Babies, Husbands, and why I was a Parent by 17

Chapter Six: Missing

<<A/N So this is a short chapter, but a longer one is coming up next, I promise>>

By the time I found out we were having twins, I hadn't seen Annabelle in three months. I had called her a thousand times, but never got a response, and the last time I called, the phone number was discontinued. I had visited her apartment, for which Jasper and I were still paying the rent, but there was never a response.

Finally, I called the landlady of the apartment building and asked her to unlock the door for me. My best friend hadn't seen her baby in months and hadn't made contact with anyone that I knew of either.

The landlady unlocked the door for me, after checking to make sure that I was in fact the owner of the apartment. I walked in and the place smelled... empty. Normally you can tell when a house is being lived in. There's a slight smell of food, maybe the smell of shampoo, or soap, or there's a dirty dish on the counter... something. But this apartment had not been lived in for months: that much was obvious.

An inch of dust lay on the surface of every piece of furniture. The air smelled stale and flat. I ventured through my old place, going into her bedroom that used to be mine.

I found a note on the bedside table. The envelope had my full name on it, and a layer of dust as well.

Dearest Hannah,

I'm so sorry I had to leave without a trace like this, but it's for the best. I need a fresh start. I know we haven't talked about this in a while, but I still love you, Hannah. And I can't continue to be your friend. It hurts me too much. I'm moving to New York. Thank you for taking Neil. He'll be better off with you. I can't look at him without thinking of all the horrible things that led to his birth. I hope you understand, and I know it's selfish of me to leave him with you, but I can't do it anymore. I'm sorry you have to read all this in a letter, but it's best for both of us. Please tell Neil I love him. I love you too, Hannah.

Goodbye.

Annabelle

Tears blotted the page where she scrawled out her farewell. My own tears coursed down my face. Sobs racked my body and I collapsed on the dusty bed.

***

Jasper held me tightly as I sobbed into his shoulder. My tears soaked his shirt as he comforted me. 

Bella was in another room, playing with her toys. I couldn't let her see me like this. My pregnancy hormones and the loss of my best friend were fighting a winning battle against me.

"I need to calm down," I said, my voice sounding thick and nasal through my tears.

"It's okay, baby, I'm here. I love you so much and you mean so much to me. Please try not to think about Annabelle. You must be hungry, eh?" Jasper said, rubbing my shoulder consolingly.

I nodded pitifully against his arm. My cravings were acting up.

"Baby?" I said, my breaths slowing as I calmed down.

"Yes?" Jasper rubbed my side.

"My pants don't fit!" I cried.

Jasper looked at me strangely. I smiled, wiping the tears from my face. "My pants don't fit around the waist. Those are our babies, making them too tight."

Jasper smiled at me. He placed his hand on my abdomen and felt the harder bulge surrounded by my stomach fat. 

"I love you so much, Hannah," Jasper said, kissing me.

"Thank you, baby. For helping me. I'm going to try not to think about Annabelle. And also, I would like some food." 

Jasper laughed and kissed my forehead. 

***

Jasper's POV

Hannah's stomach protruded out slightly. I could not help staring at it in my joy. Twins! It was beyond my wildest dreams. Neil was resting on her right hip, and Hannah was walking in between the two of us, holding both our hands. 

We were browsing the paint chips at Home Depot, trying to find a colour for Neil's room and the new nursery.

"Okay, Neil, what colour do you want?" Hannah asked, showing him the 'Disney' colours section. 

"Dat one!" he cried happily, pointing at "Lightning McQueen Red." 

"Okay, buddy. Are you sure?" I asked. He nodded vigorously. 

"And what do you think for the nursery?" Hannah asked me. 

"Maybe a blue?" I suggested.

Hannah giggled. It sounded like ringing bells. "Baby, every room in the house is blue! We don't like any other colour, do we?"

I laughed too, kissing her. "I guess we just agree. How about a nice yellow?" I said.

"That's a great idea! We can make the theme about bees!"

"Sounds good to me," I smiled, and we picked a soft yellow. "And Bella?" I said. "You've been very patient. What colour would you like your room?"

Bella put her index finger to her lips. She looked so much like Hannah doing that that I laughed at her expression and kissed her hair. 

"Hmm... I want... Ariel Shells Purple!" she cried happily, pointing at the Disney paint card.

I grabbed the card and asked her if she was sure.  She nodded happily. "

Well that was easy!" I said, satisfied. We went to the counter and they started mixing the paint for us. Hannah leaned into my side heavily.

"Are you okay, Hannah?" I asked, concerned. Her eyelids were fluttering a bit. I took Neil from her arms and placed him in our cart. 

"Yeah," she said woozily. "I'm just a bit dizzy." She clutched her head and stood herself up. Her hand then clamped over her mouth. 

"Crap," she said, holding her stomach with her free hand. "I'm okay, I'm okay," she tried to assure me, but she was wobbling on her feet again.

Her eyelids fluttered again and she fell into my arms, unconscious.