I lyed on the table. Eyes clued to the ceiling and mind racing,as I waited for Dean to finish setting up his equipment.

What if I'm really pregnant? Then what? What am I going to do? What is Nick going to think? What will be do? How will he react? And I missed his physician's appointments in the past week's. Damn! I only we went once.

I was given two options. One,do a blood test,like I had wanted,or two,do an ultrasound.

I chose both. And now I was laying in Dean's table and waiting.

"Raise your shirt."

He said softly.

I raised the shirt. My eyes focused on one spot on the ceiling,a smail nail. Barely noticeable unless you really looked.

How will his family react to this?How will his family react to this?Not a week had passed since he introduced me go his family and now this? What will yhey think of me? And mother? Since she had beennon my case about kids,I guess she be ecstatic about it. Father? He is a totally sifferent story

I sighed heavily.

He will definitely skin me alive. And that look he gave me after talking to Nick.

I drew in a breath.

I am dead.

Stop being so tramatic about this. You havent wven seen the baby yet and you're already overthinking it, Said my inner voice.

"Stop over thinking things soo much. You'll be fine." Said Dean,pulling me out of my chain of thoughts. My turmoil.

I gave him a wary smile.

"Anyway,look at your baby. Mom." He said with a big grin. Halting before saying the 'mom' part. My heart rate instantly went up. I felt Dean's hand on mine. A supportive gesture. It hurt for the first two minutes but I couldn't really focus on the pain. The realization that I really was pregnant,and that Ana and Henrietta were right,hit me hard. For ten minutes straight I zoned out. It felt like I was floating, or was I free falling. I was not sure. I could not hear a single word Dean was saying. My eyes were clued to the screen. He or she looked like a lizard. I laughed wholeheartedly. It was a beautiful sight.

"Want to hear the heart beat?"

There I was,seeing my baby for the first time. The baby I refused to admit was there,though I had my doubts.

I nodded vigorously.

Love at first sight. I didn't believe in it,until I met Nick, and now adding to that was the baby.

Yeah,I loved it,eventhough it looked like a lizard.

He pressed some buttons and there it was. A strong and healthy heart beat.

*Thud,Thud,Thud*

It was as strong as it's father's.

"Can you tell the gender? Or is it still early? Wait! Can you also tell how far along I am?" The questions came flying. He chuckled. I was not really certain, but from what I could tell,I was a few weeks pregnant.

"No,but in two weeks time when you come in for your checkup,we'll be able to tell the gender. And you're just a month. How did you not notice?"

Now that explained the missing period and why I found certain smells that I loved,revolting.

"It's kind of hard noticing,if you constantly miss months." I answered simply.

I got up and wiped off the jell like thing with a wiped on the table. Dean's face was light up the whole time, and I would bet with a million(that I didn't have) what he was thinking. "Who is the lucky guy?" He finally asked. I took a deep breath. "Nick." I replied simply. "Which Nick? Our Nick or another?"

I raised a brow.

"Our Nick?"

"Yes,the oncologist."

I smiled slightly.

"Not that Nick,but I'm sure you don't know him." I said with a shrug of the shoulder. "Try me." I laughed slightly,nodding my head. "Nick Wildwood." I said with confidence. He stoked on his spot. Literally. "Do you know him?" I asked. He shock his head vigorously. "If you don't know him,why the sudden sweating?" He stated quiet. "Are you going to answer me or not?" He stood from the chair,took a deep breath with his eyes closed. I didn't really think much of it.

"Which Nick Wildwood?"

He asked,avoiding to answer me.

"How many are there? Exactly?"

My head titled to the side.

"I know of one." He said going out the room and I followed.

"And show do you know him?"

He went through files.

"We'll have to save this conversation for later. I have a patient to attend to." He said rushing. That was my cue to get out. I went to Anastasia's office located of the second floor,hallway on the left. Well,I found her in the lab, we're I was not allowed to enter due to unspoken reasons.

"How did it go?" She was very bubbly and happy for some reason. Even sprinting in her steps. I kept quiet for a while trying to figure out a way to tell her she was right,without it getting to her head. But I found none that felt quite right.

