Labor Of Love [A Pregnancy Story] [22]

A/N: The long-awaited Chapter 22. Ugh, thought I'd never get the free time to do this...-_-

Previously...

(Kai's P.O.V.)

"Dale, now I think we have a situation on our hands," the receptionist, Maria, says before the principal can get another word out.

The principal sees both Miranda's friend and myself just behind Maria and sits more upright. "A situation? With Kai and Joey?"

The receptionist ushers us in and closes the door behind her. "No, not with these two. Dale, I think there's more going on with a certain student's absence than what we believe." The principal looks questionably at her, but says nothing so she can continue. During this time we all take a seat across from him at his desk. "Miranda Bear's absence."

"Miranda. Right." He stops himself from saying anything more, cautiously looking at us.

This is when I decide to speak up. "Yes. Miranda. I'm very close with Miranda. I am concerned with her whereabouts, because it has been more than a few days since I've even spoken to her."

"And we're worried, Mr. Helmer," Joey pipes in. "'Cause none of her friends, me included in that, have even heard from her. And this isn't like her. We just want to know if you know why she has disappeared so suddenly."

Mr. Helmer's lips become pursed. His next words would sink my heart past my stomach and into my knees.

"Maria, alert the authorities. I think we have a missing person's case to file."

- - - - - - - - - -

Sierra's P.O.V.

Tanner has seemed anxious all day. Rather nervous, really, which was unlike him. "Tanner," I say softly while tugging his jacket sleeve to get his attention.

He turns to face me and raises an eyebrow. "Yes Love?"

"What's on your mind? You're very jittery today." I take a seat at the table outside of the café in the train station.

"Oh, I think it might be a little bit of withdrawal," he says with a reassuring smile, but I know better and frown at his response. Moments later his phone buzzes and he picks it up. "Hello," he answers, more of a statement than a question. "Yes, yes. Alright. Bye." He hangs up almost as quickly as he picked up. "Sierra, I want for you to close your eyes. I have a bit of a surprise."

"A surprise?" I ask bemused, wondering what he could possibly be up to.

"Yes a surprise. So close your eyes," he laughs lightly at my reaction, then mutters, "so damn stubborn."

I close my eyes and, after a few moments, I hear shuffling. 'Probably just a person delivering the surprise,' I think.

"Okay. Sierra, open your eyes."

I do as such and am surprised to see an older woman standing before me. The woman, a bit taller than myself, is a very light blond, whose graying hair goes almost unnoticeable. Her eyes, with wrinkles forming at the edges and little dark circles underneath of them, and her eager smile remind me of someone, but I can't think of who.

"Sierra, this is my mum, Beatrice. Mum, this is Sierra." I look at Tanner, and then back to the woman, several times, mentally kicking myself for not realizing the resemblance a bit sooner.

I stand and go around the small table to greet the woman. I hold out my hand, which is hesitantly taken, and say, "It's nice to meet you. Tanner hadn't told me that we were to meet with you here."