Chapter 52 – Hang Over

"Are you going to lecture me or have a drink?"

Ian laughed a little as he slid into the bar next to Eddie, "I think I could use a drink."

Ian took a swig of beer before sighing, "So Loren…"

Eddie took a drink, "Yeah she's pregnant."

Ian set his bottle down, "So what are you doing here?"

Eddie swigged his beer, "Thinking."

Ian scoffed, "Intoxicating yourself isn't thinking Eddie. It's a cop out. It makes you a coward."

Eddie scowled, "I'm not a coward."

Ian slammed his hand on the table. "Then why are you here? You love Loren don't you?"

Eddie bit his lip, "More than anything…"

Ian glared, "Then what are you doing here mate? You love her you are going to have a baby! You should be ecstatic!"

Eddie jumped up, "You are one to talk! You have been living with Mel for almost two years dating for almost three I don't see you rushing to marry her! That makes you a coward!"

Ian winced, Eddie had hit a sore spot, "and you're scared just like me."

Eddie swallowed sitting down sullenly. "I… I just don't know if I can do this…"

Ian squeezed his shoulder, "Well sitting here isn't going to give you any answers."

Max was cleaning the bar at MK when Loren rushed in. She looked distraught. When she saw Max she rushed over hugging him tightly.

Max squeezed her, "Sweetheart what's wrong?"

Loren shook her head, "I just need my dad right now."

Max nodded, "Of course, come on I'll take you upstairs."

Loren sat down on the couch. Max handed her a cup of hot chocolate.

Loren looked around quickly swiping tears away, "Won't Grace be worried you aren't home?"

Max shook his head, "Don't worry I let her know I would be here late."

Loren nodded, "Does she know you are with me?"

Max sighed, "No I figured I would figure out what was going on with my daughter before I filled her in."

Loren choked back a sob, "Oh Max… I forgot… There was just so much going on I forgot…"

Max pulled her into an embrace, "Loren honey what's happened?"

Loren took a deep shaky breath, "I'm pregnant… and I told Eddie… he didn't take it well…"

Max immediately became upset, "What did he do?"

Loren shook her head, "Oh Max nothing… He just left… I feel awful it's all my fault…"

Max grabbed her chin forcing her to look at him, "Loren you listen to me. You did nothing wrong. I don't know what has gotten into Eddie but just give him time alright? You look exhausted, you need to lie down."

Loren laid out on the couch; Max slipped her shoes off and tucked a blanket around her. He went to go to the kitchen when Loren grabbed his hand.

"Thank you pop, I love you."

Max squeezed his eyes shut before leaning down and kissing her forehead. "I love you too sweetheart, get some sleep."

Eddie woke to a pounding headache. Ian threw a bottle of Advil and ice pack at him. He groaned as he pressed the ice pack to his head.

Ian pursed his lips, "You look like hell."

Eddie sighed, "I feel like it to."

Ian scoffed, "Good because you deserve it."

Eddie took a deep breath and winced. "Where's Loren."

Ian shrugged and looked at him sadly, "I have no idea she wasn't here when I got you home and she never came back."

Eddie jumped up in a panic but then sat back down quickly biting his fist to stifle a groan.

"What happened last night?"

"You were an asshole that's what happened."

Eddie looked up at Ian's stony face. "Ah man I'm sorry… I wasn't in the best place."

Ian scoffed, "Yeah I'll say it's fine mate. Do you remember what we talked about?"

Eddie nodded, "Yeah… You are right I am a coward."

Ian squeezed his shoulder, "I am too…"

Eddie laughed bitterly, "We are both pathetic aren't we?"

Ian laughed, "I'd say so."

Max burst into the apartment his eyes on fire. He looked at Eddie, "I'd beat you to a pulp if you weren't already wasted."

Eddie held up his hand in defense, "Pop please I don't need this right now."

Max scoffed, "You don't need this? Are you kidding me Eddie? I have a heartbroken daughter bawling her eyes out to me last night and you don't need this right now?"

Eddie jumped up, "You know where Loren is? Where is she pop?!"

Max scowled, "Like I'm going to tell you. Please Eddie, what were you thinking?"

Eddie walked up to his dad, "Please pop I need to know where my wife is."

Max softened a little, "You are a huge pain in my ass. Let's go."

Loren woke up and saw Eddie sitting next to her rubbing her back. She pushed his arm away sitting up, "What are you doing here?"

Eddie sighed, "I convinced pop to show me where you were. Loren I am so sorry…"

Loren put her face in her hands, "Why would you do that? How could you just walk out?"

Eddie groaned, "I was afraid…"

Loren looked up from her hands, "And you think I'm not? But running out isn't an option! We are married if you are upset you watch TV or yell or take a walk! You don't just leave and get drunk!"

Eddie looked at his hands, "I know… I was wrong… I was just so shocked… I can't be a father like my dad is…"

Loren gasped, "Is that what this is about? Eddie you will be an amazing dad…"

Eddie looked up his eyes wide and vulnerable, "How do you know?"

Loren slid over and caressed the side of his face, "Because I know you… and you are the most amazing man. You take such good care of me…" Loren puts her hand on her stomach, "And this baby is going to love you."

Eddie placed his hand on top of Loren's, "Okay… I'm sorry I wish I was as strong as you are."

Loren smiled, leaning forward she placed a chaste kiss on his lips. "You really are a pain in the ass."

Eddie laughed, "Your pain in the ass though."

Loren smiled, "Our"

Eddie smiled and returned his hand to her stomach.

"How was Eddie?"

Ian jumped; he had just walked into the apartment. "Gosh Mel you scared me."

Mel laughed, "I'm sorry, since when are you so jumpy."

Ian sighed he grabbed Mel's hand, "I need to talk to you."

He pulled her over to the couch Mel looked at him warily.

"Mel, are you happy?"

Mel scowled, "What do you mean?"

Ian sighed, "I mean are you happy with me?"

Mel raised her eyebrows, "I should hope so… I mean I have been with you for almost three years…"

Ian sniffed, "Do you want to get married have kids?"

Mel inhaled sharply, "Well yeah… Don't you?"

Ian shook his head, "I don't know… I'm comfortable with how things are… I just don't know if you are."

Mel shook her head, "Lo warned me of this… She told me you wouldn't want to commit to me."

Ian threw up his arms, "How can you say that? I have been living with you for almost three years! I've never even thought about another woman."

Mel sighed, "Look Ian I love you… Maybe we just don't want the same things anymore. Just let me know when you figure it out."

Mel stood up and walked into the kitchen.