Chapter Three

A month later... the end of January*

I sit at my desk, my head swirling as a wave of nausea rips through me. I tried to tough it out but it's inevitable. With no time to run to the bathroom, I grab the wastebasket beside my desk and hurl right into it, emptying the contents of my stomach.

"Ughh."

Little beads of sweat form across my forehead as I lean over the trash can one more time.

"Girl, are you alright in here? I heard you in the hallway."

Penny comes in and rushes to the sink, getting me a cold rag to put against my forehead as I slump on top of my desk.

"Thanks, Penny. I don't know what it is, but I've been feeling like shit lately."

"Have you seen your doctor?" She asks, tapping her fingers against her chin.

"No, I've been swamped with all the things I put off when I took my trip; I haven't had the time."

"Well, we do work in a doctor's office, I can run some tests on you, and then you should take the rest of the day off."

"Might as well take advantage of it, right?" I shrug, knowing my job would come in handy for personal reasons eventually.

"Okay, let me get some blood and a few nose swabs from you. Oh, and might as well get a urine sample too."

Penny collects all of the samples she needs and gets them ready to be rushed to the lab as I roll my sleeve down. I don't even second-guess the urine sample. As shifty as I feel, my brain. Is in a complete fog, so for any and every test she can run, I want her to run it.

"Now go home and get some rest. I'll call you when we know something."

"Unfortunately, I can't just yet; I'm having lunch with my mother and she has news to tell me she said."

"Ugh mothers, am I right?" She laughs, rolling her eyes while making a crazy gesture to the side of her head with her finger, spinning it around.

"One hundred percent," I say in agreement.

My phone rings, interrupting Penny and I's laughter. Looking down, I see Cole's name flash across the screen.

"I have to take this, Pen. Thanks for running those tests, and make sure you call me when the results come in."

"Will do, girl! Feel better, okay?"

"Yeah, Penny. I'll try."

As soon as she skips out of my office, I answer the phone, smiling when that smooth, deep voice booms on the other end.

"Hey, you! How's work going?" His cheery tone brings a smile to my face but I still can't get the fact that he has a girlfriend off my mind.

"Besides the fact I can't keep anything down, it's going great."

"Still not feeling good I take it? Why are you at work then? You work with a bunch of children, you shouldn't be there." Genuine sympathy coats his hypnotic voice, melting my bleeding heart.

"I felt okay when I woke up, and fine halfway through the day, but I just barfed in the fucking trash bin twice."

"Too much information, Scarlet. So are you going home?"

"I wish. I have a lunch date I have to go to." I huff once the words leave my lips, rolling my eyes even though he can't see through the phone.

"Lunch date? You're dating?" His jealousy-laced voice rings softly in my ear; the vulnerability is apparent, and it tugs on my heartstrings.

"No Cole. My mother wants to meet me for lunch. Apparently, she has something to tell me." Noticing the time I gather my things in a rush, almost late meeting her.

"Hey, I'm getting ready to walk to the car to go meet her. Can I call you later?"

"Yeah, ha enjoy lunch, make sure you say hi to your mom for me."

"Ha, bye, Cole."

"Bye sweetie."

I hang up the phone and exit my office quickly; God forbid I'm late for lunch with my mother.

Sweetie. It gives me the chills when he calls me that, but the situation with us is a little complicated now.

After our amazing night in California, when we got back to New York, things changed abruptly. Cole started casually seeing some girl that he works at the youth center with, so nothing else has happened with us. I'd be mad if it was a brand new thing, but it's not; they've hung out before, so it wasn't all that surprising.

He never would have gone for it if I hadn't told him that we couldn't have sex again. I didn't want to complicate things. Too late. I deeply regret saying that, but as long as he's happy, then I'm happy for him; deep down a little envious.

I pull into the restaurant and whip into an empty spot up front, trying to hurry, so my mother isn't kept waiting. I spot her immediately when I walk in, smiling at the hostess as I pass her to join my lovely mother.

"You're late Scarlet. Punctuality was never your thing."

I slide into my chair and give her a noticeable eye roll, gratefully drinking the water that's set in front of me.

"It's nice to see you too, mother. Sorry about my tardiness, I was at work."

She sips on her cocktail, tapping her nails loudly on the table as she eyes me up and down; checking out my appearance.

"You couldn't have changed before meeting me, Scarlet?"

"Again, I was at work. If I was already late, how would I have found the time to change?"

You're snappy today." She says, adding insult to injury.

"You're extra bitchy." I reply, giving her a taste of her own medicine.

"Jesus, Scarlet, language. I wanted to have lunch today, to invite you to dinner so you can meet the man I'm dating."

