Red

Chapter Twenty Two

Veronica POV:

As I pull up, I see even more clearly why Chandler was upset over the phone. She's being absolutely mobbed by protesters.

She must have come outside to wait for me when I told her I'd be there as soon as I could, and now all of the protesters are waving signs in her face and screaming about how she shouldn't kill her baby. I feel sick to my stomach as I pull the car up to the curb, getting out and approaching the crowds. Chandler is practically pressed up against the door, looking a mix of terrified, angry, and upset.

I push my way through the people, and they all start to scream at me, too. When she sees me coming towards her, she tries to push past the crowds, but a few of them practically push her back against the wall of the building. I push past them, walking up to Chandler. I take her hand, and I press a kiss to her lips. It's like all of them suddenly go silent. I hear someone mutter something about dykes going to hell.

They part like the red sea as I lead Chandler to my car. Of course they do. Wouldn't want to be breathing the gay air. Might pass it on to your children. They might catch the disease.

I open the passenger side door for her, letting her slide in. I look one last time back at the crowd. All eyes are on us. I feel slightly uncomfortable, but I get into the driver's seat, closing the door behind me. I look over at Chandler.

"Are you-?" I begin.

"Just drive, Sawyer," she says. "I'm fine."

I do as she tells me, pulling the car away from the curb. As we drive down the street, I can't help but steal a glance at Chandler. She has a blank expression on her face now, and I don't know whether that should make me feel better or worse. Obviously I don't feel good about the situation. How long must she have been waiting outside with all of those protesters screaming at her? I should've told her she could wait inside for me. 

Once we finally get back to Mac's house, I stop the car in the driveway, turning off the engine. We both sit there for a moment, and then she leans her head on my shoulder. I'm surprised by her vulnerability, but I accept it, moving my arm around her and running fingers through her curls. 

"I'm sorry," she whispers. "I wouldn't be mad if you walked out right now."

"Let me ask you a question," I say. "If I were having a baby in eight or nine months, would you walk out on me?"

"Of course not," comes the quiet reply. 

"Why not?" I ask her.

"Because I love you, Sawyer," she answers.

"Exactly," I say. "I love you, too. There's no way in hell I'm leaving you. You can't get rid of me that easily."

I hear her laugh lightly. "Thank God for that."

"We're going to be okay," I tell her. "I'm going to help you."

"That's so much to promise," she says. 

"I'm going to help you with this baby," I reply, and I reach out and put a hand on her stomach. That's when the tears start. Her shoulders start to shake, and I pull her closer to me, concerned. "Did I say something? Chandler. Chandler, are you okay?"

"There's a fucking human being growing inside of my body," she says between cries. "Th-there's an actual fucking child growing inside of my uterus."

I almost laugh, planting a kiss on the top of her head. "It's going to be alright, sweetheart. I promise. I'm with you."

"I'm going to have to raise this fucking kid," she tells me, sniffling and nuzzling into my neck.

"I... I'm going to help you, then," I tell her. "I'm going to help you raise this kid."