28. Light vs. Darkness
"So you are really going to marry Shane?" Carol asked as she took another chip. I was seating at the table with Carol, Beth, and Michonne at our favorite Mexican restaurant.
"Yes," I smiled taking a sip of my spite. I had quit drinking sodas because the caffeine was not good for the baby.
"Is the wedding going to be here?"
"No, going to Florida next month. So we can have our family can be there. My little sister is going to be my maid of honor," I said smiling.
"That's great," Beth smiled.
"You are moving pretty fast. And you really going to keep Philip's baby?" Michonne asked concerned.
"Yes. The baby can't help who the father is," I said softly.
"You're doing the right thing," Beth agreed.
"I would agree but keeping this baby means Philip will never be out of your life. And you know how crazy he is. Remember the time he freaked out because you went to the grocery store with Daryl? And he tracked the two of you down to make sure you were there," Carol reminded me.
"That wasn't such a big deal," I said softly.
"Baby or no baby I am glad you two broke up," Beth agreed with Carol.
"Philip was not that bad," I said still defensive.
"Andrea, you did not see the looks he gave us. Daryl said he threaten him to stay away from you even after he knew we were dating," Beth said.
"I never denied he got crazy jealous, but it was sort of flattering," I said pouring some salsa in a bow and reaching for some more chips.
"It's not flattering , it's creepy," Michonne replied coldly.
"I think he might be a good person deep down, but he isn't right for you," Beth said taking her fork out to get some rice.
"That's understatement. That guy is a loser," Michonne said interrupting Beth.
"He is not that bad," I said. No I was not still with Philip, but I felt like my friends were over reacting.
"You did not see the looks he gave us," Beth said.
"Well, we aren't a couple anymore."
"Keep it that way. And you need to protect that baby too," Michonne warned.
Well, so much for a relaxing girls day I thought.
"Tell me more about the wedding," Beth said changing the subject for me.
"It's going to small. I don't want it to be a fuss," I answered.
"Because you are keeping it a secret. She's afraid of Philip," Michonne said bringing him up again.
"It's not a secret," I replied.
"What not a secret?"
I looked behind me, and I saw Philip. What was he doing here? Maybe, he really was stalking me like everyone said.
"That Shane and I are getting married," I replied looking into Philip's light brown eyes.
"We'll see about that Andie," Philip said placing his hand on my shoulder.
"What are you doing here? Did you follow me?"
"No, I was here having lunch with some associates. And I saw you here," Philip moving closer on me. He could see the look of disapproval of my friends' faces, but he did not care. That was the type of person Philip was. Most people were easily charmed by him, but the ones who weren't did not bother him. He could stand there in front of them with no fear.
"You should go back to your friends," Michonne snapped.
"No one asked you. Is you car here Andrea?"
"No, I rode with Michonne. She was going to drive me back to work, and I was going to get my car to meet you at the doctor's office."
"Why don't you just ride with me? I can take you back to your car afterwards," His hands was burning my shoulder.
"That's not a good idea," Michonne warned.
"I'll be fine," I said walking over to Philip. He was telling the truth about being here with his employees I could see them at table near by. What harm could riding with to the doctor appointment do?
"A pleasure as always ladies," Philip said taking my check and leaving money on the table to pay it.
"You did not need to do that," I said staring into those eyes again.
"You're having my baby. That's the least I can do," Philip said taking my hand. He still had this power over me. A mysterious pull I could not even explain. Shane was like the day, and Philip was the darkness. I needed the sun in order to live, but I still longed for the beauty of the darkness. You are with Shane. Don't let this go to far. This is your chance to explain to Philip you are moving, and don't let your addiction to get the best of you. Philip is a drug to you. Not something that is good for you. He is something you think you need, but you know that you love Shane.
"It's our baby," I said getting into his car.
"You being in my car feels so right."
"Well, I don't see it happening too often," I replied touching my tummy.
"I do. I am not going to lose you Andrea or this baby. Not to Shane or anyone. Andrea, I love you," Philip whispered in my ear. He started the car and I seat there speechless. His hand was in mine, and I knew if I did not stop myself I end up where all this begin. I could not sleep with Philip again. I had made my choice, and I had to stand by it.
29. Ultrasound
I won't lose them. I lost Penny and my wife. I was keeping Andrea and this baby. No matter what I had to do. There were no right or wrong anymore. Just what needed to be done.
"I am surprised you did not invite Shane," I said when got into the room.
"I figured you prefer I didn't, but he is coming to the next one," She said looking all the floor. She was hiding something from me, and I could tell it. Andrea was so easy to read.
"He won't be here the next time. By then you and I will be back together," I said putting my hand on her tummy.
