Unexpected Pregnancy

I sat in the backseat of the moving vehicle and stared out of the window. I had managed to stop crying and was now recounting my marriage with Eduardo. Everything had been perfect and blissful. I loved him with my whole heart and believed he did the same. At least he had proven himself countlessly. 

And mother. Back then she loved me so much and we were more like best friends. Sadly, our friendship took a sour turn six months after my marriage with her son. It finally came to an end a year later when I couldn't still bear children. I was then despised by her. She never stopped maltreating me whenever Eduardo was away on business trips. 

The vehicle swerved and I hit my bandaged arm on the side of the window. I sighed and squeezed my eyes shut. It was hurting but it was nothing compared to what I had gone through for the past six years.  

Finally, I arrived at the airport and proceeded to book a flight to England. I had informed my parents about my homecoming and they were more than happy to receive me. What they didn't know was why I was returning. I fear the moment I would have to tell them everything. It would break their hearts. 

Eight hours later, I arrived in England and boarded a taxi back home. Gosh, I was so exhausted, and right now, I needed nothing more than a warm shower and proper rest. My waist is killing me. Curse the airline seats! 

The taxi pulled up in front of my house and I pulled my luggage to the front door after I paid. I rang the doorbell and I smiled when I heard my mum's happy squeal from inside. 

"Honey, our daughter is here!" 

Her rushed footsteps sounded before the door was yanked open. Her eyes lit up in joy when she saw me. "Hey, mum." 

"Oh, my star!" She cried out and pulled me into a tight hug. I hugged her tightly, my tears almost falling. Star, I had missed her calling me that. I had not seen my parents since they decided to move down to England a year after their retirement. "It's been decades since I last saw you." Mum sobbed. 

"Centuries!" My dad interjected, joining us in the sitting room. He pulled us into his arms and pecked my hair. "we've missed you, star." 

"I've missed you too!" I replied, my tears falling freely from my eyes. Finally, I was home. Away from Serena, Eduardo, and his mother. I sniffled and blinked back my tears. It was enough. I was not going to think about them anymore. I was going to forget them, it was all for the best. 

"That's enough, Frankie. You're going to suffocate us!" I laughed as Dad pulled away from us. I never realized how much I needed my parent's warm embrace until now. 

"I'll take this up to your room, starlight," Dad said and grabbed my luggage from where they sat at the doorway. 

"Thanks, Dad!"

"Come!" Mum chirped happily and grabbed my hand, leading me into the kitchen. "While you were away, I earned some new recipes around here. You should try it too. I bet Eduardo will love them the way Frankie does."

My heart skipped a beat on hearing his name, and my stomach churned to my throat. I had not disclosed the reason for my sudden visit or the fact that I was no longer married to Eduardo. What would their reactions be if they found out? 

"Star, are you okay?" 

Shaking off the feeling, I nodded and smiled. "Yes, mum. I'm just... Tired and hungry"

"Well then, the food is ready!" She announced and handed me a bowl of dessert. "Here, let's go. You can always learn the recipes later"

***

We all sat to eat in the small garden while we talked about everything that had happened over the past months. My parents looked so happy and were still beautiful together even after Thirty-five years of marriage. 

𝑇ℎ𝑖𝑟𝑡𝑦-𝑓𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑦𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑠... 

"That's a terrible lie, Frankie. You said you loved the turkey!" Mum frowned at her husband who wouldn't stop laughing. She ignored him and turned to face me who had been smiling the whole time as I watched them. "He said he loved it. That was why he ate all of them and asked for more!"

"Because no one wanted to eat them, honey!"

Mum scoffed and folded her arms. "That's ridiculous. Who in their right mind wouldn't want to eat deliciously spicy grilled turkey?"

Dad laughed harder and her frown deepened. I could still remember the little party they threw and how none of their friends or neighbors ate the turkey because it was way too spicy. After consuming the whole turkey, Dad ended up living in the toilet for days. Dad told me about it over the phone. 

