The next several months seemed to fly by. As the baby grew bigger, I started feeling her movements more and more. Sam stayed busy with work but he spent as much time with me as possible. I felt like I was back on the top of the world. Bill continued to buy things for the baby, I finally had to tell him to stop because my apartment was starting to get cluttered.
My pregnancy seemed to be going easy, I hadn’t suffered from any of the horrors that other pregnant women complained about. I had started out with a long list of names and had narrowed it down to five. I don’t know how I was going to pick just one.
True to my luck though, two months before my due date my world came crashing down. It was a warm spring weekend in early May and I decided to go to the mall to pick out a few nursing bras. It was one of the few things I hadn’t gotten around to getting. Ruth and I had planned on going together but her daughter came down with an ear infection and a high fever. I didn’t want to go alone, so I called Sam.
“Hi sweetie,” he answered on the first ring.
“Hey, do you have plans for today?” I asked.
“No, I was just planning on sitting around being lazy until you were done hanging out with Ruth. Then I figured I’d come bother you.”
“Ruth can’t make it, do you want to bother me now?”
“You know I hate shopping.”
“Please? I don’t want to go alone. I’ll buy you a pretzel. And I promise you won’t have to come into the store while I’m trying on bras.” I begged.
“Model the bras for me, and I’ll come”
“Perv.”
“Yep. I’d never turn down a chance to see you in a bra.” His voice was suddenly husky and I wasn’t completely sure he was just teasing me or if he was being serious. I also wasn't sure which one I wanted.
“I don’t think they’ll let that happen at the store. I’ll buy you a cinnamon roll too.” I sweetened the deal. Cinnamon rolls are his favorite.
“Fine. I guess if I can’t see you in a bra, a cinnamon roll is second best.”
“I’m glad I rank above a cinnamon roll.” I laughed.
“Always.” I could tell he was smiling. “I’ll be over in five.” he hung up without waiting for a reply.
It didn’t take long to get to the mall, but the parking lot was packed so we had to circle a few times to find a parking spot. Sam parked and we headed to get a cinnamon roll first. I knew from past experience that if we didn’t Sam would pout until his belly was full of sugary goodness.
“The maternity store is right by to the bookstore. I’ll meet you there when I’m done.” I told Sam while we were talking to the other side of the mall where our destination was located. I knew that Sam would be happy with that because he reads more than anyone I know and goes through dozens of books a week. After he’s done reading them he’ll offer them to me, if I’m not interested he donates them to the library. I’m sure they’re happy that he moved to town.
The maternity store had a large selection of nursing bras, so many different styles it took me a few minutes to figure out how they all worked. I tried several on and finally bought three different ones. When I figured out which one I liked the most I’d be back to buy more.
I thanked the cashier and took my bag to the front of the store. I checked my watch, surprised that I had spent nearly 30 minutes in the store. I started walking faster hoping that Sam wasn’t finished picking out his latest mini library yet. Briefly I glanced at the books that were on display just outside of the bookstore, the ones that they put on the rolling carts to catch the attention of people passing by.
Unfortunately what caught my attention wasn’t the books, but the woman that was standing in front of them. My heart jumped into my throat, my feet seemed to freeze to the floor. She looked up and when our eyes met, she gave me the same smirk that broke my heart when I walked in on her riding Trav months ago.
I hadn’t seen her since that morning what seemed like forever ago, but I’d never forget her face. I saw the surprise in her eyes when she noticed my round belly, and I’m sure she saw the surprise in mine when I noticed her swollen belly as well. She didn’t look like she was as far along as me, but she was definitely pregnant.
Anger flashed across her face for a brief second, then her smug smirk was back in place. I forced myself to move away from her, we had nothing to say to each other. I didn’t get far before a familiar voice said, “Viv, is that you?”
I turned around and nearly ran into Trav. He had let his hair grow out, it was past his shoulders now. His face seemed to have aged a few years, I’m not sure I would have recognized him if I hadn’t heard his voice. He was wearing a plain white t shirt and faded jeans with holes in the knees. When we were together he would never have owned anything with holes, much less gone out in public in them.
“What the fuck!” he yelled.
His shouting surprised me and made me jump. It also earned some stares from several people browsing books nearby.
“Well hello to you to.” I replied.
Trav grabbed my arm and started dragging me over to where his smirking woman was standing. He whispered loudly in my ear, “Why the fuck are you pregnant? You said you were going to take care of it!”
Anger made his face red and he was visibly shaking. I pulled my arm out of his strong grip knowing I would have a bruise there later.
“I told you I would take care of it. I didn’t say I was going to get rid of it. Not my fault you misunderstood me.” I told him.
He inhaled sharply, and it took a few moments for him to reply. He was beyond angry, and for the first time in my life I was afraid of him.
“I told you to get rid of it. I don’t want it. It has no business being born.” He was nearly shouting again.
“So I can’t be pregnant, but she can?” I asked pointing to the smirker. “You don’t have to have anything to do with it. I will raise our baby by myself. You don’t have to be involved, I don’t even want child support. I don’t need or want anything from you.”
“Charlotte is different and not your business. You have no right going against me. I don’t want any child of mine being raised in a single parent home. Where you even going to tell me?!”
“Bill has been trying to talk to you for months. He was going to tell you. If he hadn’t told you by the time I give birth, then I was going to try to talk to you. He’s excited to be a grandpa.”
“I have nothing to say to my father. I’m so angry I could strangle you. I didn’t want to have to be the bad guy Viv, but you’ve given me no choice. I will have my lawyer contact Bill regarding custody. I don’t want you to have any illusions, I will be going for full custody, and I WILL win. I always get what I want, one way or another.”
I took a step back and prepared to unleash my anger and heartache that had built up over the past several months. I took a deep breath, but a hand on my shoulder silenced my rampage.
“Is everything okay over here?” Sam said, tucking me under his arm as if to protect me from Trav, a bag full of books hung from his other hand.
“Samuel.” Trav said with a slight nod of his head.
“Travis.” Sam said back, with the same nod.
The two men stared at each other, both refusing to look away like some sort of testosterone fueled staring contest.
“Trav was just telling me he’s going to try to take my baby away.” I said interrupting their unspoken feud.
Sam broke eye contact with Trav to look at me. “Was he now.” he said it was a statement, not a question. He looked back at Trav, anger and hatred in his eyes.
Trav’s eyes darted around, then he took a step back, closer to Charlotte. “As soon as the baby is born, it will be mine. You know she can’t fight me on this.” He turned and started walking away, as an afterthought he yelled over his shoulder, “let’s go.”
Like a well trained pet, Charlotte jumped to attention and hurried to catch up with Trav. After they were gone from our sight, I suddenly realized I was shaking.
Sam pulled me in for a hug and quietly whispered, “Let’s get out of here.”