AN: 1-Thanks to everyone who is following this story. I almost discarded it. Thanks again guys!
2- I know the subject matter can be a sensitive one. I don't mean to upset or offend anyone. I just want everyone to enjoy the story. So please read and review. Thanks again.
"Excusez-moi?" he asked, positive he misheard her, rotating towards her more to make sure he heard incorrectly.
She couldn't hold his stare anymore. Her eyes were now downcast. Just stating the fact for the first time aloud took all the courage she built up out of her. She hadn't even muttered the words to her bestfriend Jean. Hollowly she repeated, "I'm pregnant."
Remy turned his head forwards, staring out on to the giant flat screen ahead though it remained off. He ran a hand over his face, tugging his picturesque features out of place. Poutain! He gulped his glass of merlot. He reached for the pack of Marborlo on his coffee table then stopped, remembering that the woman next to him was with child. His mind went into a million different directions at a million miles per minute. "Are ya sho' it's mine?" he blurted out. He bit his bottom lip into a tight line instantly afterwards, regretting having said that.
Ororo glared up at him with unadulterated hurt and rage. She was stung by his verbal slap and matched it with her own physical one. Her palm left a brilliant scarlet print on his left cheek. He wasn't angered by it, hell was angry with himself. Ororo jolted up to leave. She would not continue to be insulted by someone she made the mistake of ever meeting. But truthfully she understood why he asked. She met him at a nightclub and invited him into her apartment. Perhaps it was a legitimate question.
Remy grasped her wrist, halting her in her tracks. Still glaring she peered down at his white fingers wrapped around her cocoa skin then back up at his face.
His dark eyes pleaded with her. "I'm sorry Ororo. It jus' came out. I wasn't thinkin'. I know ya ain't dat kinda girl." It was true. Remy was pretty good at reading people though she was a bit ambiguous at times. He recognized it in the way she carried herself, the way she spoke. She was someone of class, high standards. The night they shared was out of her character. He pat the leather cushion next to him. Reluctantly she sat down back down, hurriedly wiping a tear that crept down her cheek. "You're only the second guy I've ever slept with," she whispered so low she was barely audible.
The sudden soft steady tings of raindrops hitting the windowpanes intermingled with rumbles of thunder in the distance.
He squeezed her shoulder, not sure how to go about consoling her. Curiously he inquired, "How far along are ya?" She sighed somberly, "Must be about three weeks. I haven't seen an obstetrician. I…I don't plan on keeping it." Remy thought of what she was insinuating. "Ya mean ya gonna have an abortion?" he clarified cautiously. Slowly she nodded, her tone even, "I figure given the circumstances this is the best option for everyone. I mean I don't even know your last name." She gave a small mirthless chuckle at the idea of having a child with someone she knew absolutely nothing about.
"LeBeau. Remy Etienne LeBeau." His eyes shifted to look at her. Misery and anxiety conflicted with those ravishing features of hers.
She met his gaze. He too looked as pained as she felt. "Ororo Monroe."
"So, when ya gon' get da… Get it done?" Remy suddenly didn't care much for the word 'abortion'. It felt cumbersome on his tongue, leaving a foul taste. Hearing it felt like a shard of glass scraping his eardrums.
She reverted her eyes down to her lap once again and spoke in a monotone voice. "I have an appointment for Wednesday. It was the earliest I could book. I… I just wanted to let you know before I did it."
Remy thought of his own life. He was abandoned by his birthmother. Luckily he was later adopted by the LeBeaus. Both of his adoptive parents perished too soon. During his adolescence he was filled with rage and bitterness towards his birthmother for leaving him as a defenseless baby, but eventually became grateful that she at least gave him life. Ultimately this was Ororo's decision. He may not agree with it but he'd support it.
"When's da appointment? I'll drive ya. I know ya won' feel too good aftahwards."
Ororo gave a feeble smile. "Thank you. I'd appre-…." Queasiness poured over her abruptly. Her hand shot over her mouth, acting as a barrier to the vomit that was pushing its way up her throat. Remy's eyes widen with fright. "Do ya need ta throw up?"
Ororo nodded yes swiftly, keeping her lips tight as a deterrent to keep from projectile vomiting. Remy briskly walked her to the closest bathroom. She wasted no time to regurgitate into the porcelain bowl. Remy rubbed her back as she kneeled retching into the toilet. Her checks became ruddy. Once she was done and disposed of the barf she flushed her mouth out in the sink. Remy handed her a half empty bottle of Scope with a kind, understanding smile. "Thanks," she said sheepishly after gargling.
