I made my way home from work in a daze. My last day of being Assistant Manager and first day of maternity leave. My stomach had gotten so big. I was six months pregnant today. Walking inside, I saw Paige and James watching a movie in the living room.
"Hello," I greeted warily. "Where is Leo?"
"In the kitchen with James," Paige said, still staring at the tv.
"Uh, what?" I asked, confused.
She looked at me. "Not my James. Your James."
"Oh!" I said. "Why is James here?"
She looked away from the tv again to give me an annoyed look.
"Sorry. Enjoy your movie," I laughed, walking away to the kitchen.
"Piper!" I was greeted in a big hug.
"Hey James! What're you doing here?" I laughed. "You look great, by the way," I added with a smile.
He grinned that familiar dorky grin. "Yup, all healed up. I'm getting an apartment a few blocks away, and I figured I'd come by and visit," he said. "You look great, too," he motioned to my stomach, "and congrats!"
Leo laughed and stood beside me to place a hand on my stomach.
"Never thought I'd have a kid, did ya?" he laughed.
"Actually I expected it," he laughed. "You two just...fit together. You starting a family was to be predicted," he laughed. He had the loudest booming laugh I'd ever heard.
"You calling us predictable?" I laughed. "Actually it wasn't exactly planned. I found out when you were in the hospital, we just didn't tell many people yet. And with you pulling the disappearing act..." I gave him a wink.
"Yeah," he sighed. "I'm sorry I just kind of took off. It was just hard, going from supercop to injured bum."
I stepped forward and touched his hand. "You were never a bum. You're the reason we're here," I said with a smile, nodding to Leo, then motioning to my belly.
"Thanks," he said softly. "That means a lot."
"Its the truth," Leo said with a smile.
After we visited for awhile, James took off. We ate some dinner, then I went to take a bath. Just as the tub was filled, and I had undressed, Leo entered.
"Paige is in bed," he told me.
"Wanna join me?" I offered, nodding at the tub.
He put his arms around my bare body and kissed my forehead.
"Sure." He took his clothes off quickly and got in the tub. I clipped my hair up and got in with him. I sat in front of him and laid back on his chest.
I smiled as his hands found my stomach.
"I can't wait to meet her," he whispered.
I looked up at him. "I thought you wanted a boy?"
He smiled. "You want a little girl more than anything. I want what makes you happy." He kissed my head and rubbed my belly.
Things were perfect, right now, anyway.
***************
"It m-might as w-we-well be the e-end of m-my world," Paige sobbed into her pillow. James had broken up with her that day at school, two days before their three month anniversary.
I sighed. "I know it feels that way, sweetie..."
She was shaking from crying so hard. I sat down next to her and rubbed her shoulder.
"I'm so sorry, honey," I tried to comfort her. I put my arm around her and let her lean against me. "I promise it'll get better."
"No, i-it won't," she cried. "I was... in l-love with... h-him."
"I know, sweetie, I know," I whispered.
Leo walked in.
"There you are," he said, looking at me. Then he saw Paige. "What's wrong?"
Paige started crying harder.
"I'll be out later," I told him. He nodded, looking confused, before walking back out.
Paige cried on my shoulder for a good hour and half before her tears began to slow down.
"It hurts so much," she whimpered.
"I wish I could fix it," I sighed, hugging her closer.
"Nobody can fix it," she whispered desperately. "I'm broken."
I kissed her forehead. "You are not broken. I promise."
Any other teen, I would've just assumed they were being overdramatic. But I knew how much he meant to her. I could only imagine what she must be feeling.
She wiped her tears. "Thanks for...being here," she said softly.
I gave her another hug. "No problem sweetie. I'll leave you alone for now."
I walked out of the room and found Leo in our bedroom.
"James broke up with her," I sighed as I laid next to him on the bed.
"That little punk!" he said, sounding disgusted, as he sat up.
"Tell me about it. She's so depressed," I said sadly. "I wish I could do something."
He kissed my cheek. "You were there. That counts."
I smiled and cuddled up to him. "I love you."
"I love you more, Cherry," he whispered. "By the way, how did your last day go?"
