Queen For A Day

That night Mike stayed at my place with me. I invited him to, simply because I didn’t want to be alone with my thoughts, and he was a good distraction. Plus I did like his company. I awoke to find myself cuddled up on Mike’s chest in my bed. He was still sleeping peacefully. Hopefully he was just sleeping.. the weight of my head probably caused a lot of stress on his chest all night…
I poked his side lightly and he groaned.
“Five more minutes,” he mumbled without even opening his eyes.
I giggled, “Fine, but I’m getting up.”
I rolled out of bed and changed out of my pajama pants and t-shirt and into some track pants and a singlet. I walked into the kitchen humming absentmindedly and put the kettle on, automatically grabbing a mug and putting a teabag into it. I was just putting the hot water in the cup when my doorbell rang. Having surprise visitors is no abnormality in my life, with Mum who shows up every time we have a disagreement – which is quite often, and with Fay who never tells me when she’s coming over. I expected it was one of them, that’s why I had quite a rude shock when I opened the door to see my baby-daddy.
“Victor.” I said suspiciously, raising my eyebrow at him. He looked like he hadn’t slept at all the previous night. His hair was poking out from under his beanie at odd angles and he had huge bags under his bloodshot eyes.
“Can I come in?” He sighed deeply, slumping forward.
“Sure,” I held the door open and watched curiously as he wandered into my apartment. What was he doing here?!
“Cali do you mind if I take a shower?” Mike’s voice called from my bedroom. I froze. I’d forgotten about him.
Vic turned to me and stared angrily. “Is my brother here?” He hissed loudly.
Mike’s shirtless form rushed to the doorway of my room at the sound of Vic’s voice. “What the fuck?”
“What the hell is he doing here?!” Vic yelled with wide eyes, “have you been sleeping with him?! You’re such a-“ I took a tiny step backwards and he stopped.
“Such a what, Vic?” I whispered, trying to avoid eye contact.
“You asshole, I haven’t slept with her! I’ve just been here for her when you haven’t!” Mike yelled, walking right up to Vic.
I felt like crying.
“You would’ve reacted the same if you found out you were going to be a Dad!” Vic was suddenly quiet. I felt sorry for him. If it wasn’t for me everything would be fine.
“I’m sorry,” I whispered, staring at the hard wooden floor beneath my cold feet.
“Cali, you don’t need to be,” Mike tried to pull me into a hug but I pushed him away.
“No, wait. It’s all my fault. I’m so so sorry Vic, I never meant for any of this to happen. You don’t have to do anything.” I took a deep breath as I made my decision, “I can do this without you,” Lie “You can walk out right now and I will understand completely,” lie “I don’t need you,” Lie.
I stared at Vic. Part of me hoped that he would rush straight up to me and kiss me and tell me that he would stay and that we’d get married right now. Except I have a higher-than-realistic sense of hope.
Vic stared back. Our eyes were locked as he tried to figure out what to do. He broke the contact and glanced towards the door for a split second.
“It’s ok Vic,” I didn’t want to look at him again. I really did think he was a better person than this. Saying that though, I don’t know him at all. We’ve talked a grand total of three times now. I rushed to my bedroom and climbed into my bed, not wanting the guys to see me crying again.
I cried into my pillow, as I’d done so many times recently. Stupid baby.
After five minutes or so I heard footsteps come into my room. Without looking up I felt someone sit down beside me and touch my back lightly. I guess Mike’s stayed then.
“Why is this happening to me?” I sobbed into the pillow.
The hand on my back started stroking big circles gently. It helped.
“I should be sorry Cali,” The person said. Wait. That wasn’t Mike.
I shot upwards and stared at the man sitting on the edge of my bed.
“Vic.. I – I thought you left?” I was shocked.
“Look, thing’s aren’t ideal, but this is also my fault.. I can’t let you go through this alone,” He shrugged and looked at me with a guilty expression. Without thinking I wrapped my arms around his shoulders and hugged him. For some reason, having his arms around me felt more reassuring than Mike’s did.
I pulled away and stared straight into his chocolate brown eyes.
“I should be the one apologizing though Cali, I didn’t have to go dance with you that night, or I could’ve just stopped kissing you when I realized where it was going or I could’ve-“ I put a finger to his lips.
“Shh, stop. We both got into this together ok? If you’re honestly willing to go through it with me then I won’t protest. But how about we agree not to apologize anymore?” I raised an eyebrow.
“Ok, that’s fair enough.” Vic smiled at me then glanced down at my stomach. “So how are you with everything?”
“I’m ok, baby’s been making me a little sick but that’s all. I have an ultrasound in a few weeks,” I suddenly realized something. “Wait, aren’t you going on tour?”
Vic looked guilty again. “Yeah, for three months.. We leave this Tuesday.”
“Oh,” So I will be alone for this after all.
“Sorry Cali, this has sorta just come at a bad time,” he said sympathetically.
I chuckled, “No shit, I think we could all do without this,”
“Hey, don’t say that about our baby!” Vic said defensively, with a grin.
“Oh man, Vic were going to be parents. I’m going to be a Mum.” I put my hand to my forehead as I thought about it. It’s damn crazy.
“Well I always imagined I’d have kids, just, not like this..” Vic put an arm around my shoulder reassuringly.
“Yeah, same here. But I guess this is just how it’s happened.” I leaned into his shoulder lightly. Maybe things are going to be ok.

Notes

two in a day guys! I'm trying to get on top of this!
The comments I've been getting are so encouraging, they honestly make my day, thank you all so much!

Beth xx