The Bet 2: Dark Secrets
By: Fox Almasy
Ch. 7
Surprise?
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Naomi hated the doctors more than anything. She didn't go unless she didn't have a choice, but she had been so sick for weeks now and couldn't think of what else to do. The vomiting was getting to her and she couldn't stand it any longer.
She growled in frustration at her third attempt to button the jeans that for some reason weren't fitting her. She wasn't sure exactly why she was so bloated, but whatever it was she was going to get medication for it soon. Sighing she kicked the jeans off and instead reached into her drawer and pulled out a pair of sporty sweats. Tugging them on she tightened the string before slipping on a pair of flip flops and pulling on a sweatshirt and making her way to the door with the keys to the car. She paused to write Brad a note so when he got home he didn't worry about her, then shutting off the lights she stepped out into the hall and locked the door.
She paused momentarily at the feeling of nausea that had overcome her. When it finally passed she turned and moved toward the elevator. She stared at the elevator doors, which only served to remind her of the nausea that had been bothering her. Deciding against it she walked farther down the hall and took the stairs. She didn't want to risk losing the measly breakfast she had managed to choke down.
By the time she had reached the doctors office, Naomi had wanted nothing more then to crawl into bed and never get up. She felt uncomfortable, as a few people sent timid glances her way. She frowned, she knew she looked like crap, but did they really have to stare? A little blonde haired girl was looking over the back of her chair and smiled, showing off the gap in the front row of her teeth. Naomi smiled and waved, before the mother leaned down and told the little girl not to stare.
"Naomi Fluegal?" Naomi quickly stood and followed the nurse through the door. She led her to a room and instructed Naomi to wait and another nurse would be in shortly to take all the necessities before the doctor would see her.
Naomi couldn't figure out how many times she had counted the ceiling tiles, but she was getting extremely tired of lying on the cold examining table wearing nothing, but one of those paper gowns. They had run tests and asked questions from when was her last period to what had she eaten the night before and how long had she been feeling ill. Now all she was waiting for were results. Naomi sat up as the door opened and her doctor stepped into the room. Looking up from her clip board the doctor smiled.
"Miss Fluegal!"
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Brad stared at Rosco as he proceeded to chew up one of the stuff animals Naomi had bought for the dog. He couldn't figure out why she wanted to buy the dog anything, but she babied it so much, from buying it a bed to all the toys piled in the bed.
Speaking of Naomi, Brad had gotten home to find that Naomi was gone. She didn't have school today because she was feeling sick and she hadn't said anything about going anywhere, not to mention it was already 6:30. Of course there were the pieces of shredded paper he had found on the ground, whatever it was, Rosco had gotten a hold of it and so whatever was written was completely illegible.
He stood up at the sound of a key entering the lock. It opened and Naomi walked in carry a take out bag and two drinks. He frowned at her attire and couldn't really remember her ever dressing like she was right now, she had to be really sick.
"Hey baby where ya been?"
"I left you a note." she replied and set the bag of Chinese food down.
"Your dog got a hold of it."
"Oh. Well here I got you some dinner." she motioned toward the food, before grabbing her drink and one of the containers and wandering over to the couch and collapsed on it. Brad watched, wondering where she had gone, but not wanting to push it he grabbed his own food and joined her.
"You know." she began before taking a bite and a drink and then continued. "We're going to need a bigger apartment soon, maybe even a house." she said hopefully. Brad raised a brow as he watched her from the corner of his eyes.
"Why? It's only the two of us and if your worried about if someone comes over we've got the office with the pull out couch."
"Yeah, but then where would we put the office? We don't have much room here." Brad stared at her not exactly sure what she was getting at.
"Are you still feeling sick because you're not making much sense." Naomi sighed and set her container down. Drawing her knees up to her chest, she rested her chin on then before turning her head and peeking at Brad.
"Brad . . . How would you feel if I said I wanted to move the wedding up?"
"I guess I wouldn't mind I mean if you're happy. Besides wedding days are more for the bride anyway. Why? How soon you want it?" she paused, and began picking at a stray thread on the couch. Shrugging she leaned back and looked up at the ceiling.
