Everly

I had been feeling like shit for the last week.  The nausea was awful, but the vomiting just started this morning.  I had been talking with Malissa from HR, who was six months pregnant.  She told me how terrible her morning sickness was during the first two or three months of her pregnancy, and that’s when it clicked in my head.   I went home that night and read up on pregnancy, and I knew then that I needed to grab a test at some point.  Now I sit with my back against the mirror on the vanity in my bathroom.  I am staring at all eight positive pregnancy tests.  Do I regret that night? Absolutely not.  Kaden made that night perfect, even if he was drunk and doesn't remember it.  I will never forget it, and now I will be reminded of it.  

“Everly where are you?”  Kylynn asks.

Of course, they would come over.  They had asked earlier if I wanted to go to lunch with them, but as soon as I heard any discussion about food, my stomach basically told me to fuck off, and I had to tell them that I was sick.  A bug was going around the building, so I am guessing they thought I had caught that, but now the truth is about to be revealed. 

“Everly how are you….”  Tianya says.

They both stop as they walk into my bathroom and see me sitting there.  I am sure I look like death warmed over.  I look at them as they stare at the pile of tests on my counter.  I look at them, and I can’t stop the tears from flowing.  They both walk over to me and pull me off the counter.  We all end up on the couch in my living room.  I am still crying because I have no idea what to do.

“Ok tells us what the hell is going on.”  Tianya says.

“I went to the club with Vienna and Cole two months ago.  They begged me to go since it was Cole’s birthday and we were the only ones in town at the time.  We had been in the club for an hour or so when he walked in.”  I say.

“Who walked in?”  Kylynn asked.

“Kaden and the others.  I didn’t know who he was at the time.  They came over to our table and spend the rest of the night drinking with us.  Kaden and I talked most of the night.  I did something that night I had never done before, and it was stupid.  I let him take me back to his place, and we….”  I cry.

“Everly it is going to be fine.  I knew something was up when he locked his eyes on you at the meeting.  He couldn’t take his eyes off of you.  We also saw you stare at him when you knew he wasn’t looking at you.  You already fell hard for him and there is nothing wrong with admitting that.”  Tianya replies.

“I don’t regret it at all and I feel like I should.  I know he doesn’t remember that night since he was drunk.  Fuck what am I going to do.”  I ask.

“Well first off we are going to find you a doctor and get you an appointment.  Then we are going to sit down and talk about this.  At some point, you are going to have to tell Kaden.  He has the right to know.  With the way, he was looking at you during the meeting I am positive that he likes you and don’t start with all that bullshit that your bitch of a stepmom fed you as we grew up.  You know she was just jealous and she will get what is coming to her.”  Kylynn adds.

Tianya pulls out her phone and makes me an appointment.  I know that they will support whatever I choose to do.  I know they are right when they say that I must tell Kaden about the baby, but I just can’t now.  I know he isn’t want anything to do with the baby or myself.  I doubt he even remembers that night at all.  Kylynn tells me that my appointment is this coming Friday.

“I will tell him about the baby but I need time.  I can’t do it right now.”  I tell them.

“We understand, but you will need to tell him soon.  If you are two months, you will start showing within the next month or so.  We are interrupted when my phone pings, telling me I have a text message.

(Kylynn and Tianya were here earlier and said you were sick.  I was checking to see if you are ok and need anything.  Let me know if you need anything -Kaden)

I sit there staring at my phone, not knowing what to do.  This was the last thing I was expecting, and he was the last person I was expecting to text me.  I show Kylynn and Tianya the text and see smirks across their faces.  I roll my eyes at the two of them.  We have been friends since I was in fourth grade.  My mother passed away from cancer when I was nine.  Dad remarried a year later, and for some reason, she hated me.  My stepmother had a daughter from her first marriage, and we got along incredibly.  We actually still talk, but I haven’t seen my father or two brothers in three years.  My stepmom basically kicked me out the day after I graduated high school.  God only knows what bullshit she told Dad, but since he, Ian, or Logan haven’t bothered to try and find me, I guess they believed her bullshit.  She told me a bunch of shit as I grew up.  I have my dad's eyes, as do Ian and Logan, but I got my grandmother's red hair.  Luckily it isn’t an obnoxious bright red but more of a dark strawberry blond, but to my stepmother, it was unacceptable.  My brothers got lucky and got our mother’s sun-kissed blond hair and dad’s height.  I took after my mother with my body.  I am curvier than most, but I know that I am not fat, considering I wear a size two.

