"Here you go sweetie," I said with the same smile I'd worn for the past the weeks. I handed him his breakfast, he took it without looking at me.

"Thanks," he grunted.

I was tired of this. He was so lifeless all the time. He didn't care about anything. The only thing that mattered to him was what the charts read.

"Want me to stay for awhile? I don't have to take Paige for another half hour."

"Doesn't matter."

A few tears came to my eyes.

"Leo, at some point you're going to have to realize that this is not the only life you have. Sitting here in this hospital all day and night. You have a home. You have a girlfriend," I said shakily before getting up and walking away.

I neared the exit as he called out.

"Piper, wait," he said.

I stopped, but didn't turn around. I didn't want to look at him.

"I'm sorry," he whispered, hugging me from behind. I placed my arms over his around my waist.

"No, you aren't," I said bitterly. "You've been sitting here for three weeks. I have to do everything. I work 16 hours a day and I take care of Paige and I come here three times a day to make sure you're okay. And for what? To be treated like I don't even exist."

"I am sorry," he insisted. "I really am."

I looked the other way as he tried to look me in the face.

"I want to go home," I whispered angrily.

"Okay," he said. "I'll call you later, okay?"

"No, Leo," I snapped. "I want to go back home. The home with my sisters and family. The home where we were so in love. When we snuck out to be with each other. The home, before I was responsible for a thirteen year old girl, before I had to work my ass off just to get by. I want to be sixteen again. I want to do it all over. I never would've done this."

The last words stung him, I knew it. I wanted them to. His hand lost grip on my shoulder and his arm fell to his side.

"Oh," he whispered.

"Forget it, Leo," I sighed. I walked out, leaving him to deal with the harsh words I'd just thrown at him.

******************

I was a little early for work, so I sat in my car for a few minutes, thinking.

I shouldn't have said that. I had no right to be angry with him.
Yes, I did! He's been ignoring me for weeks.
But it's for James.
But I'm his girlfriend. Aren't I important, too?
UGH.

I shook my head and got out of my car. I went through the day pretty lifelessly, consumed in my own thoughts. I stocked the shelves and cleaned the counters without thinking. It felt like I'd only been there an hour, but it was already almost 3. I grabbed my coat and pocketbook and punched out exactly at 3.

After I picked up Paige, we went home. I went into my bedroom to change out of my work clothes. I slipped on a t-shirt and some shorts to relax in. I looked in the mirror and sighed. I had definitely gained weight.

I walked out to the living room, looking for Paige. I was about to go check her room, but I walked into the kitchen instead. I was suddenly starving.

She walked in as I was looking in the fridge.

"You won't be hungry for dinner if you eat now," she said, mocking me for always telling her that.

"I'm starving," I said. "I have no clue why."

She laughed and walked into the living room.

I had a plate with a big sandwich, chips, two pickles, and had a big cup of coke. I sat down at the table, ready to enjoy it all. The moment I picked up the sandwich, I suddenly felt sick. Sick to my stomach. I threw the sandwich down. Paige walked in just as I ran to the bathroom, leaned over the toilet, and puked.

"Piper?!"

"Ugh," I said, wiping my mouth off with a paper towel. I felt better, just as suddenly as I had felt sick.

"What was that? Did you eat something bad?" Paige asked, at the doorway.

"No," I said softly, confused. "I don't know what that was."

But I did. At least, I had a strong, strong feeling.

"Paige, I'm going to the drugstore, then I'm going to the hospital. Do you wanna go?"

"Now? You have to be at work in like an hour," she said.

"I'll call in sick," I said, trying to get my thoughts together. "I need to talk to Leo."

************

I walked into the waiting room. Leo saw me and walked over.

"Piper, I'm glad you came. I really wanted to talk..." he started.

"Leo..."

"No, just listen to me," he insisted.

"No! Listen to me," I said. I took a deep breath. "Leo, I'm pregnant."