Saving Lotte Sullivan | Collingwood/Carlton

31 - Baby Daicos-Moore

'It's true' Nick said, taking a deep breath as he stood a few paces back from her, and looking down at the ground. The concrete. He suddenly pictured himself slamming his head against it.

'I'm sorry. I didn't want you to find out this way. I always thought I'd throw this big scavenger hunt at your house and get your sister and brother to help me - Nick? Are you listening to me?' Ella asked, as she loudly clicked her fingers in his face. He slowly shook his head as he sat down on the bench underneath him. 'I'm fucked' he said.

'Aren't you happy? You should be happy. You're going to be a dad, and unlike her, I'm keeping it. You won't have to live with any pain or traumatic memories, because the baby will always be here for the rest of our lives. I mean, unless god forbid something happens' Ella said, oblivious as ever as Nick looked at her stomach. He felt like he was the one who ought to throw up.

'My brother knew about this long before I did. He even told me. He cracked it at me and blurted it out over dinner one night. My parents and sister had to pretend they hadn't heard it. I didn't believe it. I called him a liar, threw my glass at him and probably hit him later on too. But here you are, telling me you're actually...oh man. Oh, fuck' Nick said, anxiously swallowing. His mouth was dry and his heart was racing.

'I did tell Josh at work one day. I told him he was going to be an uncle. He was so dopey and confused, thought I meant Madison or, or her were the pregnant ones. It was quite cute. But no, I meant me. I told him not to tell you, I wanted to be the one who did that' Ella explained, as Nick looked down at the pavement and shook his head again. 'This isn't happening' he said, mind spinning at 300km an hour.

'I'm 15 weeks, or nearly 4 months, so we have five to prepare until he or she comes along. Aren't you excited? I'm so excited. Our baby will be pure Collingwood, with your Daicos side and my Moore side. I'm also cousins with Oliver Henry on my mother's side, but that's a little known fact and he's probably going to leave. Oh Nicky, I just can't wait' Ashlyn said, squeezing his hand and leaning on his shoulder, massive smile across her face. He didn't reciprocate.

'I'm...you're...' he stuttered, unable to find the words, completely speechless.

'Oh, I know you're shocked at the moment. I probably didn't tell you in the best way, showing you the ultrasound photo like that and telling you the baby loved their daddy, you. But please don't be upset. They really do love you, Nicky. And I do too. I love you too. Please don't be angry at us' Ella said, as she placed a hand against her stomach. 'I wanted it to be Ashlyn I had kids to...if I ever had more' he inaudibly whispered. Ella still heard it.

'And what would have she done? Swallowed down even more pills and took them away? She's bad for you, Nick. She's bad for everyone and always has been. I care about you. Everyone cares about you. Let me look after you and our baby' Ella said, leaning her head on his shoulder again. His thoughts drifted off to his mother and father. He couldn't imagine them or his grandparents feeling very proud of him at that moment. His brother and sister, their partners. Ashlyn. What would they all think?

It was clear what Josh thought. He was very unimpressed and didn't like that he'd cheated. Nick suddenly didn't either. What happened to that precocious smart ass who'd forgotten all about his girlfriend to have another one night stand? He was dead now.

'Ashlyn didn't take pills. It was done at a hospital. I was there waiting for her' Nick said quietly, as he began fiddling with his keys deep in the pocket of his jeans. A nervous habit.

'Whatever she did, it was still incredibly wrong. You should forget about her' Ella said, as Nick pulled away and stood up. 'I think I'm going to be sick' he said.

Ella looked up at him as she rolled her eyes and folded her arms. 'You really are going to make this difficult, aren't you?' She asked, sighing and shaking her head. She knew exactly how to play the boy like a guitar, strings and all.