"Finally, it's been months and you've refused to tell me who he is. You could have called to invite me, though.." Hearing the way the tone of my voice came out, I knew immediately that I needed to apologize. "Sorry, that came out harsh. I just haven't been feeling well, and was heading home to sleep after this."

"Have you seen a doctor?" She asks, pretending she cares.

"Penny took blood, urine, and nose swabs, she's running tests now so I should know something by tonight."

"Do you think you'll be able to make dinner or should we reschedule?"

"No, I'll be there, mom. Where is it?" Saying it with annoyance, I ask her, not wanting to go one bit.

"At my place, seven o'clock, and please don't be late, honey."

"I won't. Can I go, though? I need to sleep. I can barely keep my eyes open."

"Yes. Go. I'd rather you're better for dinner, but call me if you decide against it." She scoffs with a slight attitude laced in her voice.

"Will do."

I get up from my seat and go to say goodbye to my mother, giving her a one-armed hug that she doesn't even bother reciprocating.

After saying bye, I walk back out to my car in an urgent hurry to get home before I throw up again. Urghh, I hope Penny calls soon, some antibiotics should fix me right up. The second I get home, I dash to the bathroom and empty my stomach again, before crawling into bed. Need...Sleep…

Hours later, after some Pepto and some sleep, I woke up feeling ten times better than earlier. I need to get ready for Mom's dinner. The shower is calling my name. The hot water from the shower feels good, relaxing my tight muscles and achy body, making me feel like myself again.

I'm trying to come up with any guesses of who my mother's mysterious man might be, but I'm stumped. I'm anxious to meet him, Mom doesn't have a great track record with men or relationships.

She liked the bad boys who always turned out beating her, cheating on her, etc.; just like my father who is MIA. My mom had me when she was fifteen and my dad was eighteen. They had a tumultuous relationship and it just never worked out.

I never knew my dad growing up, he was in and out of my life, on drugs; they mattered more apparently. He's in New York and I do see him from time to time, but as far as him being my father, he's not–never has been.

I hope the guy I meet tonight is different from the rest of them; I can usually tell by looking at them.

After thinking about tonight's possibilities, I climb out of the shower and head to my closet to find something to wear.

Before I know it, I'm pulling down my mom's long driveway at

6:45. I give myself a pat on the back; I'm not late. That's a first.

Not paying attention to the cars here–there are always so many of them–I walk inside, leaving my shoes in the foyer.

"MOM, I'M HERE!"

"LIVING ROOM!"

Barefoot, I make my way through the mansion, going around in a maze-like fashion, until I get to the living room.

"Well, there you are, and you're early." My mother gasps when I walk in, pretending to be shocked as she sips from her glass of wine.

"I know, even I was impressed." I joke along with her, stroking her ego and putting myself down, a typical night with her. "You look beautiful, mom, that's a pretty dress," I tell her, changing the topic. She smiles, always eating up a compliment.

"I bought it for tonight. You look...comfortable." She rolls her eyes at my outfit, making me smile. Knowing she was going to have something to say about it, that's the whole reason I put it on to begin with. That and I wanted to be comfortable.

"That's the point."

She clears her throat, obviously changing the subject. "Did you get your test results yet?" Taking a sip of her wine, she asks, flipping her long brown hair over her shoulder.

"No, I'm still waiting for Penny's call. Where's your boyfriend?"

"Him and his son are on the way." The second she says it, she grabs my attention, and she knows it too.

"Oh, he has a son?" I ask curiously, trying not to let her see it, though.

"Yes, darling; a sweet boy."

A devilish smile spreads across her lips as she smirks at the confused look on my face. The doorbell rings and her face lights up as she shoots up from the couch to dash to the door. When she does that, I finally sit down. Can't wait for this...

I hear voices approaching, but before they enter the living room, my phone rings; Penny's name flashing on the screen. Finally answers! Without hesitation I answer the call, trying to keep my voice to a whisper.

"Hey, Penny! Do you have news for me?!" Hoping she does, I keep a smile on my face, wishing everything is fine.

When she answers she doesn't sound as enthusiastic as I do, which gets my nerves going as my anxiety builds.

"Hey, girl, yeah I got your results. Are you sure you want them over the phone?" Her tone is playful almost, making me think she's fucking with me.

"Yeah, girl it can't be that bad." I laugh, wondering why she's making a bigger deal out of it than she should be. It's probably nothing.

"That all depends on how you feel about it." She says mysteriously.

"Okay...Penny, you're worrying me. Am I okay?"

"Yes, you're okay. You're as healthy as a horse, Scarlet." She says happily, letting me breathe a sigh of relief.

"Then what is it?"

"Are you sitting?"

