by Etan, Cher
He couldn't resist the visual of her blushes and he pulled back to look at Savannah. Her eyes were bright but her cheeks were brighter, painted a rosy pink in pleased embarrassment, and Tristan gave her another quick kiss before asking, "You okay?"
Savannah cleared her throat and smoothed her skirt. "I'm fine."
"You sure?" Tristan teased. "You're looking a little flushed there, Leicester."
"I'm fine," she repeated. Despite her reassurances, she took a breath to compose herself before glancing over Tristan's shoulder. "I should go check in with your mother."
The idea of letting go of Savannah was not a happy one. "Really?"
"I think I’ve provided the world with enough of a show tonight. Now I need to talk to the most important person in the room."
"Man, you really know how to make a guy feel good."
Savannah rolled her eyes. "I don't think your ego needs any help from me."
"Oh, it does," Tristan said, moving in again. "Lots and lots of help."
Savannah's eyes went wide as Tristan spun her around before hooking an arm underneath her and dipping her backwards with ease. Lowering his head to press their lips together, Tristan kissed her thoroughly, feeling the tension ebb out of Savannah's body with every slip and curl of their tongues together when she finally trusted Tristan not to drop her. Tristan wished it obliterated the images in his mind.
When he pulled her back to her feet, he was pleased to see the dazed look in Savannah's eyes. It meant he’d done his job well. He could do this. He could forget about Ava and the fact that she’d turned up at his party…she’d said she would send a text. What would she want to text him about though? Did she want to see him again. They had said…
Savannah blinked up at him as she regained her balance. "How's your ego?"
"Throbbing."
The familiar look of judgment came flitting back across Savannah's face. "Classy," she remarked, patting Tristan on the chest. "You should put some ice on that while I go talk to your mother."
She made her way across the dance floor without any further romantic sentiments and Tristan called after her with a grin, "I love you!"
Somehow it didn’t feel like he meant it though.
*****
Jensen had the car brought around as Tristan waited at the lobby. Savannah and his mother had left together and he was on his way home.
“You have my phone Jensen?” he asked.
Jensen threw him a glance, “Really?”
“Give,” he said holding out his hand.
“She didn’t text,” Jensen said.
“You better not have deleted my texts Jensen,” Tristan warned.
“I’m your assistant not your wannabe soap opera lover Tristan,” Jensen replied in a bored voice as he handed over the phone.
Tristan smiled and clicked it on so he could see if he had any notifications. There was a message blinking and he clicked on it.
Sorry. I chickened. Didn’t know what to say. I did a pregnancy test a few days ago. It was positive. I thought I’d tell you. That’s all. Bye.
*****
Tristan was in a daze all the way home. He couldn’t really assimilate what Ava’s message was telling him. He stared at Jensen wondering if he should show him the message. Get his thoughts. Jensen didn’t know about Tristan’s test. Nobody knew apart from mama and Savannah. Maybe he needed an outside perspective.
“Jensen can I talk to you about something non-work-related?” he asked.
Jensen turned curious blue eyes on him, “Is it to do with the African-American woman in the lobby?”
“Partly yeah,” Tristan said sheepishly.
Jensen nodded. “I see. You have feelings for her,” he said it like it was a statement not a question.
“Beside the point,” Tristan said not wanting to dwell on feelings at this time.
“Okay. Hit me,” he said.
So Jensen told him about the blood tests, his conversation with his mother and Savannah, as well as what Savannah had said to him tonight. And then he showed him Ava’s text.
“What should I do?” he asked.
*****
Ava walked out of the lobby of the hotel and took herself home. She had no recollection of how she got there. She was completely on automatic pilot. Tristan had looked horrified to see her. Whatever made her think he would be glad to see her again? She must have been delusional. And to turn up at a party of his. How ill mannered could she be? It was just that she’d seen the announcement of the function on a website and she’d figured that for once, she knew where he would be and at what time. And she had wanted to tell him in person. She’d figured letting a guy know he was going to be a father via text was a douche move. Well…looked like she was going to have to be a douche. She fished out her phone and sent him the text then changed out of her finery and went to bed. There was no way he was even interested in her little inter-racial bundle of joy. She couldn’t recall anyone she knew of in Tristan’s circles who married outside of their little circle of privilege and race. Look at her thinking about marriage! How delusional could a girl be?
She burrowed under her sheets and resolved to think about it all tomorrow. She had some school supplies to shop for in the morning, plus confirming her classes for the fall. She also needed to make an appointment at the campus dispensary so that the doctors there could hold her hand along the way of her pregnancy. Thank God for Obamacare, she could afford to see an obstetrician. She just needed the dispensary to point her in the right direction. She was pretty sure they had plenty of experience with pregnant students. Also, she probably should notify Bob that she was now plus one. It was just that she hardly saw him. If only Joe Black could pass messages. They took turns sleeping with the cat and he definitely saw Bob a lot more than she did. At least she had some experience in looking after teeny tiny helpless things. Well…Joe Black wasn’t really helpless but he was teeny tiny.
*****
“How sure are you that the baby is yours?” Jensen asked after a period of thought filled silence.