"April?" Brad almost choked. He coughed a few times before taking a quick drink and facing Naomi.
"But that's next month! Why the hurry?" Naomi could feel herself start to shake as she tried to swallow the lump that had formed in her throat. She had been shocked at the news, and wasn't sure how Brad would take it.
"You asked where I had gone earlier . . . Well I went to the doctors, because I was still feeling sick. Well they did some tests and." she swallowed loudly as her hand found its way to rest on her belly. Her eyes were shining with unshed tears as she faced him. Taking his hand she placed it where hers had been. "Have you ever thought about what'd it'd be like to be called Daddy?" Brad stared at where she had put his hand. He had been getting home so late that he hadn't noticed the slight roundness of her belly that her sleeping shirts had hid so well. He looked up, a frown marring his features.
". . . are you?" she nodded, not being able to trust her voice. "How far?"
"About three and a half months. I never even considered it. I thought I was just sick." Brad was speechless. He wasn't sure how to handle this. Looking up he noticed a tear slip down Naomi's cheek. He smiled before pulling her into his arms and hugged her.
"Why are you crying?"
"I don't know . . . I was afraid you'd turn me away or something. I mean you're OK with this?"
"Of course, why would you think that? it's the best news I've heard all year." he pulled her against him again and kissed the top of her head. "I guess we've got a wedding to plan then?" Naomi smiled as she rested her head in the crook of his neck. Her eyes opened suddenly and she glanced up at Brad. "What?" Naomi swallowed.
"We haven't told my parents about the engagement." Brad frowned and looked down at the floor.
"Well your Daddy wont be happy."
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Naomi wiped her sweaty palms on her thighs before grabbing the phone and quickly punching in numbers before she could change her mind. She held it to her ear; her breath hitched as someone on the other end picked up.
"Hello?"
"Hey mom it's me!"
"Naomi! How are you?"
"Um really good, how are you and Daddy?"
"Oh we're just fine, we're on a cruise right now actually. So to what do I owe this pleasure of hearing from you?" Naomi swallowed and was silent for a few minutes.
"Well . . . Actually mom Brad's asked me to marry him."
"Oh Darling that's wonderful! Just a moment let me locate your father so you can talk to him." Naomi could hear the muffled sounds of other people walking around and her mother calling for her dad. Then the next thing she knew her father was on the phone.
"Hello Naomi is something wrong?"
"No Daddy I was just calling to see how you both were doing."
"Oh we're fine, your mother said you wanted to tell me something?" Naomi smiled weakly and glanced up at the ceiling.
"Yeah actually, Dad, Brad's asked me to marry him." Naomi held her breath and waited for a reply from her father. A response with him was always a good thing, but not getting one was really bad. Silence. Naomi closed her eyes as the sound of the phone being passed around was heard, then her mothers voice was once again on the other end.
"Sorry about that sweetie your father just needs time to let it sink in."
"Yeah I'm sure he does."
"Well I am so happy for you! Brad's a good man and he'll take care of you." Naomi dashed her hand quickly over eyes and took a deep breath.
"There's one more thing mom."
"Oh and what's that?"
"Promise you'll tell Daddy when the time is right so I don't have to?"
"Sure darling what is it?"
"Well uh . . . I'm . . . pregnant." she murmured and waited with baited breath.
"Oh . . . Is that why you're-"
"That's not why we're getting married, he actually proposed to me before I was pregnant."
"How far are you?"
"Three and a half months. We've also decided to move the wedding date up; it was going to be in September or October, but now it'll be in April."
"So soon?"
"Yeah well it was my idea. I would just rather be married before the baby was born."
"OK. We get home this weekend, call me then and I'll help you plan alright."
"OK mom, tell Daddy I said I love him and, thank you mom."
"You're welcome. Bye."
"Bye." Naomi pressed the off button and fell back against the couch cushions. This was going to be interesting.
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Brad sighed as he made an attempt to focus on the music they were practicing. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't seem to focus. Everything was swimming around in his head. Benji looked over at Brad and studied him for a moment. He knew something was on Brad's mind and he was curious to find out what it was.
"Hey Brad, something up?" Brad looked up from his guitar and glanced at Benji.
