Later that night Amber was sitting in Trudy's new room. She sat on a chair and stared at Trudy who was sitting on the bed with Brady. "Amber, you've gotta understand." Said Trudy leaning forward. "Everything changed after you 'died'. Bray had another woman. I didn't even have you as my best friend." She held Amber's hand and looked into her eye's. "I missed you so much." She had tears in her eye's, they both did. "Then I didn't even have Brady. They took her. If I didn't turn I'd never had seen her again."
"You went to far Trudy." Replied Amber. "Dal died at the hand's of The Chosen. You were there." She had tears rolling down her cheek's. "He died because I didn't come back from Eagle mountain." Amber looked down at the floor.
"You see." Began Trudy. "We've all done thing's we regret. You and Eagle Mountain, me and the Chosen. Everyone. But that time is over now." She looked Amber straight in the eye. "I know there's a long way to go but..." she paused "We're family. Remember what Tai-San said "It's not a name...it's a future." Amber stared at her.
"I believe you Trudy. In time the other's will to. Give it time. We have to create a future for both Brady and..." She paused. She had to tell someone. "This little one." Trudy's eye's widened. Then she smiled. It was a huge smile.
"Your..." She asked nodding towards what was a significant lump. But she'd never noticed it before, she doubted anyone had.
"Yes." Replied Amber smiling. "I haven't told Bray yet. Do you think he'll be pleased? I'm not sure if he's ready for this."
"He'll be so pleased." Replied Trudy. She hugged Amber. "Thank you for trusting me with this. Forever friend Amber." She put her palm forward.
"Forever friends." Amber put her palm against Trudy's "I'm sorry that we can't trust you yet" she added as she stood. "But I trust you. I alway's will." She smiled and left.
Not long ago she would have been upset by Amber's news. But Trudy had grown up a lot since then. She was a mother and she was proud to have friends like the Mall Rats. Especially friends like Amber.
Later that night Amber and Bray were alone and she finally plucked up the courage to tell Bray what she had been waiting to tell him.
"Bray I need to tell you something." She said smiling.
"Nothing bad I hope." He said smiling
"I don't think so." She looked down at the floor, what would he say, what would he think? She took a deep breath and lifted her head up again. She looked into his eye's. "I hope you won't either. It's simple.." She paused, Bray looked worried. "I'm pregnant."
Bray stared wide eyed at her for a minute. He was shocked, he hadn't been expecting this. He hugged her suddenly and smiled at her. "That's fantastic!" He said into her hair. He put his hand on her stomach, it was clearly enlarged. "When are you due?" He asked smiling.
"We are," she corrected, looking into his eye's, "due in about 4 month's." She smiled, relieved. He was happy.
"I'm gonna be a father. This is great." He hugged her again and smiled at her. He kissed her on the lips.
"I found out while I was away. It was our last night together. I couldn't come back and then I couldn't find the right time..." he cut her off.
"It doesn't matter. We're having a baby." He hugged her again. "I couldn't be happier." Then he had a sudden thought. "Oh God, when I think what could have happened last night. The Chosen, something could have happened to you or the baby." He grabbed her hand and held her close again.
"Bray the Protector, very sweet." She smiled and they kissed again. She stared into his eye's. "I love you, Bray."
"I love you Amber." He replied. "We love you baby" he said and again put his hand on her stomach.
The next morning when everyone was gathered for breakfast Bray decided to make the announcement.
"Can I have everyone's attention please." He said standing up. Everyone went quiet and turned to face him. "Amber and I have an announcement. We're gonna have a baby." He smiled at Amber and she smiled back.
Lex was the first. "That's brill, man." He slapped Bray's back and kissed Amber on the cheek.
After that they were greeted by a choros of people saying congratulation's even a reluctantly Ebony. Pride tried to look happy but Amber could tell he was quite upset.
"I'm pleased for you Eagle." He said and smiled lightly.
"Thank you Pride." She replied.
"I think girls night tonight." Said Salene.
"This child will give us great strength." Said Tai-San, smiling.
"Girl's night?" Said Lex in mock annoyance. "Then we can have a guy's night, can't we?" He smiled with his sly smile.
"God help us" said Amber, everyone laughed and she kissed Bray. They smiled, it was going to be an interesting night.
That night all the girls were gathered together in an upstairs room, Trudy and Tai-San had organised a party atmosphere. But with two pregnant women in the room there wasn't much partying going on. They were sat around in a circle having various discussions before Trudy came over with the drinks.
