A Shade Darker (on hold)

Chapter 9

My nurse Judy, stood to the right of my bed, checking the data from the machines I was still hooked up to. Dr. Shaw said it was important to stay hooked up just in case unknown damage from my head injury caused something to happen.

I had been so tired. The whole day was so mentally and physically. I've gotten the shock of my life and had a head injury. The father of my child was undetermined and I just wanted to sleep.

 At least the father would only be undetermined for a little while. The labs were testing our blood as we spoke. My doctor said that the results would be given to us within that hour.

"Hey Chad, can I talk to Aubrey alone for a minute?" Colton whispered.

Chad raised an unpromising eyebrow at him. "What do you need to say to her?"

"I just need to talk to her, okay? You aren't in charge of her." Looking at me, Colton frowned.

I couldn't stand their bickering. No pain killer had been able to completely rid my headache and the fighting didn't help out either. "Colton, you're just going to have to say it in front of him.He will just have to bear it."

Smiling because he got his way, Colton came and sat on the side of my bed. His hand cupped onto mine. "Look Aubrey, if it's my baby-"

Chad cut him off, "Just stop right there. It's gonna be mine."

"Enough, Chad." I didn't even glance at him. I kept my eyes on Colton. He deserved to say whatever he needed to to me.

"If it's my baby I want you to know that I will be here for you. I will go out and get a job. Aubrey, I'll marry you." His eyes sparkled with happiness. Colton really cared about this.

I couldn't help but peek at Chad. His face was boiling red. I'm proud he didn't say anything though. He needed to let Colton and I work this out. His turn to talk could be after Colton.

Pushing a lock of hair behind my ear he continued, "We could be a family, Aubs. I'll do anything I can to make sure that you and this baby are taken care of."

"Colton, you know I'm with Chad. If the baby is yours I'm still going to be with him. I'm sorry."

What was I saying? I have to be open minded to ideas. If the baby really was Colton's I doubt I would be able to keep a healthy relationship with Chad up.

The spark in his blue eyes disappeared as fast as it came. "I understand."

With that, Colton got up from the bed and left the room. I knew I should have called for him but I could tell her needed a minute to be alone.

"Don't listen to his shit. You know, it's going to be mine. I'll take care of you guys." Chad broke the silence left in the room.

I almost didn't want the baby to be Chad's. Colton cared so much more. From what Chad has showed me since he's been here he isn't in love with me. But Colton is. He may deny it but I know Colton is in love with me.

Not wanting to talk about this anymore, I summoned for Chad to come sit with me. "Tell me all about your trip. We haven't really gotten to talk about it."

Getting comfortable, Chad wrapped an arm around me and sighed, "It was really great. I had such an amazing time. I wish you could have experiences some of the things I did."

"How was your family?" I liked having Chad be all excited. It was adorable.

Grinning he rambled on, "Aubrey, my family is great. I have an older brother and he's so cool. We're actually a lot alike. My younger sister is super cool too. She plays soccer and damn, she's good. I have a younger brother who is just the sweetest. He looked up to me. Then I have this little sister. She attached herself to me and it felt good to play the big brother role, Aubs. I loved it."

I'm happy Chad was able to get in contact with his family. It's sad how he missed out on so many memories with his siblings. They could have helped him out a lot.

"Tell me about your parents.." That's what I really wanted to know.

"My mom is just a sweetheart. She's so much different. It honestly felt nothing like my mom. I know you see her and my father as bad  people but they've changed a lot. They're better now."

"You haven't said anything about your father," I whispered. That must be touchy. A man himself meeting his father after so many years must have gone over..oddly.

Lowering his tone, Chad whispered back, "My dad is great. I love him. He became like a best friend. Aubrey, I'm so sad I didn't get to grow up with that version of my dad. He was so wonderful. He told me he was going to pay for me to go to college."

"Baby, that's awesome," I repositioned myself to look at him.

Licking his lips, Chad smirked, "Celebrate with me?"

Biting my lip, I dropped my eye contact. We were in the hospital for crying out loud. It wasn't a very appropriate scene to have a make out session.

Catching me off guard, Chad pressed his soft lips upon mine. His hand pulled my body closer into his as he deepened our kiss. My mouth slowly began to open as his did.

"Oh fuck, sorry guys." Colton came back into the room.

Pulling away quickly, I embarrassingly looked at Colton. "I'm sorry."

Chad snorted, "No she's not. Can you go back to where ever you were? We were kinda doing something."

Rolling my eyes I contradicted Chad, "No, Colton. We're done. You can stay in here." I glanced at the clock, "Actually, Doctor Shaw should be back with the results soon."

Nodding, Colton awkwardly sat back down. No one said a word. This was going to be a really rough next nine months. Whether the dad is Colton or Chad, it would be hell.

In perfect timing, Dr. Shaw enter my room. "How's everyone doing?"

"We're all good, just a little anxious. " I spoke for everyone.

Nodding his head, he continued, "Well I bet you are. I want you guys to know that a baby is now the main focus. You need to keep yourselves together for the sake of this child. Who ever the father is needs to understand that there's a child who is counting on you. The guy who isn't the father, you are still important."

Placing the clipboard down, Dr. Shaw shuffled papers around before picking up a packet. He flipped through a couple pages before clearing his throat, "Okay so,-

"Wait." Chad cut off the doctor. "Aubrey, I will love you no matter what the outcome is."

"Yeah, Aubrey. I do too. We can keep up a friendship, don't worry." Colton half-smiled.

 Dr. Shaw chuckled, "Well look at that. You've got two nice young men who love and care about you and this baby. You're a very lucky girl."

"I know." I smiled. Being pregnant may not be the greatest thing but at least I know I had two wonderful guys that would stay by my side for the whole thing.

Nodding slowly, Dr. Shaw looked back down on the papers. "Okay, so after careful evaluation we've discovered the father of the child. The system has portrayed 'blood sample y' as the biological father."