Brie really didn't want to do this now, but she would have to do it eventually, and it isn't fair how Nikki knows whilst Bryan is non the wiser.
Even though she knows that telling Bryan about her pregnancy is the right thing to do, Brianna simply doesn't want to do it. Saying it out loud will make it all the more real. Granted, she was able to tell Nikki, but that was only hours after finding out herself; Brie said it while she was still caught up in the emotion and the adrenaline was still pumping. Now she's having to come clean to Bryan, she's fully aware.
Besides, with Nikki, Brie allowed herself to cry when she said it - now, she'll have to pretend to be happy about it. No matter how hard she tries, Brianna just can't bring herself to smile about this baby: genuinely, at least. This wasn't what she wanted, but she only blames herself; she's been having unprotected sex with Bryan for months now, what was she expecting? But it doesn't make this any less difficult.. if anything, it makes it harder.
The young woman stands in the kitchen, looking towards the living room, where Bryan is sitting on the floor and playing a game of tea parties with Birdie. A huge part of her feels incredibly guilty; Bryan was such a good dad, even if he wasn't the most attentive of a husband at times. Just like he is with Birdie, he'll be an amazing father to their new little one.. but Brie can't stop thinking about how she'll fair with their new child - what kind of mother will she be if she isn't even happy at the sight of a positive pregnancy test?
Cautiously, Brianna walks over to her family and sits on the floor with them. She reaches a hand out to Birdie, who's dressed in her mum's necklaces and a plastic tiara.
"You look pretty, Bird.. do you think you could play in your room while me and daddy have a grown up talk?" She asks.
"But daddy is the prince!" Birdie exclaims, folding her little arms in a huff.
Bryan chuckles, then looks over to his wife, pointing towards the plastic crown his daughter insisted he wore. "I am the prince.." he laughs, then turns back to Birdie. "Sweet girl, please will you give us a minute? I'll be the prince in a little while.."
Thankfully, Birdie does as she's asked, and toddles off into her bedroom, dragging one of her dollies along with her.
Bryan takes the plastic crown off his head and places it on the floor, then looks up to Brie. "This must be important, interrupting the queen's royal tea party" he laughs.
Brie chuckles along. "It is really important actually.." she says, a little more serious in tone.
Sensing the shift, Bryan gets up off the floor and gives Brie a hand standing up too. The couple sit on the couch together.
Doing her best to seem happy, Brie plasters the biggest smile she can muster across her face; luckily, it doesn't come across as too fake to Bryan. She takes a deep breath and wonders how to word this - how do you say something you feel so sad about whilst appearing over the moon? Maybe she should've planned this out more? Oh well, she's gone too far to back out now.
"Well.. I have some news.." she begins, doing all she can to keep the smile going.
Bryan looks at her in anticipation. Of course, he has his own ideas on what he wants her to say. After all, in his mind, they've both been wanting to have another child for ages; every time she mentions having 'news', his hope shoots through the roof. If anything, it's just another reason Brie feels guilty - she's allowed him to believe they both want this. Yes, Bryan could be more attentive.. but maybe Brie could also be more firm?
"Brianna.." he encourages, taking hold of her hands. "Are you..?"
She keeps smiling, and nods her head. "I'm pregnant!" She finally manages to blurt out.
Without another word, Bryan easily picks Brie up and twirls her around the room, hugging her closely. As Brie buries her head into his shoulder, a single tear falls from her eyes; he couldn't be happier, yet she couldn't feel more.. well, she feels trapped. Now that Bryan knows, there really is no going back.. she's having this child, regardless on how she feels about any of it.
"This is amazing! ...Christ, what do we do? Who do we tell? Should we tell Birdie yet? Does Nikki know? Do you think she's told Artem? What about our parents? How long did we wait until telling people last time?" Bryan rambles excitedly.
"Slow down!" Brie chuckles, worming out of his grip and falling back on the couch.
"Hey.. hey, why are you upset..?" He asks, noticing the tears on his wife's cheeks.
Brie quickly wipes her face with her hands - this was affecting her more than she'd ever be willing to admit. Having a baby isn't just a hobby, it's a life altering experience; Birdie was her miracle, but she just wasn't in the mind space to ever be a mother to a second.
"Happy tears!" Brie brushes off, hugging Bryan quickly, mainly so she could hide the guilt all of her face. "Hey, is it okay if I call my mom and tell her?" She makes an excuse to leave the room.
