Gary and Libby - Take One

Chapter Seventy Five

  I dont know how long ive been crying for. Too long. My eyes are stinging and my chest hurts, im cold from sitting on the kitchen floor, but i have to energy to move. I choke back the last of my tears, God im so tired. If i wasnt so tired and grotty this wouldnt have happened.
I pull my phone back down from the worktop and stare at it blankly.

8:17 pm

Theres not text from Gary. No missed call, nothing. Its been two hours, i need to speak to him. Im worried. Without hesitation i dial his number.

Ring....Ring....Ring.....Ring....Ring....Rin-

"Hey Baby..." Gary voice is quiet.
"Hey..." I murmur back, i want to cry again just at the sound of his voice.
"Baby im sorry." Gary sighs, "I shouldnt have left you, are you okay?"
"Not really...." I bite my lip to try and stop the tears falling. "Where are you?"
"Im at the stuio."
"Can you come back home now please Gary?..." I dont think my voice is even audible.
"Ill have to wait for a taxi Lib, ive had a bit too much to drink..."
"Ill come and get you." The words are out of my mouth before ive even had chance to think about what im saying.
"N-no, I dont want you driving Libby."
"No Gary im coming," I say, picking up my keys and heading for the front door. "Im getting in the car now," I pull the phone away from my ear and go to hang up, before pulling it back again.
"Love you Gary."
"Love you too Baby." Comes his reply. And then im off, cruising down the road to go and fetch him.

I take a deep breath, my heart is still beating at a ridiculous speed. I just want to hol him, i dont want another argument tonight, or ever again for that matter. He said hed had a 'bit' too much to drink, how much is a bit? He didnt sound very drunk on the phone....

Ten minuets later i pull up outside the studio and climb out. My knees are weak and i realise i havent actually eaten anything since lunchtime. I push open the heavy doors and climb the stairs to the floor where the boys studio is.
"Gary?" I call quietly as i push open the door. "You here?"
I can hear two people speaking. One of them is Gary, and the other...No. No. It cant be. He wouldnt.
I cup my hand to my mouth to stiffle the sob when i realise it is infact Nicole. They're around the corner and cant see my, however i cant just about make out what they are saying.

"But why not Gary?..." Nicole sounds like shes wining. Gary mumbles something, i think, under his breath before he speaks.
"What the fuck are you playing at Nicole?"
"Nothing Gary..." She speaks again. "You know how i feel.
"And you know how i feel." Comes Garys reply. "Im with Libby, we're having a baby, getting married and i love her with every single peice of my heart. What the fuck is so difficult to understand?!" He hisses.
Fuck. He was telling the truth when he said nothing was going on....unless of course he knows im here. I decide to listen for a little longer.
"Gary you're only with her because i coulnt give you a child."
"No." Gary snarls. "Im with Libby because you ran off with Mark. Now if you'll excuse me im going to wait for her outside. I dont want you trying to tell her any bullshit."
Nicole doesn't say anything back, just grunts instead. I decide to make myself know.

"Gary im he-" I stop mid-sentence, frozen still. I cant move. I cant breathe. I cant even cry. Only stare. I feel my knees begin to buckle as i watch Gary in front of me. He has his back towards me, Nicoles arms around his neck. Shes kissing im, kissing him passionatly. Her eyes are open and she glares at me over his shoulder.
I watch Garys hands grab onto her shoulder as he pushes her off him.
"Do you not understand the meaning of the word No?!" He bellows, nearly causing the room to shake. Nicole just smiles sweetly in my direction, causing Gary to spin around.
"Shit...Libby..." He breathes, taking a step towards me. Instinctively, i take a step back. "No baby its not what it looks like okay? Come on." He holds out his arms for me, but i dont move. I cant move. I cant do anything, i cant deal with this. I dont know who or what to believe. I cant see anything because tears are streaming down my cheeks. I feel sick, my heart is racing and my stomach feels tight. I need to go home. Desperately. I want to go home and get into bed and pretend its all a bad dream, because this cant really be happening. I make a move for the door, but Gary grabs my wrists.
"Get off me!" I scream from nowhere, making even myself jump. "Get off me Gary! Leave me alone!!" I pull out of Garys grip and reach for the door handle through my blurred vision.
"Libby wait!" He begins to walk after me so i start to run, i just need to be away from him right now. I need to think.

And then thats it. I cant see through my tears and i can only hear Gary yelling my name as i begin to tumble down the stairs.

I feel Garys strong arm around my shoulder and his voice in my ear.
"Libby! Libby you stupid girl! Are you okay?!"
I cant answer, my head in spinning, i feel disorientated and everything hurts. And thats when i feel it. Pain like ive never felt it before. I can do nothing but scream loudly, throwing my head into Garys chest.
"Libby what is it?!" He asks urgently.
"It hurts Gary!!" I wail, doubling over in pain. I hear him breathe something under his breath.
"Call an ambulance for fucks sake!" Hes speaking to someone but im not sure who. I could be Nicole, but i really dont know.
"Hey...Hey Baby." He pulls me back against his chest, wrapping his arms around me tighter as he speaks into my hair. "Its alright, come on. Can you tell me whats wrong?"
I try and speak, but it doesnt work. I can only sob uncontrollably as another wave of pain washes through me, making me scream.
"Hey hey hey!" I can hear the panic rising in Garys voice as he moves himself so hes kneeling down in front of me, holding onto my arms to hold me up. I dont feel right, i feel disorientated and like im going to pass out.

"Excuse me." An unfamiliar voice forces me to open my eyes. "My names Amy, im a paramedic." I think shes smiling but i cant tell through my tears. "Can you tell me whats wrong Elizabeth?"
I just shake my head as i gasp for more breath to fuel my sobs. I can still feel Garys fingers stroking from my neck to the middle of my back.
"How many weeks pregnant is she?" Amys talking to Gary now.
"Er.." Gary breathes behind me. "Thirty three, thirty four?"
"Okay." Amy runs her hands down my arms and interlocks our fingers. "Can you stand up for me Libby?" Her voice is kind. "We need to get you to hospital."
"Hospital?!" Gary asks urgently, jumping up behind me and helping me to my feet. "Why?"
"I think your baby is about to arrive Mr Barlow." Comes the reply.
What?! Fuck! No!