The Devastating Truth

Chapter 3- Surprise!

“Ryder! Do not say a word to dad about the baby. Do you understand me? It’s my job to tell him. Not you…”

                We were in the car, on the way to the airport to pick up Zayn. He’d been gone for seven more weeks, which made me eleven weeks pregnant. I hadn’t told him yet. I thought it would make a good surprise… and plus I really wanted to see his reaction. I had come to terms with accepting that I was pregnant. I mean I had no other option, but still… Once I had talked to Taylor and my mom, they were able to convince me that it was perfectly fine. Taylor can’t wait to meet her new niece or nephew and my mom was itching for another grandchild. I was growing more and more attached to my baby every single day. Thank goodness my belly wasn’t showing enough for the paparazzi to even think about taking pictures of me. If Zayn found out before I could tell him, it would ruin the surprise.

                “But why can’t I tell him, mommy!” Ryder was arguing with me from the backseat.

                I sighed. “Maybe you can… just wait for me to tell you, okay? Don’t say anything until I tell you.”

                He grinned. “Okay!”

                Arriving at the airport these days were crazy. Most definitely crazier then it was when I first arrived here. I was practically famous now, and just because of who my husband was. Even though it was another cloudy day, I put my black sunglasses on, hiding the flash of camera from my eyes, and gripped Ryder’s hand as tight as I could. The fans loved him, but I really didn’t need him getting lost in all of this chaos. The crazy fans kept up with the boys’ flight schedules almost as much as management did, so the crowd of girls was already swarming. And the plane wouldn’t be landing for another hour…

                I looked around for Morgan and Taylor who were here already. Holding on tighter than usual to my son, I shoved past the crowd of people, smiling at some and waving at others, until we made it to the quietness of the food court. There, I found my two best friends sitting at a table that was excluded from everyone else.

                “Can I run to ‘em?” Ryder asked, itching to move somewhere without having to hold my hand; that was the only rule he absolutely couldn’t stand.

                “Sure thing.” I said, releasing his hand and watching him sprint to the two people that were practically my sisters.

                When I finally made it over to them, I removed my sunglasses and sat down. Ryder had taken out his portable video game and by the sound of it, was killing something.

                “What took you so long? Preparing to tell Zayn?” Taylor teased.

                “Funny. But nope, just overslept. Like usual.” They both laughed, but I was being completely honest.

                “How are you feeling?” Morgan asked, being the sincere one as always.

                I ran my fingers through my hair, a habit of being scared. “Nervous.” I mumbled.

                She put a hand on my shoulder. “He’ll be ecstatic, Ellie.”

                “How many times must we tell you?” Taylor said.

                I sighed. Not answering her, I pulled out my phone and silently cursed myself for agreeing to meet up early with them.

 “Flight 21 from New York is now landing.” The intercom of the radio announced. All of us, including Ryder, looked up from our hand-held electronics.

                “Ready to see dad?” I asked Ryder, taking his hand as he nodded. “Remember our deal.”

                He looked up at me, and with those big hazel eyes, I knew he wouldn’t tell Zayn if I didn’t want him to. Taylor and Morgan looked at me confused, but then shrugged it off, because like me, they were eager to see their husbands.

                When I saw him walk through the terminal, my heart melted. I don’t think I realized how much I had missed him. My thoughts had been so focused on the baby that I had only talked to him on the phone a few times… Not enough times apparently, because as soon as he said “Hello, love.” I realized I had missed his voice. And that I had been worried for nothing.

“Hi.” I mumbled, burring my face into my husband’s shoulder. His familiar scent gave me chills and he continued hugging me until I felt a smaller hand pull mine. I pulled away from Zayn, laughing.

He scooped Ryder up and spun him around. “How are you, little man?!” Zayn was so good with Ryder… from day one he had been good with Ryder. Nothing to be worried about. “Did you take care of mommy for me?”

“Yes! And later, we have a surprise for you.” I caught my son’s eye and shook my head.

“You do?” Zayn said, winking to where only I could see him. I just laughed it off.

“Alright boys! Let’s go home.”

Zayn took my hand and led me out through the fans, back to the car. Hopefully he’d love his surprise.

Ryder had crashed early that night, giving me and Zayn some time alone, which was perfect. Something else I had missed… an adult to talk to. Don’t get me wrong, conversations about which zombie is going to die first was amazing, but it didn’t capture my full attention. Zayn and I were lying in bed, legs intertwined. My head was on his shoulder, and his fingers were playing with my hair. And we weren’t really talking… the quiet was perfect. And I was almost asleep, until he spoke up.

“So what’s this ‘surprise’ that you looked reluctant to give me?” His accent was stronger than ever, as sleep was daring to overcome him. My eyes opened wide, but I pretended not to hear him. That didn’t really work.

“Ellie… I know you’re awake. I can almost feel your heart beating. You’re scared about something. Or nervous. Or you were having a bad dream, but since I know you weren’t asleep… What is it?”

“It’s nothing bad. I promise…” I mumbled, refusing to look up into my husband’s dark brown eyes.

“Ellie. You’re scaring me. What’s wrong?”

“Please don’t be mad.” I said, but before I could finish, I heard a set of feet outside the door. “Ryder?”

The door cracked open. “Can I tell him, mom? Pretty please?”

I nodded, and he raced to the bed, tackling Zayn. “I’m going to be a big brother!”

I watched as Zayn was suddenly wide awake. He was quiet for a minute. “So this means….”

I finished for him. “You’re going to be a dad. Congratulations.”