Something Unexpected

Chapter Twenty-Five

~Laura's POV~

I still didn't really know how to feel.
Kaiden and I had decided to move past what happened, to leave it behind us and focus on the future ahead of us. But as I lied there, my eyes roaming over the eggshell painted walls of my bedroom, my mind couldn't help but drift back to what I witnessed and the betrayal I felt.

I knew Kaiden was sorry.
Every time we looked at each other I knew he couldn't stop thinking about what he did either. Things hadn't gone back to the way they had been, that strain of disloyalty and pain casting a shadow over what used to be. Mom and Dad had been thrilled that he moved back in, a complete three-sixty from the first time they'd met the guy who impregnated their daughter. I was glad he was back too, wasn't I?

"Laura, are you awake?" Harley called through the closed door.

Rolling onto my back, I let out a sigh of frustration before replying. "Yeah, come in."
The door squeaked quietly as Harley pushed his way in, eyes scanning the room before landing on the bed.

"Where's Kaiden?"

"Had some work to do," Moving to sit up, I motioned for my brother to sit at the end of the mattress. "Said he would be back before dinner, something about Julian needing a hand at the shop."

Taking his spot, Harley brushed some stray strands of hair from his eyes, smiling happily. "How are you feeling this morning?"

"Good?" I replied, though it sounded more like a question than an answer.
Was I good? I couldn't tell anymore. So much had happened in the past few months, I wasn't sure I was ever going to be able to catch up enough to catch my breath. Harley's smile faltered slightly, a look of pity mixed with something else drifted into his familiar blue eyes.

"He loves you,"

"I know he does."
Taking my hand in his, he rubbed the rough pad of his thumb across my knuckles. "I know you love him too but maybe getting back together with him, so soon after everything, maybe it wasn't a good idea."

"What do you mean?" Arching a brow, I sagged against the firm headboard of my bed. "I can't live without him."

"I never said you should, just that maybe you should've given yourself more time to process everything."

I moved my eyes away from Harleys face, landing them on my swollen stomach. Unfortunately, time wasn't in my favour. In a few short weeks my son would be here and then none of it would matter. Kaiden and I needed to be strong for him, if not for ourselves. We needed each other.

"Everything's fine, Harley." I groaned. "Both Kaiden and I haven't done the serious relationship thing before, we are bound to make some mistakes."

My brother gave a look that said he hadn't believed a word I'd said but that was fine. He didn't have too. Everything was fine in my relationship despite what everyone else thinks. Right?

***

My feet sat swollen and sore in front of me, propped up on a cushion to help ease the ache. The TV blared as a film I had no interest in played in the background, Kaiden and Harley both fascinated by the action on the screen.

I shifted uncomfortably, the ache in my back growing worse. I'd read somewhere that pregnant women would often get discomfort but I hadn't imagined it be this bad. If this was what I had to look forward too through childbirth, I would definitely be asking for an epidural.

"Did you see that!" Harley screamed at the TV, popcorn going flying in every direction. "That was awesome!"

"I've seen people do that in person, it is awesome." Kaiden agreed, a handsome smile spread across his face.