Queen For A Day

I only had one guitar lesson to give the next day. I ended up only spending 45 minutes at my work then I caught a taxi straight home, hoping to have a relaxing afternoon before my date with Cooper. But my life is never straightforward is it? I found my apartment door unlocked which was weird. I always double check the locks. I pushed it open, ready to face whoever had broken in but I was surprised to find my mother sitting in the arm chair and Fay in the kitchen, pouring a glass of wine.
“Hi?” It was more of a question than a greeting.
“Hello Love, how are you?” Mum asked as if she hadn’t broken into my apartment.
“I’m fine thanks, what are you doing here?” I raised an eyebrow at her. Fay glared at me from the kitchen.
“I didn’t know you weren’t here, but I showed up and Fay was just walking in so I decided to wait. Fay is that wine coming?” Only my Mum could make Fay obey her every whim.
“Yes Ms Hill,” Fay pointed at me then made a slicing motion across her throat.
I gulped. These two did not get along.
“What are you going here though Mum?” I dumped my handbag down and took of my black boots leaving them by the door.
“I just thought I’d pop in and see how you’re doing? I haven’t heard from you in a while.” She took the glass Fay handed to her and thanked her. I felt a little guilty. It had almost been two months since I’d spoken to her. I guess life had just gotten in the way.
“Sorry Mum, things have been pretty hectic lately. Just yesterday I went to see the other grandparents of the baby so I was thinking about you.” I walked to the kitchen and grabbed my water bottle from the fridge. Fay was sitting on the kitchen floor, attempting to hide. “You can go to my room if you want.” I mumbled to her. At least that would be more comfortable than my kitchen floor. Plus I hadn’t swept it for ages. She nodded eagerly and jumped up, running straight there and closing the door.
“Come sit with me Cali, we should talk.” Mum called to me. This can’t mean anything good.
“So when will I meet the baby’s father?” I choked on my drink.
“Um soon maybe?” I stammered out. Damnit what am I supposed to do.
“Good. I’m very interested to.” She hummed, stirring her wine around.
“What does he do for a job?”
“He’s a musician,” I told her carefully. I didn’t want to give away to many details.
“That’s not very stable.”
“It’s not like I have a shortage of money though.” I snorted. My parents had paid me through all of my degrees and even bought this apartment for me as a 21st present. I had absolutely no debt and plenty saved up. Plus both my parents are on the wealthy side of the tracks.
“But he can’t expect you to pay for everything. See this is one of the problems with having a child without being married, you have separate bank accounts and no real commitments with each other. It would be so easy for him to suddenly leave you with the child and offer no financial support.” She stared me down through her green eyes.
I grit my teeth. She was completely right, and Vic had left me kind of... but at least he was willing to give financial support.
“Trust me Mum, he’s not like that. Also, I will not be getting married before I have the baby, there is no way in hell.”
“Fine,” she sniffed. “So where does he live?”
“In a house, not too far away from here.”
“Does he own the house?” ugh come on why does it even matter.
“How am I supposed to know?” I asked, getting tired of her questions already.
“Ask him. How old is he?”
“A few years older than me.”
“When was the last time you saw him?”
“Yesterday. Please stop asking questions Mum, just trust me with this ok?” Trusting me is a horrible mistake really, but I’d rather her lay off me.
“Ok, I’m sorry Love. I just want to make sure everything is going to work out for you.” She did care. I could see it in her eyes, she was just very worried about me.
“I understand that, but it will?”
My phone started ringing in my handbag. I cringed and looked at Mum.
“Sorry I should probably get that.” I hopped up and dug through my bag to find it. I still haven’t cleaned the damnned thing. I probably have two elephants hidden in there by now.
“Hello,”
“Hi Cali, it’s Cooper.” Oh shit.
“Oh hi.” I glanced at the clock on the wall. It was 5:00.
“So I made reservations somewhere but we need to leave at 5:30 to get there on time, is that ok with you?” NO!
“Yes that should be fine, shall I meet you outside or will you come up to my apartment?”
“I’ll come up to get you. I gotta go now, it takes 30 minutes for me to get to yours.”
“Ok bye.” I hung up as he returned the goodbye.
“Was that your boyfriend?” Mum asked brightly.
“Um.. gimme a sec.” I ran to my bedroom, closing the door behind me. “Fay! Cooper just called and he’s coming at 5:30 and Mum heard half the conversation and asked me if he was my boyfriend and now I don’t know what to do?!” I wailed at my blank faced friend. She was sitting on my bed using Tumblr on my laptop.
“We need to get her out of here before he shows up.” She stated.
“But who do I tell her it was? I can’t say I have a date. She’ll think it is my ‘boyfriend’ but he’s not!”
“Well... just to get her off your back you could say it’s your boyfriend. Can’t you just tell Cooper to go along with it and then explain to him later?” Fay is a genius. The more I thought about it the more I realised it could work. Cooper even fit all my answers to the questions Mum asked just before...
“Ok, I need to call Cooper though, he’ll be driving at the moment and won’t answer.”
“I’ll meet him downstairs when he gets here and briefly explain it.” I love Fay so much.
“Yes! Thankyou! Ok, I need to get back to her now.” I half ran back out of my room and to my Mum.
“What was that about Love?” she questioned.
“I had to use the bathroom.” I laughed. Laughing wasn’t normal for saying that was it? Oops.
“So who called you?”
“My boyfriend.” I took a deep breath. Please say you’ll leave, please say you’ll lea-
“Oh great! I’ll be able to meet him!” she clapped her hands once in joy.
“We’re going on a date Mum, he’ll be here in half an hour.” C’mon please...
“I’ll help you get ready then.” Fuck, she’s not going to leave.
“Ok,” I sighed leading her back to my bedroom.
Fay looked up and blinked at as we walked in.
“Mum’s going to help me get ready.” I explained, walking to my walk in wardrobe. I’d bought a bunch of cute maternity dresses and outfits online a few days before so I didn’t worry about having to find something nice enough for dinner. “He didn’t tell me how formal to dress,” I wondered aloud.
“Then wear something warm, comfortable and stylish.” Mum walked into my wardrobe and picked out a little grey stretch-nit dress that had three quarter length sleeves and went down to my mid-thigh.
“Wear this with stockings and that low heel pair of grey boots I’ve seen you wear.” She instructed. I was reasonably surprised. That would actually be a very appropriate outfit.
“Oh! And wear that grey headband you have and leave your hair wavy. I’ll do your makeup.” Fay put in.
“Ok ladies, let’s get me ready.” I giggled.

