Chapter 05 - some things can't be solved with a phone call

Samantha

I heard the front door open before Charlie turned on the light, finding me shrunken on the couch.

"Sam, you're still awake! " she exclaimed with concern.

I took my phone, noting it was after 2:00 in the morning. I lay here waiting for Theon to return the call and I didn't even notice the passage of time.

"I think I got some sleep," I sat down.

"What happened? Why are you here?”

"I called him ," I explained, feeling my face warm.

" Oh, I understand," she sat next to me.

I've been running away from that connection ever since I found out about the pregnancy. The girls were trying to convince me to call Theon since my  appointment last week, but I always lost my nerve at the last moment, and today, reviewing the ultrasound photos, I decided to try.

“How did he react? " she held my hand.

"The way you expected, I think," I shrugged, looked away," first he thought I was joking, then he said he needed some time, and he'd call me later, and he didn't call me anymore.

"Do you think that's a bad sign? " she observed me.

"I don't know," I admitted, "I found out a fortnight ago, and I'm still freaking out a little bit, I wouldn't judge him for dancing naked in the snow or anything.

Charlie laughed beside me, and I couldn't help but join her.

"From what you've told him, it would be a good sight," Charlie teased me.

"No, it would be an incredible sight," I laughed, feeling a little better.

It wasn't so bad, your reaction was better than I expected. Maybe he'll call me tomorrow. Or later.

"Well, it can't be easy to get this news over the phone," Charlie indicated that I'd lie on his legs.

"No, you mustn't," I sighed.

She started messing with my hair, offering me a little comfort.

"He said it won't go away," I commented staring into the void.

"That's good, at least it's responsible.

"He's older, I think that influences," I explained.

"It's going to be all right, Sam," she declared, "you'll take care of it. I know you will.

"I hope you're right. I just remember the sound of the baby's heart and the fact that there's someone who depends on me now —I turned my face to face it—I don't know him and I can't say I feel all maternal right now, but I want him to be okay.

Charlie gently pushed me so I could get up.

"And he'll be fine, especially after his mother's a little sleep," she instructed me, "Come on Samantha, it's late. He's not going to call today.

I accepted your suggestion, going to the room deciding to rest. I woke up almost at lunchtime the next day, feeling like my stomach was being corroded by acid. I needed to eat something urgent.

I went to the kitchen after brushing my teeth, where Charlie was preparing our breakfast, had some eggs and strips of Bacon scattered all over the countertop.

"Are you feeling better? " my friend smiled as she watched me approach.

"I'll feel better as soon as I eat something—I sighed, watching everything that was scattered there.

I loved all those things, I always did. But today I couldn't even look at Bacon.

"Do you want something else? — she asked worried ly as I felt my stomach turn.

"I don't know, maybe fried chicken? "I scoffed at watching my friend keep the bacon when the intercom rang—Are you expecting someone?

"No," she walked to the device while I picked up a cookie in a jar on the counter - Who is it?

" Uh...  Theon. Is Samantha there? — the voice went off the other side causing me to choke on the cookie.

"What's he doing here? "I whispered to Charlie that he would cast a confused look at me.

"I don't know! Should I let you in? — she whispered back.

"I'm not dressed! "I returned, pointing to the old, long regatta that I wore as pajamas.

"What do I say then?

"Excuse me, miss," an unknown voice has softened, "if you keep pushing the button we hear everything. Samantha, I'm sure my cousin has seen you... There...

"Samantha, can we talk? "Theon asked for a little panting".

"She'll come down," Charlie decided in my place.

I ran into the room, trying to get ready as quickly as possible, while Theon was waiting for me at the entrance. Did he really travel so many miles to talk to me?

I put on black knit pants and a moose blouse, fastened my hair in a ponytail and rushed out, wearing a sneaker on the way. It didn't take me long to get to the concierge, where Theon and another boy were waiting for me.

"Hi," I changed my gaze between the two, a little out of place.

I didn't know how to act near him, and he seemed to be suffering from the same evil, as he watched me with both hands in his pocket. We didn't even look like the same people from weeks ago, who couldn't keep their hands off each other whenever they were in the same environment.

His look lingered a little on my face before coming down and settling on my belly. It was your friend who prevented the situation from getting even more uncomfortable.

"Hi Samantha, I'm Gregor Evangelous, Theon's cousin. It's a pleasure to meet you—He reached out, squeezing mine with kindness.

