Phill's POV
Lea finally called.
" Phill, my phone broke! Is my aunt... is my aunt really dying? ”
She gasped from the other side. It seemed like she had run a couple of miles.
" Lea, breathe. Sir down, wherever you are. You are hyperventilating. Calm down! ”
" No! I can't. Just tell me it's true or not? What happened to her? ”
I wanted to ask her how she got to know about their aunt but I wasn't going to pry.
" It's true, Lea. I called the hospital where your aunt is admitted. I don't know the details. I will go and check on her first thing in the morning. Alright? ”
" I want to come with you. I am taking the next flight. Can you please pick me up from the airport? ” I could sense it wasn't just about the aunt. But nevertheless, I was going to be there for her, like I promised. Always. No questions. No demands.
" Of course, I will pick you up, Lea!Just be careful. Don't panic. She is stable at the moment, though in critical care. Take it slow, alright? "
" I am fine, Phill. Don't worry. I am just pregnant ,not sick!” She didn't seem like herself.
" I know. But it's a high risk pregnancy, Lea. I hope you remember that! ”
Lea sighed from the other side.
" Yeah, I do! See you tomorrow. Bye! ”
" Bye! ”
I let the phone fall on my chest as she hung up, staring up at the stars , lying on the hammock in our backyard.
***
Lea's POV
I rushed through my apartment, throwing random clothes into a suitcase. My hands were shaking so bad, I could barely zip it up. The phone call kept playing in my head. Aunt was critically ill, and I had to get to her. But all I could think about was Jake.
As I sat in the cab to the airport, I kept touching my belly, trying to calm the baby. "It's okay, little one," I whispered, even though I didn't believe it. "We're gonna be okay."
The airport was a blur.
I barely remember checking in, just the mechanical motions of handing over my ID and boarding pass. As I sat at the gate, I saw families, business people, all these lives going on while mine felt like it was crashing down.
I found my seat and slumped down, my head pounding. The hum of the engines did little to soothe my nerves. I pulled out my phone and stared at the screen. Should I call Jake? Should I give him a heads-up? I sighed, putting the phone away. What was I supposed to say? "Hey, surprise! I'm pregnant, and by the way it's yours! ” No thanks. I had built my walls for a reason, I reminded myself. I couldn't let it come crashing down.
" Excuse me,ma'am.Do you want anything?"
The flight attendant came by, offering drinks. "Just water," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. I felt the baby move and I placed a hand on my belly. "We'll be okay," I whispered again, hoping the words would stick this time.
As the plane descended, my anxiety shot up. I kept picturing Jake's face, imagining the anger and hurt in his eyes. How could I face him after all this time?Finally, we landed. I grabbed my bag and practically sprinted off the plane. Phill was there to pick me up like he promised, and I spotted him waiting by baggage claim.
"Lea, over here!" Phill waved, a concerned look on his face. "You alright?"
"Yeah, as alright as I can be," I said, forcing a smile. "Thanks for coming to get me."
He suddenly hugged me. That was unexpected but it felt good. It calmed my nerves a little bit. I hugged him back and he kissed me on my cheeks.
That was something he had never done before. We were friends and it was alright, but I wasn't used to it.
" Thanks for coming, " I said trying to brush it off because the last thing I wanted was to add one more thing to my list of worries.
"No problem," He said, picking up my bags.
The drive was silent, except for Phill's occasional glances in the rearview mirror. I could tell he wanted to ask about Jake, but he held back.
I purposefully sat at the back. I never did that before. I always sat beside him in his car. He looked offended.
"Lea, I talked to the doctors," Phill finally said, breaking the silence. "Your aunt was diagnosed with glioblastoma ...I mean brain cancer.Your aunt's cancer... it's at a very advanced stage. It's very intrusive. I am so sorry about that,Lea.They are doing their best. Jake is giving her the best possible treatment."
I felt like I had been punched in the gut. "How bad is it?" I asked, my voice barely more than a whisper.
Phill sighed. "It's not good. They don't know if she has much time left."
Tears welled up in my eyes, and I fought to keep from breaking down. "Thanks for telling me, Phill."
When we reached the hospital, Phill pulled up to the entrance. "I'll park and meet you inside," he said.
I took a deep breath and stepped out of the car, my legs feeling like jelly. I walked to the gate, my heart pounding louder with each step.
Then I saw him. Jake was standing there, his eyes fixed on me. He looked like he hadn't slept in days, and my heart ached seeing him like that.His hair was disheveled, his clothes rumpled, and a shadow of stubble covered his jawline. Dark circles framed his bloodshot eyes.
"Lea?" His voice was soft, but I could hear the mix of shock, anger, and something else...relief, maybe. His eyes bore into mine, searching for answers, for some kind of explanation that could make sense of everything.
The baby shifted, as if sensing my turmoil.I immediately placed my hand on my belly, a protective instinct that I immediately regretted deeply.
His gaze followed my movement, his eyes widening as he took in the sight of my rounded belly. A myriad of emotions flickered across his face...confusion, betrayal, a flicker of hope...before settling into a guarded expression. He clenched his fists at his sides, as if trying to hold himself together.
We just stood there, staring at each other, the weight of everything unsaid hanging between us.