Chapter Twenty Six.
Miley.
I wanted to stay in bed forever.
It seemed to be a recurring theme in my life at the moment, and now that I knew why I felt so tired I had more reason to sleep in until midday. Nothing had changed since I found out I was expecting, I still felt the same emotional wreck I did yesterday just now there was an embryo in me. Except of course the fact I was sleeping in the same bed with Nick again. I didn't know my exact view on us right now, but I was content with being back in our house together. I liked him looking after me. I liked him being close again.
I glanced at the alarm clock, Nick's arm wrapped around my waist as I watched the red numbers change adding another minute to the morning. Although I wanted to stay in bed I couldn't. Demi and baby Holly were coming home and I'd vowed yesterday that I would be there no matter what. That meant I had to get up, even if my body didn't want me too.
I was half regretting that decision now…
"DADDY!" A shrill voice yelled.
I winced and looked at Nick to see he was still out as I slowly moved out of his grasp putting my feet on the ground. I suppose I needed to start thinking rationally again, and that screaming voice was step one.
I had to apologize to Luce.
"DAD! You need to get up, you have to take me to school!"
I got up feeling a little unbalanced as I headed to the bedroom door opening it. I instantly locked eyes with Luce who just gave me a look, "Can you get dad up because I need breakfast and-"
"I'll make you breakfast," I murmured shutting the door behind me.
Lucy just stared at me up and down, "Whatever,"
She turned and walked down the stairs as I followed keeping my mouth closed. I wasn't her mom or dad so I could hardly start parenting her for the clear attitude she just gave me. Plus she had every right too,
"What would you like?" I asked entering the kitchen.
"Pancakes," She proclaimed.
"Okay just normal-"
"Chocolate pancakes," Lucy, added taking a seat staring at me.
I nodded willing to do anything to soften her up before I attempted to apologize.
"Anything else?" I asked moving around the kitchen.
"And Bacon. I want bacon too," She stated with an evil look in her eyes.
"Bacon and pancakes it is,"
"And you have to make me lunch Miley." Lucy continued as I nodded glancing at the clock, it was only seven I had time before she left at half past. "I want a sandwich with peanut butter and jelly with the crusts cut off. A green apple, not a red one and a Hershey's chocolate bar." I nodded taking all of her requests on board trying to ingrain them into my mind. "Oh and a juice box, grape flavor, not the stupid berry one."
"Okay no berries." I responded giving her a smile, "Got in."
She didn't return my gesture and instead just glared at me. I sighed and went to work preparing breakfast, making the pancake batter was easy so was making the sandwich but the second I put the bacon on I knew something was wrong.
"Is daddy going to take me to school? I'd rather dad take me than you." Lucy murmured after a lengthy silence between us, the insult was clear, I however was too distracting by my body to care.
I wanted to hurl. The smell of the bacon…it was killing me.
I swallowed the lump in my throat withholding the urge to vomit, "Ummm I don't know Luce if he's awake then I guess he'll take you." I answered quickly making sure I kept my lips very close to one another as I spoke because I knew the second I opened them too much my body would just act.
I clutched my stomach flipping the pancake frustrated. I didn't want to feel like this, I hated feeling like I had no control anymore. I fanned at my face suddenly feeling overly hot to add to the situation while every nerve in my body seemed to be shaking…
I needed to throw up.
"So are you staying Miley?"
It was going to happen.
"Or are you going to run off and leave again like in Paris?"
I tried to respond but as the bacon sizzled I stupidly breathed through my nose and all hell broke loose. One second later I was rushing to the bathroom, next thing I knew I was tossing the flowers out of a vase in the hallway and throwing up into the murky water.
"Oh my god, that is sooooo gross! DAD!" Lucy yelled disgusted.
I ignored her and vomited again my knees shaking, while I felt everything in me racing as a hundred miles and hour. I gagged the contents of my stomach spilling from my lips again,
"DADDY!" Luce literally screamed at the top of her lungs. "MILEY'S BEING SICK!"
Seconds later I heard Nick spring to consciousness and bang around upstairs before rushing down the stairs. "Daddy she's vomiting in the vase, why is she doing that? Daddy why is-"
"Lucy shut up!" Nick yelled rounding the corner.
