The Unexpected

Chapter 18

My mom had to leave for a dentist appointment this morning so we never got to talk about my breakdown. I'm glad though because I'm in no mood to talk. Peeking in Alex's room, I see that he is still asleep. So I grab my phone and go out onto the porch where I sit on the top step. I dial Tyler's number and wait for him to answer but he never does. I sit on the steps waiting for him to return my call but he doesn't. Just as I'm about to give up, my phone rings. "Ty?" I ask hopefully.

"Mia. Are you okay?" Tyler asks.

"I'm fine. I was just calling to let you know that I need to take another pregnancy test." I say, looking down.

He inhales sharply. "I'll be right back." He says in the background. I hear a woman's voice. "I love you too."

Furrowing my eyebrows, I stand up. "It sounds like your busy. I'll let you know what the results are."

"Wait!" He says quickly. "Can I come over?"

I bite my lip. "For what?"

"I want to be there when you take it."

I sigh. "I'm not sure when I'll take it. After Alex wakes up I'm gonna go get one."

"I'll bring one." He says.

I raise my eyebrows. "You're gonna bring one?"

"It's the least I can do."

"Fine." I say. "Text me when you're on your way."

"Okay."

After hanging up, I dial Steven's number. I need to apologize to him. He has been the sweetest when it comes to me and Alex. I know he'd do anything for us and I treated him like shit. I feel bad. "Hello?" He answers.

"Hey." I say softly.

"Mia." He says in surprise. "What's up?"

"I wanted to apologize." I say. "I was being a bitch and I know you're only trying to help. But I was angry and I directed that anger towards you and I'm sorry. I hope you'll forgive me."

"Of course I forgive you - you're family."

I sigh in relief. "Good because Alex would hate me if I was the reason you stopped coming around. Plus, I like hanging out with you."

"I like hanging out with you too. I'll see you soon." He says.

"See ya."

Going back inside, I shower and get dressed. When Alex wakes up, I make him breakfast then put him in the bathtub with his toys. I let him play for a while before washing him up and taking him out. I get him dressed then let him play the game in the living room. When the doorbell rings, he runs to the door. I open it and he grabs the toy from Steven's hand and Steven picks him up - their usual routine. "Hi Uncle Steven." Alex grins.

Tyler glares at Steven. "Way to buy the kid."

"I wasn't expecting you, Steven." I say awkwardly.

Tyler holds up a plastic bag. "He helped me pick out the top five."

My eyes widen and I shake my head slightly. "Are you guys spending the night?" They both stare at me in confusion. "How am I supposed to generate enough pee for all of these?"

Tyler shrugs nervously, scratching the back of his head. "Just pick the best one. We didn't know which one to get."

I glance in the bag, chuckling. "What's the difference?"

"One says five minutes, two say ten minutes, and two say fifteen minutes." Steven answers.

I open the door further, allowing them in, then close the door. As I walk towards my bedroom, Tyler begins following me. "What are you doing?" I ask.

"Going with you."

"Tyler, they take ten minutes. You'll be here when it's ready."

"I want to see it when you do." He says.

Sighing, I go into my bedroom and close the door behind him. "Wait on the bed."

I go into the bathroom and pick the top two tests. I manage to take both tests then set them on the box on the countertop. I finish up and wash my hands then go into the bedroom. "How long?" He asks, glancing at the time.

"Ten and fifteen." I answer.

He nods. "Impressive."

Deciding it's best not to be close to him in a closed area, I sit on top of my dresser which holds my mirror. Tyler lays back on my bed and sighs. "What if I am pregnant?" I ask softly.

"Then we'll raise a baby."

"But we're not together." I point out.

"We should be." He mumbles.

"All we do is hurt each other." I say. "You deserve to be happy."

I momentarily think about the woman's voice I heard on the phone earlier. "I was happy with you and Alex." Tyler says.

"You've left me three times since high school." I say.

"And you've left me twice." I sigh but say nothing. "Let's let the test determine whether or not we're together. If the first test is positive, we'll try to work things out. If it's negative, we'll let it go."

He sits up and looks at me, waiting for an answer. I hold out my hand and he walks over to me, shaking it. "Deal."

"We'll wait until they're both done." He says, checking the time.

"The ten minute one is on the left." I say.

After fifteen minutes, we go into the bathroom, reading the tests from left to right. "Negative. Positive." He reads.

"Are we supposed to be together? Negative." I say. "Am I pregnant? Positive."

He frowns but says nothing for a long time. "Why is one negative and one positive?"

"False negative." I shrug. "Some tests work differently. I'll set up a doctors appointment later."

"You're acting like this isn't anything." He says. "Can you show some kind of emotion?"

"I've done this before. I know I can do it." I shrug. "You, on the other hand, have a lot of learning to do."

He stares down at the tests. "I don't want to treat Alex any differently from this child so can I still be a part his life?" He asks.

I smile. "Of course. He loves you."

He nods slowly. "He called me dad, you know?"

My lips part but no words come out. I furrow my eyebrows. "When?"

"The day I first told you I loved you." He says, his eyes meeting mine. "In that moment, I knew this was where I wanted to be. I realized that you two meant more to me than anything."

I can't look at him. My eyes are glued to the tests on the counter. Sighing, he walks past me and leaves me standing in silence.

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