by Delisa Lynn
“Lila, you’re pregnant? When in the hell were you going to tell me? I just saw you like three months ago, we talk every day, and you couldn’t tell me?”
“Nikki, it’s not that. Let’s go and I will explain. Whatever I tell you has to stay between the two of us, please do not tell Brody.” I say please like I was begging, my friend to keep my secret for now.
“Umm… Okay, you must fill me in on what the hell is going on. I will wait till we are someplace sitting down. Why the hell did you run away?”
“There is a lot we need to talk about. You want to go see your nieces first or go someplace and talk?” I was hoping she says talk, because I was ready to get this all out and I know she was ready to hear it.
“Lila, as much as I love the twins, I need to know what the hell is going on with my best friend.”
“Okay, let’s grab lunch, I’m starved. Baby bean has me having all these weird ass cravings. You in the mood for some Coney Dogs?” She looks at me with a strange look and busts out laughing. “Okay quit laughing, it’s either that or Japanese noodles. So which is it?”
“It doesn’t matter, sweets. Whatever you and did you say baby bean, want.”
“Yep, that’s what we are calling him for now. We haven’t decided on a name yet. So he is just baby bean.”
“How far along are you anyways? You can’t just be a couple months.”
“Nope, I’m six months, almost seven. So he will be a month old when you get married, hopefully I will have my figure back by then.”
“You should have it back, we will just get your dress in your regular size and we can always have it altered if needed. But I’m sure you will go back to your sexy body.” She laughs.
“Ha… Ha… Thanks, doll. So Coney’s??”
“Yes, hotdogs are fine…blah”
“You just made me the happiest pregnant woman ever. Baby bean thanks you, too.” I say laughing.
I drive to the restaurant. I can tell she has all sorts of questions running through her mind. I’m ready to answer them, I haven’t talked about this with anyone other than Liam. So this will help me and my decisions a lot, I hope anyways. We pull into the restaurant parking lot, she looks at me and smiles before getting out.
Once inside we take a booth in the corner away from everyone else. The waitress comes and takes our drink orders, I need a sweet tea. I know I shouldn’t, but I order one anyways. Just a little caffeine wouldn’t hurt. We order our food and I look at my friend and say, “You ready to ask your questions or should I just tell you everything?”
“Okay my first question is, why did you sleep with Evan unprotected? Or at all, I told you to be careful. I wasn’t meaning go have an unprotected sex filled weekend with your ex. I know you haven’t told me you have, but I know you and I knew once you saw him, you would. Does Liam know?” she asks as she takes a huge gulp of her Diet Coke.
“I’ve told Liam, everything. He knows about Evan from day one. Nikki, I don’t know what I was thinking. I saw Evan and well, I needed him. I love Liam with everything I am, but I loved Evan, also. I say loved because I’ve put him in my past now, and that’s where he will stay.”
“Lila, is the baby Evan’s?”
“Not sure, I’m not going to have the test done. He is Liam’s I can feel it.” I didn’t want to tell her Liam, didn’t want me to have it done.
“Lila, if the baby is Evan’s he will want to know. You can’t keep it from him. Were you not taking your pills?”
“I know, but I can’t right now. No, I stopped taking them because Liam wanted another baby. Well we both wanted another one, and when I had sex with Evan twice that weekend, I forgot all about not being on the pill.”
“Twice?? Jesus, Lila…”
“Nik, I know. I saw him and all the old memories came flooding back, I couldn’t help myself. I was drinking and I danced with him, and inhaled his scent, he sang to me, and that made everything in me want him even more. I needed him, and I knew it was wrong. I can honestly say at that moment, I was only thinking about fucking him and nothing else mattered. I’m over him for good this time, I’ll talk to him when I see him, but that’s it. Nothing more.”
“I hope you have learned your lesson. You know I’m on your side, no matter what. I’m not sure what to say. I can’t believe you of all people aren’t sure who your baby daddy is. These two men have turned you around completely.”
