Falling Stars (48 page)

In
fact, during Thanksgiving he insisted on supervising my plate.

"Are
you insane?"

"What?
You need to eat a lot." He defended his double loading my plate.

"Christopher,
I don't need to eat a mountain of food. I've started to put on weight. Quit
worrying about it." I took the plate and started to pick at the turkey.

"Two
pounds doesn't—" I smirked.

"Nine,"
I corrected.

"What?"

"I've
gained nine pounds now."

"Why
didn't you tell me?" He pouted for a moment, but then stood me up and
looked me over. His hand rubbed over my abdomen.

"I
haven't gained enough for that." Swatting at his hands, I sat back down to
my plate. "Besides, girls don't typically brag about gaining weight."

After
Thanksgiving, we had to say goodbye, again. He had appearances and engagements,
while I had my own schedule to keep.

Hushed
Mentality
had to fly out to New York to appear on a couple of
morning and radio shows. We performed and discussed our recent success and
popularity. Of course, the questions surrounding the tour with
The Forgotten
were always a part of the interviews. Questions about the rumored animosity
between the band and between Chris and me. If they only could get their pariah
teeth into the real story, they would cream in their pants.

We
gave honest answers, but when it came too close to being personal we would
offer the standard generic responses. These responses were not going to work
once my pregnancy was exposed. Regardless of any denial, I could attempt.

Once
we completed the shows, we flew back to Washington. There were a couple more
interviews, but we were able to do most of those over the phone, thankfully.

Now
that Christmas was just around the corner. Shopping with Kat and Laney was
something that I stupidly agreed to; however, when we got to shop for toys I
had a field day. Laney disappeared for a while, but found me again with a
cartful of stuff. Once we finally finished shopping, I demanded food and then
we went home.

Serena
wanted to strangle me for all the stuff I bought for Ryan. Elliott looked as if
he couldn't wait to get them out and play with them. He pouted as we hid
everything in the basement storage room. Elliott wanted to 'test' the toys for
Ryan.

We
were sitting around watching 'A Muppet Christmas Carol' with Ryan, when the
doorbell rang. Serena got up to answer the door and the loud
ho, ho, ho
got all of our attention. Turning around Laney shrieked and ran, jumping into
Jackson's arms.

He
was wearing a red Santa hat. Christopher followed behind Jackson. He sat down
and wrapped his arms around me, planting a kiss on my head.

Once
he settled in, we talked about our appearances and interviews. He'd gotten some
of the same questions I got. I teased him about the host on one of the shows
flirting with him.

Ryan
fell asleep before the end of the movie. Elliott and Serena took him to bed and
then went to her room. Jackson pulled Laney to the stairs a few minutes later.
Kat had gone up hours before claiming to have a headache.

After
cleaning up the popcorn and folding all the blankets in the living room,
Christopher and I headed up to bed. Passing Kat's room, I couldn't help but
overhear her conversation.

"No"
"We talked about this when I was," "It's not possible" "I'm
sorry" "No" "Don't" "It would create so many
issues" "You know I'm right" "No" "Please don't,
it's already hard as it is."

I
felt horrible for eavesdropping so pulled myself away and went to my room.
Christopher was already in bed leaned back on the headboard. He raised an
eyebrow when I walked closer with concern on my face.

"Is
everything okay?"

I
nodded.

"Are
you sure?"

I
nodded again.

He
groaned and pulled me closer to him.

"Please
talk to me," he begged, pressing his lips to my temple.

"It's
nothing."

He
nudged me lightly.

"I
just overheard Kat on her phone and well I just hope she's okay. She sounded
sad and distressed."

"Why
don't you talk to her about it?"

"That's
not how Kat works." I shook my head and slouched down into my pillows.
Christopher curled up next to me. We drifted off to sleep.

"Please,
Kat don't do this, Please!"

I
stretched and sat up.
What the...?

"What
the hell is that?" Christopher groaned and sat up.

"The
voice sounds familiar, but –"

"Will
you be quiet? You're going to wake everyone up! Now stop and get out of
here...hurry!" Kat was trying not to shout, but was still loud.

"I
can't, not till you agree." There was a pause. Christopher and I went to
the hallway only to meet everyone else in the house. "I'm not leaving
until you do! I know you love me! I know it!"

We
looked around, shrugged, and headed downstairs. When we reached the bottom, I
think we gasped in unison.

Kat
was standing just inside the front with a man on his knees. His hands firmly
holding onto her hips as he looked up to her with pleading eyes. The situation
wasn’t the most shocking. It was the man on his knees.

It
was Richard.

Chapter
Twenty-Four

"Oh
Christ," Kat groaned loudly. "Get the hell up," She yelled down
at Richard, who was still kneeling before her.

We
stood with mouths gaped open as Richard cleared his throat and stood up.

"What
the fuck is this?" Leave it to Elliott.

"It's
nothing," Kat grumbled and grabbed Richard's hand pulling him out the
door. "He was just leaving."

"No
I'm not," he argued.

"Yes
you are," she seethed through clenched teeth.

"You
know what you mean to me. Why can't –?"

"It
was just a 'thing', why is that so hard for you to understand?" Kat looked
thoroughly annoyed. Then she turned on us. "Do you think we could get a
fucking moment?" She shouted. We quickly dispersed.

While
my bed sounded like the best idea, my bladder had another, so I went to my
bathroom. I couldn't believe Kat had something going on with Richard. Did Una
know? It was so nice to think about somebody else's drama instead of my own.
Once I stepped out, I found Christopher sitting on my bed staring into nothing.

