2 days later.

Chapter 41:

5:00

"You almost done?" I heard Landon call out from outside of the bathroom and opening the door a smug, I peeked my head out in disturbance.

"I just got out the shower." I told him, with little droplets from my hair hitting the tile floor.

"I meant are you out of the shower." He redirected his question, while he was styling his hair for the first time in awhile in the mirror on our dresser.

"Oh yeah I'm done." I grinned before closing the door- only for it to be reopened again by him not too long after- I grabbed the blow dryer that was resting in the cabinet to place it on the counter top.

"You could have had one with me." He commented, swooping up behind me to pull me back into his chest. I had to grip my towel from it almost falling to the ground.

"You and I both know that's not a good idea." My body relaxed into his. "We can't keep your parents waiting."

"We could just show up 'fashionable late' as you ladies put it." He moved my wet hair to my left shoulder and out of his way. The bridge of his nose trailed down my neck and I took in a harsh breath, watching him in the foggy mirror. I felt his warm breath awaken my skin as my body grew hot. "Lets be late."

My towel was slowly descending my body but it wasn't from my doing. My breast kissed the air and I shivered, turning to face him to shield them. The towel was down to my waist and I looked up at him. His eyes were set hard and determined. And I knew if I didn't stop him right now, it would escalate further.

He took my silence as his answer to continue and my eyes fluttered closed, feeling his lips mold around mine. And like a starved man, he sinfully devoured me. His hands cupped my face, tilting my head back to deepen the kiss. His fingers splayed out across my face before moving them down, his left hand cupping my jaw and the other going into my wet curls. I was burning everywhere.

I leaned in closer so our fronts touched but he wasn't going only for that. I was hoisted up onto the counter top-with him moving the blow dryer-and I squealed wrapping my arms around his neck, his right leg came in between my knees separating them and I was dragged forward, and I automatically wrapped myself around him like a vine. He broke away from the kiss, only to leave me breathless and with swollen lips as he trailed further down. He lend my body back and my head almost hit the mirror, as he tore my towel open.

I could hear and feel his possessive side as he groaned at the sight. "Landon." I choked out. We needed to go. Either he didn't hear me or he didn't care as he kissed down my happy trail. His hands gripped either side of my thighs and I tried to readjust myself but he stalled my movement. "Five more minutes." His voice was gruff, as he moved back up to my sensitive breast.

We both knew five minutes would turn into thirty if-mostly him-we didn't stop. "Later." My hands went to his, pulling them off me. He groaned but complied to my wishes.

"You better be ready for 'later'." He looked me once over again and I could tell he was fighting his self consciousness but he won as he exited the bathroom to let me continue to get ready.

With a sigh, I jumped down from the counter top resealing my towel around me. It didn't take me long to blow my hair out for it to at least be damp for me to apply my natural hair products. Once it was to my liking, I left the bathroom to go to my two outfits that were laying sprayed out on the bed.

"Landon!" I called out, slipping into my undergarments. He reappeared from the doorway, fixing his cuff links.

He looked up to see with my hands on my hips. "We both know I'm the one that should have a attitude, you're torturing me at this point."

"Silly." I rolled my eyes dramatically. "Which one?" I pointed to the bed to get his opinion.

"Naked." He preferred. "But I know you're not going to grant me that wish, so that one." He pointed to the left- the slit black dress, I honestly loved this dress because Regina and me were playing around- since I was little miss plain Jane- and she cut one of my dresses to her standards and it honestly turned out pretty well.

I picked both of the dresses up, only putting back the other one. Sliding the dress of the hanger, I tried to slip it on without touching my hair. "Need help?" He asked, but he was already making the whole bigger for me to slip into.

"Thanks." I huffed once sliding into the dress without any more problems. "I just need to put some makeup on."

"You don't need it."

"Yeah I know." My heart didn't forget to swell. "But I want to look presentable."

"Babe, everybody has seen your natural face. It's not like your favorite celebrity is going to walk in."

"But he is." I pouted.

"He?" He demanded, his posture stiffening. "Who is he?"

"You." I patted his chest twice before turning to go back into the bathroom. "Or did you forget you were a celebrity to the world?"

"Damn right." He addressed it and I couldn't stop my laughter as he went all caveman.