My eyes skimmed up as I watched all the color drain from Nick's face. He rushed at me grabbing me harshly under the arm taking my full weight,
"Luce get a towel and put some cold water on it-"
"No way! I don't want to catch what-"
"NOW Luce!" Nick yelled at her furiously.
Nick grimaced taking the vase from my clenched fingers placing it on the ground next to the flowers I'd literally tossed across the floor. He didn't release me and gently eased me along to the bathroom a few feet away. I'd been so close it was almost painfully embarrassing that I hadn't made it.
"Okay let's sit you down, just take a deep breath" Nick whispered in my ear.
He lowered me onto the lid of the toilet seat keeping his arm tightly locked around me. I wiped my lips with my shaking hand feeling my stomach ease it's whirling. I looked at Nick's wide chocolate eyes as he stared at me terrified, and suddenly I felt the same fear infiltrate my system. I didn't mean to start crying but I just didn't want to feel like this, I didn't want to have to go through this.
"Shit don't cry Mi," Nick cursed wrapping his other arm around me,
"I'm so sorry," I chocked out pressing my head in his shoulder,
"It's okay, it's fine, this is completely normal."
I knew he wasn't just trying to comfort me, he was trying to reassure himself too.
"How is hurling normal dad?" Lucy asked as Nick sighed.
"Lucy just give me the towel!"
"No, what's going on? What-"
"Lucy this isn't the time okay!" Nick hissed at her, "Miley is sick! Please just give me the towel and then go and call Uncle Kevin- he'll have to take you to school."
"So what you're picking me over her? Again?" Lucy yelled at him her voice pained, "She hasn't even said sorry dad, why are you letting her back into our life when all she has done is hurt us! Why do you keep choosing her over me? I'm your daughter I'm-"
"You're being exactly like your mother, selfish and self centered" Nick yelled at her as I tensed feeling a different kind of sick.
"Well maybe I should just stay with mom from now on then, seeing I'm so much like her" Luce snapped in retort.
The bathroom door slammed, as I pulled away from Nick open mouthed. He looked at me and I saw the guilt fill his eyes as he quickly stood up opening the door, "Lucy wait I didn't meant that just…" Nick let out a huge groan turning back to me unsure of which one of us needed him the most.
"Go," I murmured, "Just go" I wiped the tears.
He looked at me and sighed, "I just-"
"Go, I don't matter right now, this doesn't matter because it isn't going to be an issue for much longer. Lucy hating you is though Nick, please go and talk to her!" I whispered honestly as Nick just stared at me. I thought he'd go but instead Nick just looked at me in complete shock,
"What do you mean, this isn't going to be an issue much longer?"
I looked away from him, "I don't want this Nick, you know I…" I stopped shaking my head, "Just go and deal with Lucy Nick, please I just want to be alone." My eyes turned back and he just stared at me confused.
Nick stepped back into the bathroom and closed the door, "No, I'm staying with you."
"Nick-"
"No because what you just said scared the hell out of me Miley. Yesterday when you held Holly you smiled and-"
"And she wasn't mine Nick!" I retorted, "I can get up and leave her when I want too, I can't do that if I have a baby of my own."
Nick swallowed and nodded, "Okay but you promised we'd talk about this-"
"We are and I don't want to be a mom."
"Miley-"
"Go and talk to Luce, please just-"
"No." Nick snapped, "No, come on let's put you back to bed, You're upset."
I nodded in agreement as he moved over helping me up. "Miley it's going to be fine okay, I don't want you to take this the wrong way but you are hormonal and everything you're feeling right now might be not entirely what you want." Nick announced as I just stared at him and nick smiled weakly, "I'm sorry but it's the truth, this I'm pretty sure is the hormones talking because when you saw Holly yesterday don't you dare tell me you didn't consider having our baby."
I frowned thinking as my eyes finally cleared and I felt a little bit more control,
"You're right I did consider it." I whispered.
"And that is why we need to talk about it, just get some sleep."
"I need to go see-"
"We'll see Holly tonight, you need sleep."
"I should go to work, I need to call my sisters, my dad-"
"Stop complicating this. I will fix everything." Nick murmured in my ear.