"I am pregnant. You were right...so was that robot." I said rolling my eyes. Inlyto regret it soon after. For a miner I remembered how much Nick hated it. Me rolling my eyes,and also reminded me again. I was still waiting for my punishment.

Whatever it was going to be.

I stayed for a short while to talk;then left for the mall.

Lucky for me it was the holidays. Everyone was either at home or visiting someone. In simple,there was no tragic or long queue to the till.

Surprisingly, for the first time, I went into the baby store. I avoided going on there. I didn't have a reason why I did it. I just avoided going in. Passed by the door many times and for the first time,I went in.

Baby soaps, diapers,towels,literally anything and everything baby,was in there. But the shoes were my favourite. They were so cute and beautiful. It was a shame I didn't know the gender,because if I did,I would have bought as mang shoes i could carry.

I walked it the shop,having bought only one pair of shoes for new borns. A pair of neon coloured shoes. I bought them simply because I hated going out a shop without buying anything.

A thought crossed ny mind. Since I had no idea about how I was going to tell Nick,I was going to make it a surprise. Dinner for two at his house,prepared by me. A self slash mum taught,chef. But how was I going to do it,present the shoes that is?

I answered it.

Me: Scarlett speaking,hello?

I always wanted to do that. Another thing to cross on my bucket list.

The first one was making it through variety with a 4.0 GPA. The second was finding my future husband and I did. Recognized him the second time I met him.

Him: babe,I'm sorry but I come and get you a bit late. Something just came up.

Me: ok,no prob (problem). I got my car,you take all the time you need.

I said shrugging. As if he could see me.

Him: No. I'm not saying I wouldn't make it. I'll just be late. I am not going to miss a shopping spree with you.

I nodded,walking into Victoria secret.

Me: Yeah,I'm sure you're ecstatic about it.

I traded.

Him: You can't imagine. Did you take the card I have you?

I froze mid-step.

He had left me his card to pay with,and me being me,i payed with mine. Not that I was going to get hit his minimum target. I mean really! Who could spend a million on clothing? I couldn't even reach it even I bought all the tuings I needed and didnt need.

Seriously!

Me: Yeah,I took it.

Him: You are using it,right?

I huffed. Yes,I know he said he had money to last us a life time,but I was not a shoppaholic. I was no spender. Infact I found value in saving. But he wanted me to pay with it,I was going to do just that. And to start I was going to buy a VS bra that costs half a million.

Me: Yes,Sir. I am using it.

We stated on the phone for more than an hour and I didn't want him to know that I was busy buying lingerie. It was meant to be a surprise for dinner and for the big reveal. But I ruined it,and the half a milion bra was way over the top. And not to talk about the show stopped bra thta costs more than six million. Who spends that much money on a single bra. I would have bought a ranch and more with that money.

I picked a few days I liked and went into the fitting rooms to try them on and see how they looked.

As I undressed I couldn't help but look at my reflection in the mirror. My stomach. I touched it,and I swear I felt a little bulge. It had grown.

I stoop straight,stook back and looked at myself,through the eyes of a mirror. I saw myself. The new me and old me. I liked the new me more. The Scarlett before me was more mature. Wiser. Thoughtful. Loving. Caring. Beautiful. Happier and inlove.

I loved her.

I saw the image of her with a Freon belly, like she had swallowed a overly inflated balloon.

I laughed.

"Are you ok in there?" Asked the lady in the room next to mine.

I muffled my laughed.

"Yeah,I'm good. Thanks."

I tried on the lingerie and walked out to get someone else's opinion. Apart from mine.

"Would this still look good and a heavily pregnant women?" I said the sales lady,standing near the chairs. "I think it looks wonderful on you. Flatters your curves." Said a voice behind me. I turned. "Hey I'm Bailey by the way." She was taller than I was. Rich ginger hair,heart shaped face,brown eyes, straight nose with a raised base. She had pale skin, and a body almost similar to Ana's.

"Thank you, and I'm Scarlett. Nice to meet you." I said with a polite smile.

"I could help but complement you on the lingerie,and that little baby bump looks good on you." She said smiling just as politely. My hands flew to cover my power belly. It was way too small for people to start noticing.

