Mason narrates:
I finish work and I'm surprised I haven't heard from Paige; we were supposed to have lunch together. However, at the last minute she told me she couldn't make it because of an appointment she had forgotten about.
I notice her voice is strange, I have a feeling that something is not right with her.
I hurry to leave work to go home, I hope to meet her there and see her. I miss her, even though it's only been hours without seeing her. After a month of being together 24 hours a day, I feel that I miss her presence by my side.
I am completely in love with Paige, I have no doubt about it. In thinking a lot about the whole Peyton and pregnancy thing, I think I have made the right decision on that subject.
I will talk to Paige, although I don't know how she will take the news I can't keep hiding this. Regardless of what Peyton decides, it's something I can't hide forever. Somehow, she will find out and I'd rather it be from me than from third parties.
On the way home she bought a flower arrangement, chocolates, and everything she likes. I feel too nervous.
When I'm a block away from arriving my cell phone rings with an incoming call from Peyton, I quickly answer it and hope she has already decided.
“Hi Peyton, how are you?" I ask, wanting to know how both of them are doing.
“Hi, to be honest, I'm not feeling very well. I didn't know who else to call," she says, her voice breaking.
“Where are you?" I ask, stopping the car.
“I'm at the apartment. I'm not feeling well. I'm in pain, and I don't want anything bad to happen to my baby," she says, crying.
“I'm on my way there. Don't move," I finish the call and go to pick her up to take her to the clinic.
I arrive at the apartment in a short amount of time. I enter directly and find her crying on the bed. I approach her, and as she sees me, she says,
“Can you take me to the emergency room? I'm in so much pain," she nods as I take her in my arms.
“Don’t worry about anything. I'll take care of it," I say, carrying her out.
I drive quickly to the clinic, and, upon arrival, I request a wheelchair. I explain that she's in pain, and she tearfully asks for her obstetrician. The nurse calls for him, and I stay in the waiting room, unsure of what to do.
I pace back and forth, feeling suffocated and desperate. I long for company and feel its absence. As my phone rings and I see Ethan's name, I sigh, feeling that it's my luck that my friend is reaching out to me at this moment.
“Where are you? We need to talk," he says seriously.
“I’m at the clinic. Can you come? Don't tell anyone, just come," I say, distressed.
“I’m on my way," he ends the call, and I wait for him to arrive.
I continue pacing back and forth, growing impatient without any news about Peyton and my baby. When I think of "my baby," my heart tightens with anguish for their well-being.
I see Ethan arrive at the same time a doctor comes out and asks me,
“Are you Peyton's fiancé? " he asks, as I'm the only man in the waiting room.
“Yes, it's me. How are they?" I nervously inquire.
“At the moment, both are doing fine. The patient is showing signs of possible miscarriage, so she needs complete bed rest for the next two months, throughout the first trimester. Ideally, she shouldn't be alone and should avoid anything that could cause stress or agitation, as it can lead to contractions and ultimately a miscarriage. She's currently asleep, and when she wakes up, we'll discharge her with the condition that she remains in absolute bed rest," he explains, and I nod like a small child, attentively taking in everything he says.
“She’ll rest, and I'll make sure she's okay," I say, feeling somewhat relieved knowing that they are both alright.
"The doctor leaves me alone and I turn around, a smile forms on my face for the happiness of knowing that my baby is fine and that with care, both will be fine.
My happiness is overshadowed by Ethan's expression of annoyance.
"What did the doctor say? Are you here with Peyton?" he asks indignantly.
"That's what I want to talk to you about..." I manage to say.
"Is she pregnant? It can't get any more perfect, can it? It's funny how just when you decide to give Paige a chance, she turns out to be pregnant... I'd rather not say more, or we'll end up arguing," he says, running his hand through his hair.
"I found out when we returned from the trip, I haven't told Paige about this, I don't know how to do it," I say, feeling complicated.
"It's not necessary for you to do it, she already knows," my friend tells me, sitting down beside me.
"What are you saying? How does she already know?" I ask, astonished.
"I don't know the details; I just overheard your wife telling Sarah that Peyton is pregnant. That's why I called you to find out if it was true," he explains, thoughtful.
"She won't want to have anything to do with me anymore. I'm truly madly in love with her. I didn't plan any of this, I didn't want to become a father like this," I say, sighing frustrated.
I feel like my future is ruined; my happiness won't be the same. I look at my friend and ask him to give me a moment alone. I see him go for a coffee and I take my phone. It's necessary to tell Paige what's happening, I can't leave Peyton alone. I have to find a place for her to live where she won't have to climb stairs, hire a nurse while I fulfill the contract time, and then I'll find out what will happen with my wife. All I know is that right now I have to inform her about what's going on and that I won't be coming home to sleep tonight.
"Hello," she greets, serious.
"Hello, darling, I need to talk to you about something important. I won't be able to come home tonight, I have a lot of things to sort out. Tomorrow, as soon as I can, I'll call you so we can meet and explain everything properly. I'm truly sorry, and I love you so much," I say, sighing.
"Don't worry, take care of your things. We'll talk tomorrow afternoon," she says, colder than I would have liked.
"Take care of yourself," I say, but she doesn't hear it because she has already ended the call.
I sigh again and slump into the seat I'm sitting in. Now I'm definitely going to lose her, I'm sure of it. I take a deep breath and start making some calls. I have to find a comfortable and not too big house for her. I don't want her to have to walk too much to get to the bathroom, with a terrace so she can get some fresh air without leaving the room. I think of everything, even a bookshelf to keep her entertained with reading, a television, and such things.
The nurse calls me to let me know that she's awake. I go to see her, and she looks at me in silence.
"How are you feeling?" I ask, taking her hand.
"Fine, it doesn't hurt anymore," she answers nervously.
"I'm organizing everything to get a house for tomorrow. You can't get up, and I'll make sure you're well taken care of until I can join you after finishing the contract," I tell her, gently squeezing her hand.
"It's not necessary for you to do that, I can ask a friend..." she says, nervous and worried.
I remember what the doctor said about not stressing her, so I interrupt her.
"Don't worry, let's take a deep breath. Everything is going to be fine. Just let me pamper you and wait for me for the month I have left to complete the deal, okay?" I say, kissing her hand.
"I love you," she says, excitedly.
"I love you too," I respond, smiling with closed lips.
It may not be entirely true, but it's not a lie either, because I do care about her a lot. I'm confident that I can feel more than just affection for her again by spending time by her side.