Undeniable Love (12 page)

Wyatt

“She said yes!” I screamed.

Then came the next surprise, her parents and my parents took of their masks.  I had called her father in August before I went ring shopping to ask him for his blessing. 

“Young man, I know you didn’t have to call me. It’s a different day and age, but that’s my baby girl and you gained even more respect from me today.”

“Thank you sir, does that mean that I have your blessing?”

“Yes son, it does.”

I told him my plan about Halloween and he promised that he and Mrs. Trudeau would be there.  Next I called my parents. 

“I see that way you look at that young lady.  I wondered what you were waiting on,” my dad said.

“I would have asked her on our third date if I didn’t think that she would think I was crazy pops.”  He laughed.

“I think you found yourself a good one son.  I really like her.  She’s a much better choice than that last one.  What was her name, Angie?”  I laughed.

“It was April pops and I agree.”

Stephane

We didn’t have a date picked out yet but Wyatt decided he wanted to turn the annual “Blessings and Booze Blowout 2014” into our engagement party.  Sydnee was in party planning heaven.  She lived for this stuff.  We rented the same warehouse that we had used for Wyatt’s birthday party.  We made it a formal event.  Syd and I went shopping, and I found a gorgeous silver sparkle dress.  I felt like a princess in it.  Syd told me I looked like one too, so I got a tiara also.  Hey you only get married once, well I was hoping only once.  Syd went with a green strapless dress.  She always looked so good in green.  It complemented her hair and eyes beautifully.

Wyatt looked beyond gorgeous.  He had on a black tuxedo with a silver bow tie and vest.  I didn’t think it was possible for him to get even more handsome.  He looked like he stepped out of a fashion magazine. 
I’m so
lucky, I thought. 

The warehouse was decorated with those white string lights, which were really easy to find since we were just weeks out from Christmas and silver glitter.  There were homemade floating candle centerpieces on each of the tables.  On the head table the center piece was a bouquet of calla lilies.

We had a catered dinner.

Our menu:

Appetizers-Asian meatballs, crab stuffed mushrooms, deviled eggs and a cheese ball.

Entrée-Carving station: roast beef, ham and turkey.  Plates: Portobello chicken or grilled Mahi Mahi. Salad

For the first time I wasn’t dreading a party.  The night was amazing, and the music was awesome.  Wyatt was sexy even on the dance floor.
Is there anything that man can’t do
, I thought.  We were just settling in for dinner when the DJ announced that he had set up a microphone by his booth for anyone that wanted to wish the couple well.  Syd and Phil were the first two up of course.  There was a bit of an arm wrestling match to see who would go first.  Syd won.

“To my best friend, my sister and my soulmate.  You are yin to my yang.  We have been together since the days of pacifiers and diapers.  We navigated through the playground and the park.  Elementary school through high school.  College and in to the real world.  I am so thrilled to be a part of this, the next major journey in your life.  You have found someone that loves you almost as much as I do.”

Everyone laughed.

“But seriously, I am so happy that you and Wyatt found each other.  I don’t think there are two people more suited for each other.  I know that as long as he is around I will never have to worry.  He will be your fierce protector and most passionate lover.”

I blushed.  Both sets of our parents were in the audience.

“Stephane Renee, I love you with all of my heart and wish you and Wyatt nothing but happiness.  Congratulations!”

Phil got up next.

“My buddy Wyatt and I cut up in college to a degree that probably should have been and quite possibly was illegal.”

Laughter filled the room.

“A bad boy, huh?” I whispered and playfully slapped his arm.

“I can honestly say that I have never met a better man or friend.  Stephane, I didn’t think it was possible for him to become better, until he met you.  Take care of him like I know he will you. Congratulations. I love you both.”

After Syd and Phil, a few other friends, some family and a couple of people from each of 0ur jobs each stepped up to wish us “Congratulations!”  I didn’t immediately recognize the next person to get to wish us “congrats!”  Then it hit me!

