PAIGE
What the hell was all that about?
That was such a stupid fight to have. Yeah, maybe I was being a little sensitive, but Travis? That was weird, right?
The man is many things, but ineloquent isn't one of them. It's almost as if he said what he said to pick a fight with me.
Is he trying to break up with me? It's a question I've had for a couple of days now, but I keep pushing it out of my mind because I decided I was being paranoid. I dismissed it because of who he was prior to the last few weeks, but I can't ignore what is in front of me now.
First, he was emotionally distant. Then he was distant physically, claiming to be busy. I don't know his net worth, but the man runs several companies worth a couple billion. He's always been busy, but that's never stopped him before. So what's different now? Why has he been avoiding me this entire week? Then you add on what happened tonight and I'm starting to think he's doing this on purpose.
Is it something I did? Did I say something to put him off?
No, I'm not going to do this. I'm not going to blame myself for whatever this is. If I did something to rub him the wrong way, the adult thing to have done would have been to talk to me about it.
Maybe it's Mom's cancer. I know he was there for me during her most recent hospital stay, but maybe that's just because he didn't want to be an asshole and run away. Maybe it's all too much for him.
Argh! I need to talk to someone about this.
I walk into Travis' room and sit on his bed. I disturb the sheets which smell just like him. A waft of his scent comes up to meet me and my heart aches.
I dial Haley's number and she answers on the fourth ring. "Hey. What's up?"
"Not much. Can you talk?"
"Hold on..." I hear some shuffling for a moment then she's back. "Sorry, I handed Maggie to Fred. I'm alone now. What's going on?"
"Okay, I'm about to tell you something, and I need you to not freak out."
"Okay..."
"I am pregnant," I blurt.
She's silent for a moment, then says, "Holy shit, congratulations?"
"Exactly! I don't know how to feel about this."
"Have you decided if you're going to keep it or not?"
"Yes, I'm keeping it."
"Then congratulations, because no matter how complicated the situation is, it's always a good thing when a baby comes into this world."
I sigh. "I guess you're right. However, things between Travis and I aren't exactly the greatest."
"Why? He didn't take the news well?"
"I haven't told him yet."
"Why not?"
"I found out a while ago, but I haven't wanted to tell him because I wanted to know where he and I stood first. I don't want to force a premature commitment."
"That makes sense."
"Yeah... Anyway, I've been wanting to tell him for the past couple of weeks or so, but something seems to have changed between us."
"What?"
"I don't know. He just changed overnight and I can't exactly put my finger on it. I'm worried that he wants to break up with me."
"What makes you say that?"
I shrug. "I don't know, I guess I feel him pulling away from me. He's doing that thing guys do sometimes where they drag things out instead of just ending it."
"Um, that may be it. Or maybe he knows you're pregnant and is freaking out about it on his own."
"How would he know I am pregnant? I haven't told anyone."
"I don't know. I mean, there are signs. I have to admit I was suspicious."
"What?! What do you mean?"
"The last time we went to brunch you gave me that load of bull about being off alcohol. Meanwhile, I know how much you love a Mimosa. It's 60% of the reason you ever come to brunch. Plus, your body has changed a little recently. You've practically been the same size since you turned 16. So I thought, perhaps..."
"Yeah, but that's only because you've known me my whole life. He hasn't. Also, he's a man; they're not known for being veryobservant."
She chuckles. "You're right. It could be anything. You need to talk to him about this. Whatever is going on, only he can give you the answers you need."
"But that's the problem. I have tried talking to him, but he keeps saying everything is fine."
"Well, then I'm afraid you're just going to have to bite the bullet and tell him about the baby and see what happens. I know this isn't how you envisioned it, but this is how it's going to be. It's great practice for what parenting is going to be like."
"Yeah, you're right."
"And remember, this is a good thing. Regardless of how things turn out with Travis,this is a good thing. Don't forget to enjoy it. You are about to experience the most beautiful thing you will ever go through. Pregnancy and parenting are challenging, but the pros outweigh the cons. I promise you, when you hold your baby in your arms for the first time, your life is going to change. Don't let anyone or anything distract you from that. You're only going to get to do this a number of times. So relish it."
I smile. "Thanks, I will."
We say our goodbyes and I lie back in bed, practicing the speech I'm going to give Travis. I've almost got it locked down when the doorbell rings.
I get myself out of bed and go answer the door. This isn't my apartment, but I don't think Travis will mind.
I pull the door open and I am confronted with a striking brunette who is holding the hand of a black haired toddler. She is gorgeous with almond shaped eyes, full lips, a straight nose and porcelain skin. She is wearing a tank top and skin tight jeans which highlight her insane body.
"Hi, how can I help you?"
"I've been knocking for ages," she snipes.
"Well, thereisa doorbell," I point at the device in question.
She rolls her eyes. "Is Travis here?"
"No, he stepped out for a while."
"And who are you? The housekeeper?" She raises a perfectly tweezed eyebrow.
"No, I'm his girlfriend."
She actually takes a step back and eyes me from head to toe. "Aren't you a little too young for him?" I stare her down, and when I don't answer, she says, "Actually, I don't care. Do you have any idea when he will be back?"
"No, I don't. I'm sorry, who are you?"
"I am his ex-wife, Felicity. This is just so typical of Trav. He says he wants to be more involved in our son's life, and now that I need him he's nowhere to be found."
My stomach drops out of my body. "I'm sorry, your son?"
She smirks at my obvious surprise. "Oh, he didn't tell you he's a father? Well, I can't say I'm surprised."
My mouth goes dry and I struggle to say, "The both of you have a child together?"
I look at the boy by Felicity's side. Now that she's mentioned it, he does bear a striking resemblance to Travis.
"Yes, we do." She's silent in thought for a moment, then says. "I have an impromptu work gathering I need to get to. I was hoping to leave Travis Junior with his father for a couple hours. I guess I'm going to have to make other arrangements. I can't exactly leave him with you. I don't know who you are." I think she expects me to push back. So when I don't, she continues, "Tell Travis I dropped by."
Without another word, she turns around and walks back to the elevators.
I close the door and stand there in Travis's entryway. My eyes pricklewith tears.
How could he have kept this from me?
He has a son and never mentioned it once. He told me he was divorced, but he never mentioned a son. How could he have lied to me this entire time?
It's true what they say; people can always surprise you. I never thought Travis would be capable of something like this. This level of deception is something entirely different. I actually thought I knew him, but now it's clear I never did.
But why? Why keep this from me? It makes no sense. He's not the first divorcee with a child to ever have existed. If he had no qualms about telling me he was divorced, why would he hide the fact that he has a son?
Whatever his reasons, the outcome is the same. He's a father, and he kept it from me. I don't care why he did it, all I know is that he did. I'm done.
I head to the kitchen where I left my purse. I pick it up from the table and just as I turn around to leave a thought occurs to me.
What am I going to accomplish by running away now? We are going to have to talk at some point. I would rather get it over with now instead of drawing it out and giving him time to come up with yet another lie.
I'm going to wait for him right here. When he comes back, whenever he comes back, we're going to talk about this. This dancing around issues nonsense is over. Whatever happens, tonight is the night that everything comes to a head.