"Stop it, I'm trying to do my makeup." It took some concentration, and if I didn't stop laughing it wouldn't get done.

Almost twenty minutes later I was finished and when I went out, he was sitting on the bed with his elbow propped up on his knee. "Ready?" I cheered with a big grin plastered on my face. He scoffed under his breath at my reaction to him sitting for what seemed like a decade.

"You look beautiful by the way." He complimented me, standing up while grabbing his jacket.

"And you look handsome." He shrugged my compliment off like he didn't need to hear that from me. He always looked good in anything he wore, besides a clown suit.. but I had a feeling he would still pull that off.

"For someone who use to call himself handsome you sure are not gloating about it." He stood in front of me, tilting my head back with his index finger.

"Why do that when I have the most beautiful girl next to me? Would that be fair?"

"Technically I'm in front of you so..." I mocked and he grinned before leaning down, his lips hovering over mine.

"I suggest you put on heels." His minted breath fanned my face. "Before we don't go at all."

He kissed my temple and I scowled at his back, watching him leave the room.

This is going to be a long ride.

•••

"Calm down your going to love it, and they going to love you- they already do." He said the last part, reaching his hand out and placing it on my stomach.

We arrived at his parents house- mansion-almost five minutes ago and here I was hyperventilating in the car, not wanting to go in.

"Okay we can go." I nodded my head in agreement and unbuckling our seatbelts we met at the hood of the car, his hand reaching out for mine.

"Don't stress it's not good for our baby." He brushed the pad of his thumb across my hand.

"Easy for you to say." And as if expecting right on cue the door was swung open.

"Richard, they're here!" Ruby called out, closing the door behind us. "Come in, come in." She chanted twice waving her hand for us to follow her.

"You look lovely sweetie." Ruby turned her head to me and I thanked her.

"You too-" I stopped mid sentence.

Turning the corner I expected to see Lilly, Lena, Liam and Richard. But I didn't expect to see.

My Mom and Dad.

"Mom!" I squealed, releasing Landon to rush over to her and she opens her arms for me to engulf myself into them.

"Hey sweet pea." Her warmth soothed me as she rubbed her hand across my back. "You're glowing." She pulled away from, taking me in before her eyes narrowed. I fidgeted under her stars but it was soon interrupted.

"What? I don't get any love?" I heard my Dad's bittersweet voice from not getting any attention.

"I'm on my way." I did a little jog in place in front of him before throwing my arms around his neck. "I'm glad both of you are here."

But how did they?-

"You." I turned with my hand still resting on my fathers shoulder. "You did this?" I asked Landon.

"Surprise." He jazzed his hands out and I went back over to him. "Do you like it?"

"I love it." I reached up on the tips of my heels. "Thank you."

"Hope I'm not interrupting anything?" I turned astound to see my best friend.

"Hey!" My eyes widen with a bright smile on my face. "How did you?-"

"I was just in town." She waved it off. "And your boyfriend got ahold of my job and now I'm here."

"I wanted the pictures." He murmured in my ear. That's when I realized Regina did show up for the banquet. We heard someone take a sharp irritated breath in, and we all snapped our heads to see who made the noise.

Liam had his eyes set on Regina but she was the only one that didn't turn in his direction, either that or she chose to ignore him.

"You seem different." She commented, carrying on the conversation. Now that I think about it.. This all began almost 11 months ago, and I would have had the life I had now if it wasn't for her getting me out the apartment.

"Okay is that everybody?" Ruby asked, counting everybody. "Because I'm tired of running to the door." Everybody laughed. "I'm being serious." She didn't find that humorous at all, and everybody turned deadly silent.

"Oh no, we have one more person." My sister stands up from behind a chair, one hand on her back. "No one was going to give me my cue?"

"You've been being a pain I hear." I folded my hands across my chest, going all big sister mode on her.

She turned her attention to our mother. "Mom, I'm almost out of school you should be proud of me. I would have dropped out a long time ago."

"Marie, just give me a hug." I held out my hands out to her and she sighs, clearly annoyed.

"I miss you at the house." She whispered into my ear before pulling away.

"Where's the boys?" I asked.