“I know, I never thought I would be in this position. But I did what I did, and now I have to deal with the outcome. Now let’s talk about the wedding.”
I can’t believe what my best friend just told me. She is keeping something huge from another important person in my life. Lila is my best friend and I would do anything for her. But she is asking me to keep a secret from my fiancé’s best friend also. This baby has to be Liam’s, there will be hearts broken and life changes if it isn’t. Evan is happy with Tatum, he finally has moved on after Lila crushed him. Brody and I always worried about him, he’s happy now and this could hurt them all.
“Okay, my friend lets go look at dresses. I hope I find something I like, my mother and I have looked in every bridal shop in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York. I haven’t had any luck.”
“New York? When did you go there?”
Shit, do I tell her about Evan? Well I guess I should, just get it all out. She says she doesn’t care what he is doing and she is married so it’s really none of her business.
“Lila, we spent a week with Evan and Tatum last month. She’s Zanders sister and Evan’s fiancée. Super sweet lady. She has been through a lot, she has always been in love with Evan, but she was in a bad relationship with some psycho”
“I know who she is. She’s Audrey’s best friend, also. I’ve seen pictures of her. I’m really glad he is happy now. Let’s go to the dress shop, shall we?”
Damn it, she is pissed. I can tell by her demeanor that she doesn’t like that he has moved on. I can’t stand either one of them right now. I’m stuck in this awkward position. I have enough problems of my own without having to deal with all this. But they are my friends and that’s what friends do right? We let our shit go to help them. I need to tell her what’s going on with me, but I can’t right now. She can’t handle it.
Brody and I have been trying to get pregnant, and aren’t having any luck. We both have been tested, and I have to have more test done. He checked out fine, but I on the other hand have some things going on. We will overcome it just like we have everything else. He is my knight in shining armor or leather I shall say.
I met Brody when Lila and I were studying at NYU, he and Evan are best friends. I really liked Brody and he was a blast to hang out with. But I still had feelings for my ex-boyfriend, Cam, he was, well I thought, my first love. We broke up when I moved to New York, and I was okay with that. I knew I would meet other people and he would as well. It had been months since we spoke and I missed him a lot, the only problem was, that I had already started seeing Brody.
The time I had been spending with Brody was great, and he is was amazing in bed. The things he did to me, made my toes curl. It had never been like that with anyone before, not even Cam. The closer Brody and I got, the less I thought of Cam. That was until he started calling more and then he flew out to visit. That made me miss us together.
My mother was having a hard time paying for my tuition, and I saw that as my ticket back home and back into Cam’s life I ran. I left poor Brody, he had no clue it was for Cam though. I went about it the wrong way I know. It was childish and selfish. I should have just been honest with Brody, as he has always been with me.
It had been several months since I’d been back in Ohio and Cam and I was back together going strong. We were both attending OSU, I lived at home and we spent whatever time we could together. I would text and talk to Brody here and there, never mentioning Cam. Well one weekend Brody decided to surprise me with a little visit.
But he was the one who got the surprise, by seeing me with Cam. I felt so bad
, and I knew then how much Brody did love me. What I had with Cam, never measured up to the time I had with him. He was my happily-ever-after, I broke things off with Cam, but of course it was too late.
Brody was already screwing every whore at NYU. He was honest and told me about them. I decided then I would do whatever it took to get my man back, and I did. It took me a while, but I got him. We were back together for about a year, and he moved to Ohio, then he took me to Hawaii and proposed. It was super romantic.
I had no clue he was going to propose, hell I thought we was just going to live together forever. When he moved to Ohio, I knew he was serious about us. He loves his family and being in New York was hard on him, but then to move to Ohio was a huge step for him. He is working for a great law firm and is actually getting ready to start his own firm. I’m content teaching at OSU. I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
“Nikki, this is the dress shop I was telling you about. It’s called Jewels, they have every designer from here to Paris. Anything you want they have it. I’m so excited, the only thing is my belly is going to get in the way of me trying on anything.”
