“Congratulations, T. It’s a peanut.”
I snorted and giggled as he handed me a tissue. Dr. Hillson continued clicking and gathering data as I stared in awe at the screen, unable to believe that a tiny, wonderful little person was growing inside of me. I would never be the same, and I knew I was never going to let him or her go.
Brando and I left the doctor’s office with several sonogram print outs, prenatal vitamins, and an appointment to return in three weeks. She determined I was about nine weeks along and due in October. Everything felt so surreal. I didn’t know it was possible to be completely overwhelmed with joy and totally heartbroken at the same time. Blake should have been there. He should know, except I had no idea how to tell him or what it would mean for us. I wanted our parents to know about us, but this wasn’t exactly the way I intended for them to find out. Selfishly, I wanted Blake to choose to be with me because he loved me, not out of obligation or because he was doing the “right thing.” I had so much to think about and only seven months to figure it out.
On the ride home, I held the blurry black and white picture in my hand and stared at the image, especially at the little dot that represented the baby’s heart. I knew I would do everything in my power to protect this gift. I had never wanted something so badly in my life. For as long as I could remember, Blake had been my everything, and now, our baby was about to become my whole world.
Until I figured out how to tell Blake, I thought it was best that I stayed away from the house for a few days. I always worked better having a plan. This wasn’t the type of news I wanted to blurt out and not have other options to fall back on in case Blake’s reaction wasn’t positive. I had to face the possibility of taking care of a child all on my own. It seemed everything in my life was entirely dependent on Blake. We worked and lived together.
I couldn’t go home yet, so I asked Brando to take me to get a few things. On the way, I called Aunt Bridget, who lived in Summerville, a small town outside of Charleston. It had been a while since I’d seen my dad’s sister, so she was delighted to have me for a visit. When we pulled into the driveway, Blake was in the garage. With my heart beating a million miles a minute, I ran up to my room and closed the door behind me. I pulled the sonogram picture out of my purse and stuck it in the back of my top dresser drawer. I certainly didn’t need anyone finding it. After gathering enough clothes and things to hold me over for a few days, I hurried downstairs.
“Tay?” Blake called just as I was opening the door.
“Yeah?” I answered, sounding breathless.
“Where are you going?” He stepped forward, wiping the black grease from his hands with an old towel. “More importantly, why are you running out of here? Is everything okay?”
“Yeah, yeah. I’m fine.”
I’m just a little knocked up and terrified to tell you, but other than that, I’m good.
Blake eyed me skeptically for a moment but didn’t speak. The confusion and the desire to ask a hundred questions were written all over his face. I knew I was being a selfish shit, but I’d made my bed. Now I needed to figure out a way to get back in it again, hopefully with him beside me.
“Blake, I talked to Aunt Bridget today and she asked me to come for a visit, so I’m . . . uh . . . going to go. Tonight.”
“Wait, what? You’re going to Summerville tonight?”
“Yeah.”
“Your car needs new tires. At least let me get some new ones put on then you can go in the morning.”
Crap. I hadn’t thought about how I was actually going to get there. My mind was a mess. Even the simplest thought processes were hard for me. I saw Brando still sitting in the driveway and I breathed a sigh of relief.
“No, that’s okay. I have a ride.” I hurried outside as Blake followed, but not before I noted the way his face changed from confusion to fury as he noticed who was waiting for me. I nearly ran all the way to Brando’s car, not sparing a look back. With my chest heaving, I pulled open the door and settled onto the passenger’s seat.
“Drive,” I commanded, and Brando immediately shifted the car in gear.
“He didn’t take it well, I’m assuming,” he commented as he stared straight ahead, taking us away from the house.
“I didn’t tell him,” I choked out as I rested my head against the cool glass of the window.
Ten minutes later, we were sitting at the Sea Whisper Island dock waiting for the ferry. Brando was standing with me as I paced along the wooden deck. When I saw Blake was charging our way, I knew something was terribly wrong. Brando grabbed my hand and pulled me behind him as Blake approached.
“Blake?” I called out to him, unnerved by his demeanor. “What’s the matt—” My words were cut short by the sound of Blake’s fist smashing into Brando’s face.
“Blake!” I screamed as he repeated the motion and landed another punch. “Stop it!”
Brando was clearly stunned by the unexpected blow to the face but quickly gathered his bearings and pushed Blake back a few feet.
“What the fuck!” Brando growled and advanced forward until the two were entangled, throwing fists at each other. I had no clue what was happening as I screamed over and over for them to stop. Both men tumbled in my direction, and I backed away to avoid impact. Before I realized I’d run out of deck to stand on, I was falling into the dark water.
I came up gasping for air and screaming at the same time. My gasps quickly turned into choking coughs as I swallowed mouthfuls of ice-cold water. The long skirt of my dress was gathered tightly around my legs, restricting my movements. For the briefest moment, I thought I would drown before a pair of strong arms wrapped around me and I looked up to see Blake pulling me to the dock. Brando was leaning over the side with his hands outstretched as he grabbed my arms and hauled me up.
I was lying on my back, coughing and shivering, as both men gathered around me.
“Tay?” Blake was kneeling beside me. “Jesus. Are you okay?”
I nodded and inhaled deeply as the coughs subsided. My throat and nose burned a little, but I was fine. A bit shaken, but fine.