"No need to be interested about it." She said with a chuckle,walking to a walk mirror. "I have two of my own." She said adjusting the bra. My eyes clued to get back and hands,still on my lower belly. "Angels I tell you, for the first eight months after birth. And that's if you exclude the many sleepless nights,screwed up sleeping schedules." She said with a dreamy look. "But how mine are grown. I miss those days when they kept me up at night. The first day at school for the older one." The dreamy look home with the wind. "How old are they? And if you down tell me,I wouldn't have guessed. You look nothing like a woman with kids." I said checking myself out. "The older one is a girl. Six years. The little one is a year old. What were expecting? Mom jeans?" She asked turning to face me. I couldn't help but feel a bit guilty. I did imagine to see her in mom jeans,a plain shirt and possibly sneaker or sandals.

We talked for the rest of the shopping. She became my shopping buddy for the day. Appart from feeling like we being followed,everything was good.

I walked to my car,which I had forgoten it's parking spot,thinking about Bailey. I couldn't help but notice her teeth. Her skinny long fingers. But then again almost everyone there looked more or less that way.

I got in the car,tired and hungry. I searched for the burger that I had put on the front seat,unwrapped it. Second a seat from taking a huge chunky bite out of it,"Save me a bite." Said a voice. From the fright,I threw the burger away. The sauce smeared the window. It was disappointing. I really wanted to eat that.

I turned on the lights and looked behind me,with a heavy heart. The scent but me hard on the face. I wanted to run,but I was too tired of running away. I had ran from him,from swing him for three years and I was tired.

He say there,relaxed as fuck,with a toothy grin.

"S- Steve?"

I stuttered.

"No need to act surpriced,love."

He said with a smirk.

My body went cold in an instant and re-heated just as quick. I was soo over being angry and being heart broken. Thanks to Nick,I got my big break. My breakthrough. I had moved on.

"What are you doing here? And in my car?" I played the blank face card,though ibwas literally freaking out inside. I was scared as fuck.

"I wanted to see you. I missed you,love. I'm sure you missed me too." The smirk still plastered on his face. I face I once found to be unbelievably out of this world. The face of the man I once loved whole heartedly for seven years,more or less.

"Sorry to disappoint,now get out." I said adjusting my seat,and that's when I saw Bailey passing by in a car. A red Toyota. I wanted to waive her over to come and rescue me. I wanted to scream the agony in my heart out. The stab of pain and flashing memories when I saw him seating there.

I wanted to cry.

I pulled on the safety belt,desperately praying to his that what I had just seen was mearly a figment of my wild imagination. That the hormones were toying with my heart. That would be better.

"You better not start this car. You boyfriend is on his way over here."

I looked at the rear view mirror,still praying but unfortunately he was still there.

Did he-

I looked to my left and saw nothing,but on my right I saw someone. A Nick,walking slowly toward the car. We locked eyes for fleeting seconds. At that moment u was certain my eyes screamed 'help me ' louder than and any voice could.

"Come to the back. "He said authoritatively. My body obliged. I looked to Nick,whose steps became faster. I opened the door and walked out to the back seat. By the time Nick arrived,I had already say down,and sandwiched between two men. Both built and strong and definitely not afraid of a fight.

"Hello Nick,old buddy." Said Steve,after Nick had settled next to me. It was unsettling seating between them. One was an ex- and the other my boyfriend.

Nick said nothing.

How did they know eachother? How did they meet? When did they meet? And why was I put inbetween?

Steve sat more comfortably,placing an arm at the back of the chair. I thought he going to hug me,because if so,I was certain Nick wouldn't bother to kill him. The guy was possesuve and overprotective. Before,I thought of that to be a flaw,but a look at my current situation, I loved his flaw. I wished his possesiveness would go through the roof.

"Steve." He said dryly.

I looked at him with questioning eyes. Are you kiding me? I was expecting a punch and a,'get out my girl's car', wouldn't have hurt.

"Sadly I don't have time to waste,so will you tell her or should I?" Said Steve leaving forward. Nick remained still.

What should he be telling me?

I couldn't help but wonder.