I collapsed onto the bed as Nick pulled the sheets back over to me watching. "I'll call you dad okay? I'll tell him everything. I'm gonna make this right Miley okay, I promise I'll fix this." He whispered leaning down and kissing my head, "Now sleep this off."
"Start with Lucy, please fix things with her for both of us." I murmured.
Nick nodded, "Okay gorgeous, I will."
"I love you," I whispered, "I know I'm not acting like I do but-"
"Stop, I love you too."
Nick.
And think I thought today would be better…
It was worse.
I let my eyes skim to Lucy who was sitting beside me in the car with her arms crossed. She'd been crying when I found her outside on the phone to Selena. I'd calmed Selena down, well I'd tried too, but she was pissed at me too. I ended up hanging up on her. Now my daughter was giving me the silent treatment and hell I felt guilty but I just wished she'd understand, but how could I dump this on her? She was a kid, how could I make her see what Miley and me were going through?
"I'm sorry Lucy, I didn't mean that it's just-"
"You always pick her." She whispered angrily.
"Lucy it's more complicated than that." I responded frowning.
"I thought you guys would be happy, I don't understand what's going on." Lucy stated shaking her head looking at me, "I don't get it daddy, why is Miley upset? Why do I feel like you guys are going to break up too?"
I groaned, "Luce we aren't going to break up I love Miley and she's so sorry for leaving us in Paris."
"Then why hasn't she said it?"
"I think she was going too this morning, I saw Miley was attempting to make you breakfast." I murmured as Lucy nodded, "She didn't mean to leave us Lucy, she loves you and me. Miley's just not quite right at the moment."
"Not quite right?" Lucy asked confused.
I looked at her and then back to the road, "Lucy don't worry okay, Miley and me just-"
"How can you say that having a baby is not quite right?" Lucy announced.
My eyes spun staring at her shocked, "Who told you that?" I hissed at her.
She looked at me confused, "I overheard you talking to Miley just before, I don't get it why aren't you happy about it? I'm going to have a little sister or brother." She smiled looking at me, "I'm happy, I just…I don't understand."
"Lucy…" I whispered sighing,
"I was crying because I was mad you hadn't told me, I don't get what's going on right now! I mean now I understand why Miley is sick, it makes sense! But why are you two are fighting? This is good news I can't wait to have a brother or sister. We get another Holly!" Lucy glowed her eyes still confused as I swallowed looking at the road, "Daddy why aren't you excited?"
"Because we don't think we're ready to have a baby Luce."
"What?" She asked confused, "But you're married, you're more prepared then when mom had me right? Plus you raised me, how can you not be ready?"
"It's scaring Miley Luce, she doesn't want to be a bad mom. I don't think she can cope with this right now." I responded honestly.
Lucy just looked at me completely confused, "But she's a great mom, she's my mom already."
I turned looking at her giving a smile, "Maybe you need to tell her that then. After what you said I kind of feel like you're mad at Miley"
"I am, she left us-"
"Like I said Luce, she wasn't herself I did some things to upset her and you know how we had to be careful with Demi while she pregnant because she was always really moody?" Lucy nodded as I smiled, "Same goes for Miley, more so than Aunt Demi though and that's why she left…We just need to be careful with her Lucy that's all, she'll get better once we decide."
"Decide what dad?" Lucy asked as I closed my mouth.
"Dad decide what?"
"Luce don't worry it's-"
"Miley doesn't want the baby does she? That's why she's scared isn't it?" Lucy asked piecing it together as I clenched my jaw unwilling to answer, "Daddy what do you want?"
"I want what ever miley decides-"
"Dad that isn't an answer."
"Well what do you want?" I asked her seriously.
Lucy looked at me biting her lip, "I want a baby brother."
"Not a sister?" I asked smiling at her.
"No! I want a boy! I want to look after him! I promise I'll be a good big sister," She babbled her face lighting up, "I really want Miley to have a boy! Then I'll have someone else to play with too."
I smiled, "Well like I said, maybe you should tell her that."
"I will then, when I get home." She whispered looking down.
"We okay?" I asked.
