Remember Me Chapter 8

"Pregnant?" Even as I said the would ouloud my heart ached and a weight the sized of a boulder settled on the bottom of my stomach. Chloe Carter was pregnant with Eddie's child. How is that even possible?

She pulled the pregnancy test away and shoved it back into her purse. " Before you brought your interfering self back to town, Eddie and I were in love. We did things that couples in love do. Including make love. We concieved a child out of that love. "

Her words seriously made me want to lose my dinner. Eddie and Chloe were having a baby. The proof was in the purse. I knew enough about Eddie's condition to know that it was possible for him to be able to...well to do that. The fact that he did it with Chloe made my heart hurt. I wasn't even ready to deal with the fact that it was her who was going to give her his first child. I just couldn't deal with this right now, right here, and with her. I just needed to go. I turned to do just that but her words stopped me in my tracks.

" I will take this child away from Eddie if he gets with you." Her words were clipped and full of venom. " I will not only never tell him, but if you tell him, I will disappear so fast your head will spin and Eddie will NEVER get a chance to know his child."

I felt my knees buckle but fought to remain not only standing but also not let her see what this was doing to me. I could and would never allow her to keep a child away from Eddie. " So is this you blackmailing me? Stay away from Eddie or he losing his child? Am I understanding you right?"

She smiled, " thats exactly what I am doing. If you and Eddie get back together, I will keep this baby away from him. Plain and simple."

This was unbelievable. " So then are you going to tell him about the baby?"

Chloe shrugged her shoulders. " Eventually. Right now though, he doesn't need to know. I don't want Eddie to come back to me because of the baby. I want us to work our way back together. The only way that can happen is if you are out of the picture. And if you don't take yourself out of the picture, I will be on the first plane out of California with Eddie's baby and he will never see it. "

If I didn't already think that Chloe was the biggest bitch in the world, this conversation would give me that conclusion. I shouldn't be surprised that she would go this far to hold onto Eddie, but I really was. Just the thought that she would take Eddie's child from him proved to me that she didn't care about him at all. Any one that loved Eddie would never do that to him. " Why are you doing this?"

"Because I want Eddie and I know that he has this stupid little attraction to you. As long as you are sniffing around him, he will never be able to commit to me. And if he doesn't commit to me, he won't commit to this baby. " She placed her hand on her still flat stoamch, " Having a baby is the most intimate thing that a couple can share. It will bond Eddie and I for life. "

Yes. Yes, it would. For the rest of Eddie's life, whether he and Chloe were a couple or not, she would be pulling the strings. She would be making the decisions and it's obvious from this conversation that the second that he dares to disagree with him, Chloe is gonna take the kid and run. She would forever use her and Eddie's child to manipulate and control him. And I had no choice but to let her because I will never be the girl who stood in the way of Eddie and his child. " So what is it exactly that I am supposed to say to Eddie? He and I agreed to be friends. I can't just go back on my word. And have you forgotten that Max and my mom are practically married. Eddie and I are going to be a part of each other's lives one way or another. "

Now she crossed her arms over her chest, " Well then I guess you have to figure it out. And you better do it fast because I am not gonna wait around forever. As soon as I see that you are distanting yourself from Eddie, I will tell him about the baby and we can start planning our future. "

So she wasn't going to tell him now? That wasn't fair. Eddie had a right to now. " You need to tell him Chloe. He deserves to know."

" I will tell him. When I am good and ready. If you tell him, I am gone. Don't mess with me little girl. " With that she turned on her heels and stalked down my driveway. My hate for the woman was at an all time high. The fact that she could emotional blackmail me this way, play on my love for Eddie, make me nusueas. She didn't even blink.

I took a couple of more minutes to try to figure out what I was going to do. The choice itself was easy. I would never stand between Eddie and his child. It was going to be carrying out the choice that would be difficult. Eddie and I were in a good place. I finally felt like I could be around him and feel comfortable. Not now. Now I would have to pull away from him again. And I would have to start lying by omission again. I can't be the one to tell him about the baby because then Chloe would take off and Eddie would never get the chance to be it's father. My life really sucks sometimes.

