Beautiful Mistake (Mistake #1)

by Laiza Millan

  Drake watched the both of them with an unreadable expression on his face. He hasn't seen Alona blush and laugh like that since they first started dating, and he hadn't seen Ian so carefree since high school.

  "Would you look at that," Ian suddenly murmured, interrupting Drake's thoughts. "What are those three doing here?"

  Drake followed Ian's direction, and sighed, noticing the woman who had been bugging him in his mind. "You can thank Alona for that."

  Alona glared at him. "I was just trying to make amends, Drake. Why can't you see that?"

  "And I hate them," Drake snapped suddenly, "why can't you see that? You're insisting we should all hold hands and be friends, like we got fucking rainbows flying out of our asses."

  "Don't be so rude, Drake," Ian snapped back, his playfulness disappearing. "She was just trying to do the right thing. It's probably time you put the past behind you and be civil with them. Turn over a new leaf."

  "Speaking of being civil, here's Emma Collins," Alona grinned, waving her hands. "Emma! Over here!"

  Drake contained a stifled groan. His eyes lingering at the blonde coming towards them.

  .

  .

  .

  "Calm down, Emma," Jenna whispered as they all headed towards their former school mates. "We're here with you."

  "I still don't know why I agreed to come here," Emma hissed angrily, "This is a mistake - Ouch!. The baby's kicking which means he or she agrees with me! Ouch, Jenna, slow down!"

  "Sorry," Jenna whispered softly, "let's go."

  "This is awkward," Tom mumbled to Emma, staring down at his feet. "This is really, really awkward."

  "We got it, thanks, Tom," Jason chuckled. "It isn't that bad actually." There were people looking at them in a mixture of shock and distaste, but he continued to flash them a smile. "Feels like old times."

  "Look at you!" Alona squealed, her eyes widening as she stared at Emma's stomach. "When's the due date again?"

  "We went to a doctor yesterday and she said probably within a few weeks," Emma grinned, her hands rubbing her stomach. She could feel the little one kicking again, making her wince in discomfort.

  Ian, Drake, and Alona noticed the quick expression of pain on her face.

  "Are you alright?" Ian asked, taking a step closer to her. "Collins, you okay?"

  Emma glanced up, feeling weird about his concern. Nevertheless, she smiled politely. "I'm good, thank you."

  "Is it the baby?" Alona cooed. "I read somewhere that the baby can hear you talking now."

  For no reason at all, Emma's gaze landed on Drake. He was staring at her hard, and his lips were shut tightly shut into a thin line. She could feel the discomfort increasing with his stares and she looked back at Alona and Ian.

  "Yes, the baby has been hearing me for a while now, actually." Emma said kindly. She looked back at Drake and cleared her throat. "Happy birthday, Drake Rogers."

  "Yeah, Rogers, happy birthday," Jason sighed, handing him a present.

  Drake lifted an eyebrow as he took the gift. "Thank you."

  "I didn't have time to get you anything, so don't expect a gift from me," Tom said bluntly, shrugging.

  Emma fought the urge to giggle.

  "No need, McCray," Drake said curtly. It's not like you can afford them anyway.

  Guests were still staring at the group, presumably wondering why the former enemies were talking together. It wouldn't do him good as a host if he picked a fight with the people who helped his case years ago.

  Tom nodded, clearing his throat as he tried to remain civil for Emma's sake. He stepped closer to Emma's side, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Right... Well, happy birthday."

  Ian raised an eyebrow as he glanced between him and Emma. So she's still with Tom... But didn't he see him with another woman the other day?

  "How are the two of you doing?" He asked suddenly, crossing his arms with a curious expression etched on his face.

  Tom and Emma exchanged looks of confusion.

  "Good," Tom said slowly, "and yourself?"

  "I'm doing rather well, McCray," Ian smirked, adding in a sarcastic tone, "Excited for the baby? I mean, not only do you have to take care of your girlfriend, but you have to take care of your baby as well, right?"

  Tom frowned at the former gang member before looking at Emma. "Err... What is he talking about?"

  Jenna and Jason rolled their eyes the same time. Honestly, this man can be so thick at times. They told him long ago that he was supposed to cover up as the father of the baby. Idiot must have slipped from his mind.

