The Arrangement

11

Lili
"You're pregnant?" I hear.

I look up and see Cole holding the pregnancy test. I stand there, staring at him. "Why did you lie?" he asks. "Are you really asking me why I didn't tell anybody?" I retort. "Yes! You should have told us!" he shouts. "Maybe I didn't want to tell anybody." I shout back. "Why? Is it not mine?" he snaps. I scoff and walk to my room. I slam and lock the door.

I came out of my room a few hours later, and saw mom, Tess, Chloe, Cole and Dylan. I go to the bathroom and take a shower. I change into some shorts and a tank top before going to the kitchen. "Lili Pauline Reinhart. You lied this morning." My mother says. "Hi mom. Nice to see." I say sarcastically. "Why didn't you tell us?" Tess asks. "Because I didn't want to get bombarded with questions like this right here. I just want to be left alone." I sigh. "You still should have told us the truth." My mother says angrily. "Why should I? This is exactly what you would've done if I told you then." I retort.

"Are you not going to eat?" I hear as I head back to my room. "I've lost my appetite." I close my door and Dakota lays on the bed. "If you would have kept your nose out of my bag." I scold him and he gives me a look. "Don't give me that look." I point at him. I got a text from Cami.

C: Hey can I come over?
L: can we meet up somewhere. I really need to get out of the house.
C: cafe in 20.
L: Thank you. You are a godsend.
C: I know.

I put some shoes on and throw my hair into a bun. I keep Dakota in my room, and head to the door. "Where are you going?" Cole asks. "Out." I say flatly, grabbing my keys. I get in my car and drive to the cafe.

"What's going on at your house?" she asks. "This morning my mom assumed I was pregnant and shoved a test in my face. I took it and it was positive. I didn't tell them and Dakota dragged the test out of my room and gave it to Cole. He thought that it wasn't his and I stormed into my room. I came out a few hours later and mom, Tess, Chloe, Dylan, and Cole were waiting for me. They were all mad at me for not telling them." I explain. "I'm gonna be an auntie!" she says. "Please don't tell anyone. I don't know if I'm going to keep it or not." I sigh. "You have to keep it." she says. "Why? The father doesn't want it, my mom will just try to control it." I reply.

I head back to the house and put my keys on the table next to the door. I lock the door and go to the kitchen. I get a water bottle and turn to see Cole. "Here to yell at me some more?" I ask and he glares at me. "You were gone for hours." he crosses his arms. "So you can go out and get drunk, but I have to stay in the house. Wow, Cole. Just wow." I say and walk past him. He grabs my arm and turns me towards him. "What?" I snap. "I just want to know why you kept this from me." he says. "Maybe because I didn't want to tell anybody. You obviously don't want it, and I'm making an appointment tomorrow so don't worry about it." I say, getting out of his grip. "What makes you think I don't want it?" he asks. "You made that clear when you found out. I don't want to raise a child in a broken home." I say walking to my room. I lock the door and cry myself to sleep.

I head to the doctor. "Lili Reinhart?" I stand and follow them. They do an ultrasound. "You are pregnant with twins." the nurse says, "congratulations!" "Thank you." I smile faintly. She hands me a sonogram and I go to the cafe. I get a bit chocolate and drive home. I set my keys on the table and lay on the couch. "Hey." I hear, but keep my eyes closed. "Lili?" he asks. "What." I sigh. "Where did you go?" he asks. "The doctor. Like I said." I reply and turn to my side. "So you had an abortion? I thought you wanted kids." he says confused. "No. I didn't have an abortion." I hand him the sonogram and head to my room, falling asleep.

I woke up screaming. Cole ran into my room and sat next to me. He pulls me into his lap and holds me tightly. "You're ok Lili." he whispers. Dakota nudges my arm and I take deep breath. I wrap my arms around his neck. "It's ok." he rubs my back. "I. I thought. I wouldn't have anymore." I whisper, stuttering. "It's ok Lili." he says. I take a shuddering breath and rest my head on his chest. "What time is it?" I ask. "2:45." he replies, resting his chin on my head.

We watch a movie, and I sit on his lap. "You ok?" he asks. "Yea." I reply, leaning against him. "I have a question for you." he says. "Ok." I say slowly. "Will you explain this to me." he says. He hands me the sonogram. "You have to explain this to me." he says and I giggle. "That is the baby." I point, "and that is the baby." He looks up at me. "Twins?" he asks and I nod. He hugs me tightly and kisses me.

I make breakfast and feel his hands on my stomach. "Hi." he mumbles. "Hi." I smile back at him. "You ok?" he asks. "Yea. I'm just tired." I reply. "Let me finish cooking." he says. "I'm almost done." I say. "Ok." he says, resting his chin on my shoulder.

"What are we doing today?" I ask. "We can go see one of the new movies." he suggests. "Sounds Good." I reply. We get dressed and he drives us to the movies. "What shall we watch?" he asks. I ponder a bit. "We could watch the new Aquaman movie." I suggest. "Ok." he takes my hand and we head inside.