Unexpected Consequences

by Jaye Cox

  "No way! She has half my dickhead brother’s DNA, and part of mine too, if she looked like us I’d be scared"

  "No way, you and Rayne would’ve made pretty girls," I say.

  "If you think so, I better get back to work. Thanks for the sub."

  I remind him to send that text, because I want to go see him today and hope he can see me. Before I leave I call to make a doctor’s appointment for tomorrow. I get Ty's text and decide it’s now or never, so I program Rayne’s work address into my GPS. It’s about forty minutes from here and I don’t know that part of town. When I pull up out front I sit in my car for a long time, trying to talk myself into going in and then out of it again. Why didn't I just call him? Oh, that’s right, Isabella, you did, but like a big chicken you couldn't say anything. How will you be able to raise a child if you can't even tell the father of the child you're pregnant? Here goes nothing. I go inside and walk up to the front desk.

  "Hello, how can I help you," says the female officer.

  "Um, I'm looking for Rayne Hollywood; I was told he works here?"

  “Constable Hollywood should be back any minute now, if you would like to take a seat?"

  "Thanks," I say and take a seat. I look around at the really boring-looking pale blue walls, covered with a lot of pamphlets on different things, a water fountain and a few chairs further down. The doors open and in walks a female officer who looks so familiar, I’m convinced I know her from somewhere.

  "Hi Isabella," she says as she walks past.

  Holy crap, it’s Kandi, better known as Clawzilla or Red Claws. Memories of her all over Rayne come flashing back and I feel the bile in the back of my throat. What was I thinking? I can't do this, not here where who knows who else will show up. I run out and down the stairs towards my car.

  "Isabella wait!" I hear from behind me, so I stop and turn around to see Sam standing in uniform. It’s so weird seeing her like that. Then I see him as he rounds the corner and I almost don’t recognize him with his hair cut short. My heart instantly knows its other half is standing there; drawing me to him like a magnet, he looks up and locks eyes with me. It’s like the first day we met all over again. Why does he have to look so goddamn sexy in his uniform? I take a step back and run to my car and just sit, I'm surprised he doesn't follow me when I hear someone knocking on my passenger side window. I look up to see Sam, who gets in and sits with me in silence for a minute. "I'm sorry Isabella, Rayne and I are on shift together today."

  "No. I'm sorry, I should never have come here," I say.

  "He misses you like crazy, he thinks staying away from you is what’s best. All he does is work and on his days off he writes and drinks."

  "I came to make sure he doesn't hold any guilt over what happened. To tell him all the good that has come from it; from meeting Ty and having my own house and about the baby." Oh shit. I didn’t mean to say that out loud, and watch as she processes what I said.

  "Baby?" she questions

  "I'm pregnant, Sam, but I got scared seeing Kandi in there and the memories of her hands all over him came rushing back."

  "Holy shit, you're pregnant. Kandi is Constable Kandace O’Hare and she’s a bitch who’s always wanted Rayne. He has never shown her any attention, so when the opportunity came up, she jumped at it; but you never heard it from me, okay?"

  “Kandace, Kandi - I'm such an idiot." I say remembering her texts on his phone.

  "A baby... Isabella, that’s exciting."

  "I wish it could be, I want to tell him but it’s like the universe doesn’t want us together, twice now I’ve tried and twice I have failed."

  "Just remember; it’s just Rayne. Everything that happened between you two was real, the feelings that is. I’ve never seen him like this before and I have known him for a few years. Usually he is just a moody ass, but with you he is actually pleasant to be around, he forgets all the shit that happened to him and actually enjoys life," she says.

  "I just can't tell him today, I will try again tomorrow after my doctor’s appointment. Maybe it will all seem real. Can you just tell him I came to see you?"

  "Okay, but promise me you will tell him, because I know he would never forgive himself if he missed anything. He always talks about how he will never be like his father when he has kids one day.”

