The Threat Of Fear

chapter 18

        I let out a sigh of relief, my hands pressing into the cold marble of the sink.

"It's finally over." I breathed out to myself.

I'm in the bathroom of the courthouse right now. I practically ran straight here after it ended.

"I don't have to be afraid of him anymore," I whispered.

I stared straight into the mirror and took deep breaths.

I need to calm down and get my emotions under control before I walk out of here.

Someone walked into the restroom.

"Oh, it's you." someone said distastefully.

It's her.

"You ruined his life, you know." she spat.

Turns out that the whole time, he had a kid with someone that he was still with while he was with me.

"Yeah, well," I sighed. "He ruined mine first. He got what he deserved."

        "Tiffany will be moving in with us in about a month." Nick cheered, walking into the kitchen.

I'm sitting on a bar stool and Alec is cooking something.

"That's nice," I yawned. "It'll be nice to have another female in the house."

"So, what's for dinner?" he asked.

"I don't know, you guys have refused to let me cook anything since you found out that I'm pregnant," I remarked.

"Well, you could hurt yourself or your baby." Alec huffed.

"I'm only, like, seven and a half weeks," I pouted. "And I'm usually careful when I cook."

"Well, it's best to be safe than sorry," Alec said.

"My brother should be coming home soon, right?" Nick wondered.

Shade quietly walked into the room as well. I don't think the other two noticed him though.

"Nope." Shade grinned, kissing my cheek. "He's already home Mr. Tryniski."

He wrapped one arm around my waist, his hand resting on my hip. His other hand gently started rubbing my stomach.

"Well, alright then," Nick sighed exasperatedly. "Mr. Night."

I looked down at my stomach and pouted.

"What is it?" Shade asked.

"I can't tell if I'm bloated, or if I'm getting fat," I muttered.

"Maybe," Shade grinned. "It's the start of your baby bump. Maybe it's our child starting to grow."

He's really started to like the idea of us having a baby. He gets this proud look in his eyes whenever the topic comes up.

"Yeah." I murmured. "Maybe."

        "Shade." I pouted.

We stopped walking and he turned around to face me.

"Yes, my love?" he grinned, placing my hand on his chest.

"Is it really necessary that I go to this?" I asked.

"Definitely." Shade nodded. "They all want to meet you. It's just a small get together, I promise."

"Fine." I sighed. "Let's go."

"I love you, Rachel." he murmured, bringing me to his chest and kissing my forehead.

"I love you too, Shade." I smiled softly.

"You two love birds gonna come in or are you just gonna stand there staring into each other's eyes?" a female voice retorted.

Shade let out a sigh.

"That's Lily," Shade whispered.

I hummed in response.

"Come on," he smiled, pressing his lips against mine gently. "Let's go inside."

"Alright." I giggled.

        Shade's team seems to be really nice.

I'm actually glad that I came.

"So, about how far along are you?" Lily asked, nodding to my stomach.

"Almost eight weeks, I believe," I responded nervously.

"So, it happened on the trip you guys went on?" she hummed.

That sounds more like a statement than a question.

"I think so," I mumbled. "I, I mean, it's not like it could have happened beforehand seeing as I've never been with anyone else before."

My face feels so warm right now. I must be very red right now.

"What gender do you want?" she wondered.

"I, umm, I don't know..." I trailed off. "I never really thought about it. I guess as long as their happy and healthy, why should it matter?"

"So, you would be fine if they decided to become transgender or gay when they're older?" she mused.

I don't think she meant that to be offensive, but it kind of is.

"Yes, like I said, as long as their happy and healthy," I replied curtly. "I live with a gay married couple, so why would I care if my child is gay or bi or whatever sexuality that they decide to be?"

"Right, right." she nodded.

I'm no profiler, but it doesn't sound like she believes me.

"Hello, my love," Shade grinned, coming up to us and wrapping his arms around me while kissing my forehead. "Are you ready to go? I got a text from Nick, they want us to be there when Tiffany comes home from school for the first time."

I nodded.

"Yeah," I replied, kissing his cheek. "I'm getting kind of sleepy."