"PENNY!" I scream, growing impatient.

"Okay, okay... Scar-"

Right at that second the voices from the other room are louder and my jaw drops when I see who walks in the living room.

The phone falls from my ear and lands on the floor with a loud thud as I sit here frozen in my spot.

"Cole?" Confusion has my brows knitting together.

The smile on my mother's face is enormous as she wraps her arm around Cole's father's, kissing him on the cheek. They're not alone, though. The girl Cole is seeing walks in with them, standing hip to hip next to Cole. No words come out as an awkward silence fills the atmosphere, Penny's voice screaming through the phone on the floor. I didn't hear what she said. The shock of who my mother was dating hit me in full force. I pick it up and put it to my ear, my hand shaking uncontrollably.

"Scarlet, are you there?"

"Y-Yeah, sorry, I didn't catch what you said."

"You're pregnant, Scarlet…"

"W-What?!There's no way-" Panic fills my voice as my heartbeat thunders in my ears, blocking out all other sounds around me.

And then I remember the night of my birthday, when Cole and I had sex and my face goes ghostly white.

"Thanks, Penny. I'll see you at work. I have to go…"

"Bye, Scarlet, feel better! Congrats, girl!"

I avoid Cole's gaze the best I can, still trying to come to terms with what Penny just said. "You're pregnant."

My stomach turns as I put the phone down and paste a fake smile on for my mom's company. I can't believe it's Cole's dad. That's not even the most shocking part of tonight, though. Being pregnant with Cole's baby takes the cake.

"Honey, I believe you know Christian, and Cole, and this sweet thing Hanna is Cole's girlfriend." My mother says with a smile on her face as she rocks my already rocked world.

"I had no idea, Scarlet... I'm sorry." Cole says, looking just as pissed as me.

"Hey, sweetie. It's good to see you again. Sorry, your mother and I kept this from you guys; we wanted to be sure…" Cole's father says, trying to prevent the argument that's about to happen.

"Y-You're dating each other? Jennifer, this is who you've been dating and keeping from me?" I use her first name which passes her off."

"Don't be rude, Scarlet. It's not like you don't know Mr. Caldwell. We just weren't sure how you and Cole would take it."

"I'm- It's-"

"Have you met Hanna? She's such a sweetheart."

My mom practically shoves Hanna towards me and I politely shake her hand. Even though we've met before, I'm highly uncomfortable.

"Hey, girl, good to see you again." I smile, faking it.

The smile she gives me has my blood boiling. I glance at Cole, thinking about the baby we made that no one knows about.

"Hi!! You look so cute, Scarlet!" She squeals, her voice piercing my eardrums and making my stomach turn.

"Thanks, Hanna, you do too." Playing nice, I say the first thing that comes to mind

"Mom, I'm happy for you and Christian... I just- I need some air, excuse me."

"Your mother told me you haven't been feeling well." Christian, Cole's dad says, giving me a warm smile.

"No, just a little under the weather," I say, forcing a smile.

"Has Penny called?" My mother asks, giving me a worried look with a smug smirk...

"Why would Penny be calling you?" He asks, his brow raised intriguingly.

"Scarlet had her run some tests to see why she hasn't been feeling well." My mom tells him, even though I didn't want her to. She can't seem to keep my business private.

Cole looks at me, concern filling his eyes, and all I want to do is run into his arms… but it wouldn't be appropriate.

"Uh, nope, no phone call yet." The lie slips from my lips, making me feel sick in a whole different way.

When Hanna reaches down and grabs Cole's hand in hers, nausea creeps up on me again as I dash to the closest bathroom.

"SCARLET!" Cole screams after me.

In the safety of the locked bathroom, I turn the sink on and sit on the edge of the tub, wishing none of this was true.

How can I be pregnant if we used a condom?! And now he has a girlfriend. What the fuck am I going to do?!

There's a knock at the door, and I can tell that it's Cole before he even speaks, making tears prick the corners of my eyes.

"Scar? Are you alright in there?"

"Go away, Cole… please."

The panic in his voice sends a shiver right through me, painfully tugging on my heart. He's not mine, he never was. Who am I to ruin things for him with Hanna? I can't do that, I just can't How am I going to tell him the news?

He keeps knocking, wanting me to let him inside as I sit here upset, shocked, and not knowing what to do.

"Please let me in... I have your jacket and stuff. I just want to talk, Scarlet...please?"

"Fine, Cole. It's unlocked."

The door opens and he slips inside, looping my jacket over my shoulders before locking the door and sitting down with me.

"Thanks."

"No problem. How are you holding up?" Concern fills his beautiful eyes.

"Rrrgghh, awful."

