Love Triangle

FIFTY SEVEN

"Here." My mum handed me a present wrapped in white wrapping paper with miniature Santa Claus' spotted around.

It was Christmas morning, the lights on our Christmas tree were twinkling, and the Christmas music was playing softly in the background.

I ripped open the wrapping paper to reveal a pile of clothes.
Some were my style, and underneath were folded baby clothes.

"So I got you some new clothes. I know you'll be needing bigger stuff to fit your bump in very soon. And I couldn't help but buy the baby a little present."
I smiled gratefully at her. "Thank you."

My mum and I simultaneously grabbed another mince pie from the box by our TV before both slouching back on the couch.
"How's the new job going?" She asked.
I shrugged. "It's okay."
I'd been working at the fast food shop for just over a week now.
"What's it like working there while you're sixteen weeks pregnant? You've been working every hour that you haven't been at school."
"It's not great. The smell of the food makes me nauseous and the hygiene in the place isn't brilliant, but I've got no other choice. I have to provide for my baby. There's so much stuff to buy, and I want to do it on my own."
My mum smiled a proud smile at me.

***

An hour later, there was a faint knock on the door.
I jumped up to answer and when I opened it, it was Eden.

"Hey! Come in." I ushered Eden in to our living room.

He and my mum exchanged a series of "merry Christmas" and gave each other a hug before she turned to me and said, "I'll leave you to it."

"How's your Christmas?" He asked.
I nodded. "It's good. It's weird being pregnant and not drinking." I said and we both laughed.

"I only came here quickly... to give you this." He opened the bag he'd carried in his hand and handed me a scrapbook.
I flicked through it but found that the pages were empty.

"It's for the next few years." Eden told me, quickly. "You should document your pregnancy and the baby's first years, because I think these are going to be the best years of my life."
I smiled warmly at him and stroked over the front of the scrapbook. "Thank you, Eden. That's so thoughtful."

"Anyway," he started, standing up and sipping his thick coat further, "I better go. Kath is going crazy over Christmas dinner and she could probably use an extra pair of hands."
"Yeah. I'll see you later." I stood up and hugged him. "Don't let Kath go crazy."

I led Eden to the front door and watched as he stepped out.
"Eden!" I called after him as he reached my gate. "Thank you... for the scrapbook."
"It's okay." He smiled, and then headed off down the street.

***

Shortly after Eden left, my mum burst into the living room carrying two bottles of Schloer.
"Look! It's like fake alcohol. Now we can drink without really drinking. Accommodating the pregnancy and everything." She rambled on, clearly drinking something other than Schloer in the kitchen by the slur on her words. "Unfortunately I couldn't find an alternative for your weed."
I laughed. "Thanks."

She flicked on the speaker and blasted loud Christmas music.
She twisted the lid of the Schloer and danced around the living room, causing me to giggle.

After fifteen minutes of her never ending dancing, Scott entered the room.
"Scott!" My mum jumped, her cheeks going pink. "I didn't see you."
"No, no, it's okay. Uh, nice dancing." He stammered, and I stifled a laugh.
"Uh... thanks."
"Anyway, Cova? Can I have a minute?" He asked me and I nodded.

Scott and I made our way to the cobwebbed table and chairs in the corner of our overgrown garden and sat down.

"Here." He handed me a gift wrapped in plain silver paper. "It's a bit cringe, but..."
I unwrapped the gift to find my baby scan pictured in a small frame with a cute quote around the outside.

"Only you can understand the strength of my love, for it is only you that has heard the sound of my heartbeat from the inside."

"It's lovely, Scott." I smiled, holding the frame close to me.
"Well, I felt like I had to get something." He shrugged. "I'm sorry about Jesse, but this baby is my family as well. I want to be there."
I nodded. "Of course."

There was a small pause before Scott spoke again. "Hey, I heard about the job. This baby would be proud of you, you know? And if you get bored of the fast food scene, the coffee shop industry would always have you."
"Thanks, Scott." I smiled.
"I hope you don't mind me saying it, but I'm really angry that Jesse is missing this. I knew he was struggling but I could've never predicted that he'd run at a time like this. Especially because he's so in love with you, he really is." Scott sighed.
"Well, not enough, or not anymore, otherwise he'd be here, right?" I felt my heart ache as I spoke and clearly snapped my brave face on. "Anyway, I don't need him."

There was another pause before Scott pulled a pale blue box out of his pocket and revealed a silver bracelet with several quirky charms on.
"I got this for your mum. But tell me now if you don't think she'll like it and I won't embarrass myself." He grinned.
"Wow. It's really pretty. She'll love it, honestly."
"Then here's my shot." He inhaled, standing up.
"Good luck."

I watched Scott walk through the icy garden and into the door to my kitchen.
I watched through the window as he handed my mum the box and I watched her expression light up.
I couldn't help but smile at their happiness, but wished I had it too.