The Bad Boy Is My Baby's Daddy
December 11th 2012
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Chapter Ten - Terrance Archibald
''...I don't know, Ryder. I picked him up last night and he was a complete mess. I think you should come over...'' Carmen's hushed voice drifted into her pitch black room, the only light was coming from her bedroom door that was slightly ajar.
I blinked my sore eyes, shifting underneath the blankets she had piled over me and glanced at the clock on the nightstand that glared it's bright white numbers. It was four in the morning which made me pause and think back to earlier.
Carmen had shown up around eight and I was still off to the side of the road crying when she had got out of her car, demanding what happened but I only managed to blubber and splutter while attempting to explain before she dragged me into her car and drove off back to her place where I still continued to sob about everything and anything that came to mind.
I just wondered how much she caught and if anything how much she believed.
''...yeah, I'll see you in a few and just let yourself in.'' Carmen murmured, followed by a deep sigh that meant she didn't know what to do and she was frustrated because of it; which was sometimes a complete shocker, considering under any kind of circumstance or situation she seemed to always know what to do in the worst of times.
The bedroom door creaked open slowly, illuminating her room with a bright glow from the upstairs hallway and she poked her head around the door frame. Her dirty blond hair was pinned up in a messy bun and she wore a simple black tank top with a pair of Batman boy shorts with matching slippers. If I was in the mood, I would have teased her but I couldn't even find it in myself to speak.
''Are we gonna talk about this?'' Carmen spoke, slowly entering her bedroom but not receiving an answer from me. ''All right, if you aren't going to speak then you can at least nod or give a shake of your head, understand?''
I nodded.
''You're...pregnant?'' She asked, her tone wasn't judging but it was a little hesitant like she was unsure which was totally understandable considering I, myself was still having difficulties wrapping my head around the idea of a baby growing inside me.
I nodded once more, tears stinging the back of my eyes.
''I assume Cloud's the daddy?''
Another nod but this time more weakly as tears surfaced.
''Your family found out and I'm guessing they didn't take this very lightly?'' Carmen asked, her voice turning sympathetic as the hot tears trailed down my flushed cheeks. ''...And neither did Cloud?''
''N-no.'' I managed to choke before a sob lodged it's way up. ''He told me...h-he would l-love me no matter w-what and be h-here with me no m-matter what b-but where i-is he n-n-now?''
''Terrance, this is a bombshell you're dropping. I'm not even 100% on this matter. I'm confused and I'm not even the parent of the baby inside you. You need to think how Cloud feels, just all of a sudden the boy he loves blurts he's pregnant, it's gonna be a major stunner but I'm sure with some time everything will run along more smoothly.'' Carmen attempted to reassure but her words only seemed to deflate my mood even more.
''H-he probably thinks I'm a psychotic loon that n-needs help.'' I whispered brokenly, allowing more salty tears to fall as I turned my head and buried my face into a pillow; hopefully it'll suffocate me.
''I've missed you.'' Carmen blurted, causing me to turn my head and frown as she crouched down in front of me with her hazel eyes averted. ''Ryder and I've both missed you, you're the glue that sorta held our complicated and weird friendship together. Without you it was awkward as hell, after all I'm pinning after the man child huh?''
''He'll realize soon.'' I said, my voice rather hoarse. ''You two will be together and happy.''
While I'm forever alone and miserable. I thought in pity of myself and as if Carmen could read my mind.
''Hey, you're not gonna be alone.'' She stated with a shake of her head. ''Cloud will come around and if he doesn't I'll beat the livin' stupidity outta him.''
I gave a faint but watery smile at the girl who has practically become a sister to me. ''I'm sorry I was such a douche to both you and Ryder--''
''Don't apologize, I think we were all in the wrong. We're putting all that crap behind us and looking at the future.'' Carmen declared, her eyes down casting to my stomach. ''Speaking of future, how far a long are you?''
''Almost ten weeks.''
''Do you know the gender?'' Carmen asked, seeming in an awe like state as her hazel eyes continued to focus on my stomach.