  Now they're going to be all suspicious and ruin everything! Emma's not ready for the public to know the truth!

  "You don't know what I'm talking about?" Ian accused slowly. "I'm talking about your girlfriend next to you. I mean, she is your one and only girlfriend right?"

  Drake cleared his throat. "What is your point, Ian?"

  "Nothing," Ian replied innocently, "I'm just curious."

  "You two are together though, right?" Alona asked, wanting to clear things up for Ian. "Emma, didn't you tell me you're together, and that the baby is Tom's?"

  Emma swallowed hard. Heat caused by nervousness burning through her, no doubt causing her face to be red. "Ri-Right. Of course."

  Why was it getting warmer? Why were her palms becoming sweaty? For some reason it was getting harder and harder to lie. Especially when all of them were there surrounded with Drake's guests as eye-witnesses.

  "I'm sorry, but can you please show me where the restroom is?" She asked breathlessly.

  She could feel her heart beating faster and her lower back beginning to ache. Shit, she needed to sit down and get away from this mess.

  "You should know, Collins," Drake smirked, reveling in the squirms of her embarrassment. "You've been there before."

  Emma flushed and glared at him before repeating, "Can you please show me your restroom?"

  "Stop it," Alona snapped at him, noticing how Jason, Tom, and Jenna were looking as if they wanted nothing more than to disembowel him. Now, that wouldn't do. Not in front of their entire guest list, anyway. "Can you show her where it is, Drake?"

  Drake rolled his eyes and turned around, gently grabbing Emma's arm along the way. "C'mon then, stupid."

  .

  .

  .

  Once they were out of earshot and sight, Drake whirled around and snarled, "What the hell are you doing here?"

  Emma stiffened before gawking at him. "We got an invitation -"

  "Oh, so if I invited you for another shag, would you come?" Drake laughed harshly. "Great way to ruin my birthday, Collins."

  Is he fucking kidding right now? She never should have bothered coming here. Inconsiderate bastard.

  Emma glared at him. "Fuck you, Rogers! I didn't even want to be here in the first place! Just show me where the toilet is then I'll leave with my friends!"

  "Good!" Drake raged, "I told you that I never wanted to see you again! You and the baby - I mean, thing inside you!" He silently cursed himself for his slip up. Nevertheless, he continued on, just letting words vomit from his mouth. "Just because I got you a bloody book and some chocolate, you think we can be friends now? What the fuck is wrong with you?"

  He hasn't seen her in months and now that he finally saw her, healthy and glowing, he couldn't help but feel more relaxed... which means going back to being the asshole, they so clearly think of him as. Might as well act like his 'normal' self around her, again.

  However, Emma couldn't reply back. Her chest had been overcome by a squeezing sensation and the pain in her back was doubling. Clutching her chest, she let out a painful gasp and groaned. What the hell?

  Noticing her discomfort, he immediately stopped talking.

  "Emma?" Drake whispered, His voice was surprisingly laced with concerned, to Emma's confusion. With no hesitation, he grabbed her hand and ushered her inside the bathroom. "The toilet is in there. Hurry."

  Without waiting for her reply, he
closed the door shut and leaned his head against the wall with a groan.

  .

  .

  .

  "What's taking them so long?" Jason asked, looking in the direction that Drake and Emma had gone.

  "She's pregnant, guys," Jenna said, rolling her eyes. "What do you expect?"

  "Let's go check what's going on," Tom sighed, putting his cup down on a table closest to him.

  "We'll come with you," Alona insisted, pulling Ian with her. "It's almost time for Drake to make his Thank You speech, anyway."

  .

  .

  .

  "Rogers?"

  "What, Collins?"

  "Earlier you called me 'Emma'."

  She heard him snorted.

  "No I didn't. Even if I did, that is your name, right?"

  Emma inwardly rolled her eyes, but still clutching the bathroom sink. For some reason, she's feeling dizzy and just exhausted all of a sudden.

  "You always call me by my last name, not my first."

  She was trying to continue on the conversation, hopefully get her mind off of the discomfort raging through her body. Ugh, this fucking hurts so much... is her baby okay? Is she okay?

