Color of Roses

Bliss

Chapter 36

I ended up outside of Alyn's door. I take in a deep breath before attempting to knock. My hand stops just inches from the wood and I pull it away. I can't do this. What if he finds out and tells me to leave?

I shake my head. Alyn loves me. He wouldn't do that. He'll understand and he'll be happy. I repeat the words over and over in my head encouraging myself to take a leap of faith. I raise my hand once again only to see the door open on its own.

"I was just about to go see you," Alyn says from the doorway.

"Here I am," I say awkwardly. He steps aside allowing me to enter the room. He closes the door quietly and I feel his arms wrap around me. Nervous he'll notice something, I remove his arms. A hurt expression covers his face and I tug my arms around myself.

"Did I do something wrong?" Alyn says staring at me with those saddened eyes.

"No, it's just-" I start to say and stop myself. "I just don't want to be touched right now."

"You've been avoiding me all week. I can't even get you to look at me and it's driving me crazy."

"I know. I'm sorry," I say, my voice shaking.

"Did you," he pauses," Did you decide you wanted someone else?"

I look up at him and his eyes glisten like he's forcing himself not to cry.

"Alyn, of course not!" I reassure him. He steps closer and pulls me in for a kiss. He pulls away but his eyes are still dim. "I know you're keeping something from me."

My eyes widen at the thought of him already knowing. He couldn't, could he? "Alyn," I start to say but can't say anything more.

"Maybe this engagement was too sudden. Maybe we should call it off," he says angrily.

"No!" I object instantly. He steps closer to me and grips my shoulders. "Then tell me what's going on? Why are you distancing yourself from me?"

"It's because-" I bite back my words, completely terrified of the outcome.

"Because of what, Aria? What aren't you telling me?"

"I'm- I'm pregnant, Alyn!" I nearly scream. I pull away from him and kneel to the floor.

He doesn't say a word and I know he's upset with me. I press my hands to my face and let myself cry. "I understand if you hate me," I mumble through quivering lips.

I don't hear a single word from him and I feel like my fears are now a reality. I start to get up but two strong arms envelope me. His hold squeezes me close. My arms go limp and I don't know how to react. I wasn't expecting this at all.

"I could never hate you," he says quietly. I grip his uniform and let him hold me.

"I was terrified," I murmur. He holds me tighter and his mouth is inches from my ear. "You don't need to be. I'm here." He loosens his hold and I look up at his face. His eyes are bright and a soft smile plays at his lips. He softly grips my hand and leads me to sit beside him on the bed. His eyes linger on mine and I feel butterflies fill my stomach, an affect I never got used to.

He lifts his hand and hesitates before pressing his fingertips softly to my belly. "How long have you known?"

"A week now," I mutter. "I thought you'd be angry."

"Why would I be angry?"

"It's frowned upon to have a child outside of marriage. I thought your reputation would be ruined and you'd leave me," I say quietly.

He leans down and kisses me passionately and pulls me down among the sheets of his bed. "Who cares about my reputation? We'll have this baby and show the world we're happy."

Tears stream down my cheeks and he rubs a thumb to wipe them away. "Don't cry, Aria."

"I'm so happy," I say with a wide smile. He places his lips to mine once again and we lose ourselves in our long awaited bliss.