"You know them." She waved it off. I'll call them later if they didn't change their numbers. They are always 'busy.' I'm starting to think they don't like to be around us anymore.

"And who is that?" She gawked, pointing to Landon and I turned to see him talking to his father.

"That's Landon, my boyfriend."

"I thought Mom was lying." She mumbled under her breath.

"Shall we sit?" Ruby clapped her hands together before walking to the dining room.

We all sat down. Landon next to me, with Regina on my other side and my family sitting across from me and Liam sitting next to Regina- I did however notice her sliding her chair closer to mine- and Landon's parents at the head.

We look to the middle to see no food and Ruby hits her head before she gets up, looking oddly embarrassed, and I start to get up out of instinct to go help her. But Richard holds his hand up, signaling me to sit back down as he follows after his wife. A few moments later, Ruby and Richard brings out some type of dish-the only thing that I know of is the bread and the broccoli- my sister looks at the broccoli in distaste.

After we all get our food we make conversation my sister butting in a few times defending herself and we all end up laughing at the end and she blushes before swirling the broccoli around her plate.

"So.. Why did we all have to gather here today?" Ruby asked, cutting into her food and I look at Landon, who stopped chewing.

"Is it bad?" Ruby asked, putting down her utensils.

"No."

"Then what is it?" Regina asked.

"Well..." I start off and Landon squeezes my hand, encouraging me.

"Do you want me to say it?" Landon asked as if we were the only two in the room and I shook my head no, even though the palm of my hands were filled with sweat.

"We.. Well I'm.... Pregnant." I stuttered over the words and I dropped my head, looking down at my lap. I didn't want to see anyone's reaction as I felt it was bad due to hearing the small conversations die away and utensils slapping at the plates and chairs being pushed back.

"I KNEW IT!" Lilly cheered, and that's when I know she was the one to push her chair back. I snapped my head up to see her jumping up and down.

"Lilly sit-" Liam starts.

"Shut up mister you owe me." She states and my eyes widen.

"What is with you guys betting?"

"It makes life interesting." Lilly shrugs innocently.

"Congratulations!" Ruby rushed around the table to me. "Let me see." She said, even though my stomach is still a semi-flat. I awkwardly stand up and she places her hand on my stomach and soon all the girls are standing around me.

"The attention won't be on me anymore, Thank god." My sister comments.

"Okay, let her breathe." Richard tried to come to my aid against the women.

"Well congrats bro." Liam clapped Landon on his back. "And everyone thought it was going to be."

"Oh please." Lena rolled her eyes. "A girl could come up you in the streets saying you were her baby's father and guess what? It would be believable."

"I don't get around like that anymore." Liam defended himself.

"And when was I going to know?" My Dad chimed in. He was sitting looking perplexed and disturbed that his daughter is pregnant with my boyfriend-that he just met.

"Mom you didn't tell him?" I questioned in curiosity and I snatched my eyes away from him, kind of disturbed to feel his vexed stare.

"Get your panties out of a twist and go give my baby a hug." Mom addressed him. "Oh and don't forget to pay up."

He mumbles something and he gets up, walking over to me. "Congrats baby girl." His voice was gruff, pulling me into a hug.

"You're not mad?"

"Oh I am, I owe my paycheck to your Mom." He pulled back, his eyes narrowed in on Landon. "We need to have a talk."

"I was hoping you would say that, sir." Landon said and I raise my eyebrow at him. Since when has he called anybody else sir? And Richard looks startled too.

They both departed away from the group and I felt kind of uneasy but knowing my Dad I know he wouldn't purposely hurt me. "My best friend is pregnant!" Regina rubbed my stomach as if the baby was going to kick. "I'm going to be an auntie." She gloated. "Well if you'll excuse me I need the bathroom."

"Well let me help you with the dishes." Seeing that everybody had lost their appetite, Ruby started picking up the dishes. "Please? I'm not paralyzed." I said after seeing the tutelage gaze she gave, she didn't want me doing anything.

"Just pick up that platter that's it." And I do. At the corner of my eye, I see Liam go in the direction Regina left.

"I knew you two were going to last." Ruby hooted, cleaning off all the plates. "Now all you need is a ring."

"Ring?" I choked on my saliva. "Uh..."