"No alcohol for those with child." She said smiling at Salene and Amber who smiled back, Trudy was gradually becoming more a part of the tribe again, but it would take more time. Alice and some other's still didn't trust her completely. With the Chosen still out there even with the loss of the Guardian who was in his cell with May downstairs. Amber had decided to put them together, she had said it would be a good punishment for both of them, with luck they'd kill each other. They would eventually go to trial once the Chosen were completely finished.
"Guess that mean's you and me are on the orange juice, Sal." Replied Amber, still smiling.
"Suppose so." She replied and then turned to Amber. " When are you due?" She asked as she sipped the orange juice.
"About 4 month's." Replied Amber. "You?" She asked.
"About 2 month's. Can't wait, neither can Ryan." She smiled lightly.
"Hang about." Interrupted Ellie. "Your 5 five month's gone?" She asked confused.
"I know. We spent 1 night together before I left for the army." She looked down at her drink as the other's looked at her.
"Unlucky." Said Ellie, smiling.
Amber shook her head and was quick to say "I'm extactic, I can't wait." She looked up at the other's and smiled. A few minutes of more talk about various subject's and then Patsy finally asked her question, a question she'd wondered about for along time, ever since she'd found out Amber was alive. The other's had wondered it to.
"Amber?" She asked. "What happened at Eagle mountain, why do they call you Eagle?" She asked bluntly.
"Ah" Amber squirmed, some of them had heard bit's of the story but from other people not Amber herself.
"I'd like to here this story." Said Alice. "From what Bray told me it should be very interesting." She came and sat down by the other's.
"Okay, does everyone know what happened on Eagle Mountain, the research lab etc." She asked. Everyone nodded or replied yes. Amber took a deep breath. She looked over at Ebony, however much she disliked her she didn't want to hurt her. But Ebony just nodded as if to say that she could tell the whole truth. Amber began to tell the whole story. Ebony's lie's (although she didn't say exactly what they were), how she'd blacked out and Pride had found her. The Gaian tribe and how she was the leader. Her reunion with Bray, Lex, Ebony and Dal. How she'd convinced the Gaian's to help and how she had got back together with Bray thanks to Pride.
"So why are you called Eagle?" Asked Ellie.
"Gaian each take an animal to act as their spirit guide, that animal guides them, they live that life. I chose Eagle. It seemed appropriate."
"Eagle Mountain, right." Said Salene.
"Cool story" said Patsy.
" I suppose so. I wish I'd come back sooner, but..."
"We understand" said Salene.
"And now Bray and you are gonna have a baby. We're just glad your alive." Said Trudy. "Enough moping. Lets party." Everyone smiled and stood.
"We have much to be thankful for. The return of Amber and new life." Said Tai-San. "And Trudy seeing sense." She smiled at Trudy.
"Yeah." Said everyone.
Meanwhile downstairs.
"Come on Bray. How do you do it?" Said Lex. Who was by now visibly drunk. Ryan and some of the Gaian's were also slightly drunk by now, they'd had some extra cider left over from Alice's farm.
"I don't know." He replied and shrugged. "But I only ever really loved Amber." He said and looked into his now almost empty glass.
"You can see that." Said Ryan.
"So how far along is Amber?" Asked Lex.
"5 month's." Replied Bray. He stood and walked over to the window, he put down his glass and turned to the other's.
"Hold it there." Replied Lex. "You dirty little.." He stood and walked over to Bray, he smiled slyly.
"What?" Asked Bray.
"That's like the night before she left." He said still with the same smile on his face.
"Yeah." Replied Bray with a smile now on his lips also.
"You must be dead unlucky." Said Lex laughing, he shook his head and smiled at Bray. "One night."
"One night but I still can't wait to be a father." He replied Bray.
"Neither can I." said Ryan.
"Neither could I." said Lex, he looked down at the floor glumly, remembering how Zandra had died at Eagle Mountain. There was no hope of her coming back, he'd buried her himself.
"I'm sorry to remind you..." said Bray.
"Hey let's have some fun, this is supposed to be a celebration of loverboy becoming a father." And then Lex stood up and started dancing with Ryan. Bray laughed and had another drink.
As Lex got more and more drunk Bray helped him to a chair. "Hey loverboy." He said or slurred. His breath stank. "If she's that far gone, you may not be the dad. After all Amber's no angel, is she. Remember Sasha?" Then Lex collapsed, completely, Bray just stared at him. He'd never even considered that he wasn't the father, what if he wasn't, would Amber have told him? He walked upstairs, deep in thought.
