Never say forever (Never series Book 1) (15 page)

Aiden decided to call me, at that particular time. As I am bawling. I try to dry my eyes and calm myself the best I can. “Hello”

He must detect something is wrong. “Hey Sweetie, what’s wrong? You sound like your crying. Is everything alright?” No it’s not alright. But I can’t tell him that. I can’t tell him that I am an emotional wreck over something that hasn’t bothered me the past few months, since he walked in my life.

“
Yeah I’m fine,” I lied once again.

“
You don’t sound alright. If something is wrong, we can always go see Ben and Abby another time.” I knew he would say that. I won’t let him do that though. We are going, no matter how I feel.

“
No, I’m fine. We’re going. I’m just getting dressed now,” I told him.

“
Are you sure?” He asked another time.

“
Yes, come on over. I’ll be ready. Love you” I said as I was hanging up.

“
See you soon, beautiful.” I always smile when he says that. I hang up the phone. I need to get myself together. One look in the mirror says everything. I am a complete mess. I don’t understand why I’m so upset over something that I haven’t even thought about these past few months or years. I haven’t let it bother me. I apply as much makeup as I can to hide the hideousness I just caused. I get dressed. I’m hungry but still feel a bit on the queasy side. I grab some toast, maybe this will do the trick. I grab a Gatorade out of the fridge, since we all know this works wonders when you’re sick. I really hope I’m not coming down with the flu, I would hate to get his friends sick. Or him for that matter.

Aiden pulls up and walks to the door as I’m walking out. He takes one look at me and envelopes me in a bear hug. “Oh baby, you don’t look so good. You sure you want to come with. We can stay home and I can nurse you back to health.” As fantastic as that sounds, I don’t want to disappoint.

“
No, I promised. Let’s go.”

I enter the car. He walks around to his side and starts up the car. Before putting it in drive, he leans over “I love you so much, Babygirl. I would never be mad at you for not going somewhere if you weren’t up for it. Keep that in mind.” He is such a sweetheart. I’m not sure what I did to deserve him but it must have been really good.

“
I know. Its okay, I want to meet them,” I say as I lay my head on the headrest.

If I am sick, I hope to be done with this soon. It’s a week before Christmas. Last thing I want is to spend Christmas at the toilet. We are headed to his friend’s house. I am sipping on my Gatorade. Every bump we hit makes me nauseated. This is not good, it seems to be progressing.

We arrive at a small house that has a white picket fence. Reminds me of all those hopeless romantics wanting to marry, have five kids, with two dogs and live in a house with a white picket fence. Although I doubt these people went for that since I’m assuming they are around our age.

A cute couple are standing on the porch awaiting our arrival. Ben looks pretty tall with short brown hair. He has both his ears pierced along with an eyebrow piercing. He seems pretty athletic. Maybe he was on the football team with Aiden. Abby is so petite and pretty. She has long flowing red hair and green eyes. She is really short, especially standing next to Ben. They look like a cute couple.

Abby reached out her hand. “You must be Serena. I’ve heard so much about you. It’s so nice to meet you.” She reminds me of a cheerleader. Maybe Ben played football and she cheered for his team. She is really excited and peppy. I don’t mind it though. “This is Ben.”

“
Hi! It’s nice to meet you.” I shake their hands and they tell us to follow them into the house. They give us the grand tour of the house, which isn’t much. Three bedrooms, one bath. The typical cute little house on the corner. I do admit, it is kind of cozy. They have a fireplace in the living room. I would love to have that with Aiden. We could have some late nights in front of the fireplace when we can’t make it to the waterfalls in the winter.

They seat us at their dining room table and bring out food. I’m shocked they just cooked us a full meal. They seem to be great people. Aiden puts his hand on my leg and leans over and whispers. “I hope you’re feeling better, baby. I’m glad you’re here.” He kisses me on the side of the head and I
feel like crying because I’m so happy. What the fuck is wrong with me? I have never cried from happiness. I have to stop the tears from forming. It takes a lot of strength but I make it. I don’t need to embarrass myself in front of Abby and Ben because I can’t seem to keep my emotions in check today.

They bring out some ham with stuffing and mashed potatoes. My stomach is growling, I am so hungry. We pass the food around the table until everyone has food on their plates. Abby stands up “Would you guys like a cocktail?” Judging by my stomach today I don’t think that’s a wise decision.

“
It’s okay. I have Gatorade. But thank you.” Everyone else has their drinks. We start eating, and my stomach is doing somersaults again. I nibble my food. I don’t want to stop eating and seem rude and that I don’t like their food. I’m sure they worked hard cooking it.

Abby notices. “Serena, are you okay? You look like you might be a little ill?” She seems very concerned.

“
I haven’t been feeling all that well. I’ll be okay though. I just need to use the ladies room real quick,” I say as I get up.

“
Here let me show you where it is.” She gets up and guides me to the bathroom.

I enter the bathroom and as soon as I hit the floor, my stomach empties, all the contents of tonight’s dinner in the toilet. I feel like complete crap and I really hope no one knows I just threw up. I don’t even have a toothbrush. Damn it, now I have puke breathe. I wash my hands and I see my tear-stained red face from puking. I dry off my hands and face and wait a few minutes for my face to lighten up.

