The Hook-up

Chapter 144

"Brunnoooo..." Lauren whined into the phone in the middle of the week. "Are you going to be home for class on Friday?" she asked him.

"Baby, I don't know." He said with a sad tone. "I really don't. I feel horrible." He heard the silence against his ear unsure of what she was going to say. "Baby, don't be mad...." He continued to hear the silence. "You can take Riss with you...." Still no response from the other end. "I don't even know if I'm going to be there when they're born...." He got out finally.

"What the hell?" she asked obviously angry. "Why the hell wouldn't you be there?" she asked.

"We're getting so close to finishing everything." He said.

"You're choosing your CD over your children?! Peter Gene Hernandez! I cannot believe you!" she shouted starting to get angry. "I am not making any excuses for you. I swear to God on all things that are holy that...." She paused. "I don't even know what to say to you anymore. I'm going to go. Good night." She said moving her hand away from the phone. "And don't even call me later because I'm still going to be as mad as I am now."

He heard the phone click. Instead of throwing things or reaching for a drink he laid his head back and closed his eyes trying to figure everything out. I understand why she's mad. I would be mad too. But this wasn't part of the plan. Marriage, babies, a family...I wasn't ready for it. It's all a game. When I'm with her I'm just playing this family game. God. What am I doing? He continued to kick himself in the ass mentally throughout the night next to the piano and near his guitar not sure exactly what was going to come out from their short conversation.

After Lauren hung up the phone she tried to distract herself by folding baby clothes and finishing a few words with friends games she had on her phone. Before she could even get up from the couch to get ready to go to bed she had fallen asleep on the couch.

**

"What did he say to you last night?" Caitlin asked Lauren as they walked toward the doctor's office the next day.

"He said he wasn't even sure if he was going to make it to the classes, or even be there when the babies are born. He says he's too busy with the album." She said in a frustrated tone.

"Are you fucking serious?" Caitlin asked opening the heavy door for her friend.

"Yeah. Straight up. That's what he said." She answered. "Oh and then he told me that I should have Larissa come to class with me. He was like 'She'll do.' Ugh. I just. I had to hang up on him. His bullshit is getting old this close to them being here. I knew it was going to be too good to be true with him being here all the time." She sighed laying her head against the big armchair in the waiting room. "And I didn't even get to tell him that the contractions are closer and that I feel like they've dropped. Like he would even care." She finished trying not to cry. "Oh god And now I'm going to cry."

"No, Elle. Don't cry. It will get better. He'll be here. I know he talks a lot of crap but he has Phil in his ear like crazy. He'll come around. I know it." Caitlin told her.

"I hope so." She said seeing the nurse coming to get them. They made a bit of small talk while she got her blood pressure taken along with her weight. She was still gaining weight making her look even more huge than she already was.

"Okay, Miss Lauren. Are you feeling better than last week?" the doctor asked sitting down in a swirling chair.

"No." Lauren answered. "I want them now." She said still trying not to cry.

"Let's take a look..." the doctor responded getting herself situated to complete her biweekly exam. "It looks like you're about four centimeters dialated. The babies are still..." she said moving to look at the babies. "They are still a bit small. I want to keep them in there a bit longer. So your wish from last week is going to come true." She told Lauren.

"Really?" Lauren asked a bit disappointed. "I was uncomfortable but I was learning to deal with it...." She said.

"I'm serious, Mrs. Hernandez. Have your friend take you out to get everything you need and then head home. You have enough people to keep an eye on you, I can imagine?" she asked. "Bruno will be home soon?"

"I don't know. But there are enough people to be with me." Lauren answered.

"I want to see you on Tuesday. I want you in bed except for bathroom and shower breaks. Is that understood?" the doctor asked.

"Yes ma'am." Lauren answered seriously.

"Then see you on Tuesday, Lauren. And maybe by then we'll have these babies ready to go." The doctor said with a smile handing her a note to take to the receptionist. After getting the appointment set Lauren and Caitlin walked toward the car.

"Where do you want to go?" Caitlin asked.

"Just home." She said quietly reaching for her phone to call Bruno. "Bruno?" she asked over the loud noise of music.

"Hey mama. How are you?" he asked.

"I need you to come home. Please." She said bursting into tears.