"Of course! I'll call my family too.." he beams.
As quick as possible, Brie retreats to her bedroom; as long as she's alone, she's safe to cry, and she doesn't need to feel guilty about expressing the emotions she's feeling. It goes without saying that Brie had absolutely no intention of calling her mom - that can wait for another day. As of now, all Brie wants to do cry everything away. Yes, it won't stop her pregnancy.. but to might help her to finally process it.
Hiding under the bedsheets, Brianna's mascara smears across both her face and the white bed sheets. Everything was set in stone now.. Brie was going to be a mother of two. It felt as though she was in some self driving car; almost as if Brianna was moving in a direction she didn't want to go in, but simply couldn't take the wheel and turn around. God, if she's like this telling Bryan - Lord knows how she'll tell Birdie, or the media..
Perhaps this was stupid, but there was one person who Brie knew could (and would) comfort her, even in this state - Stephanie McMahon. Maybe she shouldn't be leaning on such a new friend so heavily, but if one thing has become clear in all their conversations, it's how much they understand each other. Even when the world seems to be crumbling, Stephanie would know what to say.. she always does.
Brie grabs her phone and, like a pathetic teenager, she phones Steph while still underneath the soft duvet. Being under the covers feels somewhat comforting for the young woman; she'll be able to hear Stephanie's voice while being in complete darkness. This way, Brianna can pretend like the world around her isn't there, like the only people in existence are herself and Stephanie.
After what feels like an eternity of hearing the phone ring, there's finally an answer.
"Hello?" Stephanie says, almost giving Brie some reassurance straight away. "Brie, why are you crying..?" She immediately hears.
"I.. I can't tell you why.." Brie whimpers.
Instantly, Brianna feels embarrassed - she's just phoned a woman up, crying her eyes out - of course she's going to ask why! But Brie didn't want Stephanie to know about her pregnancy.. at first, she wanted Steph to know; she wanted her to be a shoulder to cry on. But Brie feels almost ashamed by the whole situation, and she doesn't want to admit to another soul what's going on. Stephanie will find out eventually, there'll come a point where the baby bump will give it away. But until she absolutely has to.. Brie has every intention on keeping this a secret.
"You know you can tell me anything, right..?" Stephanie says sweetly.
"I know.. and I trust you, you know I do.. but I'm exhausted, Steph.. I just needed someone.." Brie admits between her tears.
Despite being very worried, Stephanie chooses not to pry for information; whatever is going on, it's best that Brie tells her at her own pace. Plus, if Brie's asking her to just be there, she will. After all, Stephanie understands the need to simply feel a comforting presence - sometimes, having that one person there can keep you from going over the edge. From what she's hearing, it seems as though Brie might be close, so she's glad to be there for her now.
"I'm here.." she assures the younger woman.
For around five straight minutes, Brie can't find it within herself to say anything; she feels so weak, even talking feels like too much. All Brianna can do in this time is cry into the pillows, and be grateful that Bryan won't be able to hear her in the living room. Her heart was breaking.. there was a life in her tummy, a life that needed her - yet she couldn't provide the overjoyed feeling of happiness most mother's do when they think of their unborn child.
Suddenly, Brie becomes painfully aware of how much time she's let pass without saying anything. Once again, she feels embarrassed.
"Stephanie!" She exclaims, terrified that Steph would've left her.
"Hey, it's okay, I've not gone anywhere.. I won't go until you ask me to.."
"I wish you were here with me.." Brie whimpers.
At this point, Brie doesn't care if she sounds stupid; she's never felt more lonely, and it feels like Stephanie's the only one who cares enough to listen. Obviously, she knows her family cares - but Bryan is too fixated on this child to notice how Brie feels about it, and Nikki just wouldn't understand. But Stephanie? She makes Brianna happy... and she can make her laugh, and when Brie needs someone, it always seems to be Steph that she turns to.
What Brie wouldn't give for Stephanie to just walk through the bedroom door and lie there with her.. be close to her.. hide from the world in her arms, where Brie knows she'd feel the safest.
"You're worrying me.." Steph whispers. "What's going on..?"
"Please just.. please stay on the phone with me..? I don't want to be on my own.."
"Of course.. I won't go anywhere, I promise.."
And there Brie lays.. crying down the phone to a woman she desperately wishes was closer to her.