My stepmother came from a wealthy, snobby background and wanted the perfect family.  My brothers fit her vision of a perfect family, whereas I did not.  She lets me know it all the time.  Needless to say, my self-confidence is non-existent.  She even pulled me out of Legion prep and sent me to Summer Hill High, where I met Kylynn and Tianya.  The three of us hit it off, and soon I was part of their gang, and soon after, their families basically adopted me.  I spent more time with their families than my own, and my stepmother loved that. 

“You need to text him back Everly.  You know that we would never lie to you.  We really think you should give this a chance.”  Tianya adds.

(Thank you for worrying about me, but it is just a bug around the building.  I will let you know if I need anything, but I promise I am fine.  I am sure by Monday I will be back at work-Me)

I read and reread the text, and with a sigh, I push send.  I have to admit I know they are probably right since these two have this weird talent of being able to read people.  I can’t fathom how a guy as gorgeous as Kaden would even be the slightest bit interested in me.  My stepmother may have spewed verbal diarrhea from her bitchy mouth, but in a sense, she was right.  I am observant and know that guys like tall curvy blonds or brunettes.  I can’t remember one guy in my school career who even showed interest in me or any other redhead.  Kylynn and Tianya stay with me the rest of the day.  I lay in bed that night with a hand on my stomach.  I still can’t believe I am pregnant.  I just lay there staring at the ceiling and let everything sink in.  I know that I am capable of doing this both emotionally and financially.  I am just not sure if I can do it physically.  I had a picture of how I wanted my life to go.  I never thought I would have kids until now; no man has ever shown interest in me besides being my friend or someone I work with.  I still don’t think Kaden is interested, but we will see.

“Hey this just arrived for you.”  Cole says.

He is carrying a large basket full of different food items and drinks.  It is accompanied by a beautiful vase filled with blinding white-colored daisies.  The bouquet is stunning, and the flowers smell heavenly.  He sets the basket on my desk, and I look through it.  Every food item in it is for someone who is battling a stomach sickness.  I find a card within and pull it out.  

“Damn who is that from?”  Tianya asks.

“I don’t know I was just about to read the card.”  I answer.

They walk over and stand by me as I open the card.  I am pretty sure I hear one of the awe at what is written.

-Everly, 

Here are a few things I thought you might need to get over whatever you caught.  Please let me know if you need anything else.

-Kaden

I stare at the note for a while, unsure what to make of it.  I have never had anyone do anything like this for me before; well, not a guy, at least.  I sit down and try to process what is going on. 

“Seriously Everly if this isn’t an indication that Kaden is into you then I have no idea what is.” Kylynn says.

“I just, it’s just, I am having a hard time believing that a guy is interested in me that way.  I mean all through school none of the guys ever showed interest.”  I stumble out.

“That is bullshit.  You have no idea how many guys we had to fend off because they wanted you.  There were plenty of guys in school that wanted you, some we kept away on purpose since they were as these two so eloquently put it man-whores.  Most finally gave up when you showed no interest.  You never seemed to notice that they were into you and we could never figure out why.  Kylynn and Tianya are right, you need to forget all the bullshit your cunt of a stepmother said and open your eyes.  If you don’t you might not see the best thing standing in front of you and by the time you do it might be to late.”  Cole interjects. 

I watch as he walks away; all I can do is stare.  Kylynn and Tianya are staring as well.  I know that none of us expected him to be standing there, and we certainly didn’t expect him to give me that type of speech.  That is one thing I have always appreciated about all of my friends.  None are afraid to tell you the truth even if you don’t want to hear it.  I guess he is correct, but I still have my doubts.

(I got your gift.  Thank you so much. It was very sweet.  I especially loved the daisies.  I have no idea how you knew they were my favorite flowers.  I have them sitting on my desk in the stunning vase.-Me)

I hit the send button and got back to work.  I put most of the stuff in my cabinet. I have snacks and other food in there to eat if I get hungry and can’t get out or the day gets too busy to order lunch.  TING!

(You are welcome, my little sprite.  I was told ginger ale is good for nausea, so I put some in there.  No offense, but I tried some, and that shit is terrible, but if it helps you, then it is ok.-Kaden)

(Ginger ale is a very acquired taste, and I take no offense to it.  Neither Kylynn nor Tianya likes it either.  I need to get back to work now, as I imagine you do as well.-Me)

(Yes, I do, I would like to take you to dinner this Friday if that is ok with you.-Kaden)

(I would love that, but it may need to be something light and easy on the stomach.-Me)

(I know just the place.  I will pick you up at 7:30 and wear something casual this place isn’t fancy.-Kaden)

I smile like an idiot at my phone.  I decided to take Cole’s advice and see what happened.  I still have my worries and insecurities but I will never know if I don’t take a chance.