Bray lay awake that night and wondered. He wanted so much to believe Amber, but what Lex had said rang out in his mind. They'd spent one night together and month's before and after apart. He could just ask her straight out if the kid was his. She'd be upset he didn't believe her. She'd be so upset.
He looked at her sleeping beside him. She would never lie to him, she hated lies so much. Even if the baby wasn't his he wouldn't loose Amber, he wouldn't let himself. But he needed to know, the only person who'd know for sure was Pride. He'd ask him tomorrow. Then he'd know the truth.
Later when everyone was either completely drunk, passed out or had gone to bed (fallen asleep on the floor). Pride was up and alert guarding Brady and Trudy and talking quietly to Trudy about Amber and Bray.
"She's happy. So I'm happy. But I'd have liked her to have been happy with me." He told Trudy and they sat on the bed.
"I understand. I used to have a bit of a thing for Bray, I think almost everyone has at some time. I still love him but more as a brother than anything else. He is Brady's uncle and Amber is like my best friend." She replied smiling at him.
"I like Bray. I know they love each other. I try to be happy for them but..."
"You want her. There gonna have a baby, Pride. You can't have her. Just like I can't have Bray." They stayed silent for a few moments.
"I know..." He replied looking down. "But it's still hard."
They stayed silent for a moment. "So off that subject. How have you been coping having to spend all your time with me and Brady?" She asked and smiled.
"I've enjoyed it." He smiled and so did she.
"So have I Pride." She replied " So have I."
"But I think we should both get some sleep now." He said and began to stand. She just sat there and smiled at him. He lent forward and kissed her lightly, neither of them pulled away. He stood up and smiled at her, she smiled back. He turned and left the room and sat in his chair outside her room. Occasionally he checked on Trudy and Brady. Eventually when he went to sleep, for the first time in month's his dream's weren't of Amber but of someone else.
Later that day Bray found Pride playing with Brady. He sat down beside him and Pride turned towards him.
"You are troubled my friend." he began "fatherhood beckons but you don't know if your ready."
Bray looked at him. For a few seconds they just stared at each other, looking straight at each other. Pride was half smiling but Bray's expression was deadly serious. "It's not that." He replied.
Pride looked at him sceptically. "Are you sure?" He asked but before Bray could answer Pride continued. "What is it then?" He asked.
Bray braced himself as Pride put Brady into her playpen. Pride would not be happy with this. He was loyal to Amber and would be deeply upset by what Bray was about to ask. He exhaled deeply "I need to know something and I can't ask Amber." He paused and looked downwards. "Is there any possibility that I'm not the baby's father?" He looked upwards and saw Prides eyes widen with first shock and then they turned to anger.
"You want to know if we ever slept together, don't you. If I'm the father?" Pride was visibly both shocked and disgusted.
"Not just you." Began Bray "I'm sorry I shouldn't have asked." He stood up and began to leave. Pride stood up also and followed him into another room.
"Of course the baby's yours. Amber loves you, she chose you, she'd never betray you like that." He shouted as he followed Bray.
"You don't know how much I want to believe her and you." He replied. "But we had 1 night and then a five month gap and she comes back pregnant." He shouted at Pride. "I just want the truth. I can't ask her so I asked you." He turned to leave. "I love her but it's but it's just hard to believe."
Pride watched him go towards the door. If it saved Amber from pain it was a good thing. "Bray!" He shouted. Bray turned towards him. "No one else, not me not anyone, only you." He said.
"That's all I needed to know. Thanks Pride" He left.
He only hoped Amber never found out about their conversation, if she did she would not be pleased, with either of them.
Bray sat down on the bed and looked at the still sleeping woman who lay beside him. She was so beautiful. He loved her so much. At least now he could forget what Lex had said. At least now he was sure. She stirred quietly and then he saw her eye's open. "Good morning" He said smiling at her. She turned toward him, her pregnancy was clearly visible now. He wondered why he hadn't noticed before she'd told him.
She had a smile on her face. "Hello." She replied. "What time is it?" she asked as she sat up in bed and he kissed her.
"About 10" he replied. "You needed the rest. Especially in your condition." He touched her enlarged stomach with his whole hand. He smiled and kissed her again. Amber didn't argue, no stubbornness this time she agreed with him. She just looked up at him. "Have you seen Tai-San or one of the Gaian doctors?" He asked.
