"Yeah. Hi." She answered softly.
"What's up, What are you calling for?"
He was talking low like he didn't want anyone to hear.
"Is your wife there?"
He let out a nervous chuckle.
"Hang on a minute."
A few minutes later he was back.
"What do you want Val?"
He sounded distant and cold.
"I just have something to tell you."
"Ok."
She took a deep breath.
"I'm pregnant."
There was silence on the other end.
"Did you hear me?"
"Yeah." he said softly.
"Well say something."
"What dya want me to say? I'm fuckin' married. You sure it's mine?"
"Yes I'm sure. Thanks for calling me a slut."
"I didn't say that, I just want to be sure."
"Yes it is yours."
"Fuck." He let out a deep breath then continued. "How? I pulled out?"
"It happens, apparently."
She heard him sigh then another "fuck."
"Who else knows?"
"Just John, and his girlfriend."
"Don't fuckin' tell anyone else."
"God, I guess everyone was right about you. You are an asshole."
"Val.."
She hung up. She regretted even telling him. He called her back but she didn't answer. If he didn't want anything to do with the baby then she would just do it alone. The next couple weeks Noel kept calling her, but she didn't answer. Finally, he stopped calling. She concentrated on her music and working. A few months later, one Friday, she got home from work and saw someone standing on the porch. She couldnt tell who it was, but it was definitely a man. She got out of her car and cautiously approached him. When she got closer, she saw that it was Noel.
"What are you doing here?" She said coldly.
"You won't answer your phone."
"So you come all the way here? Just go home Noel."
He didn't say anything just looked at her.
"What?" She asked, annoyed.
"You're beautiful."
"Don't do this shit."
"What shit?"
"Go home to your wife Noel."
She walked past him to unlock the front door.
"Can I come in?"
She sighed.
"What for?"
"I need to talk to you."
"Fine."
They walked inside and she turned the light on. They sat on the couch.
"Well?"
"I'm sorry."
"For?"
"Acting like an arsehole. I was just surprised."
"You and me both."
"So what are you gonna do?"
"Um I'm going to have this baby in about 5 months."
"Dya know what it is?"
"Does it make a difference?"
"No, I was just wondering."
"Listen. I get it. You were lonely, you messed around with me and now you don't want anything to do with the baby. I don't want to ruin your life Noel, I just thought you should know."
"You're wrong."
"About?"
"I wasn't just lonely. I liked being with you."
"Well it doesn't really matter anyway cuz you're married."
"Yeah. It's a bit complicated."
"Yeah it is, so just go home to her and I will be fine."
"What if I don't want to."
She looked at him and he was looking at her.
"What, you're going to leave her and stay with me?"
He sighed.
"I dunno."
"Well maybe you need to figure out what you want."
She stood up and went to open the door but he reached out and grabbed her hand. She looked down at him.
"It's not easy for me. I thought I loved me wife until I fucking met you."
He pulled her down into his lap. He slowly leaned in and kissed her. She closed her eyes and kissed him back.
Then she pulled away.
"No. You can't do this. You can't just waltz in here and kiss me and then disappear again until you feel like showing up again."
She stood up and so did he.
"Do you think that's what I want?"
"What do you want?"
"I want you!" he blurted out.
"What about your wife?"
He shook his head and looked at her.
"I dunno."
"So just go."
"What about the baby?"
"We'll be fine without you." She shrugged.
He looked at her and shook his head.
"Fine. If that's what you want."
He turned and left and Val sat on the couch and cried. She calmed herself down and wiped her eyes. She was about to go to bed when there was a knock on the door. She opened the door and saw Noel standing there. Her heart started beating fast. A part of her was happy he had come back. She stood there in the doorway staring at him. He stared back then took a step closer. He looked into her eyes and said quietly, "I'm sorry."
He hugged her and she hugged him back. She closed her eyes and breathed in his scent. She never wanted to let go. A tear fell from her eye. He pulled away and she looked at him. He wiped the tear from her cheek.
"I don't know what the fuck to do Val."
"I don't either, but I'm terrified of having this baby."
