Another Chance

The What Ifs

Omniscient POV

Adrenaline coursed through his veins. The moment something that could be amazing for him and Janet was replaced by anxiety. She turned to Darius. He was so all over the place. He just paced the porch of his parent's house. 

"Please, Janet—" Darius began, but she interrupted him, her voice slightly trembling from nerves.

"Darius. We have to do this with her. I can't do this anymore. We need to tell her." 

The weight of her decision pressed heavily on her chest. If she didn't tell Darius' mother soon, they would have to continue living a charade, hiding. Janet's heart raced as she thought about the secret she and Darius were keeping, a precious piece of news that could change everything.

"But J—"

"No! You've been so worried about how she will react, but what about me? I deserve to celebrate this pregnancy without hiding. This marriage without regret. You know that I've been married before and it's not something that I take lightly. I want it to mean something. Be something real with you. I listened to you and waited, but now I'm pregnant. This is a whole life that needs to be cherished. If your mom and dad aren't on board, I need to know that now. You promised me. This is something that I've been looking forward to. Having this baby with you."

The fire in her voice was undeniable, and Darius knew she was right. Darius almost felt cornered. He loved Janet more than anything, but he also felt that he needed to protect her and their baby. He knew that she didn't understand what his mother was capable of. She was stubborn, and when she got an idea in her head there was no changing it. 

"Promise me that you'll be open minded about whatever she says." He said, trying to find a compromise.

"Darius, baby, I'll be fine. I've dealt with a lot more than you will ever realize. This is nothing." And she meant it. Her past relationships and dealing with the media throughout her whole life had prepared her for this moment. For any moment. 

"What if she doesn't accept you, Janet?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

The thought of his mom's disapproval of Janet gnawed at him, wrapping him in a shroud of worry. He knew how she could be. He just wanted peace. 

"It'll be fine you'll see." Janet replied, her smile small as it tried to cover her own fears. But deep down, she shared his apprehension as much as she hated to admit. 

Darius's heart raced as he watched, waiting. The weight of her determination a force. Janet fidgeted glancing at the door, waiting for it to open. When Darius' mother, a woman with sharp features and an unwavering demeanor, opened the door, Janet's felt her stomach drop.

"Darius? I wasn't expecting you!!" She excitedly hugged him. She turned then to see Janet standing there. "And you brought your boss!? Hello Ms. Jackson!" She gave her a polite hug, the confusion evident on her face. 

Janet politely nodded at her. Darius led them bringing her in. 

"Hey mom!" He kissed her cheek lightly as they passed. "I just needed to talk to you about some things. And I figured it'd be easier with Janet here."

His mother raised her eye at how informal he was about his boss. At how he held her hand carefully, almost possessively leading her into the house. 

He took a deep breath as he led Janet deeper in the house, following his mom to the living room. The one significant hurdle that seemed to loom over them—Darius's mother, Gloria. Known for her aggressive demeanor and unyielding opinions and harsh complaints.

As they approached the couch, Janet felt a knot form in her stomach. Darius squeezed her hand. The gaze in his eyes of "We can do this." But she could see the uncertainty in his eyes.