"Do you want me to take you home?"

"I can't have you do that. What about Hanna?"

"She drove here, I'll just tell her that you need me and she'll be fine-" He sounds worried and his emotions tugs on my heart again.

"Cole, I don't need you... You can stay with your girlfriend."

"No, of course you don't need me; you never need anyone, but I want to help you."

"Cole-" I begin to protest, but he cuts me off, putting his finger to my lips.

"Stop being so stubborn. And Hanna isn't my girlfriend, we're just hanging out; we haven't defined the relationship yet."

"Potato, potato." I say jokingly, trying to play it off.

"I'm serious." He looks into my eyes, giving me an unfamiliar chill that cascades along my spine, scattering tingles along the base of my neck.

As much as I would love to go home and tell Cole the news, I don't want to make Hanna feel uncomfortable with us leaving. Then again, they're not dating so I wouldn't be crossing any boundaries, maybe making enemies though.

"Okay, please take me home then."

After hugging me, he helps me to my feet; with his arm around my waist, holding me up, we head back to find my mom.

"Well there you two are, we were beginning to-"

Hanna, my mother and Cole's dad, are sitting on the couch drinking wine, and laughing as we come out of the bathroom.

"Are you alright honey? You're as white as a ghost!"

"She's still not feeling good, Jennifer, I'm going to take her home."

"Aww poor thing." His father smiles at me, a sincere look flickering in his eyes.

"Hanna, are you okay getting home on your own? Scarlet needs me." Cole asks, earning himself a nasty scowl from Hanna.

I elbow him in the ribs when he says that; I don't need anyone, especially not a man.

"Urgh... Uh, I want to take her home. She's my best friend and I just want to make sure she's okay."

He blushes as he awkwardly explains the situation. I can feel Hanna's death glare burning into me from across the room.

"That's fine, Cole. I'll just head back to your place and wait for you there."

I can feel Cole's grip on me tighten when she says that, as if he doesn't want her back at his place; he's so confusing.

"I'm actually going to spend the night at Scarlet's in the guest room, so... I'll see you at work tomorrow," Cole says shyly, rubbing the back of his neck.

"Oh. Sure, make sure she's alright." Hanna sneers with an attitude but keeps a smile on her face.

"That's sweet of you, son, always looking out for Scarlet since you two met."

"Surely you don't need Cole to abandon his date just to take you home?" My mother glares at me, sticking her nose in the air.

"I-"

"I forced her to let me take her home. She's too stubborn to just come out and ask anyone." Cole says, bumping my shoulder with his.

"Alright, Scarlet, honey, make sure you call me when Penny tells you the news. I need to know if you're contagious."

"Yes, mom."

"Sorry about ruining dinner, Mr. Caldwell. It was good to see you."

"It's great to see you again too, Scar. I'm glad the news is out about your mother and me, and I hope you're okay with it."

It's fucking weird, especially now that I'm pregnant with Cole's baby and my mother and his father are dating too.

"Mom, Christain, I'm very happy for you guys."

Cole drags me away before I can say anything else, and I'm glad he did.

The second we step outside and the cold air hits me in the face, I vomit into my mother's rose bushes beside the door. Cole looks at me suddenly, like something dawns on him, but he doesn't say anything as he whisks me off to my car.

The ride back to my place is a quiet one; I try to focus on my breathing and not the motion of the vehicle.

Inside, I race upstairs and slip into my pajamas, curling up in bed as Cole stands in the doorway, holding my phone.

His face is frozen in shock; at what, I have no idea right now.

"Scarlet."

"What is it?"

He stands there at a loss for words, with his focus on me hard.

"Scarlet…"

"Cole?"

"I- You-..."

"What?"

"Penny called...I answered it... You're-"

Oh god. No No No No No! Please don't tell me she opened her mouth and spilled the news! I sit here freaking out silently.

"Scarlet, is there something you want to tell me?"

Nervously I play with the hem of my silky robe, avoiding Cole's gaze at all costs. This isn't how I wanted to tell him.

"Scarlet?"

"Yes, there is something I have to tell you, Cole." Taking a deep breath, I continue, just wanting to get it all off my chest. "I'm pregnant, and you're the father."

Next thing I know, he's rushing to my bedside wrapping me tightly in his arms, afraid to let me go. I have no idea how we're going to navigate things moving forward, and no idea if he's going to stay by my side.

"I can't believe I'm going to be a dad!"

He screams, happily and excitedly, as he brings his lips to mine, kissing me with every ounce of passion inside of him.

"Oh my god, I can't believe we're having a baby Scarlet... Oh...My...God…"

The way he says it the second time starts to make me start to freak out again. What are we going to do?!