"Me too."
"Why? You don't have to actually have it."
"Cuz, me old man was a cunt. What if I'm the same?"
"What did he do?"
"Doesn't matter, it was a long time ago."
"Do you want to come in and talk?"
"Yeah."
They sat on the couch.
"Tell me about your dad." She said.
"He was a cunt. He would hit us, was controlling, and would disappear for days then come back like it was nothing."
"I'm sorry, I didn't know."
He shrugged. "What if I end up the same way?"
He looked at her and she saw a scared little boy.
"You won't though because you aren't him."
"Yeah, I suppose."
She patted his thigh.
"You would never hit a child, I know that much."
He looked at her and smiled slightly.
She knew she was going to regret saying it, but she did anyway.
"Do you wanna stay tonight?"
He looked at her but didn't answer. They looked into each other's eyes and the next thing she knew, they were kissing. She climbed into his lap, straddling him. She wrapped her arms around his neck and his hands rested on her back as they kissed. Val pulled away and looked at him.
"Do you want to go to my room?"
"Yes, I fuckin do." He grinned.
She smiled and got up and he followed her to her room. They undressed quickly and climbed into her bed. They had sex then laid in bed. Val felt so happy as Noel held her. They laid there in silence until he said, "Val?"
"Yeah?"
He paused then spoke quietly.
"I love you."
She was surprised to hear him say it.
"I love you too."
She looked up at him and smiled. He gave her a quick kiss then he sat up.
"I'm fuckin starvin."
"Me too. Let's go eat."
She got out of bed and pulled her underwear on. She noticed Noel looking at her stomach. She looked down at it.
"I'm starting to show, aren't I?"
"A little." he smiled then climbed over to her side of the bed. He sat on the edge and placed his hand on her stomach. He looked up at her.
"Don't worry, Val. I'm gonna be here for this fuckin' baby."
Her eyes teared up and she smiled. He stood up and kissed her then he pulled on his boxers and jeans and his shirt. She put on a shirt and some sweatpants and they went into the kitchen and cooked some eggs and toast then sat at the table and ate. They sat there talking after they finished eating. There was a knock at the door, but before Val could get up to answer it, it opened and John and Carol walked in. John glared at Noel when he saw him.
"Could you please not just walk into my house?" Val said to John.
"What the fuck is he doing here?" John asked her.
"We're so sorry dear" Carol said.
"It's ok" Val said to Carol.
Carol looked at Noel.
"This must be the father."
"Yes, this is Noel." she looked at Noel. "This is Carol."
Noel gave her a small smile. "Nice to meet ya."
John continued to glare at Noel then look at Val for an answer. She rolled her eyes.
"Your wife know you're here?" John looked at Noel.
"John, shut up. It's none of your business." Val looked at him angry.
"It's ok Val. No she doesn't know I'm here." Noel looked at John.
John shook his head and walked out the door.
"I'm sorry. He'll be ok. Will you be going to the studio today?" Carol asked Val.
"Yeah, tell John I'll see him there."
"Ok, bye."
She gave Val a hug and left.
"I don't think he likes me" smirked Noel.
"Forget him."
"So you're going to the studio?"
"Yeah, we've been recording an album the last couple months."
"Great. Did you ever finish that song?"
"Yeah. I did."
"Can I hear it?"
She shrugged. "I guess. We've already recorded it. I have it here."
She looked through a stack of CDs by the TV. She found it and put it on then sat on the couch. Noel sat next to her and listened. Val felt slightly embarrassed and couldn't look at him. She felt tears forming in her eyes while they listened. She had written it about him after all. The song finished and Val wiped her tears and looked over at Noel.
He was looking down at his hands. After a minute he looked over at her.
"It's beautiful." he moved closer to her on the couch and put his arm around her.
"I'm sorry. For everything. I'm such a cunt."
He kissed her forehead then she laid her head on his shoulder. They sat there in silence for a little while then Val stood up.
"Do you want to come to the studio?"
"Don't think John wants me there."
"Well I do."
"Ok, yeah."
He got up and they went to the studio.