  I tell her again I will try tomorrow after I see my doctor, she is happy with that, apologizes again for not telling me the truth sooner and she hopes we can still be friends since I’m the first female friend she has had in a long time. I tell her it’s really weird seeing her in uniform and I will always be her friend, I just need time to process everything.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

  I'm so nervous waiting to see my doctor. I googled anything and everything to do with first doctor’s appointments when pregnant. Apparently I will get another urine test, as well as a referral for an ultrasound and blood test, so why am I so nervous? Maybe I should’ve told Rayne yesterday, so I could have had company. I did tell Ty and Tommy, but I don't expect them to be here. Uncle duties don’t cover doctor appointments and I still have not told my father - the thought of that scares me the most. I flick through a magazine and I think if I bounce my knee any faster it will dislocate my hip. A Valium would be great right about now.

  "Looks like you need a chill pill, Bells," says Ty. I look up to find both him and Tommy both here.

  "Don't forget what happened the last time you gave me a pill," I say.

  "Low blow Bells,” Tommy points out.

  "I was joking."

  "Isabella?" Doctor Layne sticks his head in the waiting room. I stand and walk in the room, both the guys sit and leave me with no chair, but Tommy pats his knee and although I shake my head, I sit anyway.

  "What can I do for you today, Isabella?" I’ve been seeing Doctor Layne since I was a child, so it feels weird being here today, telling her I’m pregnant and on top of that she also is Tommy’s doctor.

  "I'm pregnant."

  "Congrats. I knew you two would get together," she says.

  "Oh no, the baby isn’t mine," Tommy explains. She looks at me sitting on Tommy's lap and then to Ty, trying to figure out the situation.

  "The baby isn't mine either," Ty clarifies.

  "Oh," she says.

  "The baby is by my ex-boyfriend; Tommy is here as my best friend and Ty is my friend, housemate and happens to be the baby’s uncle."

  "Today we’ll do a pregnancy test and if it comes up positive, I’ll book you in for an ultrasound and a blood test," she says. Nice way to avoid the father situation. She asks me to fill in a form with some information she needs.

  “What does LMP stand for?” I ask.

  “Last menstrual period,” is the answer.

  "Ok, now I feel silly."

  "It’s totally normal not to know any of this, Isabella. It’s your first pregnancy and you can’t be an expert overnight. Now, the hospital sent me your files, I would like you to have an ultrasound straight away, just to make sure everything is ok."

  "Why, could something be wrong? Oh God - I drank so much that night and the drugs... I could have hurt my baby."

  "Isabella, I’m sure everything is fine - it’s just a precaution that’s all." It still doesn't make me feel any better, I hand her the form and she puts everything into the computer.

  "So your due date is the thirty first of December." I don't say anything; I just sit there stunned. Maybe everything does happen for a reason; maybe it’s a sign. Dr. Layne takes my blood pressure and gives me a cup to pee in. When I get back I find Ty and Tommy are taking notes on the things I can eat and things I should avoid - it’s kind of sweet.

  "Hear that, Bells? You better give up the chain smoking; it’s not good for the baby," Tommy says.

  "Oh hardy ha ha. You’re such a comedian." Dr. Layne does the test and it’s definitely positive. She gives me my referrals for my blood test and calls to make me an ultrasound appointment for next week, when I’m closer to eight weeks. She says it’s best to wai
t, that way we should definitely see a heartbeat. She also says she will send off my referral to the hospital, and they will send me my first antenatal appointment in the mail. The guys take one of every pamphlet about pregnancy on the way out. Once we’re home Tommy and Ty both sit down and start talking about the foods I cannot eat.

  "Soft cheeses are out," says Tommy.

  "What the hell is soft cheese?" Ty wants to know.

  "I don’t think Bells eats that anyway," Tommy says.

  "Okay, so unpasteurized milk is out, runny eggs, undercooked meat, pre-packaged salads..." Ty says and he isn't finished either. They just move on to more pamphlets; they’re like crazy people, so I leave them too it and go to my room. Phillip told me to start a diary, but I decide to write a pregnancy diary for the baby in the form of letters. Not that I ever plan to give them to the baby, but I’m not the type of girl who keeps a diary of her feelings.