''No, I could find out at twelve weeks but I'm thinking I want it to be a surprise.'' I admitted, my hand gently grazing over the slight bump. ''It'll boost me for when the time comes.''
''I'm guessing it'll be a C-section?''
''I really don't see any other way. I'll have to discuss everything with Araki at my next appointment.''
''So, Araki knows?''
''She's the one that figured it out and dropped the news.'' I said. ''Though, I'm rather happy it was her instead of someone else. At least I know I can trust Araki not to spread the word and she's also helping me cope through this whole ordeal.''
''Well, count Ryder and myself in. You're aren't gonna be alone any more. You'll have the support you need to back you up.'' Carmen assured, taking my hand in hers. ''I promise.''
''Promise what?'' Ryder's voice asked causing both Carmen and I to startle and look up to find him poking his head inside the bedroom. His dark hair was windswept and his face was a little red from the cold. He wore a navy blue hooded sweater with I'm over it across the front in white bold font and a simple pair of dark washed jeans that had white paint splatters in random sections.
''Dammit, Ryder! You nearly gave us a heart attack!'' Carmen snapped, giving him a dirty look. ''Friggin' prick.''
''Don't you mean ninja?'' Ryder pointed out with a cheeky grin that only seemed to irritate Carmen further. ''Anyway, I'm not here for our bantering. I'm here for my boy!''
I smiled, sitting up as Ryder strolled his way over and pulled me into a tight hug. I wanted to break down again but I refused and gripped onto Ryder like he was my lifeline. Ryder wasn't much of a comforter but when it came down to certain hellish moments, his hugs seemed to make everything feel better and right again.
''Everything is gonna be fine, Terry.'' Ryder murmured against my neck. ''It will all work out.''
''How do you know?'' I choked, swallowing down a cry.
''How do I know? Do I need to explain myself? Bitch, I am Ryder Zayn Benjamin—must I say more?'' He asked, lightening the heavy mood that seemed to set over myself and accomplished because I laughed softly, taking in a deep breath while giving Ryder one last squeeze before pulling away and folded my hands in my lap.
''I'm holding you to your word, Ryder.'' I murmured, muffling an on-coming yawn.
''Yeah, yeah princess.'' Ryder teased.
''Get some rest, Terrance. We'll discuss more tomorrow.'' Carmen said, lifting up the blanket and pulled it over me while I laid back on her bed. I bid both a half hearted goodnight before my eyes drifted shut and I was off into la la land.
Darkness surrounded me like a thick blanket.
I couldn't tell left from right nor up from down.
Though, I could feel an emotion. I could tell I was scared, my deep breathing echoed around the darkness; making me feel enclosed and trapped like a small caged animal. I opened my mouth to scream for help but no sound escaped me.
''This is going to be your life from now on.'' A hoarse voice whispered, the sentence flashing through the darkness like a bright red beacon. Demented laughs tore through the darkness, piercing my eardrums as I continued to try and scream but my voice was drowned out and I was silent.
My eyes flew open and I quickly sat up in bed, catching my breath before grimacing as an all to familiar feel in my stomach started up and I made a mad dash into the nearest bathroom, stumbling right in front of the white porcelain toilet and released the foul bile that burned my throat and brought hot salty tears to my already glistening eyes.
I blinked rapidly, listening to the demented voice from my nightmare linger in the front of my mind until I had to retch once again, leaving the nightmare forgotten and pushed further back.
''Terrance, are you okay?'' Carmen asked, truly concerned as she entered the bathroom half asleep. I stole her a quick glance before spitting into the toilet bowl and shook my head. ''You know, I read online that stressing can cause morning sickness.''
''So, I've been informed.'' I mumbled, resting my cheek on the seat and peered up at Carmen. ''I should probably call Araki and ask her if I can get an earlier appointment. Can you please grab me my phone?''
''Yeah, of course.'' Carmen gave a quick nod of her head before departing the bathroom, shouting for Ryder to get his lazy ass up on her way. I gave a faint smile at that, closing my eyes before Carmen re-appeared holding my cellular device out to me which I took with a heavy sigh.
