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Mibba

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Oh, Baby!

8

Why am I looking at the sky? My brain felt like it was buzzing gently as fingers crept around to feel their surroundings. I gathered that I was laying on the sidewalk but trying to think past that was impossible. I tried to piece together the events that had happened before I found myself here, but didn’t get very far before I was interrupted.
“Welcome back,” a voice said warmly.
“Brian?” I blinked groggily, looking around for him. An incredibly handsome face appeared above me.
“Sorry, not Brian. How do you feel?” the young man asked, throwing me a sympathetic look.
“Do I know you?” I thought out loud. He gave a small laugh.
“No, you don’t. My name is Adam Grey and I’m actually a doctor. You picked a good person to hit the concrete in front of,” he gently teased. His warm air and confidence were comforting. I tried to sit up but he put a hand on my shoulder and gently pressed me back down.
“Try to come around a bit first,” he suggested, lightly. “I don’t want you fainting on me again.”
I relaxed back against the sidewalk and looked up at him, “I fainted?”
“Yep, I saw you going and got to you just in time,” he explained, putting two fingers to my wrist. I pulled away from his touch.
“That’s really not necessary,” I said, quickly, sitting up before he could stop me. My head started swimming again and I closed my eyes. His hand found my back and steadied me.
“Take it easy,” I heard him say. “Have you eaten today?”
“No, nothing,” I breathed, finally feeling able to focus my eyes. He handed a bottle of water to me and a banana. I looked from the objects in my hands, up to him, and back again.
“They’re not poisonous, I swear,” he smiled, holding his hands up.
“What am I supposed to do with them?” I asked, still not completely with it.
“Eat and drink,” he urged. “Geez, will you please let me help you?” He let out a heavenly laugh as I just blinked at him. “I promise you will feel better as soon as you’ve eaten.”
After some hesitation, I complied. There wasn’t much else I could do. The attractive stranger sat next to me on the concrete, seemingly not worried about his appearance. As I ate, he filled the silence chatting about this and that. I’d normally hate small talk but right now I was grateful for the distraction. He asked where I was from, why I was here, when I was leaving. He didn’t seem to mind my rather vague answers and was easily directed towards less complicated topics like the weather. Once I’d finished eating, he helped me to my feet slowly.
“So, think you can manage now?” He asked, making sure I was steady.
I took a moment to assess and then nodded, “Yeah, I feel much better, thanks.”
“Well, I’ll be on my way, then. I never got your name?” he asked, hesitantly.
“It’s Aubrey,” I replied.
“Aubrey,” he repeated quietly, letting a gorgeous smile play across his lips. There was an awkward pause between us for a moment before Impulsive Aubrey prodded me to take the next step.
“Would you like my number as well?” I blurted out, my cheeks flushing at my boldness. He raised an eyebrow, playfully.
“Sure,” he answered. He presented me with a pen and I scrawled it on the back of his hand.
“Call me if you’re ever in Cali,” I smiled.
“I will do. Hope our paths cross again soon, Aubrey.” He began stepping backwards away from me as he finished his sentence and then, with a small smile, turned and jogged off.

I was left stunned in his absence, feeling very fazed. Did I just give my number out? Hold up… I’ve been dumped, attacked a man, gotten lost, fainted and given out my number in a few short hours. What the hell am I doing? Am I having a midlife crisis? Has pregnancy finally tipped me over the edge and left me deranged? Holy shit… am I unhinged? Sensible Aubrey was rolling about in agony at my rather questionable life choices over the last 24 hours. My phone buzzed in my pocket, interrupting my second freak out of the day. I checked it, surprised to find four messages awaiting me. I’d not even noticed them coming in. They were two from Brian and one from Jimmy. I didn’t really want to open any of them but Jimmy seemed likely to be the easiest pill to swallow so I reluctantly tapped it.

You hit well… for a girl. J.

I re-read it a few times before deciding that it was most likely a jab in the vein of forgiveness. I breathed a sigh of relief. I still couldn’t look him in the eye any time soon, but I was glad to know that he hadn’t taken my meltdown to heart. I swallowed back my hesitation and replied.

Don’t get cocky, I went easy on you.


I closed the message and looked at the list again. I decided against reading Syn’s messages. They would likely be soul destroying to read and I didn’t think I could take any more of that today. I didn’t recognise the fourth number but the message made my heart skip a beat.

Here’s my number, so now you can call me as well. Adam.

