On Heartbreak Ridge: Movie Trilogy Prequel Novella (The Movie Trilogy) (9 page)

“Vivian! Oh, Matthew, look at her, she’s so beautiful. A baby,” she whispered, cupping my face in her hands. “I love you both so much.”

Anna and Henry Fowler
would have gushed over me if I came in with two heads; we hit it off from day one, and Anna had already brought up wedding plans.

“I’m so scared to tell my parents,” I admitted to her, and Henry hugged me next, patting me on the back lovingly.

“I can imagine you’re worried,” he assured me. “Don’t forget though, Matthew loves you, and will take care of you, sweetie.”

His old-fashioned notions only forced a smile to my face, and Matthew winked at me from over his dad’s shoulder.

“You know I will,” he promised.

Two hours later, we pulled into my parents’ driveway, the tires of Matthew’s car crunching the newly fallen snow.

It was beyond strange ringing the doorbell of what had been my home only a few short weeks ago. My mother and father answered the door together, both of them reaching for me.

After a round
of hugs, my dad was the first to break the ice as he turned to Matthew, his hand outstretched. “Matthew, I’m sorry we didn’t have a chance to properly meet before. Gregory Hale.”

“Thank you, Mr. Hale.”

“Greg,” he urged as my mother stepped forward.

“Catherine,” she said, shaking Matthew’s hand as well.

I stood, watching them awkwardly. Matthew’s easy smile worked against the tension in the room.

After a long, uncomfortable silence, my dad finally clasped his hands together, nodding toward the dining room. “Come in. I hope you’re hungry.”

Dinner conversation was light between the four of us. I caught my parents up on my classes, letting them know I was keeping up with the work just fine. “I am auditioning for the spring musical. It’s
Evita
,” I added, and my mother smiled excitedly.

“Oh, Vivian, you’d be perfect. Did you tell Matthew about the time you won first place in the talent show? For singing “Don’t Cry For Me Argentina” and stunning the crowd?”

“She has an amazing voice,” Matthew agreed, grinning my way.

“
Thank you,” I replied softly. My plate was filled with all of my favorites; turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and green bean casserole. Matthew began describing his school, talking about the curriculum and the children that he worked with.

I caught a whiff of
my absolute favorite dish, the candied yams, slapping my hand over my mouth to keep from gagging.

“Vivian? Are you ill?” my mother asked, her eyes narrowed.

I barely made it to the hall bathroom. After flushing the toilet and rinsing out my mouth, I slowly made my way back to the table.

The icy silence that had settled over the occupants of the table
did not go unnoticed. I took my seat again, meeting my mother’s glare.

“I asked Matthew if you were pregnant, and he refused to answer us. I can only assume that means yes.”

I turned to Matthew, watching him narrow his eyes and sit back against the chair.

Swallowing hard, I flattened my hand over my belly, blinking rapidly at the tears trying to resurface.

“
Yes
,” I whispered.

“Catherine.” My father’s warning tone drew my mother’s attention. She gripped the edge of the table, visibly forcing herself to remain calm.

“Mr. and Mrs. Hale, I am in love with your daughter,” Matthew stated firmly, keeping his eyes on me. “I am in love with my child. I would like to ask you to celebrate with us. Please.”

“Don’t leave,” my dad urged as I slid my chair back. He focused on me, his eyes finding mine. “Give us both a minute to process this. But don’t leave, sweetheart.”

And, that was it.

I broke into tears, burying my face into my hands. “I love Matthew. I love my life with him. I… wish you’d both just accept us… please…”

“Vivian,” my mother replied, leaning to pull me into her arms. “Honey, we love you. We can’t possibly love you more. We will do everything we can to support you. Both,” she added, and I felt Matthew’s hand on the small of my back.

“Thank you,” he said, his deep voice near my ear as I sobbed. “Vivian.
Don’t cry
,” he consoled, turning me into his arms.

Christmas Eve with my parents ended up being better than I could have ever dreamed. My mother and father gave us both gifts, hugging us before we headed out to the car.

“It’s obvious that they love you very much. I think they took it well,” Matthew said, turning the heater up to warm us both.

“I think so. God, this is all suddenly seeming so real.”

“It is real, beauty. Come here.”

He wrapped his arm around me, holding me the entire way home.

That night, Matthew made love to me slowly, whispering quiet words in my ear as he eased himself into my body. I felt so very loved when he kissed his way down to my belly, marveling in the life we’d created together.

We spent Christmas Day in front of the small tree we’d decorated, opening each other’s gifts with juvenile excitement.
We spent the next two days wrapped in each other’s arms, making love again and again until we’d drift in and out of sleep.

My mother called me and asked if we could spend the day together. When I started to balk, Matthew urged me to go out with her. “You need to bond. You’re going to need your mom during this, Vivian.”

“Okay,” I told my mom, receiving an approving smile from Matthew.

When she picked me up in her Buick, I fully expected her to begin her lecture the moment we pulled out of the driveway. Instead, she only eased onto the highway, heading toward Cleveland.

“Are you feeling alright?” she asked.

“I’m fine. Just nauseated a lot. I keep getting a headache, too,” I added, thankful for her caring support.

“I was sick with you for almost four months,” she admitted. I nodded, watching her turn the radio up.

After at least twenty minutes of driving, I glanced up at her.

“Where… are we going?” I asked finally, after what seemed like an eternity of silence.

