Her Secret Affair

Chapter 30

"I took the day off," Joseph told her on Monday morning as they were both getting ready, "I wanted to go with you to the doctor's."

"You didn't have to do that," she smiled at him.

"I know. We'll drop Nicky off on the way."

They drove to the hospital in silence, both their minds thinking about the meaning of this trip. Brianna's cast is being removed, and that means she would be leaving the house soon.

 "Brie, don't go. Look, I know we're both not in love with each other. I realize that, but we are good together. Can we wait until Nicky is older? Until he understands better?" Joseph asked as he pulled the car up in the hospital car park.

When she remained silent, "You can see him if you want to, I won't stop you. Just don't go," he said softly. The thought of being without her paralyzed him with fear.

"Jo, let's just go to this appointment, and then we can talk."

**********

The appointment went quicker than she thought. The cast was cut off and she was sent home after her consultation with her doctor. She had to do hydrotherapy and physical therapy, which she can do herself at home, but other than that she should be able to return the work next Monday.

It felt strange for her to have her arm free again. It had lost some muscle tone but the doctor had assured her she would gain it back after.

"Would you like to go somewhere or straight home?"

"Home, please. I can't wait to take a proper shower."

While in the shower, Brianna felt a slight wave of nausea. She got out, got dressed, and went to the kitchen for some peppermint tea.

"Everything ok?" Joseph asked when he saw her rummaging through the cabinet.

"Yeh, just looking for some peppermint tea. Felt a little nauseated. Think my breakfast didn't go down too well."

"Go sit down. I'll put the kettle on and bring you a cup."

Brianna sat down on the sofa and put on the T.V. A few minutes later, Joseph brought her a hot cup of peppermint tea. "Thanks."

"You're sure you ok?"

"Yeh, I'm fine."

"Can we talk now?"

"Joseph, we both know that our relationship is not like it used to be."

"Yes. I'm just asking you to stay here even with us separating. We are separating, are we not?"

She looked at him sadly, "Yes, it is inevitable. But I don't see how we can continue living together."

"Like we have been for the past 3 weeks," he answered hopefully.

"And how do we both move on if we are stuck in this bubble?"

"I don't know, we can make it work. Just give it some thought, ok? You can start looking for another place, but before you make any commitment just think about it."

"I'll think about it," Brianna answered, appeasing him.

**********

The next morning, the smell of coffee wafting through the bedroom sent Brianna running to the bathroom. "What the hell is wrong with me?" she thought.

Suddenly, she froze, panic coursing through her. She grabbed her phone and opened her Flo tracking app. Her period was two weeks late. With the accident and all the drama that followed, she had completely forgotten to take her contraceptive pills. She normally kept it in her bag, as she sees it every day when she opens it. But she hadn't been going anywhere, and as such had no use for her bag.

"No, no, no, no," she repeated as she racked her brain with some mental calculations. Her brain failed her. The past month has been a blur for her, days had melted into each other.

"What am I going to do? I can't be pregnant," she wondered worriedly.

"Are you alright?" she heard Joseph ask through the door.

"Yes, I'll be out in a minute."

**********

"I'll just have some tea this morning," she said as she sat down at the kitchen table.

"You look a bit pale," he said raising his eyebrows.

 "I think I may have caught something," she coughed softly. "I'll just rest a bit today and I'll be fine."

As soon as Joseph left, Brianna took her bag and walked to the pharmacy down the street. Half an hour later, she sat on the side of the bathtub, staring at the five positive pregnancy tests. She took her phone and texted Frankie.

B: We need to talk.

F: Is everything ok? Do you want me to come pick you up?

B: Yes.

B: Meant yes, come pick me up.

Frankie was knocking at her door half an hour later. Brianna had already carefully disposed all the pregnancy tests in case Joseph came home during the day.

"Hi, you look worried. Is everything ok?"

"Yes, can we go somewhere quiet?"

"Can I take you to my place? Mel is already gone."

"Ok."

She sat staring out of the window for the whole drive. Frankie's mind was frantic trying to figure out what was going on. "Is she going to stay with Joseph?" he wondered grimly.

"Would you like something to drink? Coffee? Tea?" he asked as they walked into his house. Her stomach churned at the mention of coffee.

"No thanks, I'm ok."

She sat down, and he took the sofa opposite her. After a few minutes of him just looking at her, she shifted uncomfortably in her seat.

"Brie..."

"There is no easy way to say this, so I'm just going to say it. I'm pregnant," she blurted.

Frankie froze in his seat and stared at her.

"I, um, I don't think I heard you correctly."

"I'm pregnant," she said slowly, holding her breath in anticipation.

Frankie sat wondering whether this was her way of telling him she was staying with Joseph, they are having another baby after all. 

"I know this may come as a surprise for you. It was for me, I'm still trying to wrap my head around it. But I thought you needed to know."

"I guess congratulations are in order then. I think that is the normal response to this kind of news?" he said softly, trying to keep his emotions in check. He felt his life crashing in front of him.

Brianna looked at him, dumbfounded.

"What?" she asked.

"Brie, I don't know what else you want me to tell you. I understand. You have been with him for quite a while, you live together. So, obviously, you sleep together. And that's what happens when people sleep together. If you're happy, then I can be happy for you."

With that, Brianna laughed.

"I don't think any of this is funny," he told, a flash of disappointment across his face.

"I'm sorry," she smiled, "I don't think I was clear. I'm pregnant with your child."