Remy walked her out to her car holding an umbrella he grabbed from his coat closet on the way out. After a moment of pausing in front of her Benz she asked the question she had been asking herself since she learned of her pregnancy. "Did we use a condom?" He reflected back. It was a bit hazy but he recalled how incredibly good she felt, too good. No condom could have allowed those types of sensations. "Non," he replied quietly.
Ororo unlocked her car door and opened it. Only the feel of Remy's hand cupping her hip stopped her from entering. She turned over her right shoulder to look at him. "Ya sho' ya ok ta drive home? I can take ya if ya like." He was certain she would through up ten more times before reaching the front door of her apartment. Her lips slightly curled upwards. "You driving me home got us into this situation." They both released a sorrow riddled laugh.
"Well den, guess I will see Wednesday. Lemme know ya got home all righ'."
Ororo nodded then stepped into her car. Remy watched her drive away until the taillights were no longer visible.
Ororo had just finished clearing her long mane of knots and brushing it back into a ponytail when she heard the rapping on the front door. He was earlier than she expected.
She allowed him in. He dawned his standard wear; beat up Doc Martins, faded blue jeans and a dark colored shirt. The heat was unbearable. His duster would be worn another day. His smoky scent intermingled with aftershave and cooking grease. He displayed a large white paper sack. "I picked up some McMuffins on da way. Figured ya may want somethin' ta eat."
She smiled at his thoughtfulness but rejected the food. "Thank you but I was told I couldn't eat twelve hours before the procedure. But help yourself. There are plates in the right cupboard. I just need a few minutes to finish getting ready."
In reality she was practically done. She just needed a moment to attempt to silence her nerves. She stared back at the reflection she saw. Puffy bags protruded below her eyes. Her irises were now a dull, faded shade of blue. Her face was permanently molded into the expression of despair. She focused on her thoughts. This was the best decision she could make, for herself, for everyone including the baby. Her life was just beginning. Was she ready to bring another into this world? No. She wasn't. Not now. She felt a child needed the support of a loving mother and father in a stable environment. She knew nothing about the father other than his name. She heaved a deep exhale. This is what's best for everyone. You're doing the right thing… You're doing the right thing.
The drive was completely speechless. Their eyes were fixed on anything else but each other. Ororo felt brittle, as if her whole being could possibly dissolve into dust. When Remy pulled up in front of the clinic her chest constricted even more. She grew pale as she fought to steady herself. Remy squeezed her left knee gently. "Ya ain't gotta do dis if ya don' wanna. Ya sho' 'bout dis?" he asked as evenly with as much confidence as he would muster. Truthfully he had his own grievances. Ororo gave a tight nod then departed.
The day was overcast and muggy with pending rain ready to break at any moment. Remy sat in his parked car with an anxiety more powerful than ever felt before. He took out his pack of cigarettes and used the car lighter to light one. He inhaled a long drag. He guessed he should have felt lucky. He knew too many guys tied to women they hated because of thinking strictly with their groins. It was a miracle it didn't happen that way with Ana. What if she kept da bebe? He wondered what advice his father, Jean-Luc would have offered if she did. It was almost as if his father was speaking directly to him, consulting him in his own way. Jean-Luc would've sat him down and told him in that jovial tone he typically owned, "Remy, you may have made a mistake but that's life. Now you have another to take care of it. Who knows, this could be a blessin' in disguise. Do the right thing son. Man up and make sure that femme and that bebe have the LeBeau name. 'Sides, you could do a lot worse. That belle is one of the prettiest little things I've ever seen." Then he would have proceeded to pour out a shot of whiskey for them both as a congratulatory gesture.
Remy allowed a small laugh to himself at the memory of his deceased beloved father until reality set in. He lit up another cigarette. His nerves were wrecked. The reality of it all was that Ororo walked in to that facility pregnant and wouldn't be when she walked back out. No wondering, no imagining, no guessing. Just as simple as that. He craned his neck towards the clinic, disliking the sight of it and the notion of what was occurring in it.
He flicked the butt of the cigarette out of his cracked opened window and lit a third. He didn't care if he was smoking like a chimney. At the moment the cigarettes salvaged any form of calmness he had left. A knocking on the passenger window shocked Remy to his surroundings. He unlocked the door. He was a bit bemused. She had only been in dere fo' a lil' less dan an hour. Didn't dese things take longer?
Ororo entered the car with downcast eyes. A tear tumbled down her cheek followed by another. Remy carefully captured her chin in his left hand and guided her to face him. He thumbed away her tears, holding his hand there to caress the apple of her cheek. Their eyes riveted to one another's, both filled with conflict and anguish. Remy hated seeing a pretty girl cry but this was by far the worst. "Ya ok, chere?" His words were dipped in worry. Her voice stung with suffering and angst as she whispered, "Take me home."