When I got back to LA, my dad was there to drive me back to my apartment. He asked me all about Ireland and Rob. I filled him in about the movie and Rob's family while he told me about his latest movie.
I was glad to be home, especially since I still wasn't feeling the greatest. I looked at the clock, it was really late. I curled up in bed and fell asleep before I could get into my pajamas.
The rest of the month was pretty lonely, I hadn't made a ton of friends in the 8 months I had been here and I sill felt a little off. Rob called everyday, which was the high point of my day. I talked to my dad a lot too. But, about a month and half after I got back from Ireland, I began to feel worse. I called the doctor and made an appointment for the next day.
I drove to the doctor, still feel nauseous and now had a headache. I waited in the waiting room, the clock ticking loudly. I was glad when the nurse finally came.
I walked out of the doctor, my heart racing, questions running through my head. Tears slowly fell down my cheeks as I drove to Walgreen's to drop off my prescription. How was I going to tell Rob? How would he react? How would my dad react?
When I got home, there was a message from Rob. My heart skipped a beat as I heard him speak. I just couldn't talk to him right now. I needed to talk to someone, just not him. I remembered that Lizzy said I could call her anytime. I grabbed the phone and called up Lizzy. Luckily, she was home.
"Hello?" He voice was so relieving I started crying again.
"Hi Lizzy, it's Claire." I tried hard to hide my soft sobs, but Lizzy heard them.
"Claire, what happened? It isn't Rob, is it?" I wiped my tears away with my sleeve and whimpered.
"No, it's not Rob. Lizzy, can you promise not tell anybody?" I wrapped a blanket around me and curled up on the couch.
"Yes, whatever you want. What's wrong?" Lizzy sounded terrified. I sniffled and swallowed the lump in my throat.
"Lizzy, I-" I took a deep breath. "I'm pregnant."
"Are you sure?" Lizzy's comforting voice faltered.
"Positive." My voice was a whisper as I tried to calm myself. "And, no, Rob doesn't know. I don't know how to tell him. I feel like this isn't exactly something you say over the phone, but he's in Ireland, working." I sniffled, wrapping the blanket tightly around me.
"Claire, you have to tell him." Lizzy's voice suddenly sounded oddly lighter. I bit myh lip hard and took a deep breath.
"What if- if-" I broke off, sobbing again as I remembered the thought I had worked hard to forget. "What if he l-leaves?" I closed my eyes tight as hot tears slid down my face. Lizzy sighed.
"Claire, I can promise you, he won't. I know my brother, he's never do that. Plus, if he did, I'd hunt him down and kill him myself." Lizzy laughed, but it sounded forced. I smiled slightly.
"Thanks, Lizzy. I'll call him after this. Alright, Bye." I hung up, staring at the phone. I had to do this, tears still hot on my face. He has to know. I took a deep breath and called his cell. It rang twice before I hung up. I couldn't do this, I was scared of what might happen. I repeated what Lizzy said several time before calling him again. I let it ring this time, but my stomach was twisted into knots, not helping my already nauseousness. I let out a sigh of relief when I got his voicemail.
"Hey, it's Claire. I have something I need to tell you. Alright, call me back. Love you." I hung up and dropped my head back on the couch. I was going to have to face this head on, and sadly, pretty much alone.
I fell asleep quickly, waking to the sound of the phone ringing. I bolted up, but a wave of nausea washed over me. I stumbled over to the phone.
"Hello?" My voice was weak and scratchy.
"Honey, you sound awful. What wrong?" Rob's sweet voice sent my heart into a tizzy. I took a few deep breaths. "Are you sick?"
"Kinda. It's a little more than that. I-" I broke off, the muscles in my throat tightening., I knew what was next. I ran to the bathroom, leaned over the toilet and threw up. I swallowed the sour taste in my mouth and wiped my mouth on the sleeve of my old sweatshirt. I looked at the phone on the floor next to me, Rob's worried voice soft, but audible. I scooped it back up.
"What's wrong? Is it serious?' Rob's voice sounded truly worried. "If you want, I'll leave right this second and come home." My heart jumped at the opportunity, but I bit my lip. I knew this was a big break for Rob, he deserved to be there.
"No, you stay there. I just wanted to tell you that-" I swallowed and took a deep staggered breath. "Rob, I'm-" I couldn't get the word to come out of my mouth.
"Claire, just say it." Rob was getting anxious. I decided to take a different route, have Rob figure it out.
"Rob, how do you feel about kids?" I croaked as I glanced at myself I the mirror. I looked like crap, my face pale, circles around my eyes, hair flying this way and that.
"I don't know, their okay. Why?" Rob spoke slowly, searching for a meaning in the words. It was silent for a moment. Suddenly, Rob knew. "Claire? Are you-are you what I think you are?" It seemed he didn't want to say it either. I took a deep breath.
"Yes." I whispered into the receiver, my knees shaking under me. I sat down on the cool bathroom floor and listened to Rob's soft breathing on the other end.
"Oh." He sighed. "Claire, I'm coming home. I don't care if this is career suicide, you need me right now. I love you more than anything and I can't wait to see you again." I opened my mouth to object, but no noise came out. I couldn't object to something I truly wanted. "I'm getting on the next plane to LA. Alright, hold tight. I love you, I'll be home as soon as I can. Bye." Rob hung up before I could say anymore. I sighed in relief, but I was still nervous about what was to come. This was going to be a long several months.