Madeline

31. When you know

31. When you know

Madeline
I wasn't surprised when Eric showed up asking if he could stay here for a few days. I wasn't keen on the idea but I agreed anyway.

"What happened?"

He shrugged. "I'm not so sure myself."

"What do you mean?"

"I thought for sure he was in love with you."

I crossed my arms. "Did you now?" Marc Paxton didn't love anyone but himself. There's no doubt that he was interested in me, but love was a step too far. Obviously Eric thought otherwise. "What gave you that idea?"

"I've known him a long time, Madeline. I know he feels something for you. I just don't know why he's hiding it."

"Well, that's between you and Paxton. You can stay here as long as you need to, although I have a feeling you won't stay here for more than the night."

He nodded and I said nothing more.

What really happened and why do I even care?
_____________

Just like I has suspected, Eric left the next morning. He didn't offer an explanation and I didn't ask for one. He wasn't my responsibility. We owed each other nothing.

I had suspected for a while now that something was off with me. It was time I found out what. If it is what I suspect it is then things would get a lot worse.

I went about my day putting it off until absolutely the last minute, and even then I didn't want to do it, but I brushed my fears aside and did what needed to be done. I took three different tests just to be on the safe side and they all said the same thing. The only thing left to do was to get it confirmed by a doctor. If it was true then this time there would be no confusion as to who the father is. How did I allow myself to get pregnant with Eric Ryan's baby?

Stupid!

The next morning I was still no closer to coming up with a solution to this than I was the day before. Should I tell him or not, and what about Paxton? By the time midday came around I was panicking. The only thing I could think of was running far away from here. If no one knows then they can't do anything about it. If I was really pregnant then I was going to do everything to protect my child. I'll do everything in my power to protect him, that means from the father too if he becomes a problem.

*A few months later*

"You didn't have to come. I'm fine."

"I wanted to see for myself."

"You didn't have to."

"How long do you plan to live like this? It's been five months. Don't you think you should tell the father of your child that you're pregnant?"

"Why would I do that? I have a good life here."

"You could have a better life with the father of your child."

"I don't even like the father of my child."

"Yet you slept with him repeatedly without protection."

"It's complicated."

"Is it?"

"I don't want him to take my child away. This child is all I have left."

"Okay. I can understand your concerns about the father of you child, but what about Paxton?"

"I told you to never mention that name."

"How can I not when I'm married to one. If Kaitlyn knew I was helping you she'd never forgive me."

"She would."