“Does that matter now?It’s done.And how is that any of your business?As long as Cat and I are happy, then that’s all you need to be concerned about.When I ask for your opinion give it to me.Until then, don’t.”
“I’m sure you knew she wasn’t on any form of birth control.”
“It wasn’t the first thing on my mind at the time.I’m sure you’ve been in the same situation a time or two.”
“Since you asked, no, I have not been in that situation, and I know that wasn’t on your mind, your dick was doing all the thinking for you.”
“Watch it, Ava.”
“What is she going to do?How are you going to protect her from her family, her so-called friends, and the gossip and whispering?And I know you’ve heard, don’t act like you haven’t.After that scene Kate made in the hospital, that was it, the word on the street was out.More so among people we know personally.”
“Has anyone come and said anything to her about it?”
“Not that I know.I don’t talk to her about that stuff.I don’t want her to feel worse about it than she already does.I know I was coming off like a real bitch out there, but this is an impossible situation for her.Both of you are going to be in for it.I hope you’re ready; you’re going to have to dust off the rusty old tin armor and be ready to defend her and the choices you’ve both made.”
“I’ll always defend and protect her with every fucking breath of life I have in me.Defending the choices I make isn’t something I worry about, that’s something to do for anyone who would dare hurt her or make her feel less than worthy of any and everything she deserves and more.”
“I know you’ll take care of her.I didn’t mean to jump all over you like that, your news took me by surprise.When I left, I had a single roommate who wasn’t pregnant, who was finally learning how to cope with a devastating end to a relationship that barely was.Imagine my utter astonishment coming back home to a pregnantex-roommate and the heartbreak she’s trying to get over, telling me I’m going to be a cousin-slash-aunt again.It’s a lot to deal with ten minutes after I step through the door.”
“I’m sure it was, but that’s no excuse for the way you fucked up out there.She’s stressed enough about her family and what they’re going to do.What she needed from you was support and to be happy for her; even if you weren’t, you should have faked it until you got your shit together.”
“I know, and I’m sorry.You know I’m going to support you and Cat through all this, no matter what.But my honest reaction should be a dose of reality.At least now you have an inkling of what to expect from others who are not going to be supportive at the idea of you and her being a couple.”
“Trust me, I didn’t need you for that.I already know what to expect.I’m trying to keep a positive spin on it for Cat.You know how much I love her and that I’ll do whatever it takes to protect her.It’s not just her I have to protect now.I’m going to be a father…to our baby.”
“I know I asked Cat, but I’m asking you, you’re happy about this?”
“Why wouldn’t I be?She’s the love of my life.”
“Enough said.Now, do you have something to say to me?Like an apology.”
“For what?”
“You know what?Forget it, I forgive you anyway.I’ll chalk it up to the stress of impending fatherhood making you even more of an ass.”
“Yeah, you do that,” I say, but as she walks out the room, I grab her arm and give her a kiss on the cheek.She pushes me away, wiping her hand across her face but holding back a smile.
Cat
When she comes back, she’ssmiling.“You must have patched things up because I didn’t hear screaming or things breaking.”
“We made up, sort of.”
“What does that mean?”
“I apologized and he didn’t, which I knew he wouldn’t.”
“He’s been really great since the day he took me home from the hospital.”
“I have no doubt in my mind about that.He loves you.He’s not going to let anyone, not even your family, get between you and him.”
I sigh.“My family.It’s been a roller coaster of a time.I don’t want to hurt them, and I want to be happy.Nick makes me happy, and I’m tired of fighting it.”
“When are you going to tell them?”
“I don’t know.I get heart palpitations if I think about it too much.I do know I’m going to tell Chris first.He’s the only one I’ve spoken to since the holidays.”
“How do you think he’s going to take it?”