Taking a couple of deep breaths, I opened the door and made my way back inside of my house. Everyone was still gathered around the tv as the movie was still playing. Eddie had joined in now and was sitting right beside the only empty piece of furniture...my favorite chair. This was going to be a nightmare. Worse than Eddie not remembering me. Ok, maybe not worse...but it was right up there with it at the top of my this isn't fair list.

Eddie looked over and smiled at me as I kicked off my shoes by the door and made my way towards the chair. I didn't met his eyes the entire time and as I sat down I made sure to put as much distance between the two of us a humanly possible given the fact that he was sitting right next to me. I hated to do this to him. To both of us. For awhile there after our time on the patio earlier, I let myself believe that maybe, just maybe, it wouldn't matter that Eddie couldn't remember me or the time we shared together. We could make new memories...we could start over. That was impossible now.

" You ok?" He whispered to me as he leaned over into my personal space. The smell of his cologne washed over me and I had to take another deep breath before I finally forced myself to meet his eyes.

Lying to him wasn't something I wanted to be good at, but just this once I needed to be. So I did what I have done best for the months since the accident. I pasted the fakest smile possible on my face and nodded my head, " yep I am fine." I quickly adverted my eyes back to the tv. Unfornately, I wasn't going to get off that easy. Eddie reached over and took my hand. My head screamed at me to pull away. Chloe would do what she threatened if I didn't keep my distance from Eddie. But my heart had other ideas. My heart screamed at me that for the first time in months, Eddie and I were close again. We had the potential to get back what I have been missing for so long. I wanted this. I wanted him. I wanted us. So I didn't pull my hand away. I sat there, stiff as a board with my eyes glued to the tv and let him hold my hand. It was the one small thing that I needed right now. Before I broke my own heart all over again.

The movie ended after about another half an hour. Eddie had held my hand the entire time. It was nice. No, it was better than nice. It was perfect. But as the credits started to roll, I pulled my hand away and stood up to turn the movie off. " So what now?"

Logan stood up and put his hands in the pocket of his jeans, " I actually need to get going. I have an early appointment. " He walked over to where I was standing near the tv. " I don't know how to thank you for getting me here tonight."

" The only way you need to thank me if by not screwing up again, Logan." He was getting his second, well technically his fifth, chance with Veronica and he would be a complete slime ball to ruin it.

He leaned over and kissed me on the check. " I promise. " And I believe him. Especially when he turned to Veronica and gave her the biggest, happiest, most geniune smile I have ever seen. " Hey bobcat, wanna walk me out?"

Veronica rolled her eyes and stood up. " You need to stop calling me that. Seriously. " She motioned towards the door. " I'll be back guys." Logan followed her after saying his goodbyes to everyone and getting Eddie's number so that the two old friends can hang out.

After Veronica and Logan walked out the front door, everyone was quiet for what seemed like forever until finally Mel couldn't stand it anymore. She stood up and looked in Eddie's direction. " So you finally dumped the blonde barbie wanna be?"

In that moment, probably for the first time since we have been friends, I wanted to slap Melissa silly. I couldn't do this right now. I couldn't listen to Eddie talk abotu how he broke up with Chloe and look at me with expectant eyes. Those eyes would be the death of me. I had to stick to my decision. Pulling back from Eddie and our friendship, or more, was the only way that he could be in his child's life. I didn't let myself look in his direction. Instead I focused on Ian. Ian who instantly knew that something was wrong and gave me a look telling me that we would be having a conversation later. Oh goodie. Just another person for me to lie to.

Eddie didn't seem put off by Mel's question as he chuckled. " Yes, I ended my relationship with Chloe. " I could feel his eyes on mine but I didn't dare look his way. If I did, my resolve would be gone. I had to think about what was best for him. And it wasn't me. It was his child. " We just weren't working. " He explained to the group of our friends who let out a collected sigh of joy.

I couldn't not smile at that. Everyone in this room, save Cameron who didn't really have access to the information, hated Chloe and the way that she had manipulated her way back into Eddie's life after the accident and my decision not to fill him in on our relationship. Mel probably had the best reaction as she walked over and threw her arms around Eddie and kissed him loudly on the cheek.

