Loves Deception

Chapter 32

Layla was drained. It had been a month since she found out she was pregnant and she was handling the news as well as could be expected. She had stopped taking her birth control pills the day she found out and the ultrasound proved everything was progressing smoothly with her baby's development. She was three and a half months pregnant and was starting to feel like it. Her breasts were so sensitive that she wanted to cry every time she touched them. She'd already began wearing nursing pads to protect her nipples. Then there were the dizzy spells. They came on sudden and left her feeling dazed and nauseous. She was even experiencing weird cravings. Like her bath soap. She carried a bar in her purse and would sniff it throughout the day. It was like the ultimate high and oddly it helped ease her queasiness.

She was also becoming more tired easily. She tried to control it by going to bed earlier and pacing herself throughout the day but nothing helped. Seemed like every day like clockwork her body began to shut down. She was at her desk typing an insurance report and her eyes started to droop. She shook it off. Only one more hour she coached herself on. As six thirty rolled around she rushed through shutting down her computer and tidying up her office. After locking up she walked past the break room and spotted Ethan before he saw her. She eased by with a large group but ran into Jada, one of the girls she occasionally went out with. "Hey stranger. What's up?" she greeted her. Layla forced a smile. "Hey girl. Nothing much just been busy with all those forms." she half lied. "Girl I know. This year's weather is rough. More people have been getting sick. More claims and work for us." "Yeah. I have been feeling a little under the weather myself"' She covered her mouth, letting out a small cough, May as well make an excuse that's believable. What better one than the flu. She thought with a smirk. Jada took a cautious step back. "Well when you're feeling better give me a call. We can try out this new club on Lexington" She waved while backing up. "Sounds good" Layla waved back, knowing she wouldn't be at anybody's club anytime soon.

As she made it home she showered and fell into bed. Food didn't appeal to her some days so she would end up eating just enough to nourish the baby. Tonight's dinner was crackers, carrots and a ginger ale. Even that was threatening to come up. She lay on her side and breathed in and out slowly, trying hard not to heave. She grabbed her bar of soap off the nightstand and inhaled through the carton. It helped because soon she had drifted off to sleep.

Layla started awake at the sound of the doorbell. She glanced at her alarm clock and it read eight thirty-five pm. Damn. That's all? She sighed and climbed out of bed. As she looked through the peephole she saw Ethan. He held up a takeout bag and grinned. She smiled and opened the door. "Hi, Ethan. Come in." He followed behind her to the kitchen. "Hey babe, it's been an awhile and I thought we could catch up. I saw you sneak by me at work today so I want to know what that was about too." She pulled out a chair at the dining room table and plopped down, lifting her shoulders. "Just didn't feel like chatting. I was in a hurry." she said honestly. He scowled. "Well tough. That's what friend do. They chat and listen even when they don't want to." he joked. She smiled. "I'm sorry if I offended you. I've just been tired lately." she stifled a yawn. This baby was already demanding.

She smiled and pulled her arms around her belly, resisting the urge to rub it. "Yeah, you have been looking flush lately. You should get a flu shot. You'll thank yourself, because trust me, there is nothing fun about puking your guts out." He shuddered absently while rummaging through the takeout bag. Layla stared at him. If anyone knew that it was no fun it was her. She smirked at the irony. "So what are you doing over here? Shouldn't you be sucking face with your girlfriend." she teased. He smiled. "Normally I would, but she's on a flight to California as we speak." He frowned then grinned. "So you're my next favorite girl." he squeezed her shoulder as he walked into the kitchen. "Gee thanks. Second best!" she called over her shoulder. He came back with plates and cups and loaded their plates with Caribbean food.

The smell assaulted her nose immediately and she swallowed hard as her stomach started to churn. Please just let me make it through dinner while he's here. She begged silently. He placed the plate in front of her and she almost pushed it back. He smiled at her as he sat opposite her and began eating. "So what's been going on in the land of long distance?" he asked. She sighed. "Nothing much, just taking it slow. Working on our relationship. We talk on the phone every day, pictures, Skype, but I haven't seen him since Valentine's Day." He whistled. "Man I couldn't do it. I'm going crazy now and she's only been gone a couple of hours." He shook his head. They continued to chat about work and their relationships while they ate.

Layla smiled and nodded dutifully as Ethan talked about nothing in particular. She had managed to eat half her plate before her stomach started churning her mouth started to water. That was usually the sign that she was about to vomit. She swallowed and made it worse. He jaws became pinched as if she ate something sour and she clamped her mouth shut. She breathed in and out slowly and tried to smile at him again but frowned instead. His brows furrowed. "Are you ok babe?" she nodded. "Yes" No. Oh god! She jumped up and ran to the bathroom in the hall and barely missed the floor. She stood retching over the toilet as Ethan nervously watched from the doorway. She stood there dry heaving for a few minutes to make sure that she had expelled it all.

When the coast was clear Ethan eased into the bathroom, grabbed a wash towel, wet it and handed it to her. Layla washed her face and rinsed her mouth. She caught his questioning eyes in the mirror and looked away. She eased past him and headed into the living room. He sat next to her as she laid her head on the couch. As she waited for the dizziness to pass he rubbed her back comfortingly. "Something tells me this isn't the flu." he spoke quietly. She sighed heavily and sat up. "I'm pregnant." She blurted with a sob and covered her mouth quickly. I can't take it back now. He looked at her stunned with his mouth hanging open. Tears welled in her eyes and rolled down her face. He pulled her into a hug and held her until her shoulders stilled. "Thanks." She sniffed, wiping her face. He squeezed her shoulder and kissed her head. "So how far along?" he asked. "Three and a half months" She bit her lip anxiously. He nodded, glancing at her belly. "So... how is Xavier taking the news?" She cast her eyes downward. He studied her a moment. "He doesn't know does he?" he accused. "No" she said softly. He sighed. "You know you're gonna have to tell him sometime Layla." "I know!" she snapped. "I'm just finding out a month ago and I'm still in shock. I'm just not ready to tell anyone." She huffed. "Well pretty soon you won't have to. People are going to figure it out once you start showing." "Ethan, I know that. I just... I'm afraid." She admitted. He rubbed her back again. "Because of the miscarriage?" he asked softly. She winced, then nodded. "Last time everything was perfect. We had told everyone, even started buying baby things and then out of nowhere...Gone... I lost my baby. I don't want to go through that again. I don't want other people to go through that pain again." She said wiping her eyes. "I understand that and I'm sure thats a valid reason to keep this pregnancy on the low for now, but you can't keep this a secret from him. Not him. Not when you guys are starting fresh, no secrets or lies. Right?" She didn't answer. "Listen. What happened last time wasn't either of your faults. It was just an awful tragedy. But don't deny him the chance to watch his child grow and be born. Don't make the same mistakes as before. Trust him to be strong enough to handle this. To comfort you. The both of you need each other now... Take it from a man. He's going yo be hurt and furious if you keep this from him." He looked her firmly in the eyes. She nodded absently, quietly thinking. She wasn't going to keep him from his child, hell she didn't even know if he still wanted children. They were just getting back on track. Would this baby make or break them? No. She wasn't ready to share the news with him just yet.