Narrates Paige:
After the check-up, my friend makes me laugh with her antics, as our friends and even Lucas are waiting for us at her house.
I greet everyone with a smile, happy about the surprise. I didn't expect this to happen.
"Surprise!" John and Matthew shout, while Lucas simply smiles upon seeing me.
"Thanks, guys, but it wasn't necessary," I blush, being the center of attention.
"Sweetie, it's not for you, it's for the baby," John says, caressing my belly.
"Well, you change quickly," I pretend to be offended.
"Don't be mean, you know that whatever she feels, the baby feels too. You know we adore you, and this surprise is for both of you. We love you," Matthew says.
"Thank you, I know. It's just that sometimes I'm more sensitive and prone to tears," I reply, hiding the tears that want to escape.
"Sweetie, don't cry. Let's go eat the delicious things I brought, especially your favorite cupcakes," Lucas says, taking my hand.
I walk with him, and he shows me what he brought, along with several other things that my friends bought. Everything looks delicious. I have to start watching what I eat; I don't want to be a ball carrying another ball in my belly. My friend Tabatha looks at everything on the table, shakes her head, crosses her arms, and looks at the guys very seriously.
"You guys are so smart, why not bring healthy things? Don't you think about all the sugar in what you brought? Do you want Paige to have gestational diabetes? Of course not. I always have to be involved to make sure things are done right. I definitely can't trust you," she says, starting to remove the items from the table.
"Friend, one day of indulging in all this won't harm me," I say, pouting with sadness to make her have mercy on me.
"I don't know what I'm going to do with you," she says, shaking her head as she puts everything back on the table. "Not too much, I'll be watching you," she threatens before going to sit in front of me.
The guys ask her to connect the CD to see the baby. I'm thrilled to see the love and excitement they have to witness the growth of my baby in my belly. I feel deeply fortunate to have them in my life.
Tabatha connects the TV in the living room, and everyone sits to watch the screen. I feel nervous until Lucas takes my hand and sits me next to him. I smile and remain silent as the guys watch and cry upon hearing the baby's heartbeat. At least until Lucas leans close to my ear and asks me.
"Are their heartbeats normally that fast?" I nod excitedly and can't speak.
"The doctor said their heartbeats are completely normal," I reply with a smile.
"And what about the trip and your plans? Can you travel?" he asks nervously.
"Yes, I can. I'll be going away for a few days with Tabatha, probably around a week or so. I can't go and tell them I'm pregnant and then leave. They'll bombard me with questions and might even try to get me to tell the father of this baby, but that's not going to happen. I've made a decision, and I'll be the father and mother of this baby," I say, convinced in my words.
"Whatever you need, count on me for anything. I hope you always keep that in mind," he says, kissing my cheek.
"I know, and I appreciate it," I reply, taking his hand and giving it a gentle squeeze.
"Alright, now that we've seen the baby, I'm going to the kitchen to prepare dinner. You know that Paige has a diet rich in vitamins and minerals. Anyone who wants to stay is welcome," says my friend as she walks towards the kitchen.
"You're going to cook? God forbid, I don't want to die so young," says John, placing a hand on his chest and exaggerating.
"Don't be like that, she cooks deliciously. I've been eating what she cooks every day, and I'm still here," I say with a smile, trying to convince them to stay.
"I'll stay," says Lucas.
"Thanks, you'll be my baby's favorite," I say just to tease John and Matthew.
"We'll stay," says John, annoyed.
We laugh at their antics and craziness. We have dinner amidst laughter and dramas about who will be the baby's favorite.
The next day...
It's a new day, and we have a trip to make. After leaving the doctor's office, my friend organized everything for us to travel today and talk to my friends as soon as possible. Besides, she's the one responsible for telling them that I've made up my mind not to tell Mason anything. I've even thought about telling them that it's from an affair I had, so they won't insist.
I understand that they are his friends, at least Ethan and Sarah, but that doesn't give them the right to divulge something personal about me. I hope they understand my situation because I don't want to have any problems with them. Maybe it's best to just tell them that I'm pregnant and nothing more, not going into details. Although it's logical that they would suspect it's from Mason. And the last thing I want is for them to tell him that it's his child.
We're already on the plane, and my mind can't stop thinking about what I'm going to tell them. I feel too nervous and anxious at the same time. I can't even sleep because of how nervous I am.
We land, and no one is waiting for us since I didn't let anyone know I was coming. We get a taxi and head straight to Sarah's house. She might not even be home due to her work schedule. While on the way, I call her on her cellphone. She answers excitedly and says,
"Friend, what a joy to talk to you. How are you?" she says happily.
"I'm fine, friend. And how's the pregnancy going?" I ask nervously.
"Good, although I didn't go to work today. The truth is, I didn't have anything important there, and my assistant is taking care of everything without any issues," she says, yawning.
"So, are you at home?" I ask nervously.
"Yes, why?" she asks, suspecting something.
"I'm here on my way to your house with a friend. I hope you don't mind that I came without letting you know and with a friend," I say, starting to speak quickly because of how nervous I am.
"Are you crazy? Mind? I love the idea! I'll get dressed since I was still in pajamas. What a joy to have you here," she says, crying.
"Are you crying?" I ask, surprised.
"Hormones," she says, wiping her nose.
I understand her, I mean, I want to tell her that I understand her better than anyone else, but I can't, at least not yet.