To Believe In Promises (Tumbling Down trilogy - DM fanfic)

There's A Place For Us (Ch.30)

Me: You're not here.

I say that as I walk towards him and hug him tight. He picks me up just like he always could and keeps me close.

Tyler: I kind of am, though.
Me: How? Why? W-
Tyler: Everyone got a ten day break. And I'm staying with you.
Me: Okay.

He presses a long awaited kiss to my lips.

Tyler: So where were you?

I'm not sure if I want to bring this up just yet, even though, if Maddie talked to him, he probably knows already.

Me: Just out.
Tyler: Just out?

I nod.

Tyler: Were you out, say...in an apartment building?

He fucking knows. Of course he fucking knows.

Me: So that's what Maddie talked to you about?
Tyler: What else would she talk to me about?

I'm about to say 'nothing', but there is something huge Maddie may have mentioned.

Me: Well I wondered why she talked to you at all until yesterday, so who knows.
Tyler: Well now you know...what do you think?
Me: What do you think?
Tyler: It's all for you. It's what you want.
Me: But wh-
Tyler: I'm okay with you saying yes or saying no.
Me: Why do all the decisions come back to me?!
Tyler: It's not that hard, Mackenzie. Do you want a place to live once the baby comes?
Me: Yeah, but I'm scared.
Tyler: So am I. It's gonna be fine, though.

He sets me down, but we go to the living room anyways to sit. I curl into him immediately. Neither of us say anything for awhile. I'm the first one to break silence.

Me: I think we should do it.
Tyler: You sure?
Me: Yeah. It'll help a lot in the long run.
Tyler: Okay. We can call the landlords tomorrow.

I nod, trying to stay snuggled against Tyler. I've been so starved of human connection.

Tyler: So what happened with your mom?

Pain pangs in my chest. Why'd he have to bring this up?!

Me: We...she...she found out and went crazy. Told me how stupid I was. Said you left me. At least this time I didn't believe her.
Tyler: So you're sure you don't want her to-
Me: Yes. I'm positive. My dad, your mom, Greg, and hell, even Mindy can all be grandparents. Maddie can be an aunt and I know all the girls from my team will want to be 'aunts'. As long as they don't think I'm a slut...
Tyler: I'm gonna let you know something. When we first started talking, Brooke knew. Like all the girls did. Paige, Nia, everyone. But Brooke told me that if you got pregnant, she'd kill me. Then, two years later, she asked me if we had sex yet then didn't believe me when I said no. So no, they won't think you're a slut.
Me(sarcastically): How comforting.

He pulls me close again.

Tyler: Trust me.
Me: I know. I just...this is...I'm going to be a mom. That's so freaky.
Tyler: And you will be the perfect mom.
Me: Don't let me turn into my mom.
Tyler: You can do that yourself. You know how not to be treated.

I nod.

~•~

Tyler passes the lease over to me. Carefully, I sign my name.

"Thank you very much," Carol says with a smile.

Everyone leaves. It's just me and Tyler in an empty apartment.

Tyler: Welcome home.

I smile and hug him.

Me: I think I'm gonna talk to the team today.
Tyler: Really?
Me: Yeah. I'm gonna go to the studio too.
Tyler: Want me to go with you?

I shrug.

Me: If you want.

~•~

I texted everyone. Now, I'm sitting with Maddie in an empty Studio B, waiting. To my fear, it's Abby who comes in first. Gianna is soon to follow.

Abby: Mackenzie!
Me: Hi.

I hug both of my former instructors. I instantly feel self conscious. My bump isn't too big, and I'm wearing a loose shirt, so it's not that noticeable. Yet. But the hugs don't feel the same. The hugs don't feel the same for the other girls as well. Chloe, Brooke, Kendall, Nia, Paige, Clara.

Me: You and Tori need to stop being taller than me.
Clara: Never.
Abby: I've missed all of you so much.
Chloe: Me too.

We sit around and converse for a little while, but then Maddie gives me a look as if to say, 'now or never'.

Me(nervously): I have an announcement to make. It's kinda big. Really big, actually.

Everyone pays attention. Fuck. It's time, isn't it?

Me: Well, um, I'm, well, um, pregnant.

It took me an entire 30 seconds to get 6 words out. I can text 4 times the amount of words in the same amount of time.

Everyone except Maddie: What?!?

I nod, feeling more scared than anything.

Gianna: You are not.

I'm wearing a fitted tank top until my loose one. I take my top layer off. My bump is extremely noticeable now.

Chloe: Oh my god, Kenzie. Is it a boy or girl? Do you know?
Me: Not yet. I think I want to be surprised.

Everyone is excited. I still feel scared.

~•~

Tyler: How did it go?

I climb in bed after him and settle.

Me: Good. Everyone's excited.
Tyler: That's good. It's good they know, too.

I nod. I feel hungry.

Me: Wanna do something for me?
Tyler: What?
Me: I want pancakes.

He rolls his eyes and laughs. Laughs. As if he's got the right to do so.

Tyler: Where am I supposed to-"
Me: There's pancake stuff in the kitchen. Or McDonalds-"
Tyler: Alright, fine.

He gets up and leaves the room. Not wanting to be alone, I follow him.

~•~

Tyler: Happy?
Me: Obviously.
Tyler: Good.

Once I finish, I make Tyler carry me back upstairs.

He lies me down and crawls in bed next to me.

Tyler: Soon, I'll be doing that for our baby.

I smile, but I'm still really scared.

Me: You won't be home when its born. I don't know what to do. You'll be gone for a few months still.
Tyler: We'll figure it out. And you can always stay with your dad until I'm home. I know he'll help you.

For some reason, that reminds me about how Mom won't. And I burst into tears.