" I am so glad that you finally came to your senses. I thought we would have to give you another bump on the head to make you see that Chloe is not the right girl for you." Mel sat back down and through her arms around Adam. " I know these things Eddie. I was smart enough to snatch Adam up when I had the chance. "

My eyes were still on Ian when Mel was speaking and I noticed when his eyes swung to Mel and Adam and landed to where Mel's arms were laced around Adam's neck. Interesting. It seems that our Ian has a little crush. I can't help but wonder how long that has been the case. Mel and Ian spent some time together when Eddie was in his coma but only in the hospital waiting room and I was there most of that time. I doubted that Mel had any idea that Ian was crushing on her. She would be flattered of course, but she was in love with Adam. They were planning a future together so Ian's interest wouldn't matter. But it would make Mel's self confident sky rocket so I would definitely tell her my suspicions about Ian's feelings.

I was so lost in my thoughts about Ian and Mel that I didn't hear Eddie saying my name. When he said it again. I quickly looked away from Mel and Adam and over at Eddie. I made sure not to meet his eyes dead on though. " Sorry. What?"

He chuckled a little, " I asked if you were ok. You were kind of zoned out."

I nodded. " Yes, I am ok. I just have some stuff to take care of tomorrow and it's weighing on my mind now. " I hated lying, not that I techinically was because I do in fact have a ton to do tomorrow. That's not what I was thinking about though. Mel and Ian weren't all that were on my mind. Figuring out a way to avoid Eddie, especially with our parents out of town for a couple of days was going to be tricky. Looking around at my friends, I gave them a smile. " And I am exhausted. Would you guys hate me if I asked if we could call it a night?"

"Forever." Mel said as she stood up with Adam and everyone else followed their lead. " We get it Lo. This was fun though. Mostly." She pulled me into a big hug. After she pulled back, everyone else took turns hugging me and Eddie before they headed for the door. Ian hung back a little while Adrianna and Phil were chattering with Eddie and pulled me into the kitchen. " What?"

"Don't what me? What did Chloe want? "

I shrugged my shoulders and looked away, focusing on the table. " She was just doing what she does best. Blaming me for everything bad that happens in her life. She thinks that Eddie dumped her for me."

" He did."

I shrugged again. " Maybe not."

Eddie's best friend let out a sigh. Not your average sigh, no it was one full of knowing and frustration. " Loren, whatever you are thinking, just stop. Eddie wants to be with you. I say that as a fact , not an opinion. I am his best friend. I know these things. And as your friend, I know that you want to be with him too. This is your chance."

I pulled out the kitchen chair and sat down. " No, Ian. Eddie and I still can't be together."

We pulled out the chair next to me and sat down. " Why not? Chloe is out of the picture. I knwo he hasn't gotten his memory back, but Loren he doesn't need it. Eddie is already half in love with you again."

I closed my eyes and let myself take in Ian's words. They were everything that I have wanted, needed. Everything that I dreamed of. Eddie Duran loving me was all I have ever wanted, truly. And just like before, I was on the verge of it. I could reach out and almost touch it. But then in the blink of an eye, it all comes crashing down around me. The first time it was the accident and this time it's Chloe. Obviously Eddie and I are not meant to be. It was a harsh reality but one that I need to learn to live with. " There has been some new developments."

Ian narrowed his eyes at me. I could feel them practically burning a whole into me so I finally looked him straight on just in time for him to ask, " What is Chloe threatening you with?"

I shouldn't be surprised that Ian figured it out so quickly. He has been dealing with Chloe for longer than I have been after all. I looked behind me and found that Eddie was still in conversation with Ade and Phil so I lowered my voice and confided in Eddie's best friend. " She's pregnant."

To say that Ian was shocked would be an face turned about three different shades of white. " Are you sure?"

I nodded. " She pulled out the pregnancy test and everything. I can't beleive that this is happening." Ian's face wasn't regaining any of the coloring in it and it struck me that he was having a worse reaction to this news than I did. "Are you ok? "

He nodded and shook his head as if to shake off whatever was running through his mind. " I'm fine. Listen, don't talk to anyone else about this right now, especially Eddie. Give me a day or two. Something is not right about this."

