Belle

Chapter 23

James's POV

It was like was like weight lifted off my shoulder when Belle said I was forgiven. The whole weekend, we never said one word to each other. It was a new record. My heart ached for the sound of her laughter and the way her smile seemed to brighten a whole room. I wanted to hug her and smell the familiar rosemary mint scent she wears that drove me crazy. I wanted to kiss her like it was the last time, and never stop. Sadly, the last part wasn't an option.

"God, I'm hungry." Belle said as she stepped into my kitchen, taking a seat at the island.

"I can only imagine." I chuckled and opened my fridge, looking to find something good to eat. "What do you want?"

"Do you have any pickles? Oh, and peanut butter?" She said, making me turn around and raise an eyebrow.

"You hate peanut butter."

"Not while I'm pregnant, I don't. Now give me the damn peanut butter before I fight you for it." I raise my hands in surrender, generally scared for my life.

Lesson: never get between a pregnant women and her cravings.

I grab the peanut butter from the cabinet and grab the jar of pickles from the fridge. I set them in front of Belle on the island, and her eyes stare at them in hunger, She smiles and licks her lips before tearing off the lids and dipping a pickle and scooping up peanut butter. I watch in disgust as she take a large bite, moaning and closing her eyes.

    "That's disgusting." I say, honestly trying to hold back vomit.

    "Don't judge, you made me like this." She said, smirking slightly.

    "Touche." I chuckle, before grabbing an apple from the fridge and taking a bite.

Once we finish our snacks, we walk upstairs into my room. When I open the door, I find my mother sitting on my bed. At first I was very confused, but all those thoughts vanished when I realized what she was holding. My eyes shot to my desk, the picture frame is gone. I felt my blood go cold. Oh no.

    "M-Mom?" My heart was beating a million times a second, it felt like. Belle stood next to me, looking between is in confusion. My mom looked at at me slowly, her face a mixture of confusion, disappointment, and...sadness.

    "What is this?" She finally said, turning the picture frame and to reveal the photocopy of the ultrasound. I heard Belle gasp quietly from beside, and I felt her tense up.

    "I-It's uh..." I stopped, not knowing a good enough lie to defend myself.

    This is it. This is the day I die.

    "Who's is it?" She said, her eyes holding mine in an intense gaze.

    "Uh..." I didn't want to throw Belle under the bus. The last thing she needed was for my parents to be mad at her too.

    "Is it Michelle's? Did you get Michelle pregnant? Oh my...Jameson how could you be so irresponsible? You hardly even know the girl. I've never even met her. You don't know anything about her fam-"

    "It's mine, Pam." Belle cut off my mom, shocking the both of us. My head turns towards her, looking at her with shock.

    "W-What? Y-You're pregnant, Bella?" My mom said in utter shock, her eyes almost bulging out of her head.

    "Yes ma'am." She said politely. She's usually very chill and casual around my parents, but I could tell she was nervous for her reaction. She lifted her sweater up a little, revealing her growing belly. There was no doubt that she was pregnant by now. My mom sucked in her breath in surprise.