"Hey…what's
wrong?"

I
was on the other side of my room pulling clothes out of my dresser.

"Nothing,"
he lied.

I
tossed some clothes onto the bed and walked around standing in front of him
with my arms crossed over my chest.

"Speak
now or forever hold your peace."

"I
was just thinking."

"About?"
I coaxed.

"Should
we…get married?" He whispered the last two words without looking at me.

My
eyes widened. I blurted out my first thought.

"Fuck
no!"

His
eyes snapped to my face quickly. Filled with hurt, but quickly turned to anger.
I leaned toward him to wrap my arms around him, but he caught my arms and
pushed me away. He stood, walking out of my room without saying a word.

I
froze in place with my mouth slightly open as the shock of what just happened
crawled over my body. Lying down, I felt tears start to slide over my cheeks.

"Damn
hormones," I mumbled into my damp pillow.

Eventually
my grumbling stomach demanded I get up, so I got dressed. Deciding on a pair of
jeans and a sweatshirt, my plan was to get out of this house. I didn't want to
be inside and I didn't want to see Christopher right now either. His dramatic
reactions were a little more than I could handle now.

Damn
his temper tantrums!
Hot tears burned the corners of my eyes
again.

Slipping
on my shoes, I grabbed my coat and headed downstairs. On my way out the door, my
eyes locked on our car. I said a silent prayer that the keys were inside. The
sound of the house door opened behind me. I picked up my pace to the car.
Closing the car door, I heard him yell for me. I pretended not to hear him.

Needing
some space from everyone, including Christopher, I drove off. I caught a
glimpse of his approach in the rearview mirror as I pulled away.

When
the small diner in town came into view, I went in to get breakfast. My stomach
was churning and if I didn't eat soon I would definitely be kneeling in front
of the toilette soon. So, I ordered the largest breakfast they had to offer. Lucky
for me they weren't too busy and my food came quickly, eggs, toast, bacon,
pancakes, and orange juice.. Greedily I ate everything and fought the urge to
lick my plate clean.

Climbing
back into the car I couldn't bring myself to go home. I started driving around
town reminiscing. Passing the police station, I noticed John's cruiser. Turning
around, I went back.

The
station looked the same. Nothing seemed to change. The mahogany desk near the
entrance sat as empty as it usually had. Gina, the receptionist, only worked
part time and wouldn't be in until later.

"Hey
dad," I called out.

His
head popped up from the familiar office in the back.

"Hey
baby." Once he approached, he wrapped me up in a large bear hug.

"Careful,
I just ate the super-sized breakfast at the diner." Laughing, I rubbed my
belly. Then I caught myself and froze. He didn't know. Panic coursed through my
veins.

"Mia?
Mia, are you alright?" He led us to a nearby chair and sat me down. I
snapped out of it.

"Yeah,
I'm okay. Sorry about that." I tried to smile.

He
furrowed his brow at me.

"What's
going on?" he crossed his arms.

Shit!
He was a police officer. He knew how to interrogate and sense lies. I'd grown
up with it all my life and no matter what Serena or I tried, he usually called
us on it.

"Nothing,
honest," Crap! First mistake…I said honest...that's the dead giveaway.

"Honest
huh?" he sat next to me and sighed. "What's going on?" He'd
taken on the fatherly tone.

"Um…I
think we should talk about it later, you know, after you're home and don't have
your gun." I smiled sheepishly and batted my eyes.

"Something's
got you out running around, eating by yourself, and visiting me. So I think we
should talk now." He sat up straighter.

"I'm
telling you, later is better," I mumbled.

"Mia?"

"Fine,"
I grunted and slouched back. "I'm pregnant."

"You
– You're what?" He looked like he was the one with morning sickness.

I
snorted at the thought.

"Mia?
Who? When? How?" Uh oh, maybe he was having a stroke.

"Well
I think we all know 'how' dad." I gave him a cocky smile.

"Don't
get smart little lady." The sternness in his voice quickly melted my smile
and humor.

"You'll
meet him tonight and it was just recent." Shame started to swallow me up.

"Why
weren't you at least…you know, safe?" His disappointment was loud and
clear.

"I
thought I was."

"How
do you think...?" he started to snap back.

"I
think because I've been on birth control pills since Serena came home knocked
up," I shouted back and then started crying. He sighed and pulled me into
a hug.

"Is
he going to help you?"

I
nodded, rubbing my tears into his work shirt.

"I
think so, he says he is…he's the one that begged me not to…"

"Not
to what?" My dad pulled my back and looked into my face.

"To
get rid of the baby," My words were barely a whisper.

"Oh,"
was his response. I could see the discomfort all over his face. He'd opened the
can of worms and, now, he was regretting it.

"Is
that what you wanted?" He looked at me skeptically. "You have to do
what is right for you."

The
tears welled up again.

"I
don't know what I want for sure," I sobbed. "I'm so confused."
Sniffling, my dad reached for a box of tissues on a near-by desk. "I keep
trying to think about it all, but it just gets worse in my head." I choked
out and took a tissue from him.

"I
know, baby, I know." He rubbed my back trying to calm me. He took a deep
breath. "Maybe you should stop thinking about it and just let the answer
come to you, you know?"

Swallowing
my next sob, I looked at my dad in surprise. It was probably the most profound
statement he'd ever verbalized to me.

"I
love you dad." He returned the hug I unleashed on him.