I narrowed my eyes but nodded. I am not sure that Ian getting involved in this is a good idea. " Chloe said that if I told Eddie before she was ready, she would disappear and he would never see the baby."

His face took on so many emotions as the words left my mouth. The most evident one being anger. " She's using the baby to hold onto Eddie?"

I nodded again. " She said that if I tell Eddie about the pregnancy or if he and I are together, she's leaving town with the baby." Saying the words out loud made it seem so much more real. Chloe Carter is having Eddie's baby. It wasn't supposed to be like this. I was supposed to have his baby. We were supposed to live happily ever after. That's the way I always imagined it anyway. Too bad that my fantasizes weren't real life. Real life gave Eddie amnesia and a baby with another girl. Whether I wanted to or not, it was time for me to face reality.

Ian's face was contorted with anger and he began to clentch his fists. His reaction was extremely confusing to me. I understand that best friend code called for defensiveness when someone was messing with your friend but this reaction to Chloe's threats was way more than what a normal person would feel. At least I thought so. " Look, I'm gonna go see Chloe. I need to talk to her. Don't do or say anything. Enjoy tonight with Eddie ok. I am going to make this better for the two of you. Don't end your relationship with him yet. Can you make that promise to me?"

I nodded. I could and I would. Ian is Eddie's best friend and if anyone could help me figure all this out it would be him. And one last night with Eddie, before I had to cut him out of my life, wouldn't be the end of the world.

I watched Ian practically race out of the kitchen and out my front door without even saying goodbye to Eddie. It was odd, his behavior, but I couldn't worry about that right now. Right now I had to deal with Eddie and spending one last great night with him.

After Ian was gone, I walked over to Phil and Adrianna who were still deep in conversation with Eddie. I didn't catch the subject but whatever they were talking about had Eddie smiling and laughing so that made me beyond happy. "What's so funny?" I asked as I came to stand next to Eddie's wheelchair.

Adrianna rolled her eyes and pointed between the guys, " They are talking about some stupid video game. Apparently it's the best of the best and the most exciting thing in the world. " She turned to Phil. " Honey, I am exhausted. Can we go now please?"

Phil nodded, " yeah we can go. " He held up his fist and did the little bump thing with Eddie and he and Adrianna said thier goodbyes. I walked them to the door and looked out into the driveway to see Veronica and Logan leaning against his car deep in conversation. I couldn't help that satisifying smile that spread across my face at the sight. Logan and Veronica would be okay, hopefully better than ever. I left the door unlocked so that she could get back inside and turned to Eddie. " Well that was an interesting evening."

He chuckled. " It was indeed. I think that you and I need to give up the party planning business."

I sat down on the sofa and kicked my legs up onto the coffee table. I felt lazy all of a sudden. And super exhausted. I tried to tell myself that it had nothing to do with my internal instinct to avoid Eddie knowing what I know about Chloe, but it did. Despite ian's advice to enjoy my night with Eddie, everything that threatened to fall apart was at the fore front of my mind. Especially the need to be honest and tell Eddie about Chloe's condition. But I knew Eddie well enough to know that he would confront her and then she would make good on her threats to leave. I would not and couuld not be responsible for that.

So when Eddie wheeled his way closer to me and took my hand, I quickly extracted it back. " I think I am gonna head to bed. It's been a crazy long day and I am really tired. " I didn't wait for a response as I jumped up and practically ran through the hall to my room. Once inside, I closed the door and slide down against it finally letting all my tears fall.

IAN POV

I didn't bother to knocked when I reached Chloe's apartment. It's not like it's the first time I was ever there anyway. In fact, I spent more time there in the past month than at my own place anyway.

Chloe was sitting on the sofa reading a magazine when I barged in. She looked up and gave me that million watt smile of hers. It wasn't as charming tonight as it has been in the past. " I didn't expect you to come by tonight." She stood up and made her way to me ready to wrap her arms around my neck but I stepped back. " What's wrong?"

"Are you pregnant?" The guilty look on her face gave her away. " You are. You are pregnant and trying to pass the baby off as Eddie's. Chloe, that is my baby. "

Haha...yep that's where I am ending this part. But at least you know it's not Eddie's baby.