Amber nodded her head. "I saw Sky while I was away. He's our medicine man. He said I was fine and that the baby was doing well." She turned away. "I'm just a bit big that's all." He held he hand. "But I'm not stepping down as leader." She said showing her old Amber defientness. "I may be pregnant but I can still do the job" she added. "So don't even ask me."
He stroked her cheak and she turned to face him. "I wouldn't have it any other way." He smiled at her feeling guilty that he'd ever doubted her.
"Anyway Daddy Bray" she began smiling. "Shouldn't we be getting up?" She asked, looking at him with her big green eyes.
"Well I'm already up." He replied. "It's you whose lazy, not me." She threw a pillow at him and began to get dressed. "That's not fair Amber(!)" He replied mockingly. "I can't even fight back. Your using the baby to shied yourself(!)" He pointed his finger at her and then shook his head.
"Get out of here." She said laughing and so he did. He walked out the door smiling. He was going to be a father and nothing was going to stand ing the way of that.
Pride watched Bray leave and then saw Ebony. "Hello Ebony." He said to her.
"What's up Pride?" She asked with a sly smile. "Not happy for the lovebirds?"
Pride shook his head "There's something Bray should have asked Amber. But he asked me instead." Pride shook his head again and then shrugged.
Ebony's smile grew. "He wanted to know if he was the father." She said almost shouted, but it wasn't a question. "So there's trouble in paridise then." She added.
Pride didn't reply. He just stood, knowing that he'd just made a terrible error of judgement. An error he already regretted, he may have just broken Amber's heart and ruined two people's lives.
"Hey Pride" shouted Ebony behind him. "You know this is the best gossip I've heard in ages." She still had the same smile on her face. "Thanks Pride, you just made my year."
Ebony watched him leave. Normally she would have jumped at the chance to tell Amber something like this. But for some reason she really didn't want to. Amber had been quite nice to her since she came back, they still hated each other but they had remained civil to each other. Amber hadn't gone around telling people what she'd done, she'd kept quiet about it.
She walked towards where Amber was standing. She wouldn't tell her, yet.
Amber saw Ebony looking at her. She stared back then walked calmly over to her. "Looks like you've failed completely, doesn't it Ebony?" She asked staring at Ebony and smiling. But there was something in Ebony's eyes. Like she knew something. "So I'm a tribe leader, with the man you tried to keep me from and having his child." She could see Ebony's anger rising. "No comeback Ebony?" She asked as they stood eyeball to eyeball. "What do you have? I asked you to stay before because we needed you, but do we really? Why are you here?" She asked "because you don't have anywhere to go." She answered for her. "Because you have no one, do you?" She continued.
That was it for Ebony, she didn't care who she hurt, especially if it was Amber. "You know what Amber?" She began. "You can stick your tribe. As for Bray perhaps you don't know him as well as you think."
Amber shook her head. "I'm not falling for that one again Ebony." She said smiling. "Not after last time." She was deadly serious.
"You now Amber, Eagle, whatever. Lover boy over there doesn't trust you." Amber just looked at Ebony, confused. What did she mean? "Your boyfriend doesn't know if he's father." Amber's eye's widened and her anger rose. "He asked Pride." Ebony gave her a mocking smile. "I think that that paradise of yours just got caught in a storm. Don't you?" She added.
Amber stared at hr, then slapped her across the face as hard as she could. Ebony fell to the ground and put her hand to her face, still smiling. "Leave us alone Ebony. We don't want you here." Then Amber walked off toward Bray.
Bray saw Ebony and Amber talking. He knew something was about to happen. Then, suddenly Amber just smacked Ebony around the face with such force Ebony fell to the ground.
Then she came towards him. She didn't look happy. The other Mall Rats had heard the commotion and were watching the drama unfold. Bray stood there waiting for her.
When she reached him he tried to touch her arm but she just drew away from him. "It's true isn't it!" She shouted, nodding her head. "You didn't believe me!" Her face was hard but her voice had sorrow in it.
"Amber I..." He began but was cut off by a slap around the face. She had a hell of a slap these days he had to admit.
She shook her head and turned and walked off. He followed behind her "Amber, it's not that, it's just." He paused. "I needed to be sure."
"I don't wanna here it Bray." She replied. "Just leave me alone." She slammed the door in his face.
He began to bang it. "AMBER!!!" But she didn't reply. "I do trust you!" Then he turned to the other's who were watching.
"Nice one Bray." Said Trudy, sarcastically. "I don't what you did. But what ever it was..." She shook her head and went into Amber's room.