  She could hear Drake shuffle but had no idea what he's doing.

  "I called you by your surname before."

  Yeah... years ago.

  "Ugh!" Emma suddenly gasped painfully, now the pain radiating from her lower chest. She heard the door knob turning, so she rushed forward to lock it. She doesn't want anyone near her right now. She doesn't want anyone to see her like this.

  "What the fuck!" Drake snapped, pounding on the door. "Open the door, Collins! What the hell is going on!"

  "Shut up for a bit." Emma whispered, taking a seat from the covered toilet, letting out a few deep breaths.

  Inhale...

  Exhale...

  "Why do you hate me so much?" She asked randomly, just trying to keep her mind busy.

  Drake stopped pounding on the door and asked quietly, "Is that a serious question?"

  Emma shot daggers at closed door before sighing. "I mean, why do you hate me at all? Why? Don't you feel at least something, knowing that it's your baby as well?"

  Silence.

  "Shut up, Collins."

  "No!" Emma shouted suddenly, surprising Drake. "I'm tired of you treating me like that!"

  "Collins, shut the -"

  "This is your baby too!" It seemed that the greater the discomfort she's feeling, the more her frustration poured out of her. Why was her back hurting so much? And why was her -

  "SHUT UP!" Drake roared, kicking the door open with such great force, revealing his face now painted red in anger.

  Emma's eyes widened with fear and she took a step back. He didn't look like the Drake Rogers she was used to. This man in front of her reminded her of Drake Rogers: Criminal.

  It took a few moments before Drake's breathing returned to normal.

  "Just shut the fuck up, Emma!" Drake continued on, "Just shut up! I hate you because you ruined my fucking life for years, you bitch! You and your stupid friends! Now stop screaming, you're going to hurt the baby and yourself! Even though I hate you and that thing growing inside you, it is still mine! You're going to hurt him or her because of your bitching and - "

  Emma suddenly felt a sharp tightening pain in her stomach, causing her to gasp. "Shit -"

  Drake suddenly stopped shouting and ran towards her, "Fuck, fuck, fuck, what's wrong?" He didn't know why he was feeling scared, but just the sight of her clutching her stomach and her face etched in a painful expression, made his anger clear off.

  After Emma's breathing slowed down, she noticed how close Drake was.

  "Don't touch me! Back the hell off!" Emma snapped, slapping his hand away. "I'm fine, asshole! Stop acting as if you care!"

  Drake's facial expression hardened.

  After seeing her straightening, he stood up as well and kept his voice emotionless, despite the anger and sudden hurt raging through him.

  "I don't. I don't care. I don't care at all. I don't care that that's my baby. In fact, I never want to see him or her, ever." Shut up, asshole! He thought to himself, before you regret it! "I don't care what happens to the both of you. I don't care about you or -"

  "Thank you, birthday boy," a voice said behind them, interrupting him.

  They both whirled around in surprise to see Jason, Tom, Ian, and Alona staring at them with a shocked expression on their faces. Jenna was the only one looking satisfied.

  "You made things simpler than I thought;" Jenna grinned, "now everyone knows the truth."

  Emma stared at her friend. She didn't know whether she should feel relieved that the truth was out, or angry at her friends for walking in at that exact moment.

  "Drake?" Alona gasped breathlessly, her eyes darting between him and Emma.

  Even Ian was too stunned to say anything. Either that or he wanted to see everything play out.

  Drake shook his head before looking back at Emma. The look he was giving her caused her to take another step back. She could practically feel the anger washing through her with just his gaze.

  Another pain hit her, causing her to groan. "Please -"

  "This is your entire fault, you damn -"

  "Don't," Tom snarled threateningly.

  "Actually, it was my idea," Jenna said, giving him a smirk. "I had a feeling something was going to happen -"

  "EMMA!" Jason shouted in panic. He rushed towards his friend before her head hit the floor. "Emma, are you okay?"

  "Oh no," Jenna whimpered, noticing something wet running down Emma's legs. "Oh no, quick! She's going to... Damn it, we're so stupid! Quick! Take her to the nearest hospital! Hurry!"

  To her surprise, Alona rushed to help carry Emma. "C'mon! We must hurry, there's one just ten minutes away!"

