The situation between Anna Elizabeth and Calin did not improve over the next few days. Though they lived in the same house and slept in the same bed, they might as well have been on different planets.
It became increasingly hard for Anna Elizabeth because she wasn't able to distract herself with work because Whale wanted her to rest as much as possible.
One morning, after Calin had finished eating breakfast, he was gathering his personal tools for work.
He then told Anna Elizabeth, who was watching TV on the couch, a quick, "Bye," before he headed out the door. There was no wait for a response nor a goodbye kiss. The simple gesture – or rather, the lack thereof – spoke volumes about the distance between the couple.
He drove to work in complete silence, but he truthfully didn't notice.
When he arrived at the job site, which was the old Town Hall, his father-in-law was directing the crew he often brought in to assist with bigger projects.
When Killian was finished, Calin walked over and asked, "What's my job for today?"
"You'll be with me today. We're installing flooring in one the offices."
"Alright," Calin simply answered before he began rushing off. Killian then grabbed his arm, and the young man sighed as he turned back around.
"Are you alright, mate?" Killian questioned.
"Why wouldn't I be alright?" Calin countered.
Killian tilted his head as he perceived, "I get the feeling that something's bothering you," with concern in his voice.
Calin took a deep breath before he responded, "I'm fine. I'm just…anxious about the baby. That's all," telling himself it wasn't a complete lie.
There was a moment of silence before Killian sympathized, "I believe that's a feeling all soon-to-be father's share. But I know you'll be fine," before he clapped his hand on Calin's shoulder.
Calin offered a small and genuine smile before he nodded. The two of them then went to work.
By the time five o'clock rolled around, Calin was utterly exhausted. As it was, he always put in a hard day's work, but his adrenaline was now kicked into overdrive trying to distract himself from his problems with Anna Elizabeth.
He and Killian were walking to their trucks when the dark-haired man hung up the phone and spoke, "That was Emma. She wanted to know if you and Anna Elizabeth wanted to come over for dinner tonight."
"It isn't too short notice? I'm sure cooking for five people is more taxing than cooking for three," Calin pointed out, though part of him knew the excuse fell short.
Killian grinned as he responded, "Nonsense. We know that Whale wanted Anna Elizabeth to rest, but being cooped up in the house all day is probably worse for her health."
Calin bit his lip as he struggled to refute. When he saw that he couldn't, he realized that perhaps family was the very thing he and his wife needed.
So, he nodded and answered, "Sure. We'll both see you guys in a little while." Killian simply smiled and nodded in response before both men climbed into their vehicles.
Calin started his truck before he pulled out his cell phone and called Anna Elizabeth.
"Hey," she simply answered once she picked up.
"Hey," Calin replied before he told her, "I wanted to tell you that you don't have to worry about starting dinner tonight."
"Why?" Anna Elizabeth asked with cautious curiosity in her voice.
Calin took a breath before he answered, "Your parents invited us over for dinner."
There was silence from her end before she finally spoke, "Are you even sure that's a good idea?"
"Let's just talk about this when I get home," he told her as he ran his free hand through his brown locks.
"Fine," Anna Elizabeth responded.
Calin then told her, "Okay. See you at home." He didn't wait for a response before he hung up the phone.
When he arrived home and walked through the door, Anna Elizabeth was waiting for him.
With her hands planted on her hips, she snapped, "You accepted a dinner invite from my parents? With everything going on between us?"
"What did you expect me to say? 'Killian, we've barely spoken to each other since we found out about the C-section.' Do you really want your parents to know that we're fighting a few days before we become parents?"
"It's better than sitting through dinner and pretending that everything is okay!"
"I thought that being around family would be good for you – for us! That it may help relieve some of the tension."
Anna Elizabeth's arms slid down her sides as she considered his words. She then took a deep breath and told her husband, "I guess you have a point."
Calin nodded before Anna Elizabeth ran her fingers through her curls and continued, "How do suggest that we deal with…us?" as she crossed her arms once again.
The brown-haired man bit his lip before he nervously suggested, "Look, I feel terrible about not being honest with your parents, but we both know it's better than hashing out everything in front them and your brother."
The curly blonde simply nodded before her husband placed her hands on her stomach and continued, "I think we should at least try for her sake."
Anna Elizabeth sighed before she nodded once more. Calin nodded as well before he went to go get cleaned up.
When they walked through the door of Emma and Killian's, he greeted them both before he settled on his daughter.
"And how are two of my favorite lasses?" he asked with a grin before kissing her forehead and placing one hand on her rounded stomach.
When he pulled away, Anna Elizabeth responded, "We're both great," as she forged a smile.
Killian nodded before he observed, "Although, I'm sure that Elsa is quite hyper if she's anything like you. I remember your mother telling me she didn't sleep much those nine months."
Everyone, even Anna Elizabeth and Calin, couldn't help but chuckle before Emma added, "Speaking of rest, I think that the mom-to-be should be sitting."
"Mom, I'm fine," Anna Elizabeth protested.
"It wouldn't be such a bad idea for you to listen," Calin told her. Though he was a bit agitated, it didn't make its way into his voice.