"Great," I smiled. "Things should get easier now..."
Boy, was I wrong.
The following week was one of the most stressful of my entire life.
Paige refused to go to school for the three following days, Leo still couldn't find a job, and I felt like I was doing the pregnancy thing on my own.
"So, just barely six months now, Piper?" Dr. Morgan said. "How are you feeling?"
"Stressed," I sighed.
"Well, that's not good for the baby," she scolded. "And I'm sorry to say, the baby is already in danger."
My heart stopped.
"What?!" Leo and I chorused.
"You aren't eating enough to supply for the baby," she said. "That can lead to premature birth, possibly allergies, even brain damage."
"Oh my god!" I cried, tearing up.
Leo quickly put one arm around me and held my hand with his free arm.
"I'm already screwing up as a mother!" I choked.
"Shh, it's okay," he comforted me. "Dr. Morgan, this can be easily solved, right? She just needs to eat more, right?"
"I believe we caught the problem in time," she nodded. "You need to eat more, but make sure you're eating healthy foods, too."
"Okay," Leo breathed. "Everything's okay, baby, see?" he said sweetly.
He softly wiped away a tear that was running down my face.
I nodded, still feeling guilty.
***************
The next day, Paige and I were in the car, driving around LA. I turned to talk to her while we were stopped at a red light.
"So, wanna get an outfit for school tomorrow?" I asked cheerfully.
"I told you. I'm not going back to school. I don't want to see him. Can we please go home now?" she begged again.
"Paige, come on! I just want to spend some time with you. And get you out of your bedroom," I added.
I advanced forward as the light turned to green.
"I don't want to spend time with anybody. I just wanna be alone," she muttered.
"Nobody wants to be alone," I told her. "I know you're upset," I said, keeping my eyes on the road, "but you can't stay depressed forever. You have to move on."
She slumped back in her seat. "I don't wanna move on," she grunted.
I sighed. Then we were stopped by another stop light. I looked at her and decided to try again.
I took reached over and drew a heart with my finger on her window through the condensation. "Look, Paige," I smiled. "Isn't it pretty?"
She sighed. I knew she was about to give in.
Then she took her finger and drew a zig zag line right down the middle of it.
"Now it's realistic."
I sighed and gave up.
"I'm sorry sweetie. We'll go home if you want," I said, starting in the direction to return home
We drove back in total silence.
"You do have to go back to school tomorrow."
"Why?" she moaned as we walked up to the door.
"Because an education is too important for you to give up over some loser," I said with a smile.
She looked at me with sad eyes. "He's not a loser," she whispered, then looked away again.
I put my hand on her shoulder and we stopped on the porch.
"He lost you. He's the biggest loser I know," I whispered back. I leaned in and gave her a hug.
"Thanks, Piper," she whispered in my ear. I heard the tears in her voice.
"It's true," I said wiping away the tear from her cheek. "He isn't worth this. Agreed?"
She nodded.
"Alright," I sighed. "Now I have to go cook for an ungrateful boyfriend," I laughed.
"Need any help?" she offered with a smile.
"Sure," I nodded.
Her heart was broken, for sure. I knew she had opened up to him. She didn't open up for many people.
We went into the kitchen and began making dinner.
"I just wish I hadn't wasted my first time on him," she sighed, washing her hands.
I almost dropped the plate I was holding.
"What?!"
She looked at me and laughed. "My first kiss, you perv!"
"Oh," I said, my heart still racing. Then I laughed. "I'm glad that scaring the shit out of me makes you laugh!"
She shrugged. "You're funny when you freak out."
"Excuse me? I do not 'freak out'! I'm a very calm person," I said.
I heard Leo laugh as he came in.
"I am!" I protested.
"Of course you are, babe," he said with a smile.
"Sure, Piper," Paige smiled.
"Ugh. You two are mean," I whimpered.
Leo kissed my forehead.
"You smell," I said.
"Thanks?" he laughed.
"No, seriously. Have you been drinking?" I asked.
"Not much," he smiled before walking out.
I sighed. Life was getting a little bit too much for me.
