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Unexpected To Happen

Part Nineteen

"You have to take risks. We will only understand the miracle of life fully when we allow the unexpected to happen."

— Paulo Coelho

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Bella's POV: past

There was someone else . . . and that someone else would be making an appearance in nine months.

My cycle was two weeks late; I was scared. I went to the store and purchased the necessary test. When three minutes of an eternity passed, the stick read out the words 'pregnant'. It was February – three months from graduation – and I wasn't even married.

My eyes filled with tears, and I felt the warm drops of salty water run down my cheeks. My life felt like it was over. I was only twenty-two; I wasn't sure I even wanted to be a mother. I had so many things I wanted to do and accomplish. My life was my own, and with one test it became someone else's.

My thoughts turned to Mike, thinking about his reaction. I knew he wanted kids and to get married one day, but he wanted to have at least one new store opened up. But on top of it all, I wasn't even sure he wanted those things with me.

I cried for the rest of the afternoon before finally taking a bath. Mike had a late class and we usually didn't see each other on Wednesdays. After getting out of the now cold water and getting dressed, I headed into Hanover to the ice cream shop; we sometime went to. Mint chocolate chip was food for my soul, and if there was ever a time I needed it, it was now.

I walked a ways down, sitting on a bench in my favorite park. The days were still cold, but the sun was making a rare appearance in the late afternoon.

I looked around at all the people, wondering about their lives and the choices they made. I wondered if any of them ever went through what I was facing, and if so, how they had made their decision. According to some beliefs, the fetus inside of me wasn't even a child. There was no heartbeat and it wasn't even close to being developed.

Could I end it before it even began; did I even want to be a mother?

I never had the best example with Renée, but Mike's mom was great. She loved him unconditionally. I thought about Mike's reaction and the emotions he would go through. Would we eventually get married? Would I work and reach my dreams, or just become a mother who dedicated her life to her children?

The thought of more children almost sent me into another crying jag. It was all so overwhelming. I knew it was eventually my decision, but still, I was scared.

I pondered what this child would even look like. Would it be a boy, with Mike's eyes and my hair or vice versa? Would it be a girl: the apple of her father's eye? Would she love me unconditionally? Would he play sports and become a famous athlete? Would she take ballet and become a world famous dancer?

These were all questions that ran through my mind, as my ice cream slowly melted on my tongue.

When I finally looked up, I noticed a woman pushing a stroller. She had on a red coat and her hair was falling out of her hat. She had a serene smile on her face as she pushed her baby around the park.

I imagined what she must have been thinking, what she felt like when she was pregnant. At the thought of her child, it let out a whimper. She immediately stopped, reached around and lifted her little boy into her waiting arms. He stopped whimpering as he recognized his mother's scent and the feel of her arms around him. He looked into her face; a sweet, innocent smile broke on to his little lips.

The woman in the red coat bent her head lower, placing a kiss to his chubby cheek. The little guy babbled as his mother continued to talk to him, while little drops of saliva fell out around the fist in his mouth.

"I love you, little man," the mother cooed into her child's neck as she took in his scent.

An angelic smile broke her face as he fisted his wet hands in her hair before pulling.

"No, little man. What has mommy told you about pulling my hair?"

His intelligent response was, "mama…mmmm."

"Well, is that so? I think I may have to just tickle you, then," she exclaimed as her fingers tickled his tummy.

He let out the sweetest little giggles. I found myself enchanted, laughing with him as his mother placed loving tickles on him pudgy tummy.

My hand found its way to my flat stomach; I rubbed where my unborn child lay.

I could have this child in eight months and be like this woman I see before me.

I knew that all moments weren't like this; there would be times of anger and sadness, but the thought of having sweet moments like the one I just witnessed seemed to make it all worth it.

