Were the two of them talking to each other? It bothered me that Brandon was started to get to know my friends, but then again, I couldn't exactly stop him. Troy then asked, "He was over at your apartment?"
"He came by earlier in the week to hang out, but nothing happened Troy." I placed my hand on his and caressed it gently. Why does he sound jealous all of a sudden? Is because Brandon and I had dated back in the early days of high school? "Brandon and I broke up before we started dating Troy. We're friends. I'm allowed to see him. You and I aren't exactly together." I stood up and excused myself to go to the bathroom. I was getting fed up with this whole jealousy factor. Troy had no reason to be jealous of him. The two of us weren't dating. Troy wasn't my boyfriend. I have no feelings for Brandon. Dinner didn't go as smoothly as I had planned. Troy drove back to the apartment. We entered and closed the door behind us. "I'm meeting with my mom next week. I thought about asking you to come with me and talk to her. Guess I'll just have to take Brandon." I walked down the hallway to my room and entered the bathroom. Troy followed me as I was undressing. I felt uncomfortable undressing in front of him. Maybe it was the fact that I had a growing up. I heard the door close behind him. "Gabs, I'm sorry about earlier. I didn't mean to make you upset." I turned and faced him. I looked up at him, then leaned in to kiss his cheek.
"I should be the one apologizing. I didn't intend to lash out at you like that. I'm sorry Troy." Troy turned on the water to draw me a bath. I got into the tub and asked him to join me. He got undressed and got in behind me. He leaned against the tub. I leaned against him, resting. "Brandon's jealous of you to be honest. He doesn't get moments like this with me, consider yourself a lucky man Troy."
"I love every moment I spend with you." He spoke in my ear, which did turn me on a bit. He reached down. I felt his hand up against me. I closed my eyes and enjoyed the moment that we had together. Honestly, I can't imagine having this moment with anyone else.
. . .
Troy and I were on the drive to my mom's house. I was as nervous as the last time. He was holding my hand the entire drive to the house. His thumb caressed the top of my hand to reassure me that it was going to be okay. My heart could not stop racing against my chest. He parked out front. We got out of the car. "You're sure you want to do this now?"
"Better late than ever." We walked up to the front door and rang the doorbell. The door opened and my mom was at the door. First she greeted me with a hug and reached to hug Troy as well. Mom smiled, "It's good to see you Troy. Come on in." We entered the house. She closed the door behind us. The three of us walked into the living room and sat down. She asked what our reason for visiting her was. Troy's hand was rubbing my back as I told my mom that I wasn't really married to Brandon. Also, I added that I wasn't having a baby with him either. "It's actually Troy and I that are expecting." I stayed silent, waiting for her reaction. I told her that although Troy was married, I had talked to his wife who was a lot more understanding than I anticipated about the whole thing. My mom was happy for us, but she told us to think about the best situation for the baby. I'm just glad that I can rest easy now that I told her the truth.