I go back to the dining room table and everyone is about done with their dinner. I don’t think I can try to eat more. I may end up in the bathroom again. Aiden leans over “You okay baby?” I nod my head. I don’t want to speak to close to his. He doesn’t need to smell my vomit. I almost get queasy again just thinking about it.

“
Ben and I are going to walk to the corner store and get some things. You girls okay here by yourself?” Aiden asks.

“
Definitely. Take your time. Let us girls bond.” She smiles at them as she shoos them out the door. If I wasn’t feeling sick I would have laughed. Abby walked over to me.

“
What’s wrong honey? I know you don’t know me but I know something’s going on. You can trust me. I won’t say a word.” She seems very nice.

“
Nothing’s wrong, I just have been feeling sick all day. I think I may be coming down with the flu,” I tell her.

“
Have you been emotional lately?” Come to think of it, today I have been extremely emotional. I don’t say anything, I just sit there and stare. That was enough for what she was going to say next.

“
I know this is personal, but know this. I won’t let anyone know your business. I think I know your problem, you just have to help me out here. When was your last period?” Well, no one’s ever asked me that. It is a bit personal but maybe she’s on to something. Shit, I don’t even remember. It’s now Dec 18
th
. I think my last period was November 8
th
but I could be wrong. My period is never late. I usually remember my periods too but my head has been so far wrapped around Aiden, I lost track.

“
I don’t remember. I can’t be sure,” I say as emotion and anxiety is taking place in my body.

“
Honey, I think you’re pregnant.” She smiled at me.

Fuck!!!! What the hell did she just say? I can’t be pregnant.

“
No that can’t be it,” I deny.

“
I have seen enough pregnant people to know. You have all the symptoms. Listen, before they come back. I’m giving you a test. You don’t have to take it here. I have extras. Believe me, Ben and I have had some scares. I know to be stocked on that. Put it in your purse and take it when you’re comfortable. I won’t say a word. I promise you. This isn’t my story to tell if you are pregnant or not. Just promise me, when you take the test. Let me know.” She seems kind of excited.

“
Not sure what I would do. What if Aiden doesn’t want kids? What if it’s too soon? I don’t think I can handle the heartache is he strays.” I’m rambling on, my nerves at high peak right now.

“
Aiden is a good guy. I’ve known him for quite a while. I’ve seen him around kids and he’s great. He would make a great father. From what I’ve seen today, he’s infatuated with you. He won’t get rid of you because of a baby. He would love that baby the way he loves you.” I feel a little bit better knowing that.

I start to hear the door opening and hurry up and shove the pregnancy test in my purse. I’ll take this later. My mind is reeling right now of the possibilities. I don’t know what the hell to do. I promised myself I wouldn’t end up like this. I stop thinking about this so I don’t give anything away. Later I will know what cards fate has dealt in my hands.

***

Aiden

It kills me inside to see Serena sick. I know she isn’t feeling well. I’m beginning to think this was a bad idea. I tried to stay home but she wouldn’t budge. She knows how much this means to me, so she put my happiness above her own comfort.

At dinner, she didn’t look too well. She looked like she was ready to hurl. I should have known to bring her some soup to make instead. This food is probably too heavy for
her stomach. I hope whatever bug she got goes away soon. I want to see the sparkle come back in her eyes and see her beautiful smile. I especially want to see her reaction to the present I plan to get her for Christmas. I know she is just going to love it.

She got up to use the restroom and Abby went along with her.

“
Your girl okay?” Ben asked, concern on his face.

“
Yeah man, I think she got a bug or something. Maybe flu, but not sure. She hasn’t been feeling well. I should have thought and brought her something her stomach can tolerate.” I feel really bad for her. My heart aches because I know she’s in pain.

“
We can go up to the corner store and pick something up for her if you want. We can catch up on old times and we can leave the ladies to bond. They seem to like each other,” he stated.

“
Yeah that’s a good idea,” I said.

“
I know its eating away at you. I know you love her. When they come back we’ll go.” He has always been my best friend. He’s a few years older than me. We used to be neighbors and hung out all the time as kids. He may be older but he doesn’t care. He’s like the older brother I never had. I will always have respect for him.

Abby sits back down at the table. We all just sit there eating in silence when Serena comes back. She looks worse than she did when she went in the bathroom. I wish she would feel better. We announce that we are going to the store. Abby pretty much shoves us out the door. I guess I take that as a good sign because she wants to bond with Serena.

Ben and I are walking down the street, going to the store. “So Ben, how’s everything going? You and Abby seem to still be going strong.”

“
Yeah, she is my shining star bro. I can’t live without her. We have been doing awesome. Well, besides the bunch of pregnancy scares we’ve had.” He takes a swig of his drink.

“
You’re still getting those scares? Don’t you use protection or isn’t she on birth control?” I asked.

“
Yeah we use protection, but you know how that is. Every time she’s late, we freak out. I’d love to have a baby with her, but I don’t think now is the time. We are both struggling with money. Hopefully we can keep this house we just bought. Were both working but it’s just not enough. Throw a baby into the mix and were fucked.” I know he would make a great father. He already made a great big brother. Any child would be lucky to have him as a father.