by Ruiz, Rebeca
I heard Mathew’s first. He constantly told me he loved me in it. That we would get through it. Hearing his voice calmed me down, and I knew I wanted to get back to him right away.
James and Dessie’s voicemails were next. They didn’t call me as often as my mother and Matty did.
James was just worried about me, Dessie just said to call her when I got a chance. I’m sure Finn told her I was here. They’ve gotten close, too, they did share the secret about my self harm.
My parents voicemail was next. I felt sick trying to listen to it. Before two days ago, I had never seen my mother so cruel and angry.
Presley, it’s your mother. Again. What you’re doing, making us worry, is childish. Grow up. Get home and we will deal with this like adults. We will talk about your situation. Just know that we want what is best for you, okay? We love you.
She called my pregnancy a situation. There was no way she was going to accept this. They were going to disown me.
“I went to the store this morning, and got you a little something.” Finn says behind me and I turn around to look to see what it was.
I saw two bags in his hand. A baby blue bag and a baby pink bag. I looked at him.
“I’m not that far along, yet. I don’t know what I’ll be having until a few more months.” He smiles and shrugs.
“Keep them both, I know there will be more children in your future.” My eyes welled up with tears, and I grabbed the bags to look at what he got the baby.
In the pink bag was a newborn onesie with a pink tutu around the waist. It was adorable. I gave him a look.
“Clerk at the store helped me pick it out. I do have to say that I did pick out the boy one.”
I opened that one next. Another newborn onesie, this one had little zoo animals on it, it was blue. It was beautiful.
“They’re both beautiful, Finn. Thank you.” He nodded.
My phone rings and it’s Mathew. “You should probably answer that. He has been nonstop calling me, too.” Finn says.
I nod.
I press answer and he steps out of the room. I take a deep breath and I begin to speak.
“I’m at Finn’s.” Mathew would be here soon, he knows I wouldn’t leave the state.
“I know.”
“How?” Dessie or Finn must have told him.
“I just do, baby.” My fingertips are touching the soft clothes in front of me.
“Can you get Dessie to find me clothes, and can you come get me?” I heard his sigh of relief.
“Of course, baby.”
“How bad is the damage?” I ask him quietly.
“Your parents are the only ones who are upset. My parents are on my side, and they know I will take care of you. My mother is excited for her third grandchild.” I smile. At least someones happy.
“I’ll see you in a few.” I say.
“I’ll get there as soon as I can. I love you, you know that right?” My heart flutters.
“Yes. I love you, too.”
Chapter Thirty Four
Mathew Pennington
I already had a change of clothes for Presley. Finn has been telling me how she’s been and how she’s been eating, I was afraid she wouldn’t eat or would hurt herself. I knew she was with him. At first, I thought maybe not, but when he called me, I knew. Presley is the type of person to check in just so people know she’s alright.
I didn’t tell her parents, I just told them that she was safe and she would come talk to them when she was ready. Her mother wasn’t very happy with either of us.
Presley left while her mother and I were arguing, she took her rental car and ran. I was afraid she had gotten into an accident or that she was going to do something.
“You’re ruining her life. How could you get her pregnant? She has her whole life in front of her!” Her mother yelled at me.
“We didn’t plan this! I love her, and I will take care of her.”
“No! You have done enough! The only thing you’ve been thinking with is your genitals.”
“She’s your daughter, and you’re upsetting her.” I turned around to look at Presley, but she wasn’t there.
When Finn called, I knew that Presley hadn’t told him that she was pregnant. I wanted him to know, he needed to know. It wasn’t to rub it in his face, I just needed to know that she would be safe with him, and I knew he’d take care of her and not upset her if he knew that she was expecting my child.
As soon as I got to Finn’s, Presley stepped out. She was carrying two different colored bags and a backpack. Finn stood at the door and gave me a nod. I got out of my car, and I opened the door for her.
“I’m going to talk to Finn for a second.”
Presley just watched as I made my way over to Finn. He didn’t move, just stood in his spot.
“Thank you.” I say.
“It’s no problem. Peppermint tea helps her with her nausea, and it’s her favorite.” I nod, thankful for that insight.
I get back to my car and I pull out of his driveway. I grab Presley’s hand and kiss it.
“Where are we going?” She asks.
“My parents want to talk to you. Ashton is still there. I want you to know that we have support. We’re not teenagers, we can take care of this child and give him or her a good life.”
“I know we can do it. I’m just afraid my mother will never accept our baby. What if she doesn’t love it?” I could see that she was genuinely worried.
“Then she’ll be missing out on her grandchild’s life. I will stand by you, whatever you choose.”
“Can you pullover?” She asks, and I do. It’s a quiet evening and dark, the moon seemed a lot bigger than usual.
“Are you going to be sick?” I ask.
“No. I need to kiss you.” Her lips find mine and she climbs on my lap. I place my hands under her shirt.
Presley is aggressive, not wanting to take it slow, I let her take control. My dick is already raging hard, I’m good with whatever she chooses to do.
