Hey all!

Why yes, it is me! I'm back!

My husband and I are slowly settling in and things are finally returning to a "normal" routine. I am such an obsessive lady. I couldn't write until the boxes were cleared away. I feel if my home is "messy" then I can't concentrate! Does anyone else feel like that?

I'm a weird one too. I'll vacuum at 1 in the morning if I have too-just to get some sleep.

Anyways, life is still a little crazy. Settling into a new area, a new state is..interesting. It'll be my first time living in SNOW! I've been in snow, but have never lived with it for longer than two weeks. I'm so excited! My home state had two seasons: Hot and Hotter. hahhaa

I'm actually in a state that has FOUR seasons! Ahhh I can smell the homemade apple pie now. *day dreams*

Anyways, my husband noticed I hadn't been writing and suggested that I get back to it again, as it makes me happy. I agreed.

I hope you all enjoy this next installment. I did my own mini editing on this, but please excuse any that I have missed.

Chapter 11

I tried to sever the ties and I,

Ended up with wounds to bind

Like you're pouring salt in my cuts.


Mina glanced at her reflection in the full length mirror. Monday had come all too soon for her liking, as she eyed her outfit for the day. A simple white peasant top hid what she knew had to be a growing stomach, though her size two jeans still fit comfortably around her hips. Her flats, a neon green number, adorned her small feet.

She turned slightly to the left and pulled her shirt up, eyeing her stomach. Most probably wouldn't notice, but at just the right angle, she swore she could see the beginnings of a tiny bulge. He or she was for sure in there. This morning's breakfast, saltine cracker s with ginger ale, was a testament to that.

Hearing a throat clear, Mina glanced quickly up towards her reflection. She tried to contain the stiff swallow as she saw his eyes take in her bare stomach. The butterflies ascended before she would even think.

"Are you feeling better?"

Pulling her shirt down quickly, Mina felt her cheeks flame lightly as she grabbed her book bag off the bathroom counter. Slipping a stray strand of golden hair behind her ear, she stubbed her right foot against the tile.

"Yeah. I'm tired, but doing better."

She watched his platinum blonde head nod as he exited the bathroom and reached for his tie that he left on the bed. Knowing that was her queue, she quickly followed.

The weekend had gone faster than she could blink. Their first few days together, other than their first night, had been more awkward than anything Mina had ever experienced. They seemed to dance around one another. Unsure exactly what to do or say. He was attentive, that much was true, especially to her food cravings, but little else was said between them. He did his best to stay within arm's length as well. It made her heart ache.

The elevator ride was quiet, as was the initial drive until she heard him clear his throat again.

Shifting her blue eyes towards him, Mina wondered if this was a cursor into how their marriage would be.

"I'll be at the school by three to pick you up."

Mina nodded as turned back towards the tinted window, casually twisting her rings around her finger. She had contemplated leaving them at home; an honest mistake to a newly married woman, not used to having rings on her finger. But knowing he would probably grab them, she had allowed them to stay on. They seemed to glint and glitter at every turn.

"I was thinking, maybe I should leave my rings with you. You know, just while I'm at school. Don't want any weird-"

"You're a wife now, Mina." Malcolm's voice was stern, almost sounding annoyed with her; His typical tone coming back into full swing, like he was scolding her.

Sighing, Mina continued, "Yes. I understand that. But, I'm still in high school. I don't need the million questions when I show up to class with a diamond on my ring finger."

Placing her hands in her lap, she couldn't help but eye the massive ring again.

The range rover pulled up to the front of her school and Mina swore she saw the brows of all the cheerleaders, who sat on the front stoop, perk up as it came to a stop.

His tone was even more clipped as he spoke, his eyes showing no emotion as he stared at her, "You're my wife, Mina. There is no reason to hide this. You're not a child anymore."

The sting she felt behind her eyelids was noticeable as she unclicked her seatbelt. If she wasn't a child anymore, why did he insist on talking to her like one? She thought they made some steps forward, based on their Friday night talk-among other things.

The ache seemed to spread throughout her body as she glanced quickly out the tinted windows, her hand gripping her book bag.

"Yeah. Finally not a child anymore, huh?"

Slipping out of the range rover faster than she thought she could, Mina slammed the door and shifted her book bag across her chest. Seeing a few of the popular girls lean in and whisper, Mina dared not look back as she stuffed her left hand in the front pocket of her jeans.


"Mina!"

Slipping her rings off inside her locker and placing them inside the protective box, Mina looked up as she shoved the small black box she brought with her inside her book bag and smiled as best she could as Raye jogged over to her, her dark hair flapping behind her as she skirted around students walking lazily in the hall. Mondays were always the worst. Today seemed like the queen of them all.

