Time skip 4 1/2 months, Addison is 6 months (approx. 24 weeks) pregnant, it's August.
"Okay baby looks good, I'll print out some sonogram pictures for you. How many do you want?" Dr. Miel asks as I wipe the gel off my growing belly.
"3 would be great if that's not too much to ask," I respond after counting in my head.
I sit up and pull my shirt down, letting my feet hang off the examination table.
"Alright you're good to go, everything seems to be on track to have a natural birth just keep taking those vitamins." She smiles handing me the 4 sonogram photos.
I thank her and leave to book my next appointment at the front desk. Once my appointment is booked I get in my car and roll the windows down, the August heat is really getting to me.
I reach my next destination and park on the street, making sure the sonogram pictures are in my purse before locking the car and walking to the front door.
Soon after I knock on the door I hear yelling on the inside over who's going to get the door. I laugh as the door is pulled open and my parents shove at each other to get to me first, eventually my father gives up and my mom comes to hug me.
My parents met when they were in their early 20s, they told me it was like love at first sight. They got married then had me and my younger sister not long after; though I'm sure my grandparents wished they had more.
My father, James, is Greek, he wasn't born there but you wouldn't even know it and my mother, Michelle, is from a small island in the Caribbean so my extended family is large and loud, but I wouldn't change it for the world.
"Right on time, I just finished making lunch." She releases me from the hug and ushers me inside.
"Hey now, where's my hug?" I hear my dad ask from behind us.
"Maybe if you were faster you would've got to her first."
"I let you get to her first and you know that." He kisses her on the cheek before passing and entering the kitchen.
I go hug him while my mom goes to the stove to get lunch.
"How are my two babies doing today, huh? How was the appointment?" He asks me pulling out my chair before his own.
"The baby is good, Dr.Miel said everything is on track at the moment," I tell them both as my mom puts lunch on the table in front of us.
"Alright, we have rice, chicken souvlaki, and a salad which you both have to have some of. I also picked up some bread yesterday, and I'm so glad to hear that honey." She places everything down and takes a seat.
"No Alexis today?" I ask about my younger sister while piling food on my plate.
My sister Alexis is 3 years younger than me, about to go into her last of university studying journalism. Growing up we were told we could be mistaken for twins, but I never saw it, we both got our mom's freckles and complexion but her hair was always curlier than mine, almost kinky like moms.
"No, she's out with some friends today." My dad replies to me, though he sounds unimpressed.
"Ah, I see, well I have a sonogram for you guys from today's appointment." I reach into my purse and hand the photo to them.
After my parents gush over the photo we continue eating lunch, talking about anything and everything. I wait until we're done eating before I ask my parents a question that's been on my mind all day.
"Mom, Dad, can I have your opinion on something?" I lean back in my chair and place my hands on my growing belly.
"Sure sweetie, what is it?" My mom answers while fixing her hair.
"If it has anything to do with that boy who did this to you my answer is no."
"James, just listen first." My mom replies, placing her hand on his.
"It's not really about him, but his mom. I only have about 4 months left and I haven't found the courage to tell her yet. I don't know what to do."
"Well, we won't tell you what to do, but can I ask why you haven't told her yet?" My mom asks, but not before staring my dad down to make sure he doesn't say anything.
"At first I didn't want anything to do with him, I was so mad, and as time went on I just kept feeling like it wasn't the right moment or I waited too long."
What I didn't mention to my parents was that I was afraid if I told her, she would tell him, and after he left part of me felt like he didn't deserve to know.
Was that selfish of me? Probably, but at the time I couldn't care less, only now am I having a moral dilemma.
My parents actually end up giving me some pretty good advice, other than the moments my father expressed his great dislike for Justin, in the end, they just told me to do what was best for me and the baby.
The problem is I'm not exactly sure what that is at the moment.
I spend a couple more hours with my parents before I head back to my apartment, Tammy's supposed to be coming over for a movie night.
I get back to my apartment only to find Tammy already inside, sitting on the couch flipping through channels.
As I close and lock the door she looks over at me and smiles.
"Hey! I was wondering when you were gonna get here. I already started the party, I hope you don't mind." She walks over and takes my purse and the leftovers my mom gave me.
"Of course not, you have a key for a reason, might as well use it."
While Tammy's getting the snack together and putting the leftovers away, I go to change into an oversized shirt and some cotton shorts. This end-of-summer heat really isn't helping the hot flashes I seem to be getting.
As I'm changing my shirt I notice a necklace sitting on my dresser, the one he gave me for our anniversary. I took it off a couple of months ago, I couldn't have the evidence of our relationship dangling from my neck every day.
I put my phone to change and go out to meet Tammy on the couch.
"So how's my baby mamma doing today? You better be taking good care of my godchild."
"Of course I am, but what movie are we watching?" I asked even though we usually just end up gossiping instead of watching the actual movie.
A couple of minutes into some romcom, Tammy turns to me while munching on some popcorn.
"Babe, you need a bigger place."
There is no sugarcoating with her, which is one of the reasons I love her honestly.
"I know but I love this place, it's so cozy and open," I say looking around the place I currently call home.
"Open? Sweetie, 'open' is your only option; it's a one-bedroom apartment."
"Oh shut it, miss studio apartment. I'm looking but it's not like I can just buy a house right now."
"You know I'd offer my place but it's more bachelorette than baby-proof."
"Of course I know you would, don't even stress it, I'll figure something out."
It's not like I have much of a choice, it might work for a while but there's no way I can raise a child here.
We talk here and there for the rest of the movie before calling it a night.
Once I'm alone I look around my bedroom trying to mentally rearrange things and see if I can fit a crib in here. I could but it'll be a tight fit, it might work for a few months but not for long.
I need to find a new place before this baby is born.
*****
Okay guys that's the end of chapter 4! I hope you all enjoyed it and please let me know what you think.
What would you do if you were in Addison's position? Would you tell Justin's mom or leave it alone?
I realize I never described Tammy but if you've ever watched Bones, think of Angela slightly but if she worked at the bank, that's who I got my inspiration for Tammy from.
Don't forget to comment and vote!
Have a splendid morning, afternoon, evening, and night.