She pulls off her shirt and her bra, and I cover her breast with my mouth. I had her other breast in my hand. I could only imagine how much bigger they were going to get once she was well into her pregnancy.
“Suck harder.” I did. I also let my other hand wander down to her panties. They were soaking wet.
I ran my finger over her clit, and she was just writhing in my lap. She was very sensitive, her orgasm was pretty strong, too.
I pulled my pants and boxers down in one swift move and I placed myself between her after ripping off her panties.
“Fuck. You’re heaven.” I said as I was halfway in her, and I could feel her pussy contracting. She was going to have me coming in no time.
I couldn’t help it, I slammed into her, which caused her to gasp. I kept doing it, and I could feel her second orgasm coming. She tightened around me.
“I’m so close, Mathew.” Her panting was hard, and it turned me on so much.
I kissed her.
With one last thrust, I came in her. She became undone in front of me, and I enjoyed every second of it.
“I love you so much, baby.”
Chapter Thirty Five
Presley Masters
“Let me hug you!” Mathew’s mom says as soon as I step in through the door. I hoped I looked okay, and not like I just had sex on the side of the road in a car.
I let her hug me. I blinked away the tears. Veronica kissed my head and looked me in the eyes.
“You have our full support, your parents will come around. I know your mother, and as soon she sees the first ultrasound and that baby, she will come around.” I didn’t want to think about my mother because I knew she was hard headed, and not even pictures of my child could change her mind once she was set on something.
Ashton came up to me next. I noticed that her daughters weren’t here, Braxton was drinking a cup of wine. They must be sleeping.
Mathew’s house was massive. It
was a mansion. My house didn’t compare, my parents liked being humble. Not that I had anything against Mathew’s parents, they were pretty humble, too.
“I know you must feel overwhelmed, I felt that way, too. Just know that it’s worth it in the end.”
“Have you two talked about a c-section or a natural birth?” Veronica asks, and my eyes widened along with Ashton’s.
Ashton stepped in.
“Mother, it is way too early to talk about that. The girl just found out she’s carrying Matty’s baby, I doubt she’s thought about whether or not she wants to do a natural birth or cesarean.” I smiled at Ashton.
“I’m just curious. Pennington children seem to be big babies when they’re born, she might want to think about it. Ashton toughed it out, and had the twins naturally.”
I smiled that Veronica wanted me to talk about my pregnancy with her. I knew I wanted her at my appointments.
“Come to my appointment tomorrow.” I invite them both. “Mathew is coming with me, too.”
“We would love too!” Veronica claps her hands together in excitement.
I was naked from the waist down at the appointment, I had a sheet covering me. Mathew was holding my hand.
They made me pee in a cup, and they confirmed that I was indeed pregnant. Then they gave me a cup of water, so I could do an ultrasound today. I really had to pee.
I called my mother, but she didn’t answer. James was outside in the waiting room with Dessie. It was Ashton, Veronica, and Mathew inside the exam room with me.
The knock at the door made me jump, and Mathew kissed my forehead. Dr. Dawn Leon came in. She was an OB/GYN I had seen after I was in the hospital since they knew I was sexually active.
“Hey, congratulations!” She was very chipper. I just felt knots in my stomach.
“Thank you.” I managed to smile.
“Let’s see that baby inside of you, yeah?” I nod. I placed my legs on the stirrups and she warned that she was going to put a wand inside of me to help see the baby.
I didn’t like the feeling, but I breathed through it. She was looking at the screen, I could see Veronica almost in tears, and Ashton smiled at me. I looked at Mathew. Neither of us knew what to look for.
“It seem’s your six weeks and two days along.” She turned the screen so we could look at it better.
There was a dot on the screen. She put a box around it, and wrote down a little saying. Hi, mommy. My eyes immediately started to water, this couldn’t be real.
“That’s your baby. Just the size of a little sweet pea. I’ll print out some pictures for you, sweetie.” I nod.
I was actually pregnant. I was carrying a little human inside of me, one I had to protect for the rest of my life.
Mathew kissed me hard.
“I love you more than life.” He mutters against my lips. “I love you two more than life.”
Chapter Thirty Six
Presley Masters
I was terrified to be standing in front of my parents house. It was their house, it no longer felt like my home. I had the photos of the ultrasound in my purse. I would show them, I would tell them that I was going to be with Matty for the rest of my life if he wanted me. I would raise this child, with or without them.
My mother opened the door and her eyes widened at the sight of me. Mathew was not with me. I wanted to talk with them alone, like an adult, just as they requested.
“I just came here to say that I went to the doctors yesterday, I am indeed pregnant. I am six weeks along, Mathew is the father, and his family has already accepted me into their family.”
My mother’s eyes were cold. My heart was beating fast, I was nervous as fuck, but I wasn’t going to let her get to me.
“You’re a whore. You’re supposed to save yourself until marriage, like the Catholic you were raised to be. Now you’re dirty and you’re carrying that bastard child. You’ve ruined your life.”
“Mother!” James was behind her. His eyes were shocked to hear what was coming out of her mouth.