"It made me sick for days."

"You told me it was some drink. And... And then you blamed It on the weather. How could you have kept it from me?" Mum whined. 

He leaned closer to her and pecked her cheeks. "Because I didn't want you to feel bad that no one ate your turkey. I don't care if it burns my liver to ashes, I'll always eat your deliciously spicy grilled turkey a million times. As long as it puts a smile on your beautiful face!"

I didn't realize I was crying until I felt tears rolling down my cheeks. I quickly wiped it off before my parents noticed.  It was a beautiful thing to see that my parent's love was still stronger.  

But mine... 

"Enough about us. How have you been, Aurora? How is Eduardo?"

I choked on my meal and quickly grabbed my glass of water to gulp it down. By the time I was done, I looked up to find my parents staring at me. Mum's eyes fell to my fingers before they returned to my face.  

"Aurora? W... What happened?"

I gulped and shook my head. "It's... It's complicated!"

"Did he hurt you? Is he responsible for what happened to your arm?" Dad asked and stood up immediately. "Tell me if I need to get on the plane right now. I don't care if he's a fucking billionaire alpha, he'll answer to me!"

"God, no, Dad, sit down. I already told you it was an accident" I answered and swallowed nervously. "We... I filed for divorce!"

Everyone remained quiet. They took time to digest what I just said before Mum covered my hand with hers. "It's alright. You don't need to talk about it now..."

"There was a picture..." I managed to say, my voice quivering. "A picture of him with his secretary. We were supposed to celebrate our sixth anniversary but then... He... He didn't come back home the same way he did on my birthday and didn't take my calls either."

I told them everything that happened with Serena in the hospital and how things broke off with Eduardo. "I was so hurt and heartbroken!"

"I never really liked him anyway. You made a good choice!"

"Frankie!" Mum growled and he shrugged, taking his seat. "I understand it's hard but we're here for you, honey. You can stay as long as you want until you're willing to... try again!"

I shook my head and smiled softly. "There's no point in trying again if I keep failing." 

"You're not failing, star! It's not your fault he couldn't remain faithful!"

"It is. I couldn't give him a child after years and I don't think I'll ever be able to produce one." I said as tears rolled down my cheeks. "I've visited the best hospitals with the best Doctors around the world but still, there's nothing. Serena was right. I am useless!"

"Hush now, don't say things like that. You are not useless, you hear me?" I looked up at my mom who had the same green eyes as mine and curly brown hair. I nodded and wiped my tears. 

"Good, now let's finish our meals before they get cold. We will go for a drive around town after you've had some rest"

*****

ONE MONTH LATER...

Mum and Dad stood in the middle of the room, staring down at the pregnancy test result on the table. It was positive! I was pregnant and was three months gone! The results brought tears to mum's eyes who couldn't hold back her excitement.

I was crutched down at the entrance of the bathroom, in case my stomach turned again. I had been throwing up uncontrollably. "I'm sorry things happened this way." 

"That's bullshit, come here!" Dad opened his arms and I walked into it, sobbing hard. "You're gonna be fine. We'll take care of you!"

I felt happy and awful at the same time. It was still hard to believe the pregnancy result had come out positive. For the past month, I have been throwing up and feeling very ill. Mum had noticed all the signs and suggested we visit the hospital. There, it was confirmed. I was carrying my ex-husband's child! 

Deep down, I wished it had happened earlier. Maybe then, his mother wouldn't have been so cruel towards her and Eduardo wouldn't have betrayed her. We would've been happy together with our child but now, things were different.

"I'd like to keep it a secret," I spoke firmly and placed my hands protectively on my stomach. "I'm afraid they'll try to take my child away from me!"

"They can only try!" Dad replied and fisted his hands.

"It's alright, everything will be fine. We're gonna take care of you and your baby. And babies, who knows?" Mum chirped and I giggled. 

I was going to have children of my own and I was not going to let him touch them.