This Little World of Mine

Chp. 3

"Did you consider-"

"It wasn't an ever an option," Lucy whispered.

"What about-"

"Never."

"You didn't even hear what I was talking about!"

"I'm keeping the baby, no matter what." Lucy stuck her hand in my pocket.

"No matter..." I trailed off. I patted down her flyaway hair.

"She kept the baby?" Harriet exclaimed.

Dug stared at her, "I knew you weren't that smart, but wow!"

"You are such siblings," Lila scoffed.

"Ya know? I think I'm going to go check on her," I stood up to leave.

"I'll go too!" Lila rose to follow me.

"No," Harriet dragged her back down. I strode to the elevators and made my way to her room.

"Nurse? What room is Lucy in?"

"Lucy..." the nurse said, questioningly.

"Lucy Daniels." I drummed on the nurse's desk.

She continued to watch her computer, "Stop that."

I cracked my knuckles instead of drumming.

"She's in room 401." The nurse frowned and waved me on.

"Thanks!" I shouted as I bolted down the hall.

I knocked on her door. "Lucy?"

The door creaked open and another nurse smiled at me, "Hello, you must be her boyfriend, Matthew?"

"Uh, yeah," I nodded.

She turned inside the room and started talking in a hushed voice.

"Can I-"

"Come in," the nurse stepped back so I could come in.

"Hey, Lace." I tried to hide any amount of nervousness that could possibly show through.

She gave me a small smile, "Hey Matt."

She looked like crap. She was still my beautiful Lucy, but she looked tired and beaten, though I don't know why I was surprised. Quite frankly, I was tired and beaten myself.

"Arthur's here somewhere," I mumbled.

"He is? Why?"

"I don't know, I think he came to see the baby."

Her smile was gone. "Oh."

I sat on the edge of the bed beside her. Lucy ran her hands through my hair gently. I brushed her arm, my perfect Lucy.

"What are you going to name the baby?" I asked.

"No idea. It depends on if it's a girl or a boy."

"I think if it's a girl, her name should be Ireland. Ireland Peters."

"I like it, but how is she going to be a Peters?"

"I just-"

I laughed as Lucy turned bright red. I grabbed her hand. "Lucy, I know that this is not a good time and that we never technically dated, but I want this baby to know that it's loved and that it has a father that cares. I- Lucy Daniels, will you- will you marry me?"

"Arthur will not be in the baby's life. I won't allow it," I said.

"Arthur is the father, Matthew. He has to be."

"I say no," I told her.

"You're not the child's parent!" she shouted. We were sprawled out in her backyard, cloud-watching.

I was chastised into silence. She had a point, I wasn't the baby's father. And while Lucy was my best friend, she didn't love me. I was in love with her, but she didn't care.

"Lucy..." I started.

"No, Matthew. I get what you're talking about, but he's blood related and you're not. I don't care what you think, or what he's done, but-"

"But nothing! He hurt you!"

it was her turn to shut up.

"He. Hurt. You. Lucy." I gritted my teeth. "He hurt you. And I can't let that happen again."

"I can stand up for myself, thanks." Lucy sat up and curled her fingers into the grass.

"I know. I know you, but I'm scared for you." I explained.

"Sure, fine, whatever," Lucy got up and went in the house. I didn't follow her.

Lucy started to cry, "Of course I will!"

I wrapped her into a hug, then she started to scream.

"Lucy!" I shouted. "Nurse! Nurse!"

Her grip was about to break my ribs. She pulled tighter and then loosened. "Contractions, Matt. That's all."

"Are you okay?" I was a wreck.

"I'll be fine." She grasped my hand, which immediately started to turn purple.

"Are you sure?"

"For now," Lucy's breathing was ragged.

"Somebody called a nurse?" The nice one with the smile popped her head in the door.

"It was just a contraction," Lucy assured her.

"If they get any closer together, press the call button and we'll get a doctor in here." The nurse ducked back out after Lucy nodded.

"Relax," Lucy laughed. "It's okay. Chill out."

"Chill out," I breathed.

She leaned over and kissed my cheek. "It's going to be fine."

"What about a boy's name?" I asked, trying to be levelheaded.

"I think Arthur."

"Arthur?" I repeated uncertainly.

"Even if the actual-"

"Yes. The baby can be named Arthur. Arthur or Ireland."

"Thanks for understanding."

"It's all I can-" the door cracked open.

"Babe?"