"Why do you ask?"
"You look like something's on your mind. What's wrong?" Brad set his guitar against the stool and stood up to run his fingers through his hair.
"Well the wedding's been moved up."
"Oh when?"
"April."
"So soon? Did something happen?" Brad ran a hand through his hair and stared up at the ceiling.
"You could say that. Naomi . . . She's pregnant." Benji suddenly had the image of a beautiful brown haired girl, staring at him with accusing green eyes. "Benji I'm pregnant!" Benji shook his head and focused his attention back on Brad.
"Congratulations! What's wrong with that?"
"Nothing I just. . . I just never saw myself as a father figure. I wouldn't know the first thing about being a Dad."
"Yeah well I know how you feel. I was barely 17 when Riley was born and let me tell you it was quite the shock to find out that I was going to have to raise a baby. You'll be fine and it's not like you're doing it alone. Naomi's a great woman and she'll be a good mom. She's got that motherly instinct about her." Brad nodded and a shuffled his feet.
"Yeah. I guess I'm just a little nervous. I mean I don't have a clue of how to take care of a baby."
"Well it's definitely not easy, but don't worry you'll manage." Brad grinned and began putting his guitar back into the case. He slung he case over his shoulder and yawned. It was already almost ten and the others had already left.
"See you tomorrow Benji."
"Alright bye." they had been practicing in Benji's apartment, because of the spare room he had. They were still not speaking with Sarah and nothing else had appeared in the tabloids. . . Yet.
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Brad opened the door to the apartment as quietly as possible and looked around. The TV was still on, but it was more than likely that Naomi was already sleeping. He wandered into the kitchen and found his dinner on the stove with foil covering it. He removed the foil and quickly warmed up the food. He moved into the living room and smiled at Naomi where she was lying on the couch, wrapped in a soft throw blanket.
Without waking her Brad lifted Naomi into his arms and carried her to their room and laid her gently on the bed. She sighed heavily before rolling over and curling up into a ball. Brad watched her sleep for a few minutes before turning and leaving the room.
He ate his dinner in silence while watching a muted TV. Placing his plate in the kitchen, Brad went to the bathroom and took a quick shower before he finally laid down. Wrapping his arms about her he pulled Naomi against his chest. His hand rested lightly on her stomach as he tried to get use to the idea that he was going to be a father soon. Naomi sighed loudly before glancing over her shoulder and looking up at Brad.
"You're home." she murmured and turned over so that she could snuggle against him. Brad smiled and rested his forehead against hers.
"How are you feeling?"
"Fine." they were silent for a moment and Naomi reached up and kissed him lightly. She smile up at him then jumped slightly as the phone began to ring. Brad frowned at the device before leaning over Naomi and grabbing the phone out of the cradle.
"Hello?" Naomi listened as he talk and started to close her eyes, but opened them again when Brad's tone became somber. "You serious? . . . Sure no problem. . . . Alright see you in a bit." Brad replaced the phone in its cradle and looked down at Naomi. "That was Benji." Naomi sat up and frowned.
"Is everything alright?"
"I guess after I left he and Riley went down the street for ice cream and when they got back, they found their apartment trashed."
"Oh my God. Was anything taken?"
"He doesn't know. The cops are on their way and once he's done with them he's coming over here. Is that OK?"
"Yeah of course. I'll go get the pull out couch ready."
"No you go to sleep, you look exhausted. I'll take care of it." Naomi nodded and watched Brad slip out of bed and leave the room. Naomi laid back against her pillow and closed her heavy eye lids. She was exhausted and wasn't looking forward to class the next day.
Brad quickly got the pullout couch ready and waited for Benji to show up. About an hour later the buzzer rang and Brad walked over to let Benji into the building. Brad opened the door for them and Benji stepped into the apartment with Riley asleep on his shoulder.
"Come on I've got the pullout couch ready for you." he led them into the office and waited for Benji to lay Riley down before moving back into the other room with his band mate. "So was anything taken?" Benji sank down heavily onto the couch and rubbed his eyes.
"Nothing expensive. It doesn't make any sense. They passed up all the electronics and even the guitar . . . All they took was some hospital information from when Riley was born. Why the hell would they want that for?"
