About a week had gone by and Nora hadn't seen Linnie anywhere. Normally, she would at least see him pass by her on the way to get lunch and back during work, but now, she didn't even see him at any of the lunch tables. She found it incredibly frustrating, because without Linnie anywhere to distract her, she was stuck gawking at Arthur and Willow, who's faces might as well be fused together since they can't top kissing.
Nora wasn't sure how much she could take it. Yes, she'd still prefer to be with Arthur, but she started getting urges with Linnie that she wasn't sure she'd have with anyone else. But with him avoiding her now, Nora started to get angry, wondering if all they had was a one night stand.
Swear, these men just don't listen do they? Oh, I'll show him a piece of my mind. He's got some nerve clowning me like that.
The next day, before the bell rang for lunch, Nora slammed the midterms into her filing cabinet, deciding to grade them when she got home later. She was desperate for answers, wanting to know why the hell Linnie was avoiding her all of the sudden. The very least he could have done was say goodbye.
After closing the classroom door, Nora flew over to the daycare, where she knew he might be working. She opened the door and let herself in, only for a red-haired, square faces man to appear at the desk, forcing Nora to step back a bit.
"Woah! Who the hell are you? I don't remember you working here. Did Linnie get fired or something?"
"What no! My name's Pixel; an old friend of Linnie's. He had a doctor's appointment so he asked me to fill in until he felt better.", the red-faired fairy said, frowning, "Who are you and what do you need? Are you trying to do early pick up? Do you have a form?"
"No! I work here with the level 14 probation brats. I don't have nor want any kids of my own. I was just wanting to speak with Linnie, that's all.", Nora huffed, "Do you know when he'll be back?"
"He said if he was feeling well, then he'd be back this afternoon. Does he know you by anychance?"
"Well duh! How else would I know to ask for him? Seriously, what's with you and all the questions?", Nora snapped, making Pixel look uneasy. She continued to glare at him before they heard the doorknob jiggle, with Linnie walking inside, his stomach looking a bit bigger than Nora had remembered.
"Damn Linnie, you gain some weight or something?", Nora snarked, as Pixel smiled and stood up from his seat.
"Linnie! I'm glad you're feeling well again.", he said, hugging Linnie, "How'd the appointment go?"
"It went well, thank you. They said I should be done in about 3 months.", Linnie said, though his normally timid voice seemed chipper and bubbly all of the sudden, as if nothing could ruin his day, "Thank you so much for watching the kids for me this week. You know, I really hate having to take time off but I just couldn't stop vomiting, and I didn't want the babies to get sick if I had a virus."
"Well, you just focus on taking care of yourself now, that's what's important.", Pixel smiled, gathering his things from the desk, "Well, if you're back for the rest of the day, then I'm going to tell Jorgen I'm headed home. Let me know if you need any help with anything."
"Oh I will. You have no idea how much I appreciate it. Thank you.", Linnie smiled as he gathered himself back at the desk, now noticing Nora, "Hi Nora, how are you?"
"How am I? Hah..", Nora laughed. This man really does have some audacity, "How am I?! Where have you been? I've been trying to find you for the past week! You got a lot of explaining to do, mister."
"W-what? What are you talking about?", Linnie asked, his cheery voice now fading into a softer, more worried and anxious tone, "W-hat did I do wrong now? Did I upset you?"
"You're damn right you did! I want to know why you've been avoiding me ever since I invited you over! You know, a thank you for my hospitality was the least you could have given me!"
"I-I didn't mean to avoid you, Nora. I'm sorry. It-It's just I was sick at home and went to see the doctor.", Linnie said, voice getting higher and higher pitched as looked at Nora, "Well, there's actually something I have to tell you."
"Yeah. An I'm sorry I abandoned you? An I'm sorry that I wasted your time?"
"Well..yes I'm sorry..but not really.", Linnie squeaked, "I-I went to the doctor and..I know why I'm vomiting now. I'm not sick…I'm pregnant."
"Ok and? How's that my problem?"
"I'm pretty sure the baby is yours."
"Pfft..yeah right Linnie. You know, if this daycare thing doesn't work out, you can always try out as a clown for the circus. I mean, you certainly act like one if you think I'm gonna fall for some cheap ass trick."
"N-No Nora please! You're the only person I've uhm..done the deed with, and I-I don't think either of us used protection last night. I-I honestly can't think of anyone else who might be mothering my baby."
"Baby? Don't you mean fetus?"
"No Nora. Our baby..", Linnie said, with a bit more confidence, as if he was trying to correct her, "I-I know this isn't what you wanted and ..I'm sorry. B-But maybe this child will bring us closer. I was noticing you did look a bit unhappy lately."
"Hold on, who said I'm going to take care of this..fetus? Why are you assuming I'm going to raise the child. You're the idiot that decided to have it.", Nora yelled, an impatient look in her eyes. Linnie shrunk in his seat.
"W-well I-I just thought..I-I understand you don't like kids but I just..I thought it might be different since this is your child. And you've always complained that you're lonely, but now we have a family! Why don't you want anything to do with our baby?"
"I never wanted this to happen Linnie! Can't you get rid of it?!"
"What!? NO! Why would you say that! I want to keep the child!"
"Well, I'm not raising babies and I'm sure as hell not paying child support.", Nora snapped, with tears rolling down Linnie's cheeks, "Oh ok, go ahead and cry. See if that'll make me change my mind."
"I-I..N-Nora I..", Linnie was at a loss for words. He thought he and Nora were finally starting to connect after a few months of being together. He knew that he never intended for any of this to happen, but he had hoped that she would at least be a bit supportive. After a bit of watching Linnie cry, Nora sighed heavily.
"Look, if you want to keep the child, then fine. I don't give a shit. Sell him online for all I care. But you're going to be the one responsible for the brat, ok? As long as I don't have to pay child support, I'll let you keep this child."
"B-But that would mean we would have to start living together! I-I thought you didn't want to live with me?"
"Well, we don't really have another option, now do we Mr. Pregnant Ass? You made a decision so now you have to live with the consequences. The world doesn't revolve around you, no matter how much you think so. And no, I'm not moving into your shitty apartment. You're gonna have to move into my house."
"I..uhm.."
"It's either move in or abort the baby."
"I…Nora I…ok yes. I'll move in with you. I'm so sorry I'm doing this to us."
"Good. Finally taking some responsibility.", Nora said, her tone calming down as she leaned against the door, "I'm thinking your rent will be $500 a month, and $200 for utilities. Don't bother me when I'm having my drinks and don't let the baby cry too long. It'll disrupt my programs and you know how I get if I don't want my shows."
"Y-Yes Nora. Of course."
"Good.", Nora said, walking out through the door, still boiling angry over Linnie's little pregnancy announcement. The nerve of him! After all she's done for him, he goes around and pulls that bullshit! Well, Nora guessed it would work out fine. She was going to teach him a lesson one way or another.