Wyatt

I couldn’t believe my eyes.  This was not happening.  I looked over at Stephane and her mouth was wide open.  I started to sweat, my stomach hurt.  My whole world was about to come crashing down in the next thirty seconds and there was nothing that I could do.  All I could do was put my head in my hands and wait for the inevitable.

“Good evening, everyone.  I’m sure a lot of you recognize me.  I’m Wyatt’s ex-girlfriend April.  I’ve heard so many beautiful sentiments tonight and wanted to take the opportunity to offer some of my own.  I first met Wyatt about six years ago when we worked together.  Smart as a whip that Wyatt is.  He’s a great guy too.  He was always there when I needed a shoulder to cry on.  Stephane you have yourself one pretty amazing man. I know that he will be an awesome husband and an amazing father one day.”

That was it?  That wasn’t so bad after all
, I thought.  Until I looked up and saw that she had taken off her jacket and was rubbing her stomach.  April was pregnant!
Oh fuck,
was all that I could think.  My mind raced. 
Wait is this even possible
, I asked myself.  I added up the months since my birthday party. 
May, June, July…September, October, November.  Seven months!  Shit!
She was huge, so she was easily seven months, maybe more.  I was hoping it was more. 
Is it possible that it’s not mine?  It’s April, of course it’s possible. Oh my god what did I do?
  I was sick to my stomach.  I turned and looked at Stephane and the look of horror on her face broke my heart.  What had I done to the only woman that I really loved? I reached for her hand and she pulled away.

“I knew it! I knew you were still sleeping with her.  How could you?  Why ask me to marry you?  What are you?”

“Steph, please!  I don’t know what happened.”

“What do you mean you don’t know what happened?”

“Baby, I’m telling you the truth I don’t know.  When you asked before if I had slept with her, when she was sending me those messages, I wasn’t lying I hadn’t slept with her. I never even thought about it.  She is nothing to me.”

“Well Wyatt, it looks like she was something to you.”

“Steph listen after our big fight at my birthday party I got really drunk.  The last thing I remember from that night is drinking at the bar.  When I woke up the next morning I was at April’s house. I don’t remember anything that happened.”

“Likely story Wyatt!  Is that your M.O. now?  Pretend to get so drunk that you don’t remember anything.  It will not work this time Wyatt.  You did this.  You slept with that whore and now you have to pay the consequences.  This is your fault entirely Wyatt Bradley Greenlaw! I hate you!  I never want to see you again.”

She took off her engagement ring and calmly handed it to me.  I think that hurt more than if she had thrown it at me.  She was so calm, so controlled.  I was terrified and heartbroken.  Sydnee ran to our table and grabbed her hand.  Stephane broke down crying. I tried to grab her hand again and again she pulled away and then slapped me.  I sat there and took it, I deserved it.  I was a bastard, and she was right I had ruined us.  It was my fault.  Stephane and Syd left.  After that everything was a bit of a haze.  I really don’t know when everyone else left. The next thing I remember is sitting there and looking around to see an empty room, Phil was the only one still there with me.  Everyone else was gone.

“I’m not going to ask how you’re doing because I can’t imagine.  I’m sorry man.  Give her some time.  You guys will get through this.”

“I don’t think so Phil, I broke her heart and I don’t even remember doing it!  How could I be so stupid?”

“It was a mistake man.  Just give her some time.  You’ll see.”

Stephane

I spent the next three days curled up in crying, sniveling ball of pitiful.  I didn’t think it was possible for my heart to hurt that bad.  My whole world felt like it had come tumbling down and at my engagement party for all of my friends and family to see.  If I ever saw that whore April I again I would punch her in the face.  Ok maybe not but she would regret it.  Sydnee was amazing.  She stayed with me until she had to work Monday morning.  My mom and dad offered to stay, but I hated for them to see me that way.  Plus, mom was already telling me to talk to Wyatt and let him explain.  She had it bad for him.  I called out of work for a few days.  My boss completely understood because he had been at the engagement party. 