Glancing around quickly, Mina watched her dark haired friend lean in, concern evident, "How are you feeling? Did the weekend go…alright?"

Mina couldn't help but smile as she slammed the locker door closed and wrapped an arm around her best friend's shoulder. She knew, without asking, what she was asking. This was why she loved Raye so much. Raye never had to state the obvious with her and knew how to keep her secrets safe.

Maybe it was the hormones, Mina couldn't be too sure, but just thinking about their friendship had her bottom lip wobbling slightly. What would she do without her? She would be lost, that's what.

"Earth to blondie?"

Mina smiled and whipped her hand across her eyes.

"I'm feeling good, just emotional. Thanks Raye."

"Anytime blondie. Come on, Mr. Allen will be pissed if we're not in class on time."

Nodding, Mina flipped her book bag over her shoulder and kept in step with her forever on time friend.


Everything seemed the same. Some of the female students busied themselves with discussing the latest Hollywood gossip that happened over the weekend, while others talked about their weekends and what to expect these last few weeks of High School.

Mina sighed heavily as she leaned back in the desk and tapped her stomach. She could hear excited news about acceptance letters from Universities all over the country. Mina felt a touch of sadness wash over her at the thought. She should be receiving acceptance letters soon. But, she glanced down; those letters would need to be declined for the time being.

She really did a number this time around. While she wanted this baby, she had also wanted the life that would have been afforded to her if she hadn't pursued Malcolm. She hated to admit it, but she hadn't really thought everything through. She always pictured being his wife. But, now that she was, and going to have their child, she wondered if she should have grown up a little more first. He was right. She really was a child.

Mina shook her head as Mr. Allen walked through the door. It wasn't fair to blame Malcolm for this. It does take two-and it had been amazing. Well, until he ruined it with his harsh words. But nonetheless, she knew she had to take responsibility for her end and with everything that happened on Friday, her life was sealed.

Mina briefly nodded as she heard her name being called, agreeing that she was present for class, and slipped back into her own musings until she heard the faint giggle of one of the cheerleaders beside her. She really hated seating charts.

Glaring lightly to her left, Mina held back a rather unladylike oath as Mr. Allen stood in front of her, his thin lips set even thinner as he scowled down at her through his glasses.

"I said, Ms. Gregorson, that you have been requested to visit the Head Mistress's office. Go. Now."

Turning sharply on his heels, Mina couldn't help but roll her eyes as she stood, grabbing her book bag and eyeing Raye, who was seated towards the door. Mina grinned lightly as she passed, hoping this would keep her out of first period.


Malcolm eyed the boardroom wearily, as the guys filed in. His talk with Mina this morning still fresh on his mind; as was the phone call to the Head Mistress, asking for Mina to be excused from P.E. It had ended quickly, her tone clipped as she accepted his news. That would be something he would deal with later. Right now though, Malcolm knew other things were of importance.

He eyed Nathan, who seemed to stare the longest as he walked forward, a knowing grin filtering across his lips. Zach set up a presentation as Darien checked his phone, seeming to purposely ignore him in the process.

"So…"

Malcolm eyed Nathan, who pulled up one of the leather chairs beside him.

"I heard congratulations are in order."

Malcolm swallowed lightly as two more set of eyes finally looked his way.

"Let's not discuss this right now."

"Agreed." Four heads turned as Jed walked into the room, his tie loose as he grabbed the chair on the opposite side of the table as Malcolm; blue eyes staring accusingly.

Without looking away, Jed slid the laser pointer across the table, "Zach, shall we begin?"

Malcolm could only scowl back at Jed's heated gaze. "You were talking to me just fine at dinner on Friday. Look, we made it right."

The sound of a chair scrapping the marble floor was enough to make the men in the room glance back and forth between the two.

Malcolm stood as well, his fists bunched as he rested them on the conference table.

"I was being polite as I didn't want to upset my pregnant baby sister. But in all honesty, I would have preferred to smash my fists in your face."

"Jed, Malcolm, why don't we discuss—"

Both turned their glares on Zach as he cleared his throat.

"We will be discussing it now."

"Fine. You want to discuss it. Let's do so." Malcolm stood to his full height as he stared his friend and brother-in-law down, " I made a mistake, Jed. I messed up. I stopped thinking for a moment. I never should have let things go as far as they did and-"

"Things should have never gone anywhere! She's my baby sister!" Jed's face was seething as he leaned forward, his hands twitching into fists.