  Dear Baby,

  I only found out I was pregnant a few days ago and to say it was a shock is an understatement. Shock or not, I already love you so much, it might not seem like it but I do. I loved... no, I love your daddy so much and wish things were different so we could be together right now. Maybe if mummy stops being so chicken shit, we could be. (Is shit a swear word? Maybe I shouldn’t say shit. Who am I kidding; your family is crazy, shit will be the least of my worries.) Your Uncle Tommy and Uncle Ty are being crazy right now, making lists of anything that could hurt you and they already love you as much as I do too. I don't know what sort of mum I will be, but I do know I will always be there for you. Just like your grandpa or maybe poppy, we will see what he wants you to call him, that’s if he doesn't have a heart attack when I tell him I'm pregnant. I plan to tell your daddy you’ll be joining us in about eight months’ time. I know he will make an awesome daddy and will love you so much. You will be one lucky baby to have so much love in your life. Maybe love is enough; maybe you will be the one to restore my belief that love is all you need.

  Love always, your mummy

  xxoo

  I'm going to be a mum. Me... at nineteen; a teen mother - who would have thought, not me that's for sure. Children were never in my near future. I wanted to see the world and have a stable job and be married. I think I should tell my father, maybe since I’m scared of telling him the most, it might make telling Rayne easier. I'm not afraid to tell Rayne, he is a good guy, and he will love the baby no matter what. I’m scared to talk to Rayne because he is my kryptonite - I’m weak around him. One smile and I’m putty in his hands. I need to figure out how I can forgive him so we can make this work; I’m not strong enough to stay away. I love him more than life itself; he holds the other side of my heart. I'm drawn to him and I deserve to put an end to this, I deserve to hear the truth from him, so I send him a text before I go to see my father.

  ME: Could we please talk tomorrow? I need to tell you something and its best you hear it from me.

  His reply is instant.

  RAYNE: I have the day off so I’m free all day, I can come over in the morning.

  ME: Sounds good, do you need the address?

  RAYNE: I know where you live, Tiny Dancer. See you tomorrow.

  Of course he knows where I live; he’s a police officer, who looked really hot in his uniform and he has handcuffs. Oh God, Isabella, the last thing you need to be thinking about is Rayne and handcuffs in the same sentence. I tell myself off, I cannot think about anything sex related tomorrow. I sneak out so the guys don't see me. I really do love them, but if they tell me one more thing I shouldn't eat, I might have to disown both of them.

  "Hey dad, you home?"

  "Out back," he yells. He will be out the back watering the grass; he is a freak when it comes to barbeques, his lawn and old 80's movies.

  "Can you come in and sit down? We need to talk," I say pouring him a drink; he will need it.

  "Are you ok?" my father says coming in and sitting at the table opposite me.

  "I'm fine, I need to tell you something and you aren’t allowed to freak out."

  "Isabella Elizabeth Preston, spit it out already," he says.

  "Ok, here it goes. I'm pregnant."

  He doesn't say anything, he is just sitting there - maybe I shocked him so much I killed him? Nope, not dead, I can see the vein in his neck throbbing.

  "Goosefraba, dad."

  "I'm going to be a pop a lot sooner than I would have liked. Does he know?"

  "Not yet. I thought I would tell you first and then work my way up to him."

  "I know I never liked him, but when I saw him when you were in hospital, there is no doubt that boy loves you and if you were to work things out, it wouldn't be so bad," he says.

  I'm confused, I didn't think he came to see me at the hospital because Tommy said he hadn't, I really don't need any more lies on top of all the others that were told. "He came to see me?" I ask.

  "Oh shit, I wasn't supposed to tell you, but yes he did; that poor boy looked worse than all of us combined, like his whole world was falling out from under his feet. When I saw how sincere his feelings for you were, I finally understood what you saw in him."

  "This changes everything, Dad. I thought he didn't care about what happened to me; like I was nothing to him, and Tommy - he lied to me, again."

  "I'm sure he had his reasons; maybe you should talk to him and find out why," he says, putting his gardening gloves back on like nothing happened.

  "I think I will do more than talk to him, thanks Dad."