  "We're wasting time!" Jenna cried out, grabbing Emma's belongings and keeping the door open.

  "What do we do?" Tom cried out, pulling his hair with his hands as he worriedly stared at Emma.

  "Shut up!" Drake shouted, "Everyone shut up! We have no choice!" He hesitated for a second before nodding to himself. He turned around and held out his arms. "Give her to me."

  "Like hell," Jason snarled, clutching Emma tightly to him, "She needs -"

  "She needs help now, idiot!" Drake snapped, taking Emma from him. He turned to Alona. "Get a the family doctor quickly and take them to my bedroom!"

  "Your bedroom?" Ian asked, as they all quickly followed him. "Why -"

  "It's the closest one!" Drake interrupted impatiently, kicking his door open and rushing towards his bed. Gently, he placed Emma down on top of the covers.

  "Ouch!" Emma cried out, her eyes tightly shut as she clutched both her stomach and back. "Oh shit, it hurts!"

  No, no, no!

  It's still early!

  Her doctor said she has a few weeks more, not now! Why the hell now?! Has it really been nine months already?! Fuck, it hurts... Why is it hurting like this?!

  It's not normal, something must be wrong!

  "It's okay, it's okay," Jenna shushed her, pushing Drake aside as she grabbed Emma's hand, "we're here. We're all here."

  Emma's eyes flew open as a contraction came to an end. "Where's Drake?"

  "The bastard is still here unfortunately," Tom sighed before glaring at Drake, "although I'm beginning to wonder why."

  Drake ignored him. His eyes were glued to Emma, making her feel even more uncomfortable.

  "You don't have to watch, Rogers," Emma said breathlessly, after another sharp pain passed, "you don't have to be here and -"

  "Stop talking, Collins," Drake snapped, "just stop."

  Emma groaned as another pain came and went, "Ugh! Sometimes I hate being a girl!"

  Drake continued to watch her, his fist clutching the armrest of the chair beside him. He shouldn't have said those things. He shouldn't have caused her all those stress. It's his fault.

  He should have controlled his temper. Wh
en this is over, he is going to sue those damn so-called anger management classes. They are not helping.

  And then, he is going to help her. He doesn't give a fuck anymore. If it wasn't for him, she wouldn't be in pain right now. He had caused this. It's his fault. He did this.

  And he is going to fix it.

  He got up when Emma let out a sharp gasp again.

  Emma couldn't help but notice how Drake immediately made a move to get up towards her whenever she made a painful sound, before he stopped himself.

  "The doctor's here!" Alona shrieked, bursting into the room with the professional in tow and a panicked-looking Nancy behind her.

  "Some birthday, right, mate?" Ian joked, patting Drake's back, trying to lighten the mood.

  Drake swallowed hard as he watched the doctor trying to calm Emma with breathing exercises. "Yeah... some birthday."

  Chapter 8

  .

  Burning heat.

  That's all Emma could feel at that moment as she rested her back against the bed. It's been nearly 24 hours since she felt the sharp pain. It's been going on and off as the hours gone by, but right now? It felt as if everything was burning.

  Her face was drenched with sweat, she had the sensation of what felt like knives stabbing her legs, and someone was pinning her arms down tightly. All she can hear around her was a horrid screech-like sound and people's muffled shouts.

  It wasn't until her eyes flew open did she realize the screech was coming from her.

  "Emma! Calm down!"

  She snapped her head towards the voice. "Shut up, Tom! You have no idea how much this hurts," she growled when she had caught her breath.

  "Emma, try to relax," Jason said gently as he watched Jenna smooth Emma's hair in comfort. "Just do as the Doctor says; take a deep breath and -"

  Emma interrupted with a scream as another pain shot up her body. Once her breathing calmed again, she glared at her friend. "Don't tell me what to do, Jason!"

  "I thought you said you gave her something to calm her down?" another voice said quietly to the doctor, who was sweating and red-faced. "Shouldn't it be painless by now?"

  Wait, I recognize that voice... Emma thought to herself. Was he here the whole time?

  "I'm doing that now," the doctor informed them, anchoring Emma's skin. "Okay, Miss Collins, you're going to feel a little sting right now."