“She was a virgin before me,” Tristan replied at once.
“You’re sure about that?”
Tristan smiled wryly, “I get why you would be cynical about this but trust me, she’s not the type.”
“If you’re sure…”
“I am.”
“Well then, if that’s how much you trust her you should get in touch and see where this would go,” Jensen said with a slap at Tristan’s lap.
“Did you forget that I’m practically engaged?”
“Are you? I haven’t seen a ring, an announcement, a proposal, nothing.”
Tristan rolled his eyes, “It's understood.”
“Understood by whom?”
Tristan opened his mouth and closed it, really thinking about what Jensen was saying. True, nothing was set in stone but he didn’t see how he could sell this as a good idea. On the other hand, Ava was pregnant. She was having his baby. This was a big goddamned deal. He fumbled for his phone and dialed Ava’s number. It rang six times before she picked up.
“Hello?”
“Hiii,” Tristan’s voice was slightly shaky. “So. I got your text.”
“You did?”
“I did.”
“And..?”
“Aaand we should meet and talk don’t you think?”
“I don’t know.”
“How are you doing by the way?”
“I’m great.”
“I’m serious.”
“Okay, then. I’m scared to death, I don’t know what’s gonna happen and I’m kind of all alone so…”
“You’re not all alone.”
“I’m not?”
“No, you have me,” he said.
Ava made a disbelieving sound, “You didn’t even want to see me today.”
“You caught me by surprise. I wasn’t expecting you to just show up at my company party. That didn’t mean that I didn’t want to see you.”
“I feel like maybe
I should apologize,” Ava said, she sounded annoyed.
“No, that’s not what I was implying. God, this is why we need to meet. It's too easy to miscommunicate on the phone.”
“Fine. When do you want to meet?”
“Tomorrow?”
“Alright. What time?”
“Two o’clock? Let me buy you lunch.”
“Where?”
“How about you come to my place?”
“I don’t know where you live.”
“I’ll send a car for you.”
“Do you know where I live?”
“I assume you’re about to tell me?”
Ava laughed, “I’ll text you directions.”
“Great. Any requests for lunch? I’m cooking.”
“Well…I’d like some foie gras with escargots,” she said.
“Ew. I don’t think the baby would like that. How about cheese burgers and smoothies?”
“That works,” she replied. He could hear the smile in her voice.
“I can’t wait to see you,” he said and wondered where that came from.
“Yeah okay. Bye,” Ava said and hung up. Tristan stared at his phone.
“You forgot to tell me where to pick you up,” he told his phone. A few minutes later though, his notifications went off. She’d sent a text.
Chapter 7
Ava woke up in a tizzy, nausea propelling her out of bed and into the bathroom. She was confused, nervous and afraid. Was this lunch with Tristan the best idea for her and the baby? What good could possibly come of it? He’d probably just give her hope that she wasn’t alone in this before pulling the rug from under her.
“Stop anticipating. For all you know he wants to ask you the cost of abortion and when you plan to get one. Don’t borrow trouble before it comes to you.” She told her reflection in the mirror with a stern expression on her face. With that settled, she nodded firmly and went to find something to wear. She wasn’t yet in need of maternity chic, in fact there was absolutely no sign from her washboard stomach that it was harboring an alien being who would soon take over her life. She chose a sheath dress and yellow flats, combing her hair with her fingers and then going to sit in the living room with Joe Black on her lap, waiting for her ride.
It didn’t take long for her doorbell to ring and soon she was ensconced in the back seat of a Lincoln Town Car. She’d been offered a drink, cucumber water with ice cubes in it. It was just perfect for her. The days were still hot and her feet tended to swell. Also having another human being inside her did nothing for her water retention. The ice definitely helped. By the time they reached Tristan’s place though, she really needed to pee. It didn’t help that he lived in a penthouse at the zenith of a very tall building. By the time the elevator opened on his floor she was squirming with discomfort. He opened the door to her with a smile.
“Hi,” he said.
“Hi. Where’s your bathroom?” she replied.
His eyes widened with alarm. “Oh, there’s one just here, next to the coat rack,” he said pointing her to an alcove on her right. She dashed into the softly lighted room, with a plant of all things nestled in one corner next to the toilet. Between the plant and the toilet was a low stand stacked with books, magazines and comics. Baskets of potpourri hung from the ceiling. All in all, it was the most luxurious, welcoming bathroom Ava had ever been in. She took her time, enjoying the relief of emptying her bladder then she washed her hands in the hot water and the bubbly soap. There was lotion provided for her hands afterwards. She felt even more refreshed than she had when she’d arrived. Stepping out of the bathroom which she would have been all too happy to move into, she peered down the hall to see if there was any hint of anyone. She could hear faint noises from further down the hall but wasn’t sure which direction to go in.
“Hallo?” she called softly feeling a little silly.
Rapid footsteps came toward her and soon Tristan was in sight. “This way,” he called beckoning to her.
Tristan’s home was huge with high ceilings gaily painted to reflect the sky in different times. The corridor was a starry night which gave way to blue skies peppered with fluffy clouds in the foyer. The kitchen to which Tristan led her had sunny skies, was open plan with a huge island in the middle. Ava sat herself upon one of the wooden chairs dotting the island and Tristan placed before her a bowl of fruit and a glass of more cucumber water.