"It's a pleasure, you're the one who got married? " I smiled politely.

"Exactly, and as the child was conceived because of me, if it is a boy, it must be called Gregor—He blinked, causing my face to warm.

"Gregor I call you when i'm done, you can crawl into any casino you find until then— Theon muttered, seeming annoyed by his cousin's prank.

"And so he kicks me out. It's been a pleasure, Samantha. Congratulations on the baby — He waved before walking away.

I sighed, looking around without knowing how to act.

"Do you know any restaurant nearby? "He questioned, breaking the silence.

"Yes, there's one on the next block.

We walked side by side without saying anything. I was thinking about how I could start that conversation, but I had no idea what to say. As soon as we arrived, we settled into a table, choosing what to order on the menu and taking advantage of that moment to gather all the courage needed for what would come next.

"Have you decided what you're going to order? "A young waiter broke the awkward silence that settled between the two of us.

" Samantha?

"I don't know," I suspected alternating my gaze between salmon and a steak with vegetables, "I don't know what I want.

"Nothing caught your eye? - he frowned.

"In fact, I'm in doubt between the salmon and the steak," I explained, feeling my face blush.

Since when have I lost the ability to choose between two simple dishes!?

"We want a salmon and two steaks," he decided, delivering the menu to the waiter-- and two orange juices to drink?

"It may be," I babbled confusedly.

He thinks I'm going to eat all this?

The waiter walked away, leaving us there alone.

" Theon, I'm not going to eat two plates!

"You don't have to eat them both now. What you don't eat, we ask you to pack for the trip—he shrugged—I don't want you to feel like anything later.

"I don't know if that's how it works," I rolled my eyes, containing a little smile.

I felt good about that slightest gesture of care. Elle and Charlie had been trying to take care of me for the last few days, but it was different when this care came from my son's father.

"Don't worry, every restaurant packs for the trip," he said with a smile.

"I'm talking about the question of will," I gave back, "I was just in doubt about the two of you, I don't need to eat both.

"I'd rather not risk it," he blinked, stealing my breath, reminding me of exactly what brought us to this situation!

Silence once again reined between the two of us after that. It was obvious that we would have to talk at some point, but we didn't know how to start.

I took my hand up to my belly, stroking her. My abdomen, previously defined, was already acquiring another form, showing that there was someone living there. Charlie assured me that it hadn't changed much, but I could see the difference.

"I thought you'd call me," I started.

"I'm sorry, I thought it would be best to have this conversation in person," he scratched his throat "how are you?"

"I am fine," I answered timidly, "and you, how are you digesting all this?

"Samantha, I'm going to be honest with you..."

"You're freaking out, aren't you? "I looked away.

"It's not easy, children weren't in my plans for years to come," he sighed.

"I don't even know if children were in my plans," I admitted, "but now...

"Now we have to deal with it," he took a deep breath "How do you want to do it, Samantha?"

“How?” I pised stunned by the direct question.

Of course we needed to discuss it, but did we need to approach it in such a direct way?

Luckily, the waiter approached the table with our requests, giving me an over-the-top moment to think about what to answer.

"All right, Theon” I suspected when I noticed the boy's dull look “as  I told you, we can do the DNA test, I've done the DNA test, and we can do it even before the baby is born, but I'd rather wait, if you don't mind.”

"We can wait, we will do as soon as he is born," he agreed before amending, not that I don't trust you, but...

"We don't know each other," I looked away, picking up the cutlery in an attempt to distract me.

"I didn't mean to offend," he tried to fix it.

"All right, I understand," I assured without staring at him, feeling a knot form in my throat.

Not now, Samantha!

"Samantha, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to offend, really—he hurried to see me blink to ward off the tears that threatened to flow in my eyes.

"It didn't offend," I denied trying to cut a piece of steak," I'm sorry, it's the hormones, I'm fine.

"Are you sure? "he asked worriedly, handing me a paper napkin—I know it's hard, but we need to talk about it.

"I'm fine, really—I was able to control myself—I was just terrified the last few days and now that you're here.

"You should have called me sooner," he reached my hand over the table, "I'm sorry you went through this alone." If I can do anything to make you feel better.

"Maybe you can wake me up and tell me it was all a dream? "I forced one smile, receiving another in return.

"It would be good," he laughed, "Why don't we eat and talk about it later?"

"Thank you," I sighed relieved before focusing on feeding the little being who wasn't happy inside me at all.