Years down the road, it wouldn't be the dirty diapers and loss of sleep I'd vividly remember (although I'm sure it wouldn't be pleasant at the time). It would be the way my child said 'mama', and the way he or she laughed as I blew raspberries into his or her tummy, their laugh filling my ears. It would be all the little, warm vignettes which would fill my mind, making my heart swell with love.

Cold, sticky ice cream brought me out of my wondering as it slid down my hand. In living these possible moments, I had seemingly made up my mind.

Regardless of what Mike wanted and the many challenges I was about to face, I decided to have my child. I didn't know if this was the right decision, or if I would ever have second thoughts, but in that quiet moment, inside my head and in imagining my child, I fell in love with him and her. I couldn't wait to have it placed into my waiting arms.

Tears leaked from the corners of my eyes as I pictured holding my little one for the first time. A smile came unbidden to my lips.

I knew the right decision had been made. It felt fitting to me, and regardless of what other people ever did in my situation, it was their decision. My thinking about others' lives and decisions (but my own) would never have helped. Each person had their own life to live.

I got up and tossed the rest of my uneaten ice cream in the trash.

. . .

As the week passed, I made sure to reaffirm my decision. I still hadn't told Mike, but the time was now upon me. Tonight would be the night. He was due at my place within the hour, and I was getting nervous.

I wanted to rid myself of tonight's dinner. Butterflies took up permanent residence and I just wanted them gone; they were causing havoc to my body. I bit my nails (something I never did) as I waited for Mike to arrive.

As the hour passed and he still hadn't shown up, I started to get nervous. When another half-hour passed, I started to get scared. Mike was hardly ever late. And when he was, he'd always call me. He never wanted to cause me worry; he was overly protective.

I couldn't stand the suspense any longer. As I got my coat before walking towards my front door, my cell phone started to ring. I was scared to pick it up; I didn't want to know who was on the other line.

Slowly I reached into my pocket, seeing it was said missing person calling. A sigh of relief was released as I answered.

"Hey Mike, where are you?" I immediately asked him, the fear and anxiety rushing into my voice.

"I'm so sorry for not calling you earlier, Bella, but I'm on a plane right now, about to take off. My mom called me earlier and . . ."

I could tell he was trying to steady his voice. Whatever had happened couldn't have been good.

"She told me that my father isn't doing so well."

Pause.

"They don't think he's going to last much longer. He had another stroke, and it was really bad."

Pause.

"Mom called and booked me a ticket. After I was packed and in the taxi to the airport, I thought about our meeting for tonight. I'm really sorry I didn't call earlier, Bella."

My heart was breaking for him. I had never heard him sound so defeated, so morose.

"I completely understand. I'd have gone with you if you wanted me to," I tried to assure him.

"I always want you, Bella," he mumbled meekly. "But it really was last minute, and I knew you were still in class. You also have a major test for your English Lit class. I did want you to come, but I also understand you have class. You can't put your life on hold for my problems." I was a little upset by his words.

"Mike, you are my boyfriend! It would never be an inconvenience to be there for you. It's what relationships are about. And I like to believe when you needed me the most, I will be there for you; no questions asked," I reasoned with him.

"You misunderstand me, sweetie. I would love to have you by my side, but I also understand you need to make sure you get done what is necessary. If things get much worse, I'll call and want you by my side, holding my hand." A reluctant smile came over my lips.

"But right now, nothing can be done. It's going to be a waiting game. I want to be there just in case . . . you know . . ." his voice became chocked again, "the worst happens. I know you lost your father, and I don't want for you to have to relive those memories. I really am sorry if I offended you, sweetie. You are everything to me, Bella."

My heart broke at his admission. I felt guilty for having those doubts about him. I also needed to tell him about the baby and my decision to keep it. This wasn't the ideal time or way to break the news, but I thought it might make him happy, in spite of what his father was going through.

"Um, Mike, there's something I need to tell you."

My turn to Pause.

"I'm not sure how you'll take the news, but —"

"Are you breaking up with me, Bella?" I could hear the panic in his voice. "I really didn't mean anything —"

"M, you are misunderstanding me now. No, I am not breaking up with you; there is just something I wanted to tell you." A relieved sigh left his lips.