She shot a glare his way, but nodded nonetheless. She then walked into the dining room and sat down.
"You guys can go ahead and sit, too. It'll be a few minutes on dinner," Emma explained. Killian and Calin both nodded before she added, "And can one of you get Liam?"
Both men then headed toward the dining room with Killian walking the few extra feet to his son's room.
When Liam walked out, he saw his sister and brother-in-law. He greeted, "Hey guys," before he sat down across from Anna Elizabeth.
"Hey, little bro," the blonde told him with a grin. He rolled his eyes in response, earning a chuckle from Calin and Killian.
Calin then spoke, "Oh, Liam, I wanted to thank you for the collection of children's stories you got for Elsa. It was thoughtful of you."
The teenage boy shrugged before he responded, "I always loved being read to by Mom, Dad, and Anna Elizabeth. I figured that Elsa would like you guys reading to her."
"I'm sure she will," Anna Elizabeth told him with a smile. Liam smiled back at her before she added, "You know, I think that Uncle Liam will have to come and read to her, too."
Liam grinned as he teased, "Is that a sneaky way of asking me to babysit?"
Anna Elizabeth and Calin couldn't help but chuckle while Killian shook his head. The dark-haired man then seriously added, "I'm sure they'd appreciate the help, though. A newborn can take quite the toll."
"I'm sure it can't be worse than it is now," Anna Elizabeth muttered under her breath.
Calin heard her and leveled her with an annoyed look. She responded to his look with a glare of her own.
Liam had gotten a text message from Grace and didn't notice the exchange but Killian's expression changed to one of worry. Though he wanted to ask, he knew it wasn't wise to interfere.
Thankfully, Emma strolled into the dining room with a loaded potato casserole.
Liam put his phone away before he said, "This smells amazing, Mom."
"It really does," Calin agreed. He then told his mother-in-law, "Thanks for having us over."
"No problem," Emma told him with a smile, one that she extended to her daughter. Anna Elizabeth offered a small smile in response.
Killian then asked, "So, Anna Elizabeth, how long will you have to stay in the hospital after Elsa is born?"
"Five days," the soon-to-be mom answered. She then complained, "I just wish the recovery time wasn't so long for a C-section."
Emma then assured, "It's just to ensure that you heal properly," as she squeezed her daughter's hand.
"That's easy for you to say," Anna Elizabeth muttered. She then realized she didn't say it quite as quietly as she had hoped.
She ran her fingers through her hair before she apologized, "I'm sorry, Mom." She then covered, "I'm just a bit anxious about Elsa getting here."
Emma nodded and gave her daughter a sympathetic look before she told her, "I know you're nervous about being a mother, but those nerves will fade when you see your baby girl."
Anna Elizabeth offered a smile that was slightly genuine in response before she scooped out some casserole, followed by the rest of her family.
Calin then asked, "So, Liam, how are you and Grace?" with a teasing grin.
"Dude, that's not the least bit subtle," Liam complained. His brother-in-law only shrugged his shoulders in response.
Anna Elizabeth then added, "You know, I'd like to know about you two, too."
"I swear you guys are just as bad as Mom and Dad. I feel bad for Elsa when she's old enough to date," Liam annoyingly told them.
"I'm not nearly as bad as your dad. If it wasn't for me, he would embarrass you more than he already does," Emma defended.
"Love, you do realize that I'm right here," Killian pointed out. He then corrected her, "And I resent the fact that you think I'm incapable of being reasonable when it comes to our children dating."
"I will agree that you're not incapable," Emma conceded. Anna Elizabeth then added, "You know, you are more mellow with Liam than you were with me."
Killian smiled before he scooted his chair back a bit and bowed dramatically from his seat.
"I thank you for recognizing my hard work," he spoke while still bowed, earning chuckles and eye-rolls from his family.
Liam then changed the subject and asked his sister, "Would you mind looking over an English assignment for me?"
"Sure," Anna Elizabeth answered with a smile. She then observed, "Although, I'm a bit surprised you need my help in English. It's your best subject."
"Well, it's actually a creative writing assignment. I'm not worried about my story, but I suck at poetry. I know those poems are horrible," the teenage boy answered.
Everyone held back a chuckle before Anna Elizabeth assured him, "I'm sure they're not that bad. You're a great writer." She then told him, "You can give them to me before we leave."
Liam nodded before he told her, "Thanks, Anna Elizabeth." "Sure thing," she responded with a smile.
Killian then spoke, "Speaking of writers, August's new book will be hitting stores tomorrow."
"Oh, I know. Ever since Uncle August started talking about his new book on his public page, Emily has not stopped talking about it," Anna Elizabeth told them with a chuckle.
Everyone else chuckled as well before Emma added, "I remember that she was practically star struck when she met him at you and Calin's wedding."
"That she was. It was rather comical," Killian agreed.
"We still tease her about it - much to her annoyance," Calin told them, and the laughter continued.
When they had sobered, Anna Elizabeth continued, "Her accent gets stronger when she's annoyed or angry."
"Hmm…that sounds familiar," Emma teased as she ran her hand up and down her husband's arm. Killian rolled his eyes in response.
