Growth (Ryan Blaney and Chase Elliott fanfic)

Chapter 14

"When is the baby shower?" Ryan asks, shifting on his feet.

I watch Alex switch from one pose into another, the photographer snapping pictures of him. He sure does love the camera. It's been two weeks since I told my family about the baby and while everything is well with the baby and Chase and Ryan, I still feel bothered by the conversation and lack of communication.

"The end of September," I answer, "Maybe earlier, if my parents decide they're not coming." I look over at him, noticing the uneasy expression on his face. "What's wrong?"

"Playoffs begin around then," he mutters.

"We can make it sooner then, so you won't have to stress so much during the playoffs," I suggest. "They're probably not coming anyways."

He shakes his head. "Yeah, but the baby is due in early November. What if Chase and I are still in the playoffs by then?"

"I can't exactly plan when the baby is going to be born, Ryan," I remind him with an annoyed tone.

"Yes you can. You can get induced," he suggests, matching my irritation.

"Well I'm not doing that," I shut him down. We stand in an awkward, tense atmosphere and I glance over at Ryan to see that he's crossed his arms and his lips are in a tight line. I fight back the eyeroll.

"You need to tell Bridget to send me an invitation to the baby shower. Actually, a couple, so I can give my family invitations, too," he orders.

"Okay," I mutter, heading towards the small break room attached to the photography studio to sit down and rest my legs. Although he has a right to be irritated, I'm pissed off too and I don't want to deal with him right now. I'm surprised to see that Chase is already in there, leaning against the counter and texting on his phone.

When did he get here?

"Hey," I greet him softly as I slide down into a seat.

"Hey," he looks up from his phone, slipping into the chair across from me. "What's wrong? You seem kind of down."

I shrug. "Just got into it with Ryan a little bit, it's no big deal."

He nods but doesn't look convinced. He doesn't say anything, though, which I'm grateful for. I don't really want Chase to get in my business with Ryan just like I don't want Ryan to get in my business with Chase.

"Have you told your family about the baby?" I inquire, rubbing my baby bump which is growing bigger day by day.

"Yeah, uh, obviously they weren't too happy about it," he lets out a small laugh.

I just nod in understanding, choosing not to respond. I couldn't imagine what it would be like to be a family member in this position. It must be weighing on them, too, not knowing if they have a grandchild or a niece or nephew yet.

I'm unsure of whether to ask Chase if he thinks his family would like to attend the baby shower or not. I know I should ask, considering Ryan wants an invitation for his family and they should get to know me a little bit considering I might become connected to their family, but something is holding me back.

I know it's my pride. I don't want to be looked at as a golddigger or the hoe who ruined Chase's life- same with Ryan. Of course I expect child support, but that would be for the baby, not for me. I'm also afraid of there being a confrontation between Chase's family and Ryan's family.

I know they've interacted and have history since Ryan and Chase have been friends for so long and I'm afraid this situation will ruin their positive relationship. And how will it look if my family doesn't show up?

It'll show Ryan and Chase's families that I don't have a good support system and that it makes me a wildcard when it comes to being a mother. If I don't even have a good relationship with my family, how will they be sure that I will have a good relationship with my baby?

It might urge their families to suggest that they take sole custody of the baby, something I would never want to happen.

I clear my throat, knowing that I'm letting my mind run a little too wild. I've been stressed out lately, and I tend to spiral and make things worse for myself in the end. It's something that will have to stop when the baby is born but I don't know how to make it stop.

"Do you think they'd want to come to the baby shower?" I throw the question out there. I don't think he can get upset- it's a valid question. This baby might be a new family member, wouldn't they want the chance to celebrate it beforehand?

Chase is not so good at masking the surprise on his face. "I can ask them, I'm sure they'll appreciate the thought."

"Alright. Um, I'll tell Bridget to give you a couple of invites, then," I respond uncomfortably.

Oh god, this is going to be one uncomfortable baby shower. With both potential fathers, their families, and possibly my spiteful family there, it seems like it's going to be less of a celebration of this new life and more of an introduction dinner.

I start to get choked up at the thought. On top of all of this stress, my hormones from the baby have been out of control lately. I cried at a Cheerios commercial last week.

"Excuse me." I pull myself out of the chair, stepping into the small hallway. All I want right now is my mom's arms wrapped around me and for her to tell me that it's going to be okay. I know that she's angry with me right now and that thought alone makes the first tear slide down my cheek, many tears following.

I don't even realize that I've called my mother until she answers the phone. "Hello?"

"Mom?" My voice cracks at the word and I can't help but release all of the sobs in my body, scurrying into a nearby bathroom so that nobody can hear or see me cry.

"It's okay, honey," she reassures me over the phone. She whispers soothing words to me as I sob my heart out- something that I've been needing to do for a long time now.

"How can you not love your grandchild, mom? Just because I don't know who the father is, you don't love your grandchild?" I ask the question that's been on my mind ever since I hung up the phone two weeks ago.

"Why would you ever think that?" She sounds bewildered. "I'm not happy with the situation you've put yourself in, and the fact that you're going to raise this baby so far away from your family, but I'm excited to become a grandmother. And your father, he'll come around. You know how he is."

"You need to tell me if you're coming to the baby shower or not," I demand, my emotions suddenly switching from sadness to anger. "Chase and Ryan have playoffs in early October so if you're not coming we're going to plan it sooner."

"We'll be there," she announces. "And you can plan it sooner if you want to, we'll make sure that we're there, okay?"

"Okay," I respond uncertainly, "I'll tell Bridget."

"I love you, sweetie," she tells me. "Send me a picture of the latest sonogram please."

"I have to go," I state abruptly, "Bye."

I hang up before she can answer. I know she sounds supportive, but I still think it's odd that I had to call her first two weeks after our conversation. It hurts and it makes me still feel like I don't have my family's full support.

But now that I know they're coming to my baby shower, I'm not sure if it's another thing to worry about or one less thing to worry about.

EDITED: YES