I watched the screen light up, my background image pulling at my heartstrings from sight of Cloud and I so happy together but that isn't all that caught my eye. I had 89 missed calls from assorted contacts. I frowned, pulling up the call history and noticed a majority of them were from Winnow and Lucas. A few from Araki, a handful from my mom and a single one from Cloud himself.
I scrambled to my feet, casting a dizzy spell upon myself as I rose which instantly made Carmen leap forward and steady me. I brushed her hands off, quickly re-dialing Cloud's number and holding my phone up to my ear and listened to the rings before his voice mail greeted me on the other side.
''It's Cloud, you know what to do.'' Bleep. I quickly hung up, not bothering to leave a message because I didn't know what I could possibly say.
''Terrance, who did you just phone?'' Carmen asked, snatching my phone from my hand as my arms fell limply at my sides. Her hazel eyes scanned over my phone and a deep frown worked onto her lips before she pressed a button. ''I'm gonna call Araki for you, okay? Then we'll all head over, does that sound fine?''
I gave a stiff nod. ''Yeah...''
Coward. I scolded myself, flushing the toilet while Carmen spoke quietly into the phone, every few seconds her eyes would peer over at me like I was some toddler that needed supervision at all times and that sorta irked me but I didn't bothering making a comment because I knew I'd regret speaking my mind later on.
''...in an hour would be just fine.'' Carmen agreed, nodding her head like a confirmation before murmuring a goodbye and hung up, slipping the phone into my pant pocket. ''Araki said she could see you in an hour, we'll head over to the hospital after a good and nutritious breakfast. Speaking of which, I read you should also be taking vitamins.''
''I know and I have.'' I said with a frown. ''I've been doing research also, Carmen.''
''I'm not saying you haven't.'' She murmured. ''I just don't want anything to happen to you or the baby.''
Instantly, my hands flew up to caress the small bump. ''And nothing will.''
''Carmen, stop going all motherly hen on the boy.'' Ryder's deep morning voice said tiredly. ''Now, are we gonna eat some breakfast or not? I'm starving and I'm sure the boy with child is even more so.'' To prove Ryder's point, my stomach gave a faint growl which instantly made my cheeks flood red. ''See? Now chop, chop women. Go make something for us to eat.''
''Excuse me?'' Carmen demanded, hands on her hips as she glared in Ryder's direction causing him to shrug innocently.
''Women belong in the kitchen do they not?'' Ryder asked, his lips pinning up into a crooked smirk which earned him a punch to the stomach as Carmen stormed passed him. I watched Ryder double over, his hand holding his gut while the other gripped onto the door frame.
''You sorta deserved that one.'' I pointed out, patting him on the back before trailing after Carmen whom I found angrily whisking eggs in the kitchen, muttering under her breath--no doubt angry curses about Ryder. ''Need some help with anything?''
Carmen ceased her cursing with a frown as she glanced up at me. ''You could toast some toast, maybe hack a loogie onto Ryder's slice.''
''I don't think he meant any harm, Carmen.'' I said quietly, watching her just give a irritated nod as I put some whole wheat bread into the toaster. ''But if it makes you feel any better, I'll purposely burn his slice.''
''Now we're talking.'' Carmen smirked. I shook my head in amusement, leaning my hip against the counter top as I took out my cell phone once again, eyeing both Winnow and Lucas' name before shooting them a quick text about where my actual where abouts were going to be in the next hour.
★ ★ ★
''Have you thought about names?'' Ryder asked, breaking an uncomfortable silence as we waited inside a hospital room.
''No, I really just been calling the baby little person.'' I admitted, swinging my legs back and forth as I sat on the bed, grimacing with each crinkle the paper made with every one of my movements. ''Though, I guess I should really start brainstorming, huh?''
''You still have plenty of time to think of baby names, Terrance.'' Carmen said, flipping through an out dated magazine she had brought in from the waiting room. ''You're only about ten weeks, right?''