Bray just walked off and the other's began to ask each other what was on. No one noticed that at the bottom of the stairs a figure was moving out of the Mall. No one noticed that Ebony was with him. No one noticed that she wasn't going willingly.
"You went to far Trudy." Replied Amber. "Dal died at the hand's of The Chosen. You were there." She had tears rolling down her cheek's. "He died because I didn't come back from Eagle mountain." Amber looked down at the floor.
"You see." Began Trudy. "We've all done thing's we regret. You and Eagle Mountain, me and the Chosen. Everyone. But that time is over now." She looked Amber straight in the eye. "I know there's a long way to go but..." she paused "We're family. Remember what Tai-San said "It's not a name...it's a future." Amber stared at her.
"I believe you Trudy. In time the other's will to. Give it time. We have to create a future for both Brady and..." She paused. She had to tell someone. "This little one." Trudy's eye's widened. Then she smiled. It was a huge smile.
"Your..." She asked nodding towards what was a significant lump. But she'd never noticed it before, she doubted anyone had.
"Yes." Replied Amber smiling. "I haven't told Bray yet. Do you think he'll be pleased? I'm not sure if he's ready for this."
"He'll be so pleased." Replied Trudy. She hugged Amber. "Thank you for trusting me with this. Forever friend Amber." She put her palm forward.
"Forever friends." Amber put her palm against Trudy's "I'm sorry that we can't trust you yet" she added as she stood. "But I trust you. I alway's will." She smiled and left.
Not long ago she would have been upset by Amber's news. But Trudy had grown up a lot since then. She was a mother and she was proud to have friends like the Mall Rats. Especially friends like Amber.
Later that night Amber and Bray were alone and she finally plucked up the courage to tell Bray what she had been waiting to tell him.
"Bray I need to tell you something." She said smiling.
"Nothing bad I hope." He said smiling
"I don't think so." She looked down at the floor, what would he say, what would he think? She took a deep breath and lifted her head up again. She looked into his eye's. "I hope you won't either. It's simple.." She paused, Bray looked worried. "I'm pregnant."
Bray stared wide eyed at her for a minute. He was shocked, he hadn't been expecting this. He hugged her suddenly and smiled at her. "That's fantastic!" He said into her hair. He put his hand on her stomach, it was clearly enlarged. "When are you due?" He asked smiling.
"We are," she corrected, looking into his eye's, "due in about 4 month's." She smiled, relieved. He was happy.
"I'm gonna be a father. This is great." He hugged her again and smiled at her. He kissed her on the lips.
"I found out while I was away. It was our last night together. I couldn't come back and then I couldn't find the right time..." he cut her off.
"It doesn't matter. We're having a baby." He hugged her again. "I couldn't be happier." Then he had a sudden thought. "Oh God, when I think what could have happened last night. The Chosen, something could have happened to you or the baby." He grabbed her hand and held her close again.
"Bray the Protector, very sweet." She smiled and they kissed again. She stared into his eye's. "I love you, Bray."
"I love you Amber." He replied. "We love you baby" he said and again put his hand on her stomach.
The next morning when everyone was gathered for breakfast Bray decided to make the announcement.
"Can I have everyone's attention please." He said standing up. Everyone went quiet and turned to face him. "Amber and I have an announcement. We're gonna have a baby." He smiled at Amber and she smiled back.
Lex was the first. "That's brill, man." He slapped Bray's back and kissed Amber on the cheek.
After that they were greeted by a choros of people saying congratulation's even a reluctantly Ebony. Pride tried to look happy but Amber could tell he was quite upset.
"I'm pleased for you Eagle." He said and smiled lightly.
"Thank you Pride." She replied.
"I think girls night tonight." Said Salene.
"This child will give us great strength." Said Tai-San, smiling.
"Girl's night?" Said Lex in mock annoyance. "Then we can have a guy's night, can't we?" He smiled with his sly smile.
"God help us" said Amber, everyone laughed and she kissed Bray. They smiled, it was going to be an interesting night.
That night all the girls were gathered together in an upstairs room, Trudy and Tai-San had organised a party atmosphere. But with two pregnant women in the room there wasn't much partying going on. They were sat around in a circle having various discussions before Trudy came over with the drinks.
"No alcohol for those with child." She said smiling at Salene and Amber who smiled back, Trudy was gradually becoming more a part of the tribe again, but it would take more time. Alice and some other's still didn't trust her completely. With the Chosen still out there even with the loss of the Guardian who was in his cell with May downstairs. Amber had decided to put them together, she had said it would be a good punishment for both of them, with luck they'd kill each other. They would eventually go to trial once the Chosen were completely finished.
