Found Along The Way

Chapter eight

Daniel and Anya had never really spoken about kids, or what they'd do in a situation like Lina's. Anya knew he would someday want children, but she wasn't ever sure that was where her life was supposed to lead. And after enough time had gone by, and his true colours began to show, she knew she could never raise a child in an environment like the one she was in. Nevertheless, Anya knew Daniel well enough to know that had they gotten pregnant, he would want to keep it and raise it, because no matter what other faults he had, he was loyal when it mattered. As far as Anya was aware.

'He must be loyal' she'd think, because when she'd become concerned he'd say

"You're lucky to have me Anya, I've been by your side for over a year now. I'm loyal."

Or he'd shout...

"Why do you keep questioning me!?"

And his confidence in these words kept Anya in the dark, thinking 'He's loyal.'

Anya walked through a long hall to the room that held writers group, it felt strange without Lina. She'd stayed at home because of the morning sickness. But Anya had gotten to know the people there, and sorted things out with Lucas in the past week, so she felt comfortable going alone. A blank canvas sat in her bag next to the notebooks and pens, so much had been going on with Lina lately that every inspiration and thought for her art had just disappeared. So had every thought of Daniel. Until now.

Anya sat at the round table with the talented writers, and spotted a young man walking through the door, of course he had to look just like Daniel. Thinking it was him, she packed her things and almost got up to leave in a panic, before Jeremy went over and gave a loud "Andy, welcome! So glad you're here." Andy, his name is Andy. Jesus did that scare her.

Anya remembered the feeling she would get when Daniel walked in the room at the beginning of their love, her heart and face lighting up at the sight of his. He would come into class, and find her sat on park benches so often, but every single time was just as pleasantly surprising as the last.

"Anya!" He said in a melodic tone, wrapping his arms around her waist from behind her.

"Hey handsome!" She responded while continuing to paint her night sky.

"When are you gonna be done with this masterpiece? I miss you at the house."

"I'm nowhere near done, I never am, you know this already Dan." She turned around and put her arms around his neck. Someone from across the class looked over, yelling "Get a room you two."

They laughed and Anya turned back to her painting.

More memories of Daniel, that's just what she needed with all the existing stress. She wished so badly that she could just tell him about all the crap going on, and fall into his arms to be held and cared for. But instead she's at a writers group, with artist's block, while her writer friend is at home, sick.

"So where's our lovely Lina today?"

"Oh, she's just not feeling great." Anya didn't want to let Lina's secret out, it wasn't her news to tell. Especially not to Jeremy, a huge gossip spreader.

"Send her my love won't you sweetie?"

"Course Jeremy." Hearing that would probably cheer Lina up a bit, knowing that people care. It's more than she could say for Joey. I mean, he cared, but not enough to take this pressure off of Lina about the abortion. The past week had just been filled with calls and texts from Joe trying to convince her to get the abortion, and to no avail. It had always ended in a fight, and Lina became increasingly stressed.