Crash (Sequel to Unexpected)

Due in March

The outdoor lights illuminate the path up to my apartment above the bar. I've dreamt about transforming my apartment into a lounge extension on the bar, maybe even hiring a few more bartenders to assist. I want a house. An actual house. Now that I have some money saved up in the bank, I might actually make my dreams come true.

I unlock the door to the apartment, stepping inside. I flick on the light, flooding the room with brightness instead of shadows. Approaching the table to set my keys down, I notice a picture on the table. It's an ultrasound image. Carefully, I pick it up and flip it over.

'Due in March'

I set the photo back down on the coffee table. I guess Sonny left it here.

I kick off my shoes before turning the light off and maneuvering my way through the dark apartment to my bedroom. I don't bother illuminating the room. I know the layout like the back of my hand. All my clothes come off one article by one until I'm dressed in nothing but boxers. The bed is warm and welcoming, sucking me under the sheets instantly. When something beside me lets out a soft sigh, I nearly fall on my face with how fast I bolt for the light switch. The figure shifts in the bed, burying deeper underneath the blankets.

"Babe, please."

That voice! I approach the bed with caution, taking the covers in my hand. I pull hard enough to expose the figure's head. Complete with a new haircut, Skye Knight is laying in my bed.

I don't know how to react except for wrapping my arms around her tightly and crying.

"Oh my god, Skye. I can't believe it's you. It's really you?"

"Yes, Gavin. It's really me."

Her voice is like velvet. I've missed the soft tone so much. It just makes me cry harder. I try to keep quiet so I don't alert her, but that doesn't work. She sits up abruptly.

"Are you crying?"

I use the back on my hand to wipe the tears away.

"No."

She covers her mouth with her hands. Her bare left ring finger makes me want to grab the hidden box now.

"Don't lie to me, Gavin! You are crying! Why?"

"Because I've missed you so much. You disappeared without saying goodbye, without any explanation, and then you dropped off the face of the Earth. I couldn't find you anywhere!"

I encircle her waist with my arms, burying my head in her abdomen. She strokes my hair in a soothing manner.

"I'm sorry, Gavin. I just needed time to myself. I needed to sort out everything and I was contemplating what Andy said."

"What did she say?"

I can feel her tense up as she responds.

"She told me I'm a hazard to myself and the people around me."

Silence envelops us. Sadness rolls off her in waves and anger radiates from me. Why the hell would Andy say something so mean and cruel to her alleged best friend? She gave her a child!

"She has no right to say that."

"She was right, though."

I sit up, looking straight into her eyes. I can see a hint of tears, but I don't want to bother her about them.

"I was a disaster. I was a nuclear power plant that threw sparks and signs of obvious dysfunction. I ignored that for too long. Going to that place for a while really helped, Gavin. It helped me wrangle my mood swings and clear my head about the baby."

Baby? Why would she care about Sonny and Haley's baby?

"Did Haley ask you to be the godmother?"

Skye's face is a mirror to my display of confusion.

"What does that have to do with anything?"

"You mentioned the baby. Did Haley ask you to be the godmother? Is that what you needed to clear your head about?"

"Oh my god."

She stands, removing herself from the bed before walking towards the door.

"Skye, wait. Where are you going?"

"One sec."

My heart pounds as she disappears out of the room. I listen intently as she walks out to the living room. I don't want her to disappear again.

"I'm surprised you didn't get it."

She reenters the room, a hand behind her back. She stands in front of me and hands me the ultrasound photo from the table.

"I'm pregnant."