“You want me out of your life, fine. I will be fine. Whether that be here in Chicago, LA, or Sydney. I am opening up to you, trying to let you in. You’re the one shutting me out, James is my witness. Just remember that when you try to talk to me in the future or when this baby is born.” My heart hurt at the thought of her not being there for my labor.
“You might as well abort it, it’s an abomination.” I knew my mother was against abortion. I couldn’t believe she had just said this to me. Did she really feel that strongly about a baby out of wedlock?
“It’s not an abomination, he’s my little miracle. You’re an abomination, mother, for daring to even say that to me. I am your blood, your daughter. You raised me to be who I am.”
“I did not raise you to be a whore.”
“Enough!” James yelled. “Mother, she is right. She is your daughter, and you cannot call her or her child names. You’re angry and you will regret the words that are coming out of your mouth if you keep going at this. She’s having your grandchild for gods sake.”
“I want nothing to do with her.” She turned around and left me standing at the doorway.
“Where’s dad?” I ask him. I wasn’t going to cry. Crying wasn’t good for the baby.
“He wants to talk to you, but he’s currently in LA on business.” I nod. I pull out the ultrasound photos.
“Give him these when he comes back. I really hope he feels differently than mom.” James gave me a hug.
“Mom is just angry that you went against God’s rules and plans.” We were raised Catholic, but James and I didn’t believe in faith as much as my parents, my mom mostly, did. “She’ll come around eventually.” I nod.
“I have a flight to catch to LA, then Sydney in a few days, so I’ll see you in a few weeks.” I give him a soft smile to show that I was okay. I knew he’d text or call Matty, and then Matty would call me to check up on me.
Mathew is coming with me to Sydney. We haven’t thought about what were going to do, but he understood that my job was still my job, and I had to photograph in Australia.
“Good luck.” I head back to my car and I drive away from the place I once considered my home.
Chapter Thirty Seven
Presley Masters
Four Months Later…
“You can’t have me quit my job, Mathew!”
“I’m not asking you to quit, I’m asking that you move back to Chicago for me.” I shook my head.
“My job is either here in Sydney or in LA. Chicago is not an option.” He let out a growl of frustration.
Finn came into the room. He’s spent his whole summer here in Sydney with me. He had to go back to SU next week.
“Don’t stress her out, doctor said it wasn’t good for her or the baby.” I smirked and Mathew gave me a look. He hated when Finn interfered with us, especially during private fights.
“Fine, lets talk about this like adults.” He sits me down.
“You’re over five months pregnant, and I don’t want our baby being born in Australia. What if I’m not here when you go into labor? I want you as close to me as possible.” He presses his hand against my stomach, and the child kicks where his hand is. Also takes a swing at my ribs. I was a lot fatter now, but I was always active with my shoots.
“I already talked with my company, as soon as I hit eight months, I will be back in the states with three months maternity leave as soon as our baby is born.”
“I’m just worried about you, Presley. I know what the doctors have been saying. If you don’t slow down with the amount of work you’re taking on, you will go into preterm labor.” He had a point. Work stressed me out a lot, and I went to pregnancy yoga after work almost every other day to destress me.
“I’ll slow down my work load by hiring more interns, I guess.” Not being able to move around like I wanted was really getting to me. I felt fat most of the day, I was lucky I could still, barely, see my f
eet. That would change in a few weeks most likely.
He kisses my cheek.
“I love you more than life.” I kiss him softly on the mouth..
Chapter Thirty Eight
Mathew Pennington
Two Months Later…
As soon as I was off the plane, that’s when I got all the voicemails. They were from unknown Australian numbers. I listened to the voicemails, one by one, and I increased how fast I was walking.
Presley had fallen during a shoot today. She’s eight months pregnant in two days. I came to Australia to come get her. Now she’s in the hospital, probably terrified.
I got to the hospital as soon as I could, and they directed me to her room. She was laying down on a bed sleeping. She was being monitored along with our baby.
We’re having a baby boy. We found out about a month ago, and we still hadn’t thought about names. Presley assured me that it would come when he was born, that we would know what to name him.
“Baby.” I whispered and kissed her forehead. Her eyes fluttered open, and filled with tears when she saw me.
“I didn’t mean to fall-“ I stopped her.
“I know that.”
“I didn’t see the wire. Doctors said that he’s okay, I fell on my butt, but they said they want me on bed rest until I’m due.”
“Did you tell them that you’re flying back to Chicago in a few days?” She caresses my cheek.
“Yeah, they said it was fine. I just have to walk around on the plane every hour, to make sure to avoid blood clots in my legs. As soon as I land, I have to stay in bed until he’s born.”
I smile.
“Let’s think about names.” I say trying to get her mind off the fact that she’ll be bed ridden for the next month.
Chapter Thirty Nine
Presley Masters
One Month Later…
Veronica was sitting with me, helping me sort through all the baby clothes I got for my baby shower a few days ago. I got lucky. I was due two days ago, I felt like this baby was never going to come out.
Finn is supposed to be here with us. He said he was going to be here half an hour ago, but he was very late. He’s probably getting me chocolate covered pretzels since that’s all I’ve been talking about nonstop.