Author: Molly McAdams

Just then Bree walked up, “We need to go Harper.” She said softly.

I looked at her, hoping she understood that she couldn't have had better timing. There's no way I would tell Chase here, but I couldn't stand to keep talking to him without saying something about the pregnancy. Once again, Chase quickly dropped his arms and stepped back when he saw her. I wanted to roll my eyes but resisted. She heard him say “I love you” last time, and he still thought he had to hide it from her? One more day. One. More. Day.

“See you.” I touched Chase's arm before turning to Bree.

“Bye Princess.”

10

“Wake up, wake up, wake up!” Bree shouted the next morning.

“Ugh! Bree, we don't have class for four hours. Go away!”

“No way! It's your birthday you have to get out of bed!”

Oh right. Birthday. “No one cares, go back to sleep.” I grumbled and pulled the comforter over my head.

“We do, now get your ass up!” She ripped the comforter off the bed completely and threw it to the floor.

“Sometimes, I just want to punch you.”

She beamed a smile at me, “I know. You love me!”

“That too.”

I followed her down the stairs and almost peed myself when Mom and Dad yelled, “HAPPY BIRTHDAY HARPER!” They were putting pancakes, eggs, bacon and presents on the kitchen table when we walked in.

Jeez, could these people be any more wonderful? First Christmas, now this? We ate together and when the dishes were done I opened my presents. Bree got me three shirts that I could wear now, and when I was “ginormously huge”, Mom and Dad got me another pregnancy book as well as a baby names book, a Juicy bracelet and a green Coach baby bag from all three of them.

How would I ever thank them for so much more than just the presents? “Thank you. You guys are so amazing, I love you all.”

I was bombarded by hugs and I couldn't help but wish for Chase's arms too. I smiled when I remembered today was the day. Since Bree and I didn't have school tomorrow, we were all going out to dinner tonight, then coming back to watch movies. I read through the fourteenth week of What To Expect When You're Expecting, bookmarked my spot with the most recent ultrasound picture, thumbed through the baby name book then hopped in the shower to get ready for my day. This was the first time I'd been excited about having a birthday, and I wanted to look cute for it. So I took my time with my hair and make-up, making sure I looked perfect for my day, and for when I told Chase. I dressed in my favorite pair of dark Lucky jeans, flip flops and one of the new shirts Bree got me. It was dark gray v-neck, long and form fitting, but seriously stretchy. Yep, I'd for sure be able to wear this throughout the whole pregnancy. I almost took it back off when I saw my defined bump showing through the stretchy material, but figured it was time to stop hiding it. People may not notice that my boobs were getting even bigger, but if anyone looked down, they'd definitely know what was going on. When I walked into the kitchen Mom and Bree were thrilled at my outfit because they knew this could only mean one thing and Mom came up to pat my baby bump.

“See you tonight girls! Love you!” She had the widest smile I'd seen since we told her Chase was the father, and it was undeniably contagious.

We were almost to our first class and I did a double take to a chair sitting outside the door. I slowly walked up and grabbed the bouquet of orange lilies, tucked into the side was a note with my name on the envelope. I looked at Bree who was looking around confused, and I joined in with her. There were people I vaguely knew all over, but other than Bree and Mom, only two guys knew about these. And neither of them were around. I opened the note and a huge smile spread across my face when I read the masculine handwriting.

'Happy Birthday Princess'

I bit my lip and looked harder for a tall, tan, built, tatted up guy with shaggy blonde hair, bright blue eyes and a killer smile.

“Who are they from?” Bree grabbed the note out of my hands.

“Chase, do you see him?”

“No. That boy I swear, who knew he could be sweet?”

After another quick look, I reluctantly followed her into the classroom. No sooner had we sat down, than my phone chimed.

Chase - 'You look beautiful today.'

Me - 'Were you watching me?'

Chase - 'Maybe. I finally got to give you your lilies.'

Me - 'You already gave me my lilies a few months ago, remember?'

Chase - 'I couldn't forget that day even if I tried.'

Me - 'Well you could have given these to me yourself you know. I would have liked to see you.'

Chase - 'It was worth it to see that smile on your face'

Me - ':) Thank you for my flowers. I love them'

Chase - 'What are you doing for your Birthday?'

Me - 'Dinner with your fam tonight, movies at the house after. You're invited.'

Chase - 'I'll see what I can do.'

