The Big Secret

Little Bean

"What?" Luke shouted, I've never heard his voice raised like this. "I don't think I want to. It's ruined my life enough" I looked down at my feet. "Erin, you're talented. It hasn't ruined your life only if you let it" "I'm not, I'm just your average player" Luke started laughing. "Average player? Are you serious? You got scouted for your national team" I shrugged "I've seen you play Erin. Trust me, you're way more than your average player" he mimicked my words. When did he see me play? How? "I watched the Ireland England game. I knew who you were before we officially met"

How did he know what I was thinking? "You've got the opportunity to coach sharks. Then if you don't want to play you can coach full time" Luke started lecturing me as he drove, sometimes he would throw his arms in the air, emphasising his point, which only made me laugh.

"The head coach knows that we're having a baby" "what?" I looked at him in disbelief. "You did what?" should I be angry at him for telling people already? Yes I'm past the high risk zone but it's still an issue. Either way It's not his news to tell. My heart started racing and my face began to heat up. "Would you rather me tell her you're having a baby with someone who doesn't want it?" He snapped as we pulled up to his drive way.  I stopped myself from screaming at him. "Luke" I took one deep breathe before continuing my sentence but he already got out the car.

As I jumped out the car, trailing slowly behind Luke, my phone started ringing, unknown number. "hi this is Katy calling from the Sharks women team" "Hi Katy, I presume Luke has passed on my number" Luke paused at the door as he flashed me the biggest smile. "Yes he has" she laughed. "We seen you play for the Irish team and Luke mentioned you would be interested in coaching while you are expecting, congratulations by the way." "Thank you, I'm not one hundred percent sure, I've only been on the playing side of the pitch so it will all be new to me" "everyone's got to start somewhere and we've got a game tomorrow against Bristol Bears, so if you're free meet us at Carrington for ten and you can meet the team and see how they play" "sure, I'll see you tomorrow" Luke's face lit up. "See you tomorrow Erin" and with that I hung up the phone.

"So you've got the job?" Luke already had Elton running round his feet "I'm going to watch them play tomorrow" he ran over to me. Before I knew it, my feet were off the ground and we were spinning. "I told you" Luke smiled. All I could focus on was the happiness in his eyes and all the anger I had faded away. "See everything will work out" we stopped spinning and shared a smile. "What would I do without you Luke?" He let out a single laugh "I said it before, I'm here for the long haul and you'll always be my little home wrecker" I could feel myself turning red.

"I suppose it's time to tell the world about our little bean" Luke's face instantly lit up. "Can we at least tell my parents and Sam first before we make it public?" I nodded. But my phone ringing, again, interrupted our moment and Luke gently put me down.

"Conor" I answered the phone. "Where are you?" He sounded irritated. "I'm good thanks how are you?" I rolled my eyes. "Erin quit playing. Your parents are worried about you" "I'm fine Conor, I'm not your problem anymore" he instantly huffed. "You'll always be my problem Erin" "put it on speaker" Luke whispered, I shook my head and wondered down the drive away from Luke.

"All you need to know is I'm fine and I'm doing this on my own. I dont need you or my parents" "Erin, I'm done fighting with you. Just tell mum and dad where you are" with that he hung up the phone. I hovered over my mum's number, but before I could even call her my phone rang.

"Dad?" "Erin where are you?" Why don't people realise I'm not a child anymore. "I'm safe" was all I could say. "Send me your location and I will pick you up" I rolled my eyes "No" "Erin Elizabeth Conroy" wow its been a long time since he's full named me, which instantly made my blood boil. "I mean it Erin get home now" "No you told me to stand on my own two feet so here I am standing on my own two feet" I hung up the phone, I'm not some child everyone can boss about.

I sat myself on the edge of Luke's driveway watching the world go by. "I've called a family meeting, everyone will be here in an hour" Luke appeared in front of me he looked so happy until my eyes met his. "What's wrong?" Luke sat next to me. "I need to sort my life out" I let out a single laugh but Luke raised his eyesbrows. "I need to buy a house and baby stuff"

"You've got here" he pointed back to his drive. "This is your house, you already do too much for me. I need to stand on my own two feet" Luke rolled his eyes. "Yes, but you don't have too. You have me" "and drag you down with me like I did to Conor?" Luke shook his head.

"I told you I'm here for you, we will get through this. I want to be in yours and the baby's life. I want to co parent with you" I looked at Luke. "Erin I mean what I said about being here for the long haul. Whatever you need I'll sort it" I held back the tears. "You can have the spare room and I'll move everything out the office so we can build a nursery" I couldn't form words, all I could do was nod at him.

"That's my little bean as much as it's yours"