Acquiesce

Don't Marry Her

December 1996

Trix knew the signs. She wasn't stupid. She'd skipped a period. Sore boobs, nausea. She'd held off for a few weeks hoping for her period to come every day. Maybe it was stress? 4 weeks and her period never came. 

She sat on the toilet lid of bustling London King's Cross Station and exhaled shakily. The last moment she could claim ignorance before her life would change forever. She  stared down at the two strong, red lines on the pregnancy test. There was no mistaking it. Inside herself she'd known for weeks already. She cried. Tears of joy and fear and despair. Noel had left messages and called over the last few weeks but she couldn't face it. Couldn't face him. What they'd done. But she would have to now. She had no choice.

She'd have to tell him. It was his right. But she didn't want him to stay by her side out of duty which she knew he'd do. She wanted him to love her. To choose her. He's getting married you fucking idiot. What a mess. She placed her hand over her still flat stomach and phoned the Doctors. Her first scan was in 3 weeks right before Christmas. Liam's wedding was in 4. Fucking hell. What a mess. And yet as she dried her eyes in the mirror she couldn't help but feel warmth spread through her. She was carrying his baby. She would be lying if she said she hadn't fantasised about it in some teen domestic fantasy future she'd envisioned for herself.

She hadn't planned it like this. Peggy would disown her. Liam would punch Noel. And Noel...oh Noel. Would he even want this? She'd raise this baby alone if she had to. That was the moment when she knew she really wanted it. With all of her heart. She smiled as she looked down imagining her growing belly. Just you and me kid. If it has to be.

She walked to the Lock Tavern her mind buzzing. She had to eat a croissant on the way to combat the hunger pain nausea that had just started a few days ago. Great.

Liam was standing there downing a pint of Guiness. Her eyes widened his John Lennon hair was gone. Buzzed in hair just like his brother and just like he'd had as a 15 year old delinquent.

Trix smiled at him warmly.

"Ay bringing back your bad boy look?" She said reaching up to ruffle his hair.

Liam grinned his one dimpled smile.

"Yeah. Patsy likes it. Finds it sexy and that. I mean I am sexy anyway. Always."

Trix laughed and felt all her worries about the baby slip to the back of her mind.

He hugged her tightly and she felt safe and warm in his arms. She pulled back and Liam gave her a strange look.

"You look really good Trix. Really good."

Trix frowned.

"Liam...you're getting married. You had 14 years to tell me you felt like that about me." She teased.

Liam rolled his eyes.

"Nah not like that. You're just all glowing again. More than before. I forgot you could do that. Happy for you mate."

Trix blushed guiltily. Oh God. What if he could tell? She needed a drink.

They sat at the table and she unthinking took a swig of her pint. Wait. She couldn't do this anymore. She tried to discreetly spit her pint back in the glass but Liam definitely noticed.

He frowned at her.

"What the fuck are you doing?"

Trix shook her head guiltily.

"Nothing. So tell me about the wedding. It all sorted now?"

Liam nodded hesitantly still glancing between Trix's glowing, flushed skin and her untouched pint.