"After all you are the only girl he's ever introduce to me, and I never thought he would because.. I'm not his mother." She stopped washing the dishes, her body stiffening.

"He loves you." I reassure her. "You are his mother at least to him."

"I still can't believe her." She said, resuming back to cleaning. "But it was never my place to say anything to him, or even Richard just a listening hear, ya' know?"

"No unfortunately." Because I did the complete opposite. "He talked to her." She turned towards me the foam on her hands present and some fell to the floor.

"When?" Her voice was cold and static.

"A couple of days ago."

"Does Richard know?" She asked. "Was she nice to him?" She questioned and the first question I didn't have the answer to.

"He told me she was."

"Well good, I thought I had to slap a bitch." She stated and my eyes widen before splitting out a laugh, I never thought that was coming. "I'm proud of him, he finally did it." She smiled. "Now, go get Landon before your Dad chews him out." She warned me. "I know how cavemen work."

"I almost forgot." Rushing out of the room, but I stopped taking off my heels. I continued to look for them but two voices stopped me.

"Liam, stop." Regina hissed out and I quickly go to the corner not wanting to be spotted.

"I can't act like nothing happened." His voice filled the room and my eyes widen at the sudden thought that Regina and Liam had something going on.

"You should be able too, like you do with all the other girls." I could hear her heels clicking on the tile floor but it was halted. "Let me go." She warned him.

I look over to see him, with his back facing me and I know Regina couldn't see me over his large frame.

"You don't want to be with me?" He sounded hurt and angry.

"Liam stop this." She snatched her arm away from him. "It was one night.."

"I care about you, why can't you see that?" He interrupted her. "I tried to find you but I couldn't, and seeing you now.."

"What? Seeing me now makes you want to sleep with me again?"

"No, it makes me want to make you mine." His hand caught hers. "I don't know how to explain this." She tried to pull away again. "Tell me you don't feel it?" He pressed for an answer. "Tell me you don't care about me."

"I know you'll hurt me in the end, so why bother." She bit out and I almost face palmed myself but I hold quiet. "Your sisters seem to have interesting stories about you."

"Tell me." He commanded from her, ignoring her jab that he knew was her way of trying to make him stay away. A heartbeat paused was heard, or maybe that was just mine. "Regina."

"Yes." She submitted to him, giving up the fight.

"Can I take you out on a proper date? Maybe then I wouldn't be so shallow of a man to you."

"Yes-" Before the word even slipped out of her mouth, his lips claimed hers.

"Eavesdropping?" I heard someone whisper into my ear, and I turn startled to see my man.

"N-no." I whisper back, knowing they are still around the corner.

"Oh I think you are." He grabbed ahold of my hand, pulling me away from the couple. "Come on."

"So.. how did it go?" I continued to whisper to him.

"Better then I thought it would be." He turned to normal conversation. "You don't have to whisper anymore."

"Right.." I cleared my voice. "Sorry."

"So Liam and Regina?" Landon asked me. "And here I thought he was never going to settle down."

"Settle down?" We're still young. "You have any plans soon?" I hinted.

"In a couple of months from now I will." He gazed at my stomach. "If I didn't know any better." He pulled me into his arms. "Miss Daniels wants her last name changed."

"Just because we have our baby doesn't mean you'll stay and vice versa, I'm not trying to trap you.. if that makes sense." I placed my hand over his chest.

"I love you." He leant down so we were eye level. "I'm not going anywhere unless you ask."

"I wouldn't hold your breath." A cheeky smile was forming on my lips. "And I love you too Mr Hale." I initiate the kiss, which took him by surprise and he grinned, placing his hand over my cheek, but it was short lived.

"Get a room." We heard and I broke away to see my sister sitting in a love seat not too far away from us, with her phone. "Yeah I've mastered being silent in situations like these, and I was growing uncomfortable."

"Sorry." And I meant it. "Do you want to watch a movie or something?" I didn't realize she was by herself in the house since she didn't have anybody to talk to expect my parents and me.

"Sure." She sat up. "But I don't know where anything is in this house."

"The movie theater is upstairs, down the hall to the right." Landon chimed in.

"I don't suppose you have a younger brother?" She asked, standing up to walk closer.