"Guess that mean's you and me are on the orange juice, Sal." Replied Amber, still smiling.
"Suppose so." She replied and then turned to Amber. " When are you due?" She asked as she sipped the orange juice.
"About 4 month's." Replied Amber. "You?" She asked.
"About 2 month's. Can't wait, neither can Ryan." She smiled lightly.
"Hang about." Interrupted Ellie. "Your 5 five month's gone?" She asked confused.
"I know. We spent 1 night together before I left for the army." She looked down at her drink as the other's looked at her.
"Unlucky." Said Ellie, smiling.
Amber shook her head and was quick to say "I'm extactic, I can't wait." She looked up at the other's and smiled. A few minutes of more talk about various subject's and then Patsy finally asked her question, a question she'd wondered about for along time, ever since she'd found out Amber was alive. The other's had wondered it to.
"Amber?" She asked. "What happened at Eagle mountain, why do they call you Eagle?" She asked bluntly.
"Ah" Amber squirmed, some of them had heard bit's of the story but from other people not Amber herself.
"I'd like to here this story." Said Alice. "From what Bray told me it should be very interesting." She came and sat down by the other's.
"Okay, does everyone know what happened on Eagle Mountain, the research lab etc." She asked. Everyone nodded or replied yes. Amber took a deep breath. She looked over at Ebony, however much she disliked her she didn't want to hurt her. But Ebony just nodded as if to say that she could tell the whole truth. Amber began to tell the whole story. Ebony's lie's (although she didn't say exactly what they were), how she'd blacked out and Pride had found her. The Gaian tribe and how she was the leader. Her reunion with Bray, Lex, Ebony and Dal. How she'd convinced the Gaian's to help and how she had got back together with Bray thanks to Pride.
"So why are you called Eagle?" Asked Ellie.
"Gaian each take an animal to act as their spirit guide, that animal guides them, they live that life. I chose Eagle. It seemed appropriate."
"Eagle Mountain, right." Said Salene.
"Cool story" said Patsy.
" I suppose so. I wish I'd come back sooner, but..."
"We understand" said Salene.
"And now Bray and you are gonna have a baby. We're just glad your alive." Said Trudy. "Enough moping. Lets party." Everyone smiled and stood.
"We have much to be thankful for. The return of Amber and new life." Said Tai-San. "And Trudy seeing sense." She smiled at Trudy.
"Yeah." Said everyone.
Meanwhile downstairs.
"Come on Bray. How do you do it?" Said Lex. Who was by now visibly drunk. Ryan and some of the Gaian's were also slightly drunk by now, they'd had some extra cider left over from Alice's farm.
"I don't know." He replied and shrugged. "But I only ever really loved Amber." He said and looked into his now almost empty glass.
"You can see that." Said Ryan.
"So how far along is Amber?" Asked Lex.
"5 month's." Replied Bray. He stood and walked over to the window, he put down his glass and turned to the other's.
"Hold it there." Replied Lex. "You dirty little.." He stood and walked over to Bray, he smiled slyly.
"What?" Asked Bray.
"That's like the night before she left." He said still with the same smile on his face.
"Yeah." Replied Bray with a smile now on his lips also.
"You must be dead unlucky." Said Lex laughing, he shook his head and smiled at Bray. "One night."
"One night but I still can't wait to be a father." He replied Bray.
"Neither can I." said Ryan.
"Neither could I." said Lex, he looked down at the floor glumly, remembering how Zandra had died at Eagle Mountain. There was no hope of her coming back, he'd buried her himself.
"I'm sorry to remind you..." said Bray.
"Hey let's have some fun, this is supposed to be a celebration of loverboy becoming a father." And then Lex stood up and started dancing with Ryan. Bray laughed and had another drink.
As Lex got more and more drunk Bray helped him to a chair. "Hey loverboy." He said or slurred. His breath stank. "If she's that far gone, you may not be the dad. After all Amber's no angel, is she. Remember Sasha?" Then Lex collapsed, completely, Bray just stared at him. He'd never even considered that he wasn't the father, what if he wasn't, would Amber have told him? He walked upstairs, deep in thought.
Bray lay awake that night and wondered. He wanted so much to believe Amber, but what Lex had said rang out in his mind. They'd spent one night together and month's before and after apart. He could just ask her straight out if the kid was his. She'd be upset he didn't believe her. She'd be so upset.
