The Carter Family Screw Up [Carter Brothers - Book 2]

Epilogue

18 months later

"Are you sure you want to go?" Dan asked me.

"Yes im sure. Are you okay with me going? Because you're face says otherwise." I asked him with a soft smile.

"Not really. I mean I get he's your family, but he really hurt you; he doesn't deserve your forgiveness."

"Dan, what Jake did.. It hurt me, yes. But I can't keep being mad at him forever - It won't solve anything. Not to mention it would just make it more uncomfortable for my aunt and uncle.." I pulled him into a hug. "..I love you, and he knows that. He knows that he is to accept what you and I have and that's it. Any funny business and he's out of my life for good." I explained, pulling away and showing him another smile

"I know. But it's because I love you that I'm scared he's going to hurt you again." He said, sweetly.

"He won't. And if I'm wrong and he does, then he's gone. Simple."  I said reassuringly to him.

"Okay." He said reluctantly. "We'll I got the morning shift so I gotta go. Call me later, Sweetpea."

"I will." I said, as he walked across the grass and into his house.

After everything that happened, Dan realised what a close call we had and decided to stop fighting to get a real job. He worked at a local coffee house and while the money wasn't as good as the fights he'd taken part in, he actually enjoyed the job.

2 hours later I was standing, leaning against the car with my aunt and uncle, outside Bradford County prison waiting for Jake to be released.

He had originally been charged with conspiracy to commit manslaughter, conspiracy to commit kidnapping, and assault on me. But his lawyer got him a plea deal which was that if he pled guilty to the kidnapping and spent a year in jail, they would drop all other charges. And now after 1 year and 2 days, we stood their awaiting his release.

I was apprehensive about seeing him. I hadn't seen him at all since he was incarcerated but he had written to me to apologise. But after ignoring his first 10 letters I eventually relented and wrote back and we stayed in touch. He knows now exactly how I feel about Dan, and that he will not say another negative thing about him in front of me. And maybe after some time, I'll completely forgive him and learn to trust him again.

A few minutes later the gates opened and few men walked out. My aunt practically ran to the gate when she saw her son, and threw her arms around him. After she stopped suffocating him, they both walked over the car; his dad's turn to embrace him and I noticed he couldn't look me in the eye.

He left his father's arms and nervously took a step towards me. I could be angry at him forever but it wouldn't solve anything. And quite frankly - I missed my cousin. I smiled and wrapped my arms around his shoulders.

"It's good to have you back little cousin." I teased him. For the first time ever he didn't argue back at what I called him, only putting his arms around my waist and hugging me.

"I'm sorry for everything, Maggie. Really, i-" I stopped him from continuing.

"It's done with now, Jake. Lets all just move on, alright?" I asked him, smiling.

"Deal." He replied; his face showing relief. A little while later we were back at the house filling my in Jake on things that had happened while he was away.

"Is Daniel coming over?" My aunt asked.

"Probably not. He's still not forgiven Jake yet."  I told her.

"He's going to have to one day. Especially now that you're-"

"Now that Maggie's what?" My uncle asked as he entered the room.

Tessie and I shared a glance and I lightly shook my head. I didn't want him to know what we were talking about. Not yet anyway.  And at least not until I've spoken to Dan.

"Women's issues, dear." Tessie answered and my uncle immediately turned on his heel and walked back out.

"Wow he really can't handle periods can he?" I said to her.

"Nope." She replied, chuckling. "So, are you speaking to Dan today?"

"Yep. I was actually about to head next door now, if you don't mind." I said.

"Of course not, sweetie. This is a big deal, so you go do what you need to do." She said.

"Thanks." I said, giving her a hug. "Wish me luck" 

"Good luck, honey."  She said smiling and I left the room, then the house; making my way to Dans door. I took a few deep breaths before knocking.

"Hey Sweetpea." He said as he opened the door and gave me a peck on the lips. "I thought you would want to spend the evening with Jake."

"No, uh... I actually wanted to talk to you about something." I said, walking into his living room and sitting on the sofa.

"Okay… everything alright." He asked, sitting down next to me.

"Well, I'm not sure.."  I replied, honestly.

"What do you mean you're not sure? What's going on?"

There's really wasnt any easy way to tell him so I figured I was just going to have to blurt it out and hope for the best.

"Seriously, Maggie, you need to tell me." He demanded again.

"I'm pregnant."

There. I told him. He knows.

He carried on looking at me without a reaction.

"Could you please say that again?" He asked calmly.

"I'm pregnant, Dan." This time my words were sinking into his brain and he ran a hand through his hair.

"You're pregnant." He said, almost to himself.

"Yep. I took a test yesterday. Actually I took 7 and they all came back positive. I havn't had any official tests yet to determine how far along, but going by my last period I would say it's around 5 or 6 weeks, but I'm seeing my doctor tomorrow morning." I told him.

"We're having a kid. I'm having a kid.." He said; his face still not showing any emotion.

"Are you okay about this? I mean we can talk about it; there are other options we can consider, too if this is too much for us, right now."  I said. But those words seemed to be the ones that pulled him into reality.

"What? No. I mean we can talk about it sure, but… I'm going to be a dad?" He asked; his eyes wide and full of hope.

"Well, I mean.. If you want to be." I answered, nervously. I had no intention of forcing him into father hood if he wasn't ready for it. Quite honestly, I wasn't sure if I was ready for it myself.

From the moment that first test came back positive, all kinds of scenarios flashed through my mind. Including one of me standing in a filthy kitchen with rollers in my hair and a cigarette hanging from my mouth, whilst my baby sat screaming on my hip. All of which was a little weird, especially as I had never smoked a cigarette in my entire life!

But Dan leaned forward, placing a hand gently on my face and lowering his lips softly onto mine, before releasing them a few second later and resting his forehead on mine. It was a short kiss but it was full of love and happiness - I could feel it.

"I'm going to be a dad." He whispered; stating a fact this time. Then suddenly he jumped up from the sofa into the middle of the room, shouting.

"IM GOING TO BE A DAD!" He yelled with the biggest smile I had ever seen on anyone. He reached over and pulled me up to him; wrapping his arms around me.

"You know I don't do soppy, girly stuff  - but you are seriously the most amazing person to ever come into my life and I thought that you couldn't possibly make me any happier that you already have. But I was wrong.." He brought the palm of his hand up to my stomach and gently placed it there. "..I love you Maggie. So much."

"I love you too, Dan." I replied; wrapping my arms around him again and squeezing him tightly.

Holy shit were having a baby!