Little butterflies fluttered in my stomach alongside the wriggling Baby Gates. Baby Gates. The thought sobered me from the excitement. Now was not really the time to attempt to hide from reality by throwing myself into a whirlwind romance. I scolded myself (much to Sensible Aubrey’s delight) and deleted Adam’s message without saving his number. He would likely forget all about me by the end of the day. Besides, I had more pressing things to think about, like how I was getting back home…

***

Unlocking my door, I felt welcomed into the familiarity of my apartment. Dropping my bag, I heaved a sigh and flopped myself down onto the couch. I could scarcely believe the events of the past 24 hours. My departure from Brian and, as an extension of him the rest of Avenged, had left me feeling very alone. Even the tiny feet and hands swishing about inside me didn’t soothe the ache of losing people I loved. I didn’t really have friends here, I’d always kept myself to myself. It was a wonder I’d ever met Avenged with the amount of time I spent in my home. I’d moved to Huntington Beach for my work. I’d actually been a microbiologist before meeting Syn and, well, we weren’t exactly a wild bunch that got up to hijinks together outside of the job. Of course, I’d quit anyway to go chasing a dream of freedom from responsibility. As a result, I was now pretty much alone, save for the little person I was carrying. There wasn’t much keeping me here in HB anymore. I thought about phoning my mother but she was never very interested in my life. It might just kill her off if I called her and mentioned that I was pregnant with no father and no money. No money. Fuck. I needed to sort that little problem out. My savings had taken a hit in the past few weeks and there was a lot to buy for Baby Gates. No, just Baby now. There was no Gates on the scene. My mouth twisted a little but for once, no tears came. I was all cried out, for now at least. My phone chimed with a message. From Jimmy:

I let you win.


I let out a small snort. I was about to reply but a second message came through and wiped the smile off my face.

Syn is heartbroken.


I bristled as I read it. Oh, he’s heartbroken? Must be so hard rejecting your pregnant girlfriend. I scowled and tossed my phone down. I didn’t know how to reply without doing damage, so I chose to keep my feelings to myself. I still hadn’t read Brian’s messages. I received two more whilst I’d been travelling, making a total of 4. He’s probably just trying to soothe his conscience by justifying our split, but I wasn’t going to pat him on the shoulder. That’s what his band mates were there for. I had someone else to be responsible for, a baby who would soon require my undivided attention. I needed to be free of the uncertainty that Brian wrapped himself in if I wanted to stay sane for the foreseeable future. My heart sank as I made a decision I never thought I would have to make. If I kept in contact with Avenged, there was no way I’d be able to get on with my life. I was going to have to have a clean break from all of them. I didn’t want to cut them off, they’d been my best friends for the past year, but how could I heal if I let Brian constantly reopen the wound? We’d made our decision to part ways and I didn’t need him coming and going, trying to change my mind only to back out again. I picked up my phone again and selected all their numbers. My finger hovered for a moment in hesitation before I willed myself to tap the red icon in the corner of the screen. The numbers disappeared. Just like that, I deleted them from my contact list. If only I could delete them from my mind. Especially Brian. Stupid Brian with his complete hold over me, despite his inability to commit in any shape or form. I launched my phone at the wall as a burst of angry noise escaped my mouth. Baby Ga… Baby wriggled in what felt like protest. I patted my bump in apology and let my head rest against the back of the sofa with a groan. I felt like I was standing on the edge of a cliff with it crumbling beneath my feet; I knew that before long, I was in for a fall that was going to hurt like fuck.

Notes

Damn, deleting all their numbers. That was cold.

Comments

@overneaththepathofmisery
Thank you so much! I'm so glad you enjoyed it, sorry about the tears though!

RamonaFoREVer RamonaFoREVer
4/5/19

I’ve just started and finished this today. This last chapter... The shortest of the story, with so few words said... The way you captured the feelings perfectly... I can’t breathe. I’m a crying mess.

@RamonaFoREVer
That is true... Picturing Bri with a baby in arms... argh! So cute!

kiss my sas kiss my sas
2/4/19

@kiss my sas
Thank you so much! I hope your heart is ok. He is growing up without Uncle Knifemaster, but he does have Daddy Brian <3

RamonaFoREVer RamonaFoREVer
2/4/19

Ahhhhhh!!!
I HAVE SO MANY EMOTIONS!!!
Sorry I am so late to the party. Freaking HECTIC weekend :( I need a weekend to recover from the weekend.
But oh no!! That was a heart wrenching ending... urgh, my heart :(
I did not see that coming... but poor little baby Jimmy, growing up without Uncle Knifemaster :(
Loved reading this! You have a way with words, and your writing style is amazing! Cannot wait to read more of your stuff :D

kiss my sas kiss my sas
2/4/19