He looked at her sleeping beside him. She would never lie to him, she hated lies so much. Even if the baby wasn't his he wouldn't loose Amber, he wouldn't let himself. But he needed to know, the only person who'd know for sure was Pride. He'd ask him tomorrow. Then he'd know the truth.
Later when everyone was either completely drunk, passed out or had gone to bed (fallen asleep on the floor). Pride was up and alert guarding Brady and Trudy and talking quietly to Trudy about Amber and Bray.
"She's happy. So I'm happy. But I'd have liked her to have been happy with me." He told Trudy and they sat on the bed.
"I understand. I used to have a bit of a thing for Bray, I think almost everyone has at some time. I still love him but more as a brother than anything else. He is Brady's uncle and Amber is like my best friend." She replied smiling at him.
"I like Bray. I know they love each other. I try to be happy for them but..."
"You want her. There gonna have a baby, Pride. You can't have her. Just like I can't have Bray." They stayed silent for a few moments.
"I know..." He replied looking down. "But it's still hard."
They stayed silent for a moment. "So off that subject. How have you been coping having to spend all your time with me and Brady?" She asked and smiled.
"I've enjoyed it." He smiled and so did she.
"So have I Pride." She replied " So have I."
"But I think we should both get some sleep now." He said and began to stand. She just sat there and smiled at him. He lent forward and kissed her lightly, neither of them pulled away. He stood up and smiled at her, she smiled back. He turned and left the room and sat in his chair outside her room. Occasionally he checked on Trudy and Brady. Eventually when he went to sleep, for the first time in month's his dream's weren't of Amber but of someone else.
Later that day Bray found Pride playing with Brady. He sat down beside him and Pride turned towards him.
"You are troubled my friend." he began "fatherhood beckons but you don't know if your ready."
Bray looked at him. For a few seconds they just stared at each other, looking straight at each other. Pride was half smiling but Bray's expression was deadly serious. "It's not that." He replied.
Pride looked at him sceptically. "Are you sure?" He asked but before Bray could answer Pride continued. "What is it then?" He asked.
Bray braced himself as Pride put Brady into her playpen. Pride would not be happy with this. He was loyal to Amber and would be deeply upset by what Bray was about to ask. He exhaled deeply "I need to know something and I can't ask Amber." He paused and looked downwards. "Is there any possibility that I'm not the baby's father?" He looked upwards and saw Prides eyes widen with first shock and then they turned to anger.
"You want to know if we ever slept together, don't you. If I'm the father?" Pride was visibly both shocked and disgusted.
"Not just you." Began Bray "I'm sorry I shouldn't have asked." He stood up and began to leave. Pride stood up also and followed him into another room.
"Of course the baby's yours. Amber loves you, she chose you, she'd never betray you like that." He shouted as he followed Bray.
"You don't know how much I want to believe her and you." He replied. "But we had 1 night and then a five month gap and she comes back pregnant." He shouted at Pride. "I just want the truth. I can't ask her so I asked you." He turned to leave. "I love her but it's but it's just hard to believe."
Pride watched him go towards the door. If it saved Amber from pain it was a good thing. "Bray!" He shouted. Bray turned towards him. "No one else, not me not anyone, only you." He said.
"That's all I needed to know. Thanks Pride" He left.
He only hoped Amber never found out about their conversation, if she did she would not be pleased, with either of them.
Bray sat down on the bed and looked at the still sleeping woman who lay beside him. She was so beautiful. He loved her so much. At least now he could forget what Lex had said. At least now he was sure. She stirred quietly and then he saw her eye's open. "Good morning" He said smiling at her. She turned toward him, her pregnancy was clearly visible now. He wondered why he hadn't noticed before she'd told him.
She had a smile on her face. "Hello." She replied. "What time is it?" she asked as she sat up in bed and he kissed her.
"About 10" he replied. "You needed the rest. Especially in your condition." He touched her enlarged stomach with his whole hand. He smiled and kissed her again. Amber didn't argue, no stubbornness this time she agreed with him. She just looked up at him. "Have you seen Tai-San or one of the Gaian doctors?" He asked.
Amber nodded her head. "I saw Sky while I was away. He's our medicine man. He said I was fine and that the baby was doing well." She turned away. "I'm just a bit big that's all." He held he hand. "But I'm not stepping down as leader." She said showing her old Amber defientness. "I may be pregnant but I can still do the job" she added. "So don't even ask me."