Liam, Calin, and Anna Elizabeth laughed once more before Killian asked his daughter, "Didn't she get married a couple months back?"
"Yeah, she did. She wanted me to be in the wedding, but it wouldn't have been the best idea for me to fly," Anna Elizabeth explained, as she placed her free hand on her stomach.
She then took a deep breath and continued, "But, just knowing that she wanted me there meant a lot. That, and she's set on being "Aunt Emily"," with a smile.
Her smile was returned by all before Emma happily observed, "Elsa's gonna have so many aunts and uncles to love her."
Liam then piped up, "Is Ethan gonna bring that rocker chick with him when he comes to see the baby?"
There were chuckles before Killian pointed out, "Lad, the lass isn't in a band, and she does have a name. It's Sam."
The teenage boy only shrugged in response before he spoke, "I mean, she does have a bright blue streak in her hair, along with a tattoo and a nose piercing. She also really likes black. It all gives off this rocker vibe – the weird kind."
"Liam!" Emma scolded.
"It's alright, Emma. I thought similarly until I actually got to know her," Calin assured his mother-in-law. He then took a breath and elaborated, "She really does have a heart of gold, and she's really funny. She also keeps my brother grounded, which is something he desperately needs."
Liam then began scratching behind his ear as he apologized, "Sorry about what I said." "It's alright," Calin told him with a reassuring smile.
The black-haired teenager nodded before Killian spoke, "Is Sam coming? I'd rather like to meet this lass."
"No, she's not. She and Ethan are the only two bartenders at the restaurant they work at. So, at least one of them has to be there. Sam's gonna work their shifts by herself so he can come here," Calin explained.
"Well, I'm glad he does get to come meet his niece," Emma spoke with a smile. Calin smiled back at her before she continued, "I suppose we'll run into him at the hospital the day after Elsa is born."
Liam then added, "I'll probably come another day after school. You probably don't need to be bombarded with the surgery and stitches and everything."
"I think that would probably be best," Anna Elizabeth told him, with a bit of dejection in her tone.
Calin tried to reach for the free hand that was still resting on her stomach, but she pulled away from him.
Both Emma and Killian's expression turned to one of worry before the blonde reassured her daughter, "Hey, I know the thought of having a C-section is pretty scary, but I promise you that you and Elsa will be fine. You have nothing to worry about."
"Except for the fact that I'll have this ugly scar," Anna Elizabeth quipped out loud.
Calin sighed before he told her, "Anna Elizabeth, I've told you that the surgery or the scar isn't going to change how anyone sees you."
"Right. Because you understand what I'm going through so well," Anna Elizabeth sarcastically remarked.
"Well, maybe if you would... you know what? Never mind," Calin told her, clearly exasperated. He then went back to eating, and she did the same.
Emma, Killian, and Liam tried to continue the pleasant dinner conversation, but the thick tension in the air made it difficult. The dinner simply became one of silence.
Later that evening, Anna Elizabeth and Calin trudged through their front door, still not speaking to one another.
She finally broke the silence, "That dinner went bloody fantastic. That's exactly why I thought It was a bad idea in the first place."
"I tried to help you, but you wouldn't let me. I guess I shouldn't be surprised – it's nothing new," he spat.
"Of course – blame me why don't you? It's not like I could feel any worse!"
"Well, maybe if you would actually listen to someone instead of being so damn stubborn, you wouldn't have that problem!"
"You knew how stubborn I was when you met me! It's suddenly a problem when I'm about to give birth to our daughter?"
"You don't even care about having her! All you care about is the scar you'll have!"
As soon as Calin uttered those words, he knew he had crossed a line. He didn't have time to even form an apology before a teary-eyed Anna Elizabeth marched in their room and slammed the door.
He then raked his fingers through his hair before letting out a frustrated grunt. There couldn't be a worse time for them to be fighting.
He walked over to the closed door and knocked on it. He then spoke, "I shouldn't have said that Anna Elizabeth – I never meant to imply that you don't want to be a mother. I'm really sorry."
No answer.
He tried again: "Come on, Anna Elizabeth. Let me in."
Still no answer.
He sighed before he called her name once more, only to be met with a voice that was shaky from crying: "Go away! I don't want to see or talk to you!"
Though Calin hesitated for a moment, he eventually turned and headed toward the laundry room to grab some pajamas. He then before trudged toward the guest room – he didn't have the energy to argue any more.
He may have been wrong, but he wasn't the only one who's been wrong lately. Anna Elizabeth wasn't making any of this easier.
After he had changed, he shut off the light and climbed in bed. All he kept thinking is that he didn't know why he even bothered trying to go sleep. It's not like he would get any rest tonight – just like the last few nights.
He knew his sleeping schedule wouldn't exactly improve with a newborn in the house. A startling realization then hit him: if he and Anna Elizabeth couldn't even get along when it came to how their daughter is born, how in the hell are they supposed to take care of her?
As y'all can tell by the title, there are multiple parts to this chapter. I was going to post them at the same time, but I already had this part written. So, I decided to go on and post this part as opposed to making y'all wait.
I know this is more angsty than what I usually write, but I promise I'll make up for it in the two final installments of "A Beautiful Scar." Until next time! :)