Once again, it wasn't exactly a no, but it wasn't a yes either and I tried to not let that disappoint me. Cryptic words were kind of his specialty.

“Gah, look at you Harper.” Bree whispered.

“What?”

“You already totally have that preggo glow, and now your face is lit up like the freaking sun after texting my brother.”

I looked at her confused, “How did you know I was talking to him?”

She narrowed her eyes at me, then raised her eyebrows. “Like I said, your face is lit up like the sun.” Nudging my knee, she turned to listen to the Professor.

I smiled at my flowers one more time, and tried to follow her lead. Class flew by and we went to lunch to meet up with everyone, Chase wasn't there, but a very shocked looking Brandon was. All the guys had given me big bear hugs, and after an uneasy hug from Brandon he froze and backed up slowly, his eyes trained to my stomach. It had finally been real for me at the first ultrasound, but I don't think it'd been real for Brandon until he saw the bump pushing out from my hips. My stomach churned and my heart ached thinking of the love I'd lost, but I knew I had to get over it. I was the one who had messed up, I needed to get over it so I could get on with my life too. None of the girls got to the table until we were already seated, and even with Brandon's wide eyes staring at where my stomach was hidden from the table, no one else saw the evidence. Since the restaurant was just down the street from campus, after lunch Bree and I went to a boba shop close to the school and did most of our homework before we had to leave for dinner.

We met Claire and Robert at the restaurant at six, and tried to have a great time sans Chase. Claire shared funny stories about her two pregnancies and hilarious things Breanna and Chase had done when they were little. We were all cracking up and wiping tears from our eyes by the time the waiter came with the bill. I checked my phone again and my shoulders dropped when there still wasn't anything from Chase. Claire talked to him today to invite him to dinner, and he'd flat out refused to come. I didn't understand. I thought after our few words yesterday that things were going to turn around, and then after the flowers today, I'd been positive they were. My heart sunk but I tried to keep a happy face for the people that loved me. Apparently I wasn't doing a good job, Claire reached over the table and grabbed my hand, her face sad.

“Sweetie don't worry about it, please. This will all work out, I'm sure of it.” But for once, no one looked like they believed it.

I nodded and flashed a smile, “Movie time?”

We looked at each other awkwardly, but left and headed for home. Bree had an arm slung over my shoulders talking about how much of an ass Chase is when we opened the front doors and all sucked in gasps. There were orange and white lilies covering every table and counter. Chase. A smile broke across my face as I looked around the entryway, dining room and living room for him, Robert let out a low whistle of appreciation and shut the door. My smile died as soon as I heard him in the other room.

“Are you fucking kidding me?! How could you guys keep this from me?” Chase's voice boomed from the kitchen as he rounded the bar and stalked towards us through the living room. “Where the hell is he? I swear to God I'm going to kill him!” With his tall muscular build, tattooed arms and outraged face, he definitely looked like he could kill someone. I grabbed Bree's arm and shrank back into Mom, pulling her with me. Until now, I'd never been scared of Chase, even that night he'd given me bruises.

“Chase!” Robert barked and stepped in front of us, “Calm down, what is going on?”

“I saw the books, I saw the effing ultrasound pictures!”

I flinched. Aw hell, it wasn't supposed to happen this way. Since he hadn't come back to the house in months, we'd left everything on the kitchen table ever since that first appointment.

Robert crossed his arms over his chest, “And?”

“And!? DAD! Bree's knocked up and all you can say is 'and'?!”

Bree snorted and took a step away from me, crossing her arms over her chest, “Please. I'm not as stupid as you, I'm not pregnant.”

“Breanna!” Claire hissed through her teeth. She gave me an apologetic look for her daughter but it was true and I know Bree hadn’t meant it as an insult toward me.

Chase shoved one of the ultrasound pictures in Bree's face, “Then what the hell is this?”

I stepped up next to her, took the photo out of his hand and spoke softly, trying to hide my shaking. “It's mine Chase.”

You could have heard a pin drop. Chase's face had softened as soon as he'd seen me, but turned into one of shock when he registered what I'd said. After a few minutes, a grin that reached his eyes spread across his face as he searched mine.

His eyes slowly trailed down to my stomach and grew wide, “You're pregnant Princess?”

“Yes.” I whispered.

He lifted his head to smile at me and dropped it again, gaze fixed on my bump. This time no one stopped me when I let my hand fall to cover it lovingly. “Is it – is it mine?”