"I was planning on telling you tonight, but with your father not doing well, I am going to tell you now."

"Okay Bella, what would you like to tell me; it can't be as bad as what I just thought."

If you only knew.

"Well, Mike, the truth is . . . what I want to say is . . . I'm . . . well , um . . . I'm . . ."

"Bella, I can't really hear you and they are about to shut the cabin door. It sounds pretty big. I'll call you when I get to my house in Forks. We can talk then. I really am sorry, sweetie, but I have to go. The Flight Attendant is giving me the Evil Eye."

Talk about bad timing and a disappointment.

"Fine, Mike, just be sure to call me; it's really important."

"I promise; first thing when I get home. And Bella, I know I don't say it very often, but you do know I love you, right?"

Of course the dreaded tears came to my eyes at his words. I knew he loved me: he showed it in every action he did.

"I know, M, and I love you, also," I repeated with my hot tears searing my face.

"Okay, sweetie, I really need to go now. I'll call you later. I love you, Bella." And with that he hung up. My news about our baby remained with me.

"I'm pregnant," I whispered into the phone before taking it from my ear.

After seeing it was eight o'clock, I rolled over on my bed and fell asleep with the phone pressed to my chest, waiting for him to keep his promise.

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I could hear something in the back of my mind going off and wondered what it could be.

Slowly coming out of my sleep, I realized something was beeping. I answered my phone but no one was on the other side. I became confused, wondering what the hell was going on. After shaking my head and chasing away the last of my tiredness, I looked on my nightstand; my alarm was beeping.

When it was finally silenced, the clock read six in the morning. It had been ten hours since I had last spoken with Mike. I knew he had been home for a while. Reaching for my phone, I saw there were five miscalls. I couldn't believe I had slept through my phone constantly ringing. I must have been more tired than expected; emotions could do that to a person.

The phone number was listed as Mike's house. I started to feel guilty, again. He had promise to call, and I couldn't even have the decency to answer.

I flipped my phone opened, calling my inbox. The voice that greeted me was panicked and full of fear. Something terrible had happened. The worst part was: the voice coming through wasn't even Mike's, but his mother's.

"Bella, sweetie. I'm not quite sure how to tell you, but . . ."

Her voice broke under the strain of emotions.

"Sorry about that, but when Mike was on his way home from the airport, he was hit head on by a person going the wrong way."

Her voice was so hoarse; I'm surprised she was even able to talk. The lump in my throat was growing with each word she tragically uttered. "He's been taken to the hospital, and that's all I know, sweetie. I'll call when I have more information. I'm sorry. Bye, sweetie," she whispered as the phone hung up.

And then the next message,

"Hey, Bella sweetie, um, . . . the news isn't so great right now. My baby . . ."

She was crying on the message.

"He isn't doing well. He's suffered some major head trauma. The doctors say he suffered a server concussion. There was bleeding in his brain which caused swelling. He also had both arms broken, a broken leg, and his collar bone dislocated. His face is completely scratched and I can't even recognize my baby. They let me see him."

She broke down once again. Tears were pouring out of my eyes. I could no longer see. There had to be some mistake. Mike was fine. I had just talked to him, and he spoke of his love for me. He promised to call, and Mike never broke his promises. I just knew the next message would be from him, telling me his mother hated me and this was just a sick joke to break us up.

That I can forgive. Just be fine, M.

And then the next message,

"Bella sweetie, I hope you're fine. I'm not sure why you aren't answering, but I know it must be for a good reason. I just wanted to update you: Mike is out of surgery and the doctors say they were able to stop the internal bleeding, stop his spleen from rupturing, too." My stomach rolled with her vivid description.