Ryder whistled, eyeing my stomach. ''You make ten weeks of pregnancy look good. No muffin top.''
''Some people just don't show, heck have you even watched the show I didn't know I was pregnant?'' I asked, clasping my hands together. ''I think I'd prefer to know I had a baby inside of me than finding out by going into an unknown labor.''
''Amen, to that.'' Carmen murmured, squinting her eyes at the magazine. ''Speaking of showing, if you do start get more of a tummy you'll have to start looking for maternity clothes. Your regular jeans will more than likely become really uncomfortable. That or they won't fit.''
''I hadn't even thought of that.'' I admitted just as the door to the room opened to reveal not only Araki but Lucas and Winnow. I swallowed the lump in my throat, watching the three of them enter and close the door with a soft click, leaving the room in an awkward silence.
''Okay, I need permission from Terrance to have you all in here.'' Araki started off, pointedly glancing at Winnow and Lucas which caused both to frown.
''Yeah, I uhm wanted them here.'' I managed so quietly, I had barely heard myself but Araki picked up on what I had said and gave a nod.
''How...how far along are you?'' Winnow spoke up, walking into the room with sisterly stride and took a seat on the bed beside me, unclasping my hands and took one into hers. My bottom lip started to tremble but I took a deep breath to calm myself.
''Almost ten weeks.'' I murmured, glancing at Lucas whom was fingering his bottom lip with a placid expression.
''It isn't used with his own sperm is it?'' Lucas asked, straitening up his posture. ''If it was it would cause numerous problems and--''
''No, it's not his own sperm.'' Araki said, taking a seat on the stool, spinning it around to face the rather large audience in the hospital room. ''It wouldn't be possible because of how his anatomy is placed. He has a dual anatomy, male in the front and female in the back which means--''
''Intercourse.'' Lucas cut in, making my already flushed face flush an even deeper shade of red. ''He'd have to have intercourse.''
''...Yes, but Lucas--'' Araki began but Lucas cut her off once again and turned his attention onto me.
''Who's the father, Terrance?'' Lucas demanded, though it wasn't harsh but it was almost like it pained him to ask the question I knew even Winnow wanted to ask but managed to avoid blurting.
''Lucas, I don't think that is important right now. We didn't come here to grill, Terrance. We came here to support him, not corner him.'' Winnow said, giving my hand a firm squeeze that sent relief rushing through me. Lucas gritted his teeth and gave a short stiff nod, turning his attention onto Araki.
''How long did you know?'' He asked.
Araki glanced at him. ''A while but you know I can't share patient information--''
''I'm his brother.''
''He's eighteen, an adult. It wasn't in my right to tell you.'' Araki stressed. ''Now, as Winnow said. We're here for Terrance, not to bring negativity down on him. If you need a moment, wait in the waiting room to calm your thoughts or stay in here and keep your thoughts to yourself.''
Ryder looked baffled, mumbling a quiet, ''Burn'' under his breath while Carmen looked pleased and Winnow looked more amused than anything, leaning over to whisper in my ear, ''She totally has his balls in her hands.''
I released a breath I hadn't known I was holding and relaxed another degree as I realized most of the tension had dissipated out of the room. Though, Lucas still looked tensed, confused, hurt and angry but thankfully he gave a nod and leaned against the wall behind him to listen in on Araki as she explained more about my pregnancy which I couldn't find in myself to listen too as my thoughts wandered in the direction of Cloud.
I wanted Cloud to be here.
I wanted him to be the one holding my hand and assuring me everything was going to be alright. I wanted him to be the one asking questions, rubbing my stomach, petting my hair and massaging my sore, achy, swollen feet. I wanted him to be there when I got morning sickness, to be the one driving me to my doctor appointments.
I just wanted him to be here with me and our little person.
But, sometimes wanting just isn't enough.
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A/N: I just wanted to say wow! All of your guys comments and votes seriously mean a lot. It gives me the motivation to continue writing, so Thank you!