He stroked her cheak and she turned to face him. "I wouldn't have it any other way." He smiled at her feeling guilty that he'd ever doubted her.
"Anyway Daddy Bray" she began smiling. "Shouldn't we be getting up?" She asked, looking at him with her big green eyes.
"Well I'm already up." He replied. "It's you whose lazy, not me." She threw a pillow at him and began to get dressed. "That's not fair Amber(!)" He replied mockingly. "I can't even fight back. Your using the baby to shied yourself(!)" He pointed his finger at her and then shook his head.
"Get out of here." She said laughing and so he did. He walked out the door smiling. He was going to be a father and nothing was going to stand ing the way of that.
Pride watched Bray leave and then saw Ebony. "Hello Ebony." He said to her.
"What's up Pride?" She asked with a sly smile. "Not happy for the lovebirds?"
Pride shook his head "There's something Bray should have asked Amber. But he asked me instead." Pride shook his head again and then shrugged.
Ebony's smile grew. "He wanted to know if he was the father." She said almost shouted, but it wasn't a question. "So there's trouble in paridise then." She added.
Pride didn't reply. He just stood, knowing that he'd just made a terrible error of judgement. An error he already regretted, he may have just broken Amber's heart and ruined two people's lives.
"Hey Pride" shouted Ebony behind him. "You know this is the best gossip I've heard in ages." She still had the same smile on her face. "Thanks Pride, you just made my year."
Ebony watched him leave. Normally she would have jumped at the chance to tell Amber something like this. But for some reason she really didn't want to. Amber had been quite nice to her since she came back, they still hated each other but they had remained civil to each other. Amber hadn't gone around telling people what she'd done, she'd kept quiet about it.
She walked towards where Amber was standing. She wouldn't tell her, yet.
Amber saw Ebony looking at her. She stared back then walked calmly over to her. "Looks like you've failed completely, doesn't it Ebony?" She asked staring at Ebony and smiling. But there was something in Ebony's eyes. Like she knew something. "So I'm a tribe leader, with the man you tried to keep me from and having his child." She could see Ebony's anger rising. "No comeback Ebony?" She asked as they stood eyeball to eyeball. "What do you have? I asked you to stay before because we needed you, but do we really? Why are you here?" She asked "because you don't have anywhere to go." She answered for her. "Because you have no one, do you?" She continued.
That was it for Ebony, she didn't care who she hurt, especially if it was Amber. "You know what Amber?" She began. "You can stick your tribe. As for Bray perhaps you don't know him as well as you think."
Amber shook her head. "I'm not falling for that one again Ebony." She said smiling. "Not after last time." She was deadly serious.
"You now Amber, Eagle, whatever. Lover boy over there doesn't trust you." Amber just looked at Ebony, confused. What did she mean? "Your boyfriend doesn't know if he's father." Amber's eye's widened and her anger rose. "He asked Pride." Ebony gave her a mocking smile. "I think that that paradise of yours just got caught in a storm. Don't you?" She added.
Amber stared at hr, then slapped her across the face as hard as she could. Ebony fell to the ground and put her hand to her face, still smiling. "Leave us alone Ebony. We don't want you here." Then Amber walked off toward Bray.
Bray saw Ebony and Amber talking. He knew something was about to happen. Then, suddenly Amber just smacked Ebony around the face with such force Ebony fell to the ground.
Then she came towards him. She didn't look happy. The other Mall Rats had heard the commotion and were watching the drama unfold. Bray stood there waiting for her.
When she reached him he tried to touch her arm but she just drew away from him. "It's true isn't it!" She shouted, nodding her head. "You didn't believe me!" Her face was hard but her voice had sorrow in it.
"Amber I..." He began but was cut off by a slap around the face. She had a hell of a slap these days he had to admit.
She shook her head and turned and walked off. He followed behind her "Amber, it's not that, it's just." He paused. "I needed to be sure."
"I don't wanna here it Bray." She replied. "Just leave me alone." She slammed the door in his face.
He began to bang it. "AMBER!!!" But she didn't reply. "I do trust you!" Then he turned to the other's who were watching.
"Nice one Bray." Said Trudy, sarcastically. "I don't what you did. But what ever it was..." She shook her head and went into Amber's room.
Bray just walked off and the other's began to ask each other what was on. No one noticed that at the bottom of the stairs a figure was moving out of the Mall. No one noticed that Ebony was with him. No one noticed that she wasn't going willingly.