“You can still try on, I want your dress to be different than the other girls. Maybe yours will be purple and there’s yellow. Will that work?”
“Sounds good to me. I don’t want to look like big bird”
“Oh hush, you would not look like big bird. You will have your figure back by that time anyways.”
We looked through all the dresses and I found the one I wanted, I knew when I saw it, it was for me. It’s white, trimmed in a soft lilac. It’s strapless with a short train. The front gathered around the bust area, where it has very fine lilac pearls. The matching veil is trimmed in the same color, it literally makes me gasp, when I take it off the rack.
“Li, this is it. I have to try this on. Come help me.”
“Oh Nik, it’s beautiful. The girls will think their aunt is a princess. Which you are, my friend. I love it. Brody is going to cry when he sees you in it.”
“I love it. Oh my God! I have to get it! What does it look like on me? Are my boobs too big for it?”
“Not at all, sweets, you look amazing. Damn it, I’m sorry these are happy tears. I promise.”
“Oh, Li, why are you crying?”
“You just look so happy and beautiful.”
I lean in and give her a hug, she’s so sweet. Although she is going through all this, she still wants to help me with the wedding. We are getting married here in California. There is a vineyard that I’ve always been fond of and when Brody said he didn’t care which state we marry in, I knew it was going to be here. The vineyard sits on a mountain, it has acres of beautiful land. There is a gazebo that the entire wedding party will be standing under. The reception will be at the vineyard as well.
“I love you, Li,” I say as I kiss her cheek.
“I love you more bitchbag.” She says as she snorts.
“Now I need to find the perfect shoes, and we are trying some dresses on you, I saw the one I wanted for the other bridal party also.”
The wedding party is going to be small. Lila is my Matron of Honor, and my sisters, Casey and Carina are my Bride’s Maids. Evan is the Best Man, and Zander and Mason will be his Groomsman. We aren’t sure how everything will play out with the whole Lila, Liam and Evan, Tatum situation. But they are our best friends. They have to behave on our special day.
We plan to have our bachelor and bachelorette parties the night before the wedding. I hope that Brody will be able to get Liam, Ashton, and Evan all together. Brody knows that Ashton was my first. He isn’t too thrilled with the idea of having him included but Ashton has changed, and he and I are friends.
“Lila, this color looks great against your complexion. I can’t believe you are having another baby.” I can feel the unshed tears welling in my eyes.
“Aww, what’s wrong? Why are you crying?”
“Oh, it’s nothing, I’m just remembering seeing you in that hospital bed, not knowing if and when you would wake up. We are so lucky that you are here.”
I’m so thankful for my friend, I don’t know what I would have done without her. I can’t let her know what’s going on with me, not now. I will tell her when the time is right, I don’t need her to get upset and ask questions that I have no answers for. Hell, I haven’t even told Brody all of it. I hope that it’s taken care of and I won’t have to tell them at all. I know they will all be upset with me once they find out.
“Nicole Paige, there is something going on with you. Are you pregnant? Why didn’t you tell me? Why would you keep that from me?”
“Good God, no, I’m fine and I’m not pregnant. We have been trying but haven’t had any luck yet. We both have been tested and everything checked out fine for the both of us.” I say, knowing I just lied to my best friend. She will fucking kill me herself when she finds out I’ve lied.
“Oh well, you look kind of pale. I just thought maybe with the emotions and the paleness you were.”
“I do feel a little sick, I think it was from the flight. What do you think of theses dresses for my sisters?” I ask trying to change the subject. I did feel a little nauseous, I think it’s the meds the doctor put me on.
“Love that dress, that’s it. They will look great on your sisters and they will be the ones to look like bananas and big bird.” Lila laughs as she nudges me.
“Keep laughing and you will be in yellow also.”
“Ugh… Fine they will look great in that color. I love the lilac that we have chosen for me. Should I just get this in my normal size and then we can alter if need be?”