"They set his broken bones, and did everything possible, but now he's . . ." She could barely finish. "He's in a coma. His brain is showing no sign of activity. They think he may be b-brain dead. But you listen to me, sweetie; I refuse to believe that my baby would give up like this. I just know he is resting until he's ready to come back. So don't worry, I know he'll be fine."

I wasn't sure how much more bad news I could continue to take. I was already on the edge, and all I wanted was for Mike to be fine, to call me. He had promised me.

I wasn't sure if I should have listened to the next message, but I needed to know what else there was.

And then the next message,

"Hey, sweetie, Mike is still unresponsive, but the reason he came here is why I'm calling: his father passed away last night while I was sitting with our boy."

It was her turn to break. All the emotions she had been feeling were recorded on the message. She must have sobbed for all she lost in the space of ten hours. Her son was fighting for his life, and her husband lost his. The stroke was too severe; he suffered too much damage. Her world was completely broken, and all I could do was cry with her for my own loss.

Mike simply has to be fine; there is nothing else to it. He just has to be fine: my love and friend is going to be alright.

And then the final message,

"Hey, Bella, no news is good news, yeah? Well, one never knows. They moved Mike into his own room, but there hasn't been any change. His father's wake is set for the day after tomorrow, but I don't know what else to say. Just call me, sweetie, when you get this message. We'll get you on the next plane out. I know you will want to be here and see my baby for yourself."

She couldn't have been more right.

"I hope you know I love you, Bella, and so does my son. All he ever talked about was you: how amazing you are; how he loved you so much; how for so many years all he ever wanted was a chance to prove his love to you."

I wanted her to stop, for the tears to stop blurring my eyes.

"When you finally got together, he called and cried to me on the phone. If he knew I was telling you this, he would turn beet red, and probably never speak to me again."

A weak giggle escaped at her statement; Mike was a true member of the Blush Club.

"He spoke of finally being able to have the one thing he'd always wanted. I knew you two were friends for years; but, he was just so happy, sweetie, when you became a couple."

I could remember it as if it were yesterday.

"A few weeks ago, he called and asked me for my mother's engagement ring. He wanted it handy. He was never sure if you'd say yes, or if it was even the right time, but he loved you that much, sweetie. I just wanted to tell you of his love."

Since he can't, was left unspoken.

"He was even going to ask your father, for permission, when he came here. He was raised like that, and I love my baby. Michael just has to be fine!"

I couldn't listen anymore. My head was filled with so many different things; I'm surprised it didn't turn off. The only thing I needed to worry about was getting to Mike, being there for him, when he finally awoke and looked for me with his baby blues.

I emailed my professors, packed my clothes, called the Airline and reserved a ticket. The hardest part was talking with his mother. We cried together on the phone, talked about her little boy that looked like he was only sleeping.

When I finished my phone conversation, I took a shower, willing the water to wash away all the bad that happened in the last day.

I felt broken; useless. I didn't know what could be done, but I needed to be there in case anything did happen.

I grabbed a towel and dried off. Quickly dressing in my comfortable track suit, I grabbed my bags and took the taxi to the airport.

When we were in the air, I silently cried again for all that had happened. I wasn't sure what things were going to be like when I arrived, but I just had to be there. My love for him far outweighed my fear of the unknown.

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Jasper's POV: present

Mike is the father of Bella's baby. Mike is the father of Bella's baby. Mike is the father of Bella's baby . . .

No matter how many times I said it in my head, it never changed the outcome. I knew someone had to be the father, but Mike was the father of Bella's baby.

I couldn't understand why it seemed to bother me so. I had never met him, never knew what kind of person he was.

All I knew was if Bella loved him then he had to be something. When she finally confessed her love for him, romantically, I felt like crying myself. She had been my little, innocent angel that had fallen in love with someone.

Bella wasn't a child anymore, and I needed to realize that. At times, I would look at her and see that scared little girl – from so long ago. All I wanted to do was protect her. But Bella had already faced terrible things in her life without me present. And she was still standing.