She lowered the volume of the music, taking an exit that I was unfamiliar with. “I’ve called and made you an appointment at the clinic.”

“What clinic?” I asked, narrowing my eyes. “I already made an appointment. Matthew is taking me next week.”

“This is a different clinic, Vivian. One with options.”

“Options?” My eyes darted around the area, finally focusing on the remote building ahead. “What- is this an abortion clinic?”

She continued to pull into the parking lot,
nodding efficiently. “I think it’s important to know all the facts. All of your options. Matthew is a very nice man, and as time goes on and the two of you get to know each other better, the time will come for a life together. Beginning with marriage, and
then
children.”

“I can’t even believe this. I can’t even fucking believe we’re having this conversation. Take me home.”

“Vivian-”

“Mom! Take me home!” I screamed at her then with the least amount of respect that I possessed.

She was completely flustered, lowering her eyes and reaching for me. “Sweetheart, it’s truly a simple procedure-”

“
How dare you bring me here, assuming that this is what I
want
. This is what
you
want. You will never accept Matthew. Take me home.”

“You’re throwing your entire life away!” she cried, gesturing to the building. “We can leave here in an hour, and pretend none of this ever happened.”

“Take. Me.
Home
.”

I
didn’t speak to her again as she turned the car around. Matthew met me at the door, holding me in his arms as I tearfully explained what my mother had done. For the first time in our short relationship, I saw his temper flare. He reached for his phone, dialing as I cried against his chest.

“Greg, it’s Matthew,” he said, and I quieted at my dad’s name. “I’m giving you the option of packing Vivian’s things, or allowing me to pack them for her. She’s moving in with me
permanently.” He went on to explain what my mother had done, and judging by their conversation, my father was already well aware of my mother’s plan.

“What did he say?” I asked, cautious, still clinging to the hope that maybe my dad would accept my decisions.

Matthew narrowed his eyes, tossing his phone to the counter. “He said ‘congratulations, asshole,’ and suggested that we look into Welfare.”

My blood ran cold. Before I could start crying again, he
placed a long, slow kiss on my forehead.

“I don’t need them,
” I spat.

“No, you don’t. You need to be loved.”

Sighing, I pressed my face to his chest, letting him smooth my hair with his hands.

God, I loved him.

My father had boxes waiting, and Matthew went to pick them up while I lay curled in our bedroom. Staring at the ceiling, I decided that nothing else mattered but Matthew and our baby, and it was time to grow up and become my own person.

By New Year’s Eve, Matthew had arranged for us to have a private dinner at the theater where we’
d met. The romantic lights created a soft aura around us as we sat on the stage, enjoying pasta and sharing dreams of our future.

As midnight approached, Matthew
lowered to one knee, and I felt my jaw drop as he produced a beautiful, modest diamond.

“
Be my wife, Vivian. Make me happier than I ever imagined possible.”

I watched him slide the diamond on my finger, nodding tearfully.

“Yes.
Yes
,” I whispered. “
I love you.
”

He stood with me on the stage, lowering his lips to mine. “I love you more,” he countered sweetly, swaying with me in his arms.

K

“
Fuck me!
”

I
fisted her hair and yanked, grinning as I bent her over my desk and slammed into her from behind. The girl to my right crept in, dragging her thick lips over my shoulders.

“Not me,
her
. Kiss
her
,” I ordered the brunette. The blonde that I was fucking turned her head slightly, allowing the brunette to tangle her tongue with hers.

God, I was wasted. I had no idea how or why my dick continued functioning, but I was about to come.

Again.

And this time, I didn’t give a fuck if either of them got off before me.

I groaned, jerking against her backside. I didn’t know if they wanted
me
or a part in my next movie- could be either, could be both, I didn’t care.

“Kid!”

Pound pound pound.

Frank’s voice was the last fucking thing I wanted to hear while I was surrounded by two gorgeous women, about to fucking erupt.

I groaned, emptying my soul. Frank continued to hammer on the door.

Pulling out, I gave her a
ss a slap, lowering my voice.

“Get
the fuck out. Both of you.”

They scowled in unison, both pouting as theatrically as possible before scrambling for their clothes. Frank burst into my office,
and both girls screeched, running for the door.

“
What?” I slurred, not bothering to turn around as I tucked my dick back into my pants.

“Fuck, Keaton- how much have you had to drink?”

I stumbled toward the couch, dropping to the cushions. “Get out.”

“You’re drinking- and fucking- yourself to death. It’s been two months. It’s time to sober up. Either you’re gonna do it yourself, or I’m checking you into rehab.”

“Fuck you.”

“Keaton.”

I managed to turn my head, on the verge of passing out.

“You’re about a day away from becoming your father. I know you don’t want that. Let me help you.”

Frank’s voice sounded too far away to give two fucks about whatever was coming out of his mouth.

So, I passed out.

. . .

“Keat. Damn, you stink.”

I blinked, squinting one eye and trying to focus.

“Luke?”

“Shit. You smell like dad used to. Is that what you want?”

Well, if the intense throbbing in my head, the puke brewing in my throat, or the Sahara dry-mouth wasn’t enough to make me miserable, my little brother’s words did the trick.

“What are you doing here?”

“I flew here. You’ve been passed out for almost twenty-four hours.”

“Fuck. Did I… piss myself?”

“Smells like it.”

“I want to fucking die.”