I went back to work the following Monday and all of my co-workers were great.  Almost too great, I was starting to feel like everyone was talking about me. I felt like I was probably the newest hashtag on social media #poorpitifulstephane. 

Wyatt tried calling me every day, several times each day, but I wanted nothing more to do with him.  He and his little bitch could go live happily-ever-after.  Just leave me the hell out of it.

  The next three weeks were probably the hardest of my life.  I was numb.  All I did was wake up, go to work, and come home.  Syd of course came by every other day to check on me.  She and Phil were finally starting to get serious but I don’t think she wanted to bring it up out of fear I would think she was disloyal.  I loved Syd and just wanted her to be happy. If it was with Phil then so be it.  I would just avoid the group settings for the next hundred years or so.  There was no way I was going to run into him and April and their beautiful bastard child.  I threw myself into work and started going to the gym to distract myself.  Before I knew it, it was the week of Christmas.  Syd promised to come over Christmas night to keep me company.  We planned to watch “A Christmas Story,” on repeat all night.

That night when she came, she brought Chinese.  I loved that girl.

“So how are you?”

“I’m okay.”

“Don’t lie to me. How are you really?”

“I’m dying Syd.  I can’t do this.  I miss him so much. How could he do that Syd? How?”

“Baby girl, I don’t know.”

“Has Phil said anything?  No, you know what! I don’t want to know.”

“You do and he did.  He said Wyatt is sick over this.  He’s racked his brain trying to remember what happened.  He doesn’t understand how something like that could happen.  He swears he would never sleep with her.”

“Well it’s obvious he’s wrong Syd.  He would and he did.”

“I know Steph, I know.  I’m sorry!”

“Whatever! I don’t care. I’m over him.”

We watched the antics of Ralphie and his Red Ryder air rifle when my phone dinged.  I ignored it,
it’s probably just Wyatt,
I thought
.
  It dinged again, and I ignored it.  It dinged a third time.

“Steph do you want me to answer that?”

I tossed the phone at her.

“Have at it.  I don’t want to hear anything he has to say.”

Syd looked at the screen and her brow furrowed.  I kept watching the movie.  She unlocked the phone and read the messages. I could tell by her expression something serious was happening.

“Syd, what it is? What’s wrong?”

“Sweetie I really think you need to read this.”

Another ding.
What in the world is going on?
I grabbed the phone from Syd and read the messages.  They were from a number I didn’t recognize.

(615) 555-5258:  Merry Christmas

(615) 555-5258:  You don’t know but I need to tell you something

(615) 555-5258: Wyatt is not the father of April’s baby.

That’s the first message that Syd saw when I handed her my phone.

(615) 555-5258: Wyatt and April never slept together.

Oh my god what! This can’t be happening.
  Was this a sick joke? Was someone messing with me?

“Sydnee what is this?”

“I don’t know.”

“Should I reply? Should I call?”

“Call and see who it is?”

“Ok." 

I was shaking. 

“Syd, I can’t.  What if it’s true?  He’ll hate me for not believing him.”

“He won’t hate you Steph.  I don’t think that man could ever hate you.”

“I’m so nervous.”

“Steph just call!  We will worry about everything else later.”

I took a deep breath and hit dial.

“Hello?”

“Umm…hello.  Did you just text me?”

“Hello Stephane.”

“Umm…do I know you?”

“No you don’t.  My name is Bethany.”

“Bethany, how do you know me? Why are you texting me about Wyatt?”

“I’ve known Wyatt for years.  I met him when he and April were dating.”

“Okay…”

“April used to be my best friend.”

“Wait, what? Is this a joke?  It wasn’t enough that your friend ruined my engagement party and broke up my relationship, now you want to play on the phone.  You guys are sick! I’m hanging up now.”

“Wait…Stephane…wait.  This isn’t a joke.  Just give me a second to explain.”

“Fine, what do you want to tell me?”

