15. Cheater

Let me ask you something, you love Shane? What would he think? He would never want Philip taking care of his babies. I could hear those words over and over. Rick's words had really gotten to me.

I am eating a piece of cake, mostly the icing when Lori walks over.

"You are so excited about the babies," she says sweetly looking at my huge tummy.

"Would be more excited if Shane was still here," I said softly.

"Shane loved you. You were his true love Andrea," Lori said.

"He was mine," I said looking at my plate of cake. Suddenly I did not feel so hungry.

"I want to thank you for sending Rick back to me," Lori said plainly.

"You mean after the kiss?"

"Yes, I know the kiss. Rick was upset with me. I cheated on him. And he had this crush on you in high school. He came here , and I don't think he had any intentions of coming back. I know we haven't always see things eye to eye. But thank you," Lori said hugging me tightly.

"Rick loves you. Take care him. Don't cheat on him again," I said feeling overprotective of Rick.

"I won't ever hurt Rick again. And I am happy for you. I know Rick does not like Philip. Still when I was around him today, he was quite charming. Philip loves you, Andrea," Lori whispers.

"Yes, he does," I said half-smiling.

I watch as she walks off. I see her with Rick. That should be me and Shane. We should be a happy family .He should not be dead. I feel myself unable to breathe. Suddenly Philip walks over. I step toward him, and wrap my arms all the way around him.

"I love you," I whisper in his ear.

"Don't worry about Rick said. Shane would not be upset with you. You are a good mother," Philip says reading my mind. How did he know Rick's words would upset me so much?

"I think I need to take to a rest. All the games, presents, and talking to everyone has gotten me tired. Plus the twins won't stop kicking," I said looking those light brown eyes.

"I'll let everyone know," He says sweetly.

I walk across the hall to the bedroom, and take off my party dress. I find a pair gray cloth pants and a dark blue tee-shirt. I pick it up and hold it to my nose. This is Shane's shirt. I slide it on over my head, and my whole body feels warm with it on. Today was a difficult day. Shane should be here, I thought laying down.

Rick was right, I admitted to myself. Shane wouldn't want me with Philip. Wouldn't want the twins anywhere near him. But Shane is not here, Philip is. That the way it is.

I was even more confused after today, but now I needed to rest. Take care of the twins. That's what is important now.

"Everyone has gone home now. Your mom and sister went back to the hotel. I told them to come back later," Philip says handing me a glass of milk.

"Thank you," I reply taking the milk. I slowly take a sip.

"Don't worry about Rick. He should have not said that," Philip says touching my back.

"Rick is worried about me. He is convinced you are the one who murdered Shane. I don't know why. They already have the murder in jail, but I can't reason with him," I whispered.

"Just stay away from Rick like planned. His family is falling apart and wants to turn you against me," Philip said his light brown eyes glowing.

"No one will turn me against you. I would never leave you. Not after everything we have been through," I said giving him the empty glass.

"That's all I need to hear. Now I am going to let you rest," Philip says kissing my hair.

I get in bed when he leaves the room. I close my eyes trying to forget what Rick said. It was not easy. I still cared about Rick. And I wish he had told me Lori cheated. I am not so sure I would have encouraged him to go back with her if I knew. But he was with Lori now. What done is done, I thought closing my eyes.