"Philip, we were never together. You were at most a boyfriend. I never loved you the way I do Shane. I just liked you a lot. Too much actually," She said trying to hide her feelings.
"You still want me. We both know it. Shane is just what you think you should want. Someone you grew up with and who goes to church with you. But he is never going to make you happy like I do. And he will let you down again. I would never to do that. I have never cheated on you. This baby is ours. Please consider giving us another chance?"
"I'll consider it," She whispered waiting for the nurse to return.
The young nurse came back into to the room, and looked at Andrea.
"We're going to get an ultra sound," the nurse explained to use.
"Is everything okay?" I asked.
"Yes, we just want to get a look at the baby," She said.
Andrea looked at me reassuringly. We followed her to the ultrasound machine, and nurse performed the ultrasound. She pointed out the heartbeat to us, and Andrea was relieved. Seeing that heartbeat meant everything to us. Andrea loved this baby as much as I did. Maybe, she was coming around I thought.
"I was nervous about the ultrasound," Andrea admitted when we getting into the car.
"I thought you didn't know if you wanted the baby or not," I said in a cold tone.
"I love baby E," She said.
"Baby E?"
"Yeah that's the nickname Shane and I came up with. We think it's a girl, and I thinking about the name Emily. If that's okay with you," Andrea whispered.
What the hell was she thinking picking out baby names with Shane and not me? What was wrong with her? I was the father not her boyfriend she was playing house with. I was this close to losing it. But I took a deep breathe.
"You hate the name?"
"No, if you love it then I love it," I said driving in the direction of the law firm, where she worked.
"That means a lot to me," Andrea smiled.
"Why?"
"Because even though we aren't together anymore I still care about you. I mean you were my first. And now you're my baby's father. That's not nothing," Andrea said moving closer.
She did care, and still did. That was enough. All I needed to confirm that Shane had to get out of the picture one way or another.
"So I do mean something to you?" I asked walking Andrea to her car.
"Of course. I mean there will always be a part of that will think what if?"
"You don't have to wonder," I said leaning against her car.
"I am NOT leaving Shane. I can't deal with losing him again," Andrea said moving away from me. And then I saw Shane sitting in his truck. He was watching us. Was he supposed to me Andrea here? Or did he just not trust her. Either way I was going to give him a show since he had the nerve to spy on us. Shane was the one who did not belong. Not me. Andrea was my girlfriend and that was my baby.
"Shane is your past. Don't you see that? This baby in your tummy proves it. It's our time now. He had is chance with you. Now it's my turn," I said moving closer to her.
"Philip, there is something I need to tell you. Shane and I," She started to say.
"I don't want to hear his name. You say you still care about me. You can't say things like that and not expect me to react this way," I said wrapping my arms around her.
I moved closer, and placed my lips against hers. She closed her eyes, and kissed me back. While she was still in my arms I looked over to see Shane's face. Hurt I watched he drive away. Good, maybe the asshole was learning he didn't belong with Andrea.
"I can't," Andrea said pulling away from my embrace.
"You could. Andrea, we could be happy together. If you just give us a chance," I whispered my fingers slowly touching her hand.
"That might be true, but you know that you have done some fucked up things. Checking my phone, starting a fight with Shane, and what about the times you got mad about my friendship with Daryl? We never had a chance for a relationship because you were to crazy jealous, and always pushing for more. You wouldn't let things happen naturally," Andrea said honestly.
"If I got jealous it was because I loved you so much. And I am sorry for all the crazy things I did. I know I can be better. Think about our baby. I know I can be a good husband and father," I promised her.
"Part of me wants that. Because this is our baby, but," Andrea said staring at mw with those blue eyes.
"But what?"
"But the bigger part of me wants Shane. I love him, and I always will. He is my destiny, and there could never be anyone else," Andrea replied walking to her car.
" What did that kiss mean then? How can you kiss me like that, and say you have feelings for me?"
"I do have feelings for you. But it's lust and desire. Not the type of the relationship that will last," Andrea said.
"Who says that desire can't make for a long term relationship? At least you admitted out loud you can't resist me," I said.
"I have to get home. Shane will wonder were I am," Andrea said taking out her car keys.
"Andrea, I know how this ends," I said.
"What do you mean?"
"You , me, and the baby are going to be together. End it with Shane now and save him the heartache."
"Philip, I am not letting go of Shane. Please don't make this harder," She said getting her car.
"I love you Andrea, and that baby. It's only matter of time before you realize we belong together," I said . She said nothing, but drove away in tears. She had no idea what Shane had saw, but I knew their break up was coming. This was almost too easy, I thought.