"What exactly was it?"
"Just some information about her and her mom and some old newspaper clippings. It makes no sense." Brad sat down next to the distraught youth and patted his back.
"Why don't you get some sleep and you can tell me the details tomorrow alright?"
"OK." Brad nodded and began walking back to his room. "Hey Brad?" Brad stopped and looked back over his shoulder.
"Yeah."
"Thanks a lot for letting me and Riley stay here for the night. I owe you."
"It's no problem. You don't owe me a thing. Now get some sleep." Benji nodded and disappeared into the office. Brad shut the door behind him and glanced toward the bed. Naomi opened her eyes and watched him climb into the bed.
"Was anything taken?"
"A few papers and such, but nothing expensive. And I told you to sleep. You can't be pushing yourself like this."
"Brad I'm pregnant, not dying." he smiled and kissed her forehead.
"Humor me a little would you? Go to sleep." Naomi shook her head before taking a deep breath and sinking into her pillow. Brad's arms wrapped around her and pulled her protectively against his chest. It only took a few minutes for her to fall asleep.
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The sun seemed to pierce Naomi's eyelids as she began to awake from sleep. She felt rested and was thankful for it. Sitting up she glanced about the room before letting her eyes fall onto the clock and groaned as seven glared back in red. Brad had shut the alarm off again. Pushing herself from the bed she rifled through her drawers and pulled out clothes for the day. She had school in a half hour and had been missing so much that she couldn't afford to miss any more.
Naomi dressed as quickly as possible and hurriedly brushed her hair back into a messy bun and left the bedroom. She was surprised to find Benji sitting at the breakfast bar and then remembered that they had needed a place to stay last night. He looked up from the paper and smiled.
"Hey Naomi. Oh and I heard about the baby congrats."
"Thank you." how strange he already knew and Naomi still had yet to tell the twins and Leena about the whole situation. She was going to try to get around to doing that today. Maybe they'd go for lunch and then she could tell them then.
Moving into the kitchen area she poured myself a cup of coffee and grabbed an apple from the bowl on the counter. Disappearing into the room for a brief moment Naomi soon returned with her books. Grabbing the cup of coffee she hurried to the door and bid everyone goodbye, before stepping out into the hallway.
By the time Naomi had reached the school, both Kelly and Kris were already waiting for her. She had yet to tell them about the baby, but was hesitant to tell them. They watched her approach before letting her know how late she was.
"Sorry Brad shut off the alarm."
"Well at least you're feeling better. You are feeling better aren't you?"
"Yeah did you make it to the doctors the other day?"
"Yeah I did."
"Oh and what did they say?" Naomi stared down at the ground before peering up at the sisters.
"Well . . . I'm going to have a baby." silence engulfed them and Naomi waited anxiously as the twins stared at her.
"What? Are you serious?" question Kris as she stepped toward Naomi. Naomi nodded and glanced at Kelly hoping for her support.
"Oh . . . Wow I had no idea. I can't believe we didn't see it coming. Congratulations!" Kelly flung her arms around Naomi and wrapped her in a tight hug. "There's finally going to be a baby around here!"
"We've also decided to move the wedding up."
"When?"
"Next month. So I'm going to really need some help with the planning OK?"
"No problem! After all what are friends for?" Naomi smiled and relaxed in her friends embrace. She looked over at Kris who seemed not quite as congratulate as her sister.
"Naomi." began Kris as Kelly took a step back. "Are you sure you guys are ready for a baby? I mean you're not even out of college yet!" Naomi felt a pang rise in her chest as Kris's words surrounded her. She knew it was unexpected, they definitely hadn't planned on having a baby, but was it really as terrible as Kris seemed to make it sound. She was hoping for support not criticism.
"I know it wasn't planned, but there's not much that can be done now so we'll just have to deal with it as best we can. Besides I graduate this June and the baby wont be born yet. We can do it." Kris sighed and refused to look Naomi in the face.
"How far along are you?" Questioned Kelly hoping to lighten the dark mood that had suddenly come over them. Naomi smiled shyly and placed her hand on her stomach.
