Welcome To The Family

Welcome To TheFamily - Chapter 17

Chapter 17: Discharge Instructions
**Debbie's POV**
I'm furious with Nik right now but I'm not going to undermine him in front of Michelle. I wrap my arms tightly around her and allow her to sob against me as I glare daggers at my husband.
I understand that he's upset with all of them because they all played a part in landing Michelle in the hospital, but he forgets that we have known these boys for years, and we both know that they would never intentionally mean to hurt our daughters.
A doctor comes with the discharge instructions on what she is and isn't allowed to do until she's completely healed. No rock climbing or mountain biking with a cast on...gotcha.
I offer to go and grab the car and bring it in front of the hospital so Nik can help Michelle into the back seat since I lack the muscle strength to try without fear of hurting her further. Michelle grabs onto me and begs me not to leave her alone with her dad....it breaks my heart that his stubbornness is causing her more pain.
I softly kiss the top of her head and whisper that I'll be right back and make my way towards the parking garage. I slide into the driver's seat and stare at my cell phone sitting in the center console. I know I shouldn't defy my husband but he's being an asshole right now and I feel like I need to fix this..
...I have to at least try.
**Val's POV**
I stare at the clock counting down the minutes. I missed my period this month and I'm hoping that it's just the stress of what's happened and not for other more serious reasons.
I haven't talked to Brian in a few days, he's really isolating himself and not opening up to anyone. It's got me so worried I actually talked to Matt about it...go figure, he said he was concerned as well.
The situation between Matt and I is still rocky at best. I feel beyond betrayed by his actions but I'm trying to be civil because of Michelle...I promised her I would.
She's actually getting released today and I'm supposed to be heading over with the rest of her stuff from the place she shared with Brian this afternoon. I am kind of dreading it because I know our dad is not happy with us for the affairs....I think he blames us for causing the accident.
The pregnancy test I took is laying across the room on the sink and I'm dreading having to look at it. I had been sick for a week before the accident and my doctor had me on antibiotics...I should have been paying attention to his discharge instructions when he said that they could counter effect my birth control and to use backup just in case. I wouldn't be so freaked out except, in that week I had slept with both Matt and Brian...ugh, hopefully I'm just overreacting.
The timer dings and I stand to walk towards the test when my new cell phone begins to ring...it's my mom. I quickly slide the answer button, "Hey mom, is everything ok? Is Michelle released yet?" I ask and there is a long pause before she finally speaks.
"Honey, I really hate to ask you to do this but can you please call Matt?" she says with reservation.
"Matt? Why?!" I scoff and she just sighs, "No really, why in the world would you willfully want me to call him? Don't you remember he tore my heart out a few weeks ago!?" I whine back at her. Seriously, she has to be joking!
"Val, please! Michelle said that Matt overheard a conversation between Brian and herself, and he might have taken something the wrong way." she begs and my heart sinks. Why would Brian talk to Michelle when he said he couldn't talk to me? I sigh loudly and she pleads again, "Valary, your sister is hurting and I don't have Matt's number...please, I need you to do this!"
"Mom, I don't know if I can!" I cry as my eyes glance over at the pregnancy test and tears begin to cascade down my cheeks.
"Valary Renee, give me one good reason why you won't do this for your sister...I think you owe her!" she screams back at me and I desperately try to control my emotions on the subject.
"I won't because I'm fucking pregnant!" I shout back and hear her loudly gasp. I know I shouldn't take it on my mom but Michelle isn't the only victim here...everyone seems to have forgotten that.
"Oh dear...you really need to tell him! I'm sorry, but deep down I know that you understand that he deserves to be informed...regardless of how mad he made you." she replies in a sympathetic tone.
"Mom....I'm..." I attempt to say, I'm not sure it's Matt's, but the words get stuck in my throat.
She's going to be so disappointed in me...
**Debbie's POV**
I am in total shock when Val tells me she's pregnant. I can't begin to tell you how many times I had wished to hear those words so I could have an adorable grandchild to spoil...but she doesn't sound happy at all and that breaks my heart. I know she would be a fantastic mother and even though she's still hurt by Matt's actions right now, maybe in time they can fall back in love over this amazing gift.
I am about to respond and tell her to take a few more days to let things blow over and to get her emotions in check, when my phone alerts me that I have another incoming call...it's Nik. "Oh Val, congratulations baby! I have to go your dad is on the other line...don't worry, I won't spoil the surprise...you can let him know later. I love you and I'll see you soon!" I say quickly then switch calls, "Hey Nik, sorry I'm on the way....I forgot where we parked the car." I lied and he responds that they are waiting for me by the hospital entrance.
I toss the car into gear and head towards that direction. I'm so torn on what to do...Michelle is in love with Matt and I believe the feeling is mutual but if Valary is really pregnant with his child then I want them to work things out for my grandchild's sake. I park the car in front and watch as Nik wheels an obviously distraught Michelle towards the car and my heart breaks.
One of my babies is going to get emotionally crushed...and there is nothing I can do to stop it.
**Val's POV**
Did my mother seriously have the nerve to tell me congratulations and then say that she won't spoil the surprise?!? She acts like this is something I'm excited to tell my dad and Michelle about!
I'm honestly scared shitless to let Matt and Brian know...I don't want either one of them to feel obligated to be with me just because of the baby...I want someone to want to be with me because I make them happy.
I am a little hurt to find out that Brian chose to go to Michelle for comfort over me. I really thought he liked me and I know have feelings for him too....to say it's love is way too soon, but I don't doubt it could turn into that. I'm nervous to tell him that though, I mean, I have just been emotionally burned by someone who I trusted and loved since the 6th grade...it's not fair to assume I can just get over it within a few weeks.
As for Matt, he has tried to apologize on multiple occasions but to be honest...even if this baby is his..I will never trust him again. I won't refuse to let him be a part of the baby's life but that doesn't mean he has to be a part of mine...not romantically that is.
I load up the rest of Michelle's things that I picked up at Brian's earlier and climb into my car. I glance down at my hands as they hold onto the steering wheel and notice them actually shaking in fear.
I decide that I am going to hold off telling the guys until I'm at least through my first trimester. I always heard that there is the greatest risk of losing the baby during that time. So, I'm not going to have two friends fight to be with me out of some guilt-ridden obligation to a baby that might not make it past a few weeks. Matt and I had talked about trying a few times before but for some reason or another things just never worked out and all be damned if I'm guilted into forgiving him now.
I take a deep breath and place the car into drive and head towards my parents house.
I hope Michelle can forgive me..
...I never meant for this to happen.