Chapter 31
"Just wanted to say congrats to the proud daddy," Brian clapped Paul on the shoulder. "Never thought I'd see the day this would happen. I think I might dig this godfather thing."
"What the hell are you talking about, Spanky?"
"Whoa, wait, Red hasn't seen you yet?"
"I haven't seen her most of the morning, and she hasn't been around for lunch either. Again, what's going on?" Paul shot him a look.
Brian slapped his forehead. "Oh shit, I am so screwed," he muttered to himself, then cleared his throat. "I think this is something you and Red better discuss among yourselves."
"Have you been playing puff puff pass give with Jeff again or is this another one of yours and Kimbo's practical jokes? Either way, not funny, dude."
"I wasn't trying to be funny, PL. Kimberly has nothing to do with this and Jeff's suspended, remember?"
"Are you trying to tell me that Lana could be…."
"Could be? Dude, it's confirmed; there's a little Londonator on the way to the earth. I heard her and Denise talking."
"She told Dee before coming to see me? Jesus!"
"Maybe she values her life, man, which is why I am here to sacrifice myself for her."
"Okay, I get it; I have a little bit of a temper, okay?"
"A little bit? Uh….I think you're underestimating yourself some there, PL."
"Very fucking funny, Spanky. But surely to Christ Lana wouldnve, world's" /'t think I'd go off about something like this, would she?"
"Considering we've seen your hissy fits in action, she may have thought long and hard about that."
"Why didn't she tell me instead of going to Denise first?" Paul asked. "I mean…does she think I wouldnve, world's" /'t want it?"
"No offense, man, but even yourself said you weren't exactly ready to be a dad yet. Maybe that's what is worrying Red."
"I wasn't, but I guess there's a change of plans now. "I have to go talk to her."
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"I swear to God, I have to work for the most stupid person on God's green earth," Kim groaned. "Not to mention one with the biggest mouth."
Cricket looked up from the stack of work in front of her. "What's going on now, or is it not safe to ask?"
"Fucking Brian. It isn't enough he has bionic ears and heard the conversation between Denise and Lana, but now he went blabbing to Paul about…well, you know. PL was just down the hall looking for Lana."
"Oh no," Cricket replied. "Why do I have a feeling World War III is about to break out at any time?"
"Let's hope it doesn't come to that. This is something PL needed to hear from Lana, not some blond midget I'm about ready to kill."
"I'm sure he didn't mean to let it slip out, Kim. Sometimes we tend to let things out without thinking."
"InBrian's case, that's ninety eight percent of the time. I swear sometimes he's as bad as most women when it comes to gossiping. Then again, he's as bad as most women when it comes to just about everything else too."
Brian then stuck his head in. "There you are. You seen Red around? PL's looking for her."
Kim glared at him. "I know; he was just down the hall. And you're lucky I don't have anything sharp on me at the moment to stab you with."
"What the….oh fuck! Kimberly, I swear, I had no idea PL hadn't talked to Red yet. Honest."
"Is your mouth always so far ahead of your brain? Never mind; don't answer that."
"Yeah, well, cat's out of the bag now."
"Thanks to you, dumbass. Not that it's any of my business, but how did he take it?"
"To be honest, PL's a tough book to read. I think he's in shock. He didn't appear pissed or anything like that, just a little put off that Red went to Denise before him. But rest assured there won't be any blood shed when she and he finally do talk. I think he's saving that for me."
"As he should," Kim replied before spotting Carol passing by.
"Carol, have you seen Lana?" she asked. "Paul's been looking for her."
"Well, I know she talked to Dee earlier and then said something about going to a meeting over lunch. She should be coming back soon if that is the case."
"That would make sense," Kim nodded. "Considering what she's had to deal with all day, a meeting could come in handy. Thanks, Carol; we'll keep you posted if and when a battle ensues afterwards."
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Lana had come back into the building and put her belongings into her locker before heading back to work, thinking about both the things she had to get done and how to break the news to Paul about her predicament, but at least from going to the meeting, she had a better grip on the situation now.
She had been walking down the corridor and just barely passed a lounge when she heard "Lana!" being called out.
Oh dear God, Lana thought, taking a couple of steps back. Well, let's get this over with.
"Yeah, hi," she said softly to Paul.
"You want to fill me in on what the hell is going on here?"
"Well, I was—" she began.
"First, you're vague about all the doctor appointments," he said. "Then you go to Denise before coming to me when you did come from there earlier today. Now I had to hear about you being pregnant fromSPANKY? Was I ever going to know about any of this shit or were you planning on doing it all behind my back?"
"How did he find out? Oh my God, I should have known why he was hanging around outside while I talked to Denise. Eavesdropping."
"Never mind that. How long have you known exactly?"
Lana gave a deep sigh. "Not till today for sure. I just didn't know or suspect until the blood tests came back this morning; I thought I was still having some effects from the fire. That's why I went back to the doctor. I didn't tell anyone except Denise, and of course, there's the case of Brian and apparently his big ears and mouth."
"But you couldn't discuss this with me. Wow, glad I mean so much to you."
"I was waiting for the right time and an appropriate way to break this to you. I had no intention of hiding anything."
"So what do you plan to do?" he asked. "Because I think I should have some kind of say in this."
"I don't know. We just never talked about kids or even getting married," she replied. "Even you said at one point you weren't ready. That's why I've been torn up inside about it from the time I found out."
"Well, I guess life throws a curve ball once in awhile and plans have to change. For what it's worth, I'd love for you to keep it."
Lana stared at him, shocked. "What?"
"Yeah. You know, it might not be as bad as I think. Hell, this could be a chance of a lifetime."
She felt a large burden fall off her shoulders. "Are you serious?" she asked, elated.
"You have anything else in mind?"
Lana hugged him. "Not in the least, papi."
"Papi,"he repeated. "You know, I kind of like the sound of that."