"Three and a half months." Kelly smiled and once again threw her arms around Naomi.
"We're gonna have a baby!" she cried and proceeded to turn excitedly in a circle. Naomi smiled as she began to think of how different her future was going to be. How much was going to change and all the memories she had yet to create.
They ceased their celebrating as Leena approached them, lugging her book bag behind her.
"What are you guys so excited about?" Naomi took a deep breath, preparing to explain the news again.
"Me and Brad are gonna have a baby!" Leena's eyes widened before looking around to see if she was being serious.
"Really?"
"Yeah and the wedding has been moved up to next month."
"Oh wow. So I take it it's going to be a small wedding?"
"Yeah I think I may just have Kelly as the maid of honor. You know, no brides maids. It won't be as hard to plan it all." Naomi was quiet as she watched Leena and Kris exchange glances why couldn't they just be as supportive as Kelly was for her?
"Guys, whatever you have against Brad could you maybe just drop it? We're going to be together whether you like it or not so at least pretend to be happy for me."
"Sorry Naomi it's just…it's kind of hard to trust him you know after that first time."
"Well I guarantee he's not betting right now OK." with that Naomi turned and made her way toward her first period. Which was her psychology class.
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Brad watched the red hand turn to the little green man and proceeded to follow Benji and Riley across the street toward the grocery store. Benji's house was empty of food, so as soon as they had finished their afternoon practice, Brad had agreed to help Benji shop for the soul purpose that Riley wouldn't starve.
The store wasn't crowded and they were able to get the necessities without too much of a hassle. A few people stopped, whispered quickly to their companion, and then motioned with their eyes towards Brad and Benji. Riley was oblivious to the attention her Dad was getting and continued walking like nothing was wrong. When they reached the check out lane Riley had wandered off to stare at a rack of magazines. Benji watched her for a few minutes before watching the price of items appear on the cash register screen.
"Daddy Daddy!" Benji and Brad both looked up and watched Riley hurry towards them, waving a magazine excitedly in her hand.
"What is it?"
"Look it's me and you!" Benji frowned and snatched the magazine from her. His eyes scanned the cover quickly before flipping it opened, causing his eyes to widen and his jaw to drop open in shock at the contents of the article. Brad waited for him to speak and when he didn't, snatched the paper from him and read over what was written.
"The band Devilzcrow has been becoming extremely popular with the younger generation in the rock genre. From boys to girls this band's name is on the tip of all their tongues. Concerts are sold out and crowded and even the occasional sign appears asking one of these four good looking men to marry the sign holder. However, though they are well loved are parents aware of what kind of roll models these men are to their children? The lead singer Ben (Benji) Trent who is the father of 5 year-old Riley has a very dark secret of his daughter's birth looming over his head.
Trent's girlfriend became pregnant with their daughter when she was 15. They agreed to help one another and stay together. However things didn't go as planned when almost 16 year-old Haley Morgan went into labor around midnight. Trent, panicking, tried to do what he could. His mom was a nurse and so a few things were in the house, including sedatives. Trent injected Morgan with them, hoping to stop the pain. Little did he know that the large amount administered would shortly kill her. Morgan was soon rushed to the hospital, where a cesarean section was performed to save little Riley's life. Unfortunately Haley Morgan was pronounced dead soon after, leaving 17 year-old Ben to raise his daughter. Trent was not charge for the manslaughter of his girlfriend and refused to comment to reporters on the subject."
The article went on to show medical records and other things, the things Benji was missing from the apartment. Brad looked up from the magazine and stared at Benji. He watched the nightmares of the younger man's past play over in his head. He knew what he was going through, after all he had his own nightmares plague him. Riley stared up at her father as his hand moved to cover his eyes.
"Daddy what is it?" removing his hand, he looked down at Riley and shook his head.
"It's nothing baby girl. Why don't you go put the magazine back OK."
"OK Daddy." she grabbed the magazine out of Brad's hand and hurried over to replace it in the rack.
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Fox: Whew done yayers!
Kojisa: yep yep and we appreciate the review from Autumn. We're really glad u like it.
Fox: I'll try to get the next chappy up and hope this one is to everyone's liking!
Audi!