“First let me say I’m sorry.  I had nothing to do with April’s little scheme.”

“What scheme?  What are you talking about?”

“Wyatt and April never slept together.”

“Yes you said that in your message, but her stomach says something different.”

“Yes she’s pregnant, but the baby is not Wyatt’s, it’s her ex-boyfriend Todd’s.”

“What!  What the hell is going on?  Wyatt said he got drunk and woke up at April’s.  How do you know they didn’t sleep together?”

“Because I was there that night that he came over.”

I was speechless.

“Hello,” she said.

“Uh, yea I’m still here.  I need you to tell me what exactly happened that night.”

“I was at April’s house that night.  I was trying to cheer her up because she was in a funk.  She was upset because she’d found out that she was pregnant a few weeks prior and when she told her boyfriend Todd he told he that he didn’t want kids.  He also said that it probably wasn’t his, and he left her.  That night, Wyatt came banging on her door, yelling and screaming saying that she messed everything up for him. He was so loud and so angry.  She had to let him in so that he didn’t wake up all of her neighbors.”

“ok, then what happened?”

“When she let him in he just went on about how he told her to leave him alone. That he was in love with you. He told her, ‘She’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me April and you fucked it all up with your selfish bullshit’.”

“Ok but how do you know that they didn’t sleep together.”

“Because after he yelled and cussed some more, he got light headed and started feeling sick.  He sat on the couch and fell asleep.  Poor guy was so drunk that night.  So we let him sleep it off and went back to watching TV. I fell asleep on the couch but woke up when I heard April talking to Wyatt. She was telling him to come with her and get in the bed.  She tried to kiss him and he pushed her off.”

“Oh really?"  I felt myself getting pissed off all over again.  Then what happened?”

“Well she tried to kiss him again, but he started in again about how much he loved you and she ruined everything because she was selfish and she just needed to leave him alone.  I guess for a spilt second she had an attack of humanity because she stopped.  She told him to go lie in her room and she promised to stay on the couch. I even helped her carry him in to the bathroom because he ended up getting sick then we carried him into her room.  I went back to where I was on one couch, she threw his stuff in the washer and she got on the other.  We sat watching TV until his stuff was dry and she put it on the bed next to him.  We both fell asleep in the living room but at some point she woke up to use the bathroom and climbed into her bed.  I honestly don’t even think she really even remembered he was there until he woke up a little later and it was obvious that he had no idea where he was.  He woke up grabbed his stuff and tried to leave.  Unfortunately, or maybe fortunately for him, Wyatt’s a big guy and still being half drunk he wasn’t very quiet.  He woke us both up.  I thought April was having a little fun at his expense when she made him think that something happened.  I never realized that she would actually try to make him think that she was pregnant by him.  I’m so sorry about this.”

“Why are you telling me this?”

“Because I think what she did is disgusting.  I would have said something sooner, but I just found out about the whole thing about a week ago and I had to try to track down your number.  Again Stephane, I’m sorry.  Wyatt is a really good guy and I never, ever thought she would do something like this.”

“Wow! I don’t even know what to say.  Why Wyatt? Why would she do that?”

“The only thing I can think of is that Todd never came back, and she knows that Wyatt is a good guy and could easily afford to take care of her.”

“What a bitch! I’m sorry that’s your friend but what a bitch!”

“Look Stephane, I’m sorry.  When I found out what she did, I stopped speaking to her.  April and I have both done some pretty messed up things before but even I couldn’t get past this.”

“Bethany, thank you so much for calling me.”

“I really hope that you and Wyatt can work things out.  Merry Christmas Stephane!”

“Thank you.”

Wyatt didn’t cheat on me.  I kept repeating it to myself.  I didn’t have to re-tell the conversation to Syd because I'd had the speaker phone on.  She heard everything.

“What are you going to do?”

“I don’t know Syd, but don’t say anything to Phil yet ok?”

“Ok, but you know you have to call Wyatt?”

“I know Syd.  I know.”