Malcolm counted to three before he started again, his tone clipped "I get that! You don't think I hate myself for this? I do. But what's done is done." Breathing deeply, Malcolm continued, "I care about her, Jed. I do. What happened should have never happened. But it did. I went to your dad and told him. I am taking full responsibility for my actions. I want Mina to be happy and will be doing everything I can to make that happen. You don't have to forgive me, but at least be there for Mina."

The men in the room watched Jed, his body coiling in controlled anger as he looked down at the polished finish of the conference table. His eyes closed as he seemed to take a deep breath.

"I need to take a break. You guys go over the presentation." And with that, Jed marched from the room.

Malcolm sat back down and rubbed his hands over his face. Everything was screwed up all because he couldn't control himself around her.

"You know."

Malcolm sighed as he looked at Nathan, a thoughtful expression on his face," I bet he wishes he was in this predicament with Raye. Possibly jealous."

Hearing Darien and Zach's muttering, Malcolm couldn't stop the slight chuckle.

"You are a twisted man, Nathan."

He watched Nathan shrug as he pulled a piece of candy from his suit pocket, "I just speak the truth."

Shaking his head, Malcolm sighed as his phone went off.

"Malcolm Gunner."

He listened for a few moments before standing. "Thanks, I'll be over soon." Shoving his phone back in his pocket, he grabbed his paperwork . "I need to head out."

Darien finally looked up, concern evident in his features, "Everything okay with the account?"

Malcolm nodded, "It was the Head Mistress. Mina left school."

"Sucks when your wife wants to leave school, huh?"

Malcolm kicked Nathan's chair as he walked past, making the other man grinned. "Enjoy the make-up sex!"

The door slamming behind him was the only answer Malcolm could give.


Mina sat quietly in the main office; her neo-green encased feet tapping gently on the floor as the secretary answered e-mails. The sound alone was enough to make Mina snooze lightly until she heard her name being called rather sternly.

"Mina."

Opening her eyes, she smiled brightly at the Head Mistress. The woman's stone face refused to smile back as she beckoned with a long bony finger for Mina to follow her.

Sighing, Mina stood. Following her down the short hallway, Mina made her way inside the large office.

"Close the door, Mina. I fear you do not want this conversation overheard by others."

That didn't sit well as she turned and closed the oak door. Following the hand commands once again, she took a seat in the mahogany colored captain's chair.

"You wished to see me, Ma'am?"

Mina wondered quickly if the Head Mistress practiced her no nonsense face every day. Her eyebrows were perfectly angled, as was her sharp nose and stern lips. Black squared glasses perched lightly on the tip of her nose, as her long neck was wrapped in a dark gray turtle neck. A set of pristine white pearls laid against her thin collarbone, which was rarely visible.

"Yes. Your husband called and spoke to me. Explained your…" she seemed to wave her hand, her lips pursing even more," condition and that you, per doctor's orders, would need to be removed from our physical education class."

Mina felt her heart drop as a thin line of sweat formed on her brow. He wouldn't do this to her…would he?

"I couldn't help but agree and after speaking with the Head of the board,"

Mina felt sick. Why couldn't he just keep his mouth shut?

"We thought maybe it would be best suited if you continued the remainder of your senior year doing a home study."

Mina blinked back tears as she looked up into the disapproving face of the Head Mistress.

"Home study?"

Mina watched her grab a manila folder from the corner of her desk as she nodded slightly, "Yes. Considering your…condition… we wouldn't want to place you in a predicament that would cause embarrassment for you or your family, as your professors would be notified and the students would discuss this amongst themselves. Though, we would try to keep this contained."

Mina felt her head spin. Contained? Condition? She was pregnant and married-not carrying around a contagious virus.

"I don't understand, Head Mistress. Why would my professors need to be notified and why would it spread? I wasn't planning on telling anyone."

The Head Mistress stood, her long body moving her quickly to a wall filled with more folders, all neatly arranged.

"As the Head Mistress of such a prestigious school, it is my responsibility to make sure our students are setting the best example. With you being.." she paused as she looked back, another manila folder in hand, "in such a state, I, along with the board, believe it would be in the best interest of the school to allow you to finish up at home. Young girls are very impressionable and we don't want certain ideas to start circulating around campus. This seems like the best option for everyone, wouldn't you agree?"

The tears prickled her eyes as Mina stared down at her empty ring finger. He just had to go and open his big, stupid mouth. Mina looked up as the Head Mistress sat back down, the same disapproving look gracing her too angled features. The second manila folder was pushed, not to kindly, towards her. Looking at the agreement before her, Mina found her eyes unable to focus as she could only make out the title; Home Study.

Without saying a word, and feeling humiliated in more ways than one, Mina stood and marched out of the office.


Well, I'd be a little pissed, wouldn't you? Let's see how Malcolm fixes this one..or can he?

~LAla