“Lunch will be ready in two shakes of a lamb’s tail,” he said as he went back to the grill where the alternately enticing and nauseating odor of roasting meat was emanating.
Ava popped a water melon in her mouth; it calmed her stomach down and she was better able to enjoy the meaty smells. A young man glided into the room his blonde hair perfectly coiffed and green eyes serious in his handsome face. Ava lifted an eyebrow in his direction, wondering who he could be. Tristan looked up at the new guy with a small smile.
“Ava, meet Jensen; my assistant and right hand man. I wouldn’t be able to get out of bed without him.”
“Oh,” Ava said nodding at him. “Good thing you have him then.”
The Jensen guy inclined his head to her in greeting but said nothing. His immaculate appearance made Ava feel like she’d just climbed out of a dumpster; where she’d spent the night.
“Don’t mind Jensen, he makes everyone insecure – including me,” Tristan said as if reading her mind. Ava could think of nothing else except, “Oh”, to say so she said nothing. Jensen went to a cabinet and began to extract plates and other cutlery which he laid on the table. Ava watched them both for a while as Tristan turned the burgers and Jensen arranged the table.
“Don’t y’all like…have cooks and shit to do this stuff for you?” she asked and watched them exchange glances.
“We thought it would be better if it was just us for now,” Tristan said a bit cryptically. Ava could feel another “Oh”, wanting to leave her lips so she pursed them together ruthlessly. There was silence for a beat.
“Why would it be better exactly?” she asked at last.
Tristan and Jensen exchanged another glance.
“We’re working with an extremely tricky situation here. Lots of moving parts. Better to get all our ducks in a row before attempting to make any announcements.”
“Announcements? I don’t know about announcements.”
“Neither do we. Hence the need for privacy.”
Ava looked down at her cucumber water, wishing she could take something stronger but knowing it was impossible right now.
“Let’s eat first and then we’ll talk.” He said. Ava nodded her agreement.
*****
Lunch was subdued; Jensen came and went but was never in the room for more than a few minutes. Ava was nervous and so was Tristan. They kept stealing glances at each other and then away again. Ava tried to think of something to say, a conversation starter; something neutral. But nothing came to mind. Then lunch was done and it was time to talk.
“So,” Ava said
“Yeah,” Tristan replied.
“Do…you wanna see the pregnancy test results? I brought them with me just in case.”
Tristan waved a hand, “I trust you.”
“You do?” Ava was surprised.
“Yeah. I mean I know we didn’t spend much time together but…”
“Yeah.”
“So anyway, how are you feeling?”
Ava shrugged, “Scared. Off kilter. Nauseous. Nervous. Excited.”
“That’s quite a jumble,” he said.
“Yeah. I mean I’ve been trying to make plans. In six months, I’ll be able to graduate. Which means that I won’t miss any classes. I see people being pregnant on campus all the time,” she said looking like she was mostly speaking to herself.
Tristan nodded. “Well I don’t have much experience with pregnancy but people seem to go about their business alright even with their stomachs hanging out to here,” Tristan stretched his hand out to the furthest it could be from his body to demonstrate. Ava cas
t him an amused glance.
“Yeah sure,” she said wryly.
“Well anyway, I want you to know that you don’t have to do this alone. I don’t know how we’re going to do this but we’re going to do this together.”
“That’s very generous Tristan but-“
“No. It's not generous. I’m this baby’s father. It's my duty.”
Ava studied him with narrowed eyes, “Look, that’s not why…I wasn’t trying to strong arm you-“
“You haven’t. You don’t have to. I’m stepping up.”
Ava nodded her head in acquiescence. “If you’re sure.”
“I’m sure.”
Tristan took a deep breath and looked like he was commending his soul to the lord, “I have something I need to tell you though; I’m practically….engaged.”
Ava sat up really straight, “Beg pardon?”
Tristan exhaled shakily, “Her name is Savannah Leicester. We’ve been off and on for years. Just before I met you, she gave me an ultimatum; put a ring on it or forget about it.”
“And you put a ring on it and then went out to get laid?” Ava asked coldly.
“No. I did not. I went for a blood test and the weekend before the rock fest I got my results back. They said I couldn’t have kids because my sperm count was too low. That was me blowing off steam at the festival. Coming to terms. Dealing.”
Ava breathed in deeply, surprised at how hurt she was that she was just a way to ‘blow off steam’ but not really that surprised. “I see,” she said. “So you told her and..?”
“And she thought about it; and at the benefit dinner that you gate crashed she agreed to be my bride.”
Ava nodded her understanding. “I see,” she said hunching lower in her seat. “And you feel my presence and pregnancy might impede that huh? You want me to be your lil secret?” There was bitterness in her voice.
Tristan shook his head. “You don’t get me. The fact that you’re having my baby is a miracle. It’s a gift I never expected. I might never be able to have another! But Savannah and I have been destined since I don’t know when. It's just; I don’t know how to go about things so nobody gets the short end of the stick.”