Fay faked a phone call at 5:25, saying she had to answer it in the hallway outside. All my friends are such good liars. It’s starting to scare me.
Mum waved her off and put on another layer of blush on my cheek.
“You look so beautiful Love.” Mum smiled at me with tears in her eyes.
“Wow, don’t cry Mum,” I hugged her. What even?
“I just, my little girl has grown up, she’s going on dates and is pregnant and you’re just so beautiful Cali,” she said into my shoulder.
“Thanks Mama, I’m sorry I can be such a bad daughter.” I sighed, trying not to cry and ruin my makeup. This is so weird and honest.
“Don’t be sorry Love, we all make mistakes sometimes.” She pulled away and dapped at her eyes with a handkerchief she’d pulled from her pocket. Eww handkerchiefs are so gross.
There was a knock at the door. And a wave of nerves swept over me. Oh man I hope everything goes smoothly.
“Let’s go meet your boyfriend then.” Mum looked so excited. Bless her little heart.
I took a deep breath before I opened the door. Thankfully I met Cooper’s eye and he gave me a knowing wink before we even said anything.
“Hi Cooper.” I let him come inside. He looked so hot. He was wearing dark blue skinny jeans with a dark grey button up shirt that had the sleeves rolled up. He was holding his jacket that was thrown lightly over one shoulder.
“How are you doing Cali, you look beautiful.” He leaned down and kissed my cheek, placing a hand on my upper arm.
“I’m good thank you, um Cooper this is my Mum, Mum this is my boyfriend Cooper.” I introduced them awkwardly, my voice cracking as I said ‘boyfriend’. Mum didn’t seem to notice.
“So nice to finally meet you Ms Hill.” He walked to her and kissed her hand.
“Nice to meet you too, what a gentleman.” Mum gave me a very approving look. “What a perfect couple you two are.”
Cooper walked back and wrapped an arm around my shoulder.
“Your baby will be very good looking.” Mum laughed. Cooper and I joined in.
“Well if they’re anything like their mother they will be!” Cooper leaned down and kissed my forehead sweetly. He looked down at his watch. “We better be going though, can’t be late to the restaurant.”
“Oh, I’ll get out of your hair then, Cali can I speak to you alone for a minute though?” Mum glanced at Cooper. He nodded and walked out the front door, “Just come out when you’re ready Cali.” And he closed it behind him.
Mum pulled me into a hug. “He’s lovely Cali, I’m so happy for you. For a minute I was afraid that your boyfriend was that horrible tattooed man you were talking to at the wedding.” Mike? “This man is so much better. Not a single tattoo!”
In that moment I was glad it was long sleeves weather. Cooper did have tattoos. Not more than Mike, but he still had a lot...
“Ha-ha yeah, anyways I gotta go.” I let go and laughed awkwardly.
Mum grabbed all her things and rushed to the door, I picked up the little clutch I was taking and then locked the door behind us as we walked. The three of us walked to the elevator and out the front of the building together, making small talk. Cooper had really caught onto the whole ‘faking-he’s-the-dad thing. Mum completely bought it.
“I hope you two have fun tonight!” Mum called as she walked to the carpark.
“Thanks Ms Hill, we will.” Cooper waved.
“Bye Mum.” We turned and walked to his car - which was looking better – I might add.
“I can’t thank you enough for that.” I said as we got into the car.
“No problem, but aren’t you going to have to come clean sometime? I mean... we can’t really fake this forever...” Cooper said slowly. We totally could fake it forever. Maybe I could just marry Cooper and raise the child as if it’s his, Mum will never even know the difference!
“We’ll figure it out.” I decided not to tell him that idea.
“Oh I got the radio fixed today!” Cooper reached down to turn it up. Oh fucking hell. King for a Day was playing.
“I love this song!” he exclaimed.
I groaned loudly and he cast a quick glace over.
“I guess you don’t?”
“You know how I told you I got pregnant from a one night stand? And I’ve never actually mentioned the father’s name?” I started slowly.
He nodded.
“The father is Vic Fuentes, the lead singer of Pierce the Veil.” I sighed.
Cooper was silent for a minute. “Wow really... I wasn’t expecting that.” He laughed nervously.