Was he kidding something from me? But that was for later. "How to you know each other?" I blurted out. I felt Steve sit back. Nick placed a handgun the thigh,and electricity ran all over my body.

Was it that he had a rear disease that made him electro static?

Steve was the first to make a sound. He laughed slightly. "You are one to ask questions,but have you told your little bodyguard over here about us?" I looked at him. The malicious smirk still very present. "And you are also invitated for dinner if you like. At eight. Montè hotel,you know if right. I'm sure you do since you own the place."

That long and like 'ring' after you but a large metal pole with another metal,and hard, was the only thing I heard. It was the only thing I could hear for more than five minutes.

How did he know about the dinner? Unless he-

It all made sense now. It was so his plan. The gifts at my house but how? How did he find out where I loved.

Public record.

I mentally slapped myself.

It was all so obvious. All I needed was a clear head and kind,and I would have seen it earlier.

I wonder how long it took him to plan this ambush?, I thought.

"You!...you are the one that left those...you planned this?!" I accused. He chuckled. "I wish I did,love. But I wasn't me. I guess luck is on my side." He shrugged. "So are you going to tell him?" My body went numb.

I wished I had told him from the start. If I told him,i wouldn't even be in the spotligt.

I felt Nick's hand squeeze my thigh slightly. It was a gesture meanf yo reasure me but ut made me even more numb to the world.

Steve removed his arm from behind me and clapped them together. "Well since you two seen to ve taking your time with all this. I will do it for you." He said,then made a thinking pose. Hand in his chin like he was thinking.

"Better yet,let me not ruin the fun. I'll love you two to it." He again leaned forward. "Buddy!old buddy! I can't wait to see her run for the heels after finding out about your scarry not-so-little secret."

I felt Nick tense.

It was now my time to support him, if that's what he was doing for me.

The car ride back to his house was tense and quiet. No one uttered a word. He told me to go to his car. That we'd be taking his back,but I found it hard getting up from the seat and going all the way to the other site,just to be chauffeured. So we were both in my car and I was driving. Outside,the clouds had gathered and a storm seemed to be heading for the town.

Not even halfway to the house,he turned on the radio. A few minutes later I turned it off. I wanted to talk. Talk about what had just happened. The secreted we held from eachother. He didn't seem to be in the mood,but I was. So I started.

"He was my boyfriend." My opening statement.

"Who?"

I was nervous as fuck. I didn't want him to be angryy with me. I didn't wanna breakup. Not ever. I didn't want to see him the way he was. Angry. It looked good on him but I didn't like it.

He smiled. I think he did,but it disappeared as fast as it came.

I wanted to dream at him in anger,agitation and frustration. Like why ask me who,yet we were with Steve literally less than half an hour ago.

"Steve. He is the guy I was with before I met you." I said,putting a bit more pressure on the gas.

I was not suicidal,but it serves as security. One we would arrive in time,before it poured and two running from the niht terrors.

He hummed in response and dId nothing. "Please say something,anything. We broke up a long time ago. Before I even thought of coming here. I am sorry for not telling you. I did not think it would hurt you. I did not want to turn you off. I didn't mean to keep it from you "

I didn't tell him because it was part of my past,and the past remained in the past. What I did not know was that it would come back,three years to bite my was.

"Yell at me if you want. Be angry at me if you wish but please say something. Nick please." I begged,stopping the car in the middle of the road. At that moment the rain fell down like a bucket of water being poured down on us.

"Say something,please."

I continued begging.

"Get out of the car." He said in a monotone.

I sighed heavily. A smile spread on my face. He had atleast said something to me. That meant he heard my cry.

"What?"

I asked. What he had just said was crazy if not insane.

"Move,I'm driving." He said,with a blank face. "But it's raining and-" I said with pleading eyes and a frown. It was raining cats and dogs out there. He was not serious about this.

The look he gave me as I spoke,told me he was dead serious. I was getting out.

I got out the car,he did the same. Within those two minutes of running around the car and almost being blown away by the wind,i saw soaking wet. My cloths clung to my body,like an uneven second skin.

I say there,on the front pasenger seat shaking from the coldness. Not even the heater could warm me up.

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