Her inner strength was beautiful to witness; it made me love the brave angel all the more. My adoration for her knew absolutely no bounds.

But, Mike is the father of Bella's baby.

My head taunted me once more. I couldn't understand why it bothered me so. No matter what the reason, there were more pressing matters to worry about.

Bella was silently crying; I could feel her utter sadness. It covered the room, soaking into every useless pore of my skin. Her grief was tragic to witness and brought my soul to its knees.

I tentatively touched her arm. She gave a little jump as she half-smiled her embarrassment at me.

"I'm sorry, Jasper. Talking about this always makes me sad. Sorry if I'm overwhelming you." She was always thinking of others.

"No need to feel sorry, Bella. It's nothing I can't handle. May I ask what happened to Mike?" I gave her time to collect her emotions.

"There is no need to answer if you're too sad. I don't want to make it worse, angel."

"No, Jazz, it's fine. Mike is still in a coma and was moved – shortly after his accident – into a private care facility. I saw him last in May. He was still the same, but looked so different." Her little hands clutched at her shirt.

"I still talk to his mother, but wasn't able to see her the last time I was there. She had to do something for the store." Bella tilted her head, looking at me from under her lashes.

"You want to know the worst part of the situation with Mike?" she asked me, with a cynical smile, not waiting for my answer.

"Mike never had the opportunity to find out he was going to be a father. There is nothing I can do about it, but I still feel guilty. And on top of that, I never even told his mother. She has no idea she's going to be a grandmother."

I was confused by her answer. How could she not tell his mother she was going to be a grandmother?

I'm sure it would have given Mike's mother some hope in the midst of her struggles; not to mention, it would have given Bella someone to share her feelings with. I knew Bella wasn't mean-hearted and vindictive, but I just couldn't figure out why she never said anything.

"I can see the confusion on your face, Jasper, but I promise it wasn't to spite her. I love his mother dearly, but I have my reasons. If there is anything you learn from my story, it is that my luck is terrible. Yes, I have had some wonderful times and amazing memories to last a lifetime; but for me, when it rains, it pours buckets."

I didn't seem to understand her riddle.

"When that monster did those things to me, I left. My mother became broken-hearted. Five months later Phil died in an accident. He was coming home from another celebration and crashed into a streetlight, he wasn't even wearing a seatbelt." Good riddance to the bastard.

Renée begged me to come home, but I refused. I loved her and mourned for her loss, but I wouldn't pretend to mourn for someone who tried to do vile things to me. I forgave him, but I never forgot. I refused to carry around anything for him, even my hate. I was done with that monster."

"When Mike got in his accident and his father died, my heart bled for him and his mother. She became such a strong rock for me during the three weeks I was there. After I got back home, my strength was nonexistent. I was feeling more faint than normal, and I was getting frequent headaches. There was also, and please forgive my bluntness – however you are a doctor – rectal bleeding."

The inside of my stomach tightened. Not for the description, but for what Bella had gone through alone.

"These are all normal signs of pregnancy," she continued her story. "After suffering from dehydration, I was hospitalized for the first time; they ran my blood work and did an ultrasound, just to make sure the baby was okay."

Glad to hear it.

"I went from being in love and having a baby to mourning the loss of Mike and . . ."

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Author's Notes: I know . . . horrid ending, but I wasn't sure how else to end it. I've been racking my brain and really haven't found a solution.

So are there any ideas on what you think may be next? Were any of you surprised about Mike being the father of the baby (I kind of gave it away last chapter)? What did you think of the chapter, and what happened to Mike? I know there were a bunch of readers wondering what happened to the father of the baby, or where he was.

I hope this answers a few of your questions.

Thanks again for reading, and I do hope you let me know your thoughts (the good, the bad, the ugly . . . I'm not sure what movie that's from). Thanks for all the lovely comments!

I hope all is well with everyone, and again, much love as always.

Posted: Monday, 2 August 2010

Edited: Saturday, 20 July 2013