I shrugged, “Yeah, I won a contest to spend a day with them, but Vic didn’t seem to like me at all, he ignored me practically the whole time. Then that evening we got drunk and started dancing... I don’t remember what happened after that, but I woke up alone in my bed the next morning.”
“Ok then, do their fans know?”
Shit I hadn’t even thought about that...
“No, not yet.” I told him carefully. How were we going to tell the fans? And how would they react? They’re all going to hate me, and possibly Vic. Who’s going to idolize someone who got someone pregnant who they’re not even dating? Fuck this could ruin the whole band!
I mulled over my thoughts for the rest of the drive, only speaking to Cooper when he asked or said something. I was getting worried again, things weren’t easy.
“We’re here!” Cooper announced suddenly, pulling up in front of a small restaurant. We got out of the car and he held out his hand for me to take as we walked in. We were seated in a quiet corner of the restaurant, and ordered our food straight away.
“This is nice,” I commented, looking around at the almost empty room. There were candles and flower arrangements everywhere. I could smell a mixture of both so strongly.
“Yeah, it is.” There was a slight awkward silence.
“So are we going to be writing music soon?” I forced out a question. I hate silences.
“They were going to ask us to go back into the studio in a few days, I got a call from Ian earlier today and told him I’d tell you about it. So have you written any songs?” Cooper leaned back and spoke with ease.
“I’m not too good at writing lyrics, but I have so many riffs and basic melodies that I’ve come up with though.” I thanked a waitress as she set down two glasses of water and took a sip. Water is just so boring.
“That’s cool, I can write lyrics. I have dozens of songs that I’ve written.” Cooper grinned and pulled out his phone, pressing a few buttons before handing it to me. “Here, read this, it’s a few one I’ve been working on.”
We managed to talk about writing music the whole time, sharing our ideas and plans. It was almost a completely professional thing, but we knew it wasn’t. There was a spark between us, we both felt it undoubtedly. But I didn’t really have feelings for him did I?
The restaurant we ate at was on the waterfront, so after we’d finished our meal - including dessert of course – we went for a walk. It was a chilly evening, taking into account that it was early February and the ocean breeze is always cold on dusk. We were walking along the sand barefoot, holding our shoes when Cooper grasped my hand in his own.
“This has been fun Cali.” He said lowly, squeezing my hand affectionately. It actually had been fun. My life had been so serious over the last few months that it was good to finally have a night to relax and have a good time for once.
“I agree, you’re good company,” I giggled.
“So are you.” He chuckled and stopped walking, turning around to face me. “So, do you think this date has been good?” he wrapped his arms around my waist gently and I put mine around his neck.
“Well... You did get me cheesecake...” I teased, “And somehow knew that the beach is one of my favourite places to be.”
He smirked at me, “Yeah I totally knew that. So?” he knew the answer. He just wanted to hear me say it.
“Ok, ok. Yes it was a good date.” I rolled my eyes at the tall man.
“So can I kiss you?” He whispered.
Instead of answering I stood on my toes and pushed my lips against his softly. The kiss was slow, not rushed. It actually seemed quite loving. I pulled away and stared into his pretty brown eyes.
“Cali will you be my girlfriend?” his question wasn’t a complete shock to me, but I still didn’t expect it. I paused for a few seconds. Was this rushed? Yes. Was there really something between us? Absolutely. Was I willing to give myself to him and forget Vic? Not at all... But nothing is ever easy.
“Sure.” I let myself murmur before kissing him again. Straight away I felt guilty, sure I wanted Cooper, but I was being too unfair on him. How is he ever going to want to raise another man’s child?

Notes

So what do you think about this relationship between Cali and Cooper?? is it a bad idea?

Beth xx