  "We should have a barbeque next week on my day off and bring Ty and Morris I like them, they’re good people. Invite the others too."

  "Okay, let me know when. Bye, Dad"

  I speed walk to my car. I’m going to kill Tommy when I find him and it’s going to be slow. I know he never wanted Rayne and I together but this, well this is crossing the friendship line. I’m sure I break every road rule on the way home. I fly up the driveway and am not even sure if I turn my car off or not.

  "Tommy, where are you? Get your ass out here now," I yell, walking through the front door.

  "What’s all the yelling about Bells?" he wants to know and Ty comes walking out behind him.

  "What’s your problem? You couldn't leave well enough alone? Always thinking you know what’s best for me? Well guess what, I’m grown up now Tommy, you don't get to pick who I can and can’t be with. I don't interfere with your love life. How could you lie to me and say that he did not visit me at the hospital. You really don't understand what you have done; I thought he didn’t love me, I thought he didn't want me."

  "He asked me too," Tommy admits. I start to feel dizzy and my head is pounding. I think I just need to sit down for a minute.

  "Shit Bells." I hear Ty say and then everything goes blank.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

  RAYNE

  Tiny Dancer is on my fucking mind again; not that I’ve ever stopped thinking about her, but ever since she called me the other night it has been so much worse. I walked away from her at the hospital to make her life better I caused her so much pain, even if I did it for all the right reasons, it doesn't erase any of her pain. I knew it was her on the phone as soon as she called the other night, from the little noises she makes when she breathes. Then she turned up at my work, and just seeing her made my need for her so much stronger. When Sam tells me Tiny Dancer was there to see her and not me, it was like a punch to the nuts. I just want to run to her, but I remember her telling me once; if she needs to leave she will always come back, and she will love me until her heart stops beating. I just hope she remembers that, because I need her to come back to me. It has to be her, after everything that has happened - everything I can’t take back. Ty gives me updates that she’s getting stronger and it’s the only thing that gets me through the day. That and the fact Sam would kick my ass if she had to find a new partner, it’s not easy getting a partner that you work so well with, and I was lucky I got her. She is one of the best friends I could have along with Morris, Dex and Romeo; our f
riendship has been strained since that night, and they’re finding it hard not wanting to pick sides. I understand and I don't expect them too. Sam told me Tiny Dancer found out about us being undercover and I’m glad it’s out in the open. Hopefully she hears me out tomorrow and understands why I had to do what I did.

  "You have a call on line two," Sam says, popping her head in the door.

  "Thanks," I say.

  "I'm going next door to get some sandwiches, you want anything?" she asks.

  "Nah, I’m good thanks." I answer, before she walks out the door.

  "Constable Hollywood."

  "Rayne, its Ty, you need to come to saint Mary’s. It’s Isabella..."

  "Is she okay? What’s wrong... hello, Ty?" Fuck not again, she has to be okay. I can't be the cause of her trying to hurt herself again; I couldn't live without her, knowing she is here on this earth breathing, living her life is enough. I grab my keys, and knock on the senior Sergeant’s door.

  "Come in," he says.

  "Is it ok if I take off a little early, I have a family emergency, we only have some paperwork to fill out?"

  "Sure, just come in early next shift and finish it up."

  "Thanks," I say running out the door, not sure if he heard it. I hop on my bike and get to the hospital as fast as I can. I find Ty and Tommy sitting in the waiting room.

  "Where is she? Is she okay?"

  "She’s okay, we just freaked out when she fainted," Ty says. Tommy still won't look at me and I get a weird vibe from him today. I'm not sure what that’s all about when the doctor comes out and walks over to us.

  "Are you here with Isabella Preston?" the doctor wants to know.

  "Yes" Tommy says.

  "She is fine, she just fainted. She said she hadn't eaten in a while and that would have caused low blood sugar, and she might have been a little dehydrated," he says.

  "Thank God" Ty breathes out relieved.

  "Who’s the father?" The doctor asks.

  "Who’s her father?" I ask confused.

  "No, the baby’s father." he says.