“Yes, great idea, Li. I think I’m shopped out for the day.”
“You and me both. I need to lay down, when do you want to get the massages?”
“Now would be great, do you think they can fit us in right now. My entire body needs it. They do pedicures too, right?”
“I’ll call, I’m sure they can fit us in. Heck yes, they are the best in town.”
Lila calls the massage pallor. I decide to call Brody and see how he was doing. I miss him already. He has a case he has been working on for months and it is taking away from us.
“Hey baby, how are you?”
“I’m good, glad you made it safe. Look Nik, there is something I wanted to ask before you left and didn’t get a chance too.”
“Is everything okay love?”
“Yes, I’ve been offered a job in Alabama. Evan and Zander are starting a firm there and they want us to join them. What do you say?”
“Uh…umm…Alabama? Is this something you really want Brody?” I ask praying he would tell me the truth. I can always get a job there also.
“Nikki, it is, and I have the perfect place for us to build a house, only if you want to.”
“Well then, Brody, I guess we are moving to Alabama. Is it Birmingham?”
“Yes, well about twenty miles from there. You will love it, you will be close to Tatum and Audrey, also. They will be happy to have you around.”
“Sounds good, will it be before the wedding or after?”
“As soon as you’re ready we can go. I know you said you had a couple doctor appointments you needed to attend, so how about we go in three months?”
“That sounds wonderful, I will let you get back to work. I love you Brody Lewis.”
“I love you more, baby.”
So we’re moving to Birmingham, wait till I tell Lila about this. I need to get the doctor’s appointments taken care of first and to see if they have specialist there. Just in case it is cancer.
“Everything okay with Brody?” Lila asks as she walks over to where I’m sitting.
“Yes, just fine. We are moving to Birmingham.”
“What? Why? When?”
“He just accepted a job with a new law firm there.”
“Oh well, that sounds like a bunch of country fun. Is it something you want to do, and do you even know anyone there?”
“Yes, I’m okay with it. Yes, t
here are several people there that we know.” I say not really wanting to elaborate on whom it is.
“Oh that’s right, the Martin’s live there. They are sweet people, you will love them.” She says and then she looks like she was going to faint.
“Are you okay Li? Jesus, sit down woman.”
“Ev… Evan and his girlfriend? Isn’t it?”
I sigh and put my arm around Lila, pulling her closer to me and hugging her.
“Yes, it’s them. He, Zander, and Brody are going into a practice together.”
“Oh.” Is all she says. Then she as she asks if I was ready for the massages? I feel so bad, this is like a smack in the face to her. She is trying to get away from Evan and I’m moving to the same town as him and his future wife.
I was afraid that Nikki wouldn’t be okay with moving. It’s something that I really want to do and it will give us a chance for a new chapter of our lives. I only moved to Ohio, for her and I hate being in the same state as that bastard Cam, I hate running into him anywhere. He still wants my Nikki, I can tell by the way he looks at her. And with us moving, we can get as far as away from him as possible. I have loved Nikki since that night I met her at The Pizza Joint. I looked into her eyes and saw the sparkle and new she was the one.
We’ve had a rough start that’s for damn sure, she has made some poor choices, and so have I. Hell, when she left me, I was sticking my dick in every woman at NYU. None of them meant anything, I knew I would marry Nicole Lassiter someday. I just needed to give her time to make sure I was what she wanted. The night she brought that fucker to dinner, I knew she was fucking him, and sure enough she left a month after that night.
I gave her the time I thought she needed and I made my move. I couldn’t stand the thought of him or hell, any fucking man touching her, she is mine and only mine.
There is something going on with her now, she hasn’t told me everything, but she has been going to the doctors a lot lately. We are trying to start a family and we’ve both been tested. She said everything came back normal. But I know her better than I know myself. She is spending the weekend with Lila, when she returns home I will find out exactly what’s going on.