Brave Enough

Twenty

"Why hasn't she come to me yet? It's been two weeks since you slipped that fucking envelope into the kid's backpack. Who the fuck was that anyways?" Colin complains angrily.

"Bro chill the bitch got rid of the firefighter who by the way is hot as hell. She'll probably come back eventually. As for the kid I have no clue. It's not like I had the time to ask her with people watching her at all times. She looks weird with the red hair I almost didn't recognize her. Mom would hate it. She loved Billie's long black hair. Said the curls were too precious," Corrine says rolling her eyes. "Sometimes I think mom loved. No loves Billie more than she loves me. She still talks about the brat all of the time. Probably because she reminds her of Kareena. That girl was the light of mom's miserable life. Whoever killed her is going to eventually feel mom's wrath."

"Kareena was special. Mom loves all of us equally."

****

"Hey, Echo do you and Winnie want to go to lunch? My boyfriend Jorge was talking about getting food at La Manuelas. I would love to introduce you guys," Maisie Shaw, James's newest friend asks. "And your daughter is so adorable. I cannot wait to meet your boyfriend. When is he going finally move down here? It's so nice to meet another American. Raven and Jake are the only other ones we've met so far." Maisie's bubbly personality warms James's heart. She has missed having friends these last couple weeks away from her LA family.

"I'd love to. I just need to drop Winnie off at the sitter's house before four o'clock so I can get to the club," James says.

"Cool, we should be done before that. You might want to have a few shots of tequila before you go in. If you know what I mean. Some of those men are freaking disgusting. I come in at six tonight."

"Ugh thank god. Raven is off tonight so I won't be alone at work tonight. However, on the boozy side, I don't think I can drink. I haven't been feeling that great the last couple days. Plus I need to be able to walk Winnie to the sitter's." James rubs her stomach trying to calm the unease in her stomach.

"Are you pregnant? Do you get headaches? Any other symptoms? Sorry, I took a couple of courses before we moved here."

"I mean I guess I do get more headaches than usual. My boobs are sore. And from the looks I get from some of our customers I'd say they've gotten a little bigger. I'm also tired all of the time. I assumed that was from the stress of being the only one taking care of Winnie right now. Being tired I mean. But I haven't missed a period though."

"Oh Echo if only you knew. You can still get light spotting throughout pregnancy. So what you saw might not have been your period. Let's go to the drug store on our way to the restaurant. We'll get you a test and check it after you drink some water. After that regardless of Raven and I will be there for you. But we may need to find you a new position soon at the club if you are pregnant," Maisie says.

****

"It has been two weeks and we still haven't found them. Where could they possibly be? We have looked everywhere," Buck stresses. Maddie takes a sip of her wine.

"We all miss them, Buck. The best we can do is to search and wait patiently. Knowing James she is somewhere safe. I'm sure she misses us too," Maddie reassures him.

****

"Shit. I seriously cannot afford to be pregnant right now. Maisie, what the hell am I going to do?" James cries from inside the stall. "I want this baby. I want his baby more than anything. But I don't know if I can do this."

"Aw, it's okay Echo. You'll get through this and soon your boo will be here to help you with both babies."

"I really hope so. Thank you for your kindness. We have only known each other for about two weeks and I already feel close to you and Raven."

"Of course. Us girls have to stick together right?"