"So, uh, bye.", Flint said before getting up and leaving. He had to get out of this hospital and away from that girl. He couldn't be associated with her, especially if people though he was the father of her sprog. That was definitely the last good deed he'd ever do.
Ayla felt numb. It was all she could do to explain how she felt. Flint had left. Leaving seemed like a good idea. If she stayed the Healer was likely to come back, and she definitely could not deal with that right now. She couldn't be, there was no way. It had to be a mistake. Although she was less than inclined to demand a re-test. Maybe later, when her head was clearer.
She jumped down from the bed and headed out the door, aware that she didn't know what floor she was on or where the nearest exit was. She had to get out of there. She found the stairs and ran, taking them two at a time. Before she realised it, she was in the reception and the doors to the world outside were in sight. As was Flint. It was clear the Healer's little revelation had shocked him too, she had never seen a wizard move so fast without the aid of a broom. And then he slipped, landing hard on his back.
"Oh the floor's wet by the way.", the receptionist said, waving her wand to dry the floor. "You should be careful when walking across the reception area."
Flint grunted and sat up. He was never helping anyone ever again. Definitely.
"Hey, you ok?", Ayla asked.
"Yeah I'm fine."
She walked towards him, intending to help him up.
"Look be careful, if you fall…well you know.", he said, pointing towards her abdomen.
"I'm, uh, fine and I'm…I'm…Let me help you up."
She wasn't. She wasn't. She wasn't. Why did people think she was…nope she couldn't even think the word, let alone say it.
"No, I'm fine. I don't need your help.", Flint said. "You really should be careful."
He wasn't saying it to be kind, well not entirely. The last thing he needed was a hysterical pregnant woman falling on top of him. Again.
He got up, searching his pockets for his wand. The sooner he apparated out of there the better. But his wand wasn't in his pocket. Damn. He knew exactly where it was though, sitting right where he left it: back at the Quidditch supply shop. It didn't look like he was getting away from this girl anytime soon.
"Look my wand's back at your shop. I locked it in there before we floo'd here."
"Oh right sure. Well we'll have to floo back, I think mine isup in the office.", Ayla said, not quite meeting his eyes.
Did the Healer have to tell her in front of him? And assuming he was the father. It was mortifying. She headed for the fireplace, determined to get back to work and back to normality.
Flint appeared a few seconds after her, and sure enough therewas his wand, resting on the counter top.
"So do you want those gloves?", she asked, trying to pretend nothing had happened.
"Uh, yeah ok. Might as well after all that.", he said, grinning.
She put the sale through, grateful for a distraction. She knew she wouldn't be able to think of much else that night.
"I take it you aren't exactly thrilled about being pregnant?"
"Yeah, bit of a shock really."
He looked at her and smiled gently.
"Look thanks for getting me to the hospital.", she said, smiling back.
"No problem."
"You want to use the fireplace? To floo?"
"Nah, I'll just walk."
"Oh ok."
"Yeah."
"I know we don't really know the same people but…"
"I won't tell anyone."
"Thanks."
She waved her wand at the till, sending the days takings to the safe upstairs and summoning her cloak. Flint was at the door, holding it open for her.
"Thanks.", she said again.
"No problem. You live nearby?", he asked as she charmed the doors to lock.
"Not far. You know Winton Street?"
"Yeah. I'll walk you back."
"No. I mean, don't be daft. You don't have to."
"Yeah I know. But if you faint or something. It'd just make me feel better ok?"
They walked in silence to Ayla's small house. It was strange really. Flint had been a Slytherin, when did he become so…nice?
"Well this is me.", Ayla said, point to her house. "Thanks for everything Flint."
"Call me Marcus."
"Oh ok. I'm Ayla by the way."
"Well it was nice to meet you Ayla."
She laughed. It was hardly a normal way to meet a person, fainting on them.
"You too."
She watched him walk away with a smile on her face, despite everything. She had had an unusual day, there was no doubt about that. But it hadn't been too bad. Well, no, that wasn't strictly true. She'd found out she was pregnant. Which was scary. She didn't really want to admit it, but she knew it was true. It had been three weeks since her encounter with Oliver. And magical births could be detected earlier than muggle ones. She should have had a check up sooner. She was a smart witch, she knew the risks. But it hadn't occurred to her at the time. Getting pregnant was something married women did.
She had a long night of thinking ahead of her, that was for sure. There was no doubt she'd keep the baby. Abortion was never an option in her mind, though it was every woman's right to choose. It just wasn't for her. So she'd have the baby. But what then? Keep it? Or adoption? She could hardly bear to give away her old clothes, which she had outgrown. Could she give away a baby? No. She knew deep down she would not be capable of doing so. She could not give her own child to a stranger to look after. So she was having a baby, and raising it herself.
She would have to tell her parents of course. And Oliver. What would they all say? Her mother would be delighted, another baby in the family. But what about her father? Her family had quite old-fashioned views. A baby should be brought into the world by way of a couple in a loving, committed relationship. Did she love Oliver? Not really, she wasn't truly sure. But if she was, shouldn't she know for sure? One way or another. No, she didn't love him, not really. But could she? That was another problem, for another day.
How would Wood react? Did it really matter? She was keeping the baby regardless of his feelings. If he wanted to be involved with the baby that would be great. If he didn't, well it was his choice. It would be beyond wonderful if he did want to be involved with both her and the baby. But she couldn't get her hopes up. Not yet. She should probably tell him as soon as possible though. It was only fair.
It was strange how quickly life could change. She had gone from being an ordinary witch, to having her life turned upside down by a Quidditch player. She had never been strictly sure how her life was going to turn out. She had no great plan. She was just going along her merry way, waiting for everything to fall into place. Had that time come? Had the pieces fallen into place?
Ok posting may be all over the place for a while. I have exams coming up that I really should revise for. But saying that, I'll need to have a break from time to time. So I will post, but probably not regularly. Not that I'm all that regular a poster but you all get what I mean. Oh and while I remember, I loved the last lot of reviews, you have no idea how much they made me laugh/smile. I'm just glad I'm keeping you on your toes.