She shrugged, "I guess I was being selfish I didn't know everything was so-"
"Complicated?" I questioned and she nodded. "I should have told you Luce I just-"
"I get it, but I want you to be truthful do you want another baby?"
Lucy looked at me as we pulled up at her school. Yesterday I'd made that chose in my heart but still I didn't know if I wanted to verbalize the truth in case it made Miley feel like she had no other choice,
"I want the baby Lucy," I whispered, "But it's Miley's chose."
"It's ours too daddy, two against three I think we can convince her."
Lucy gave me a huge smile, "I love you,"
"I love you too, you'll talk with Miley when you get home promise?"
"Promise," She whispered,
Lucy jumped out of the car as I sighed burring my hands in my head, that wasn't exactly the way I wanted the conversation to go but at least she didn't hate me still. I turned my mind to the next dilemma well it corresponded with the first really. I didn't want Miley seeing Holly tonight, I wanted to sit down and have a serious face to face conversation with my wife about what we were going to do with the baby, work, our relationship and her family. Everything. I pressed Joe's number in turning back into the traffic,
"Hey Nick, we just got home you wanna come over?" Joe asked excited.
"I wish I still have work!" I groaned, "How's Demi?"
"Tired, she's sleeping but it gives Holly and me time to bond. I'm teaching her how to press the buttons on the TV remote at the moment, well more I'm pressing her fingers onto the button…" Joe announced.
I rolled my eyes, "Joe if Demi see's you-"
"Like I said she's sleeping. So what's up?"
"We can't come over today, and by we I mean-"
"Miley." He finished disappointed.
"She's pretty bad with morning sickness at the moment, and her mood well…let's just say bringing her over would most likely end in tears regardless if they are happy or sad." I tried to explain. "I need to sit down and talk to her, try and work things out. Tomorrow I'm going to get her sisters and dad-"
"Whoa, hold up? Her dad and sister? She told them?"
"No, I'm about too actually." I responded feeling sick.
"Wow you have balls man, I wouldn't be calling them."
"That's why I am calling them, less likely to get hit in the face."
"Good luck bro, that's cool come when you're ready. I'd rather you bring sane Miley over and not plate smashing evil bitch that she was the other day." Joe responded as I smiled.
"Thanks Joe, give holly a kiss for me."
"I'll add it to the million I'm already giving her. See ya"
I smiled hearing he was at least happy. I thought he'd struggle at being a dad but right now he was literally glowing, so much for female pregnancy glow Joe had definitely embraced it. I turned the corner heading to the office as I dialed the next number feeling the dread filling every bone in my body,
"Nick, where is my daughter?" Billy spat instantly.
"Ummm, she's sleeping Sir actually-"
"I'd rather have this conversation face to face, with both of you. How dare you go behind our backs, we have been nothing but supportive and then you run off and marry her?" He hissed with a tone that literally made me shiver,
"Sir I-"
"What the hell was going through your head? I thought you were respectable but since you two went to France my daughter hasn't so much as contacted me, I'm beginning to worry for her welfare,"
"Billy she's fine," I cut off, "Well kind of, she's sick but-"
"What do you mean she's sick?" He yelled at me, "What the hell is going on?"
"Look I can explain-"
"Like hell you better Nick. I trusted you with her."
I bit my lip, "I'm sorry, we just want to make things less complicated and-"
He laughed at me mockingly, "Yeah right, less complicated, you've caused a huge riff in my family. I hope you realize how much damage you, actually both of your actions have caused." He spat at me,
"Maybe we should meet?"
"Like I said, how about tomorrow will my daughter are available or-"
"Of course Sir, where would-"
"My house one pm, be there or I swear it'll be the last time you ever see my daughter. I'm still her father Nick, I've been through enough her shit I'm not doing it again." He added and hung up.
I listened for the tone, realizing I hadn't even mentioned the fact his daughter was also pregnant.
Shit. He was going to kill me.
A/N: I'm sorry for the delay Uni is literally killing me at the moment, so much so it's made me sick hence the update because I took a few days off. I apologise for any grammar issues I read it and then accidentally deleted all my changes, so I wasn't in the mood to read it all again. Not many more chapters now :) Oh and does anyone have Pinterest? I'm obsessed with it! If you do tell me your name and I'll follow you :)