Falling Stars

by Grubor, Sadie

  After a few more searches, I found the restaurant and decided I was heading in that direction. As I closed the multiple search windows, I stopped on one of the sites. My heart lurched when read the words underneath the photo.

  'Mia Ryder collapses at the news of her cheating baby daddy'

  My stomach knotted. I didn't want to read, but I couldn't stop myself. Underneath the photo of Mia cradled in a security guys arms was more information about her departure from a medical building.

  'When asked, what her comments were about Christopher Mason leaving her alone and pregnant to run around with a hot little red head, she collapsed. Her muscle man was there to catch her and whisk her away from the crowd.'

  Then there was a second photo. It was fuzzy and blurred from blowing up the size, but I knew who was in the picture. It was me, sitting on the deck with Shay. Those fucking troublemakers had completely blown the whole scene out of proportion. I could only hope Mia hadn't seen this crap and, if she had, that she didn't believe any of it.

  Halfway through my drive I received a text message from Una.

  'I'm sorry Christopher. She said she'll let you know about the baby when she's ready.'

  "Fuck that." I shouted to the empty car and tossed my phone into the passenger seat.

  Finding a hotel near the restaurant, I forced myself to sleep for the night. It was a rough night filled with bad dreams.

  The next morning I went to the restaurant and then started doing some research around the town. It was difficult, since I didn't want to draw attention to myself, but once I got my hands on a laptop I did a lot from my hotel room.

  Spending about a week in the hotel, I found my lead when one of the leased properties in Una’s file was only an hour away. The home was a very private gated house leased out to celebrities and those that were looking for privacy.

  "Ah hah," I shouted into my room. "I got you now, baby!"

  I packed up my things and quickly raced out of the hotel to my car. She didn't know it yet, but I was coming. I was going to get her back and apologize for everything and then I was going to make sure she was mine. With her, everything was better and I would make it better for us.

  After driving for hours, I still didn't know how I was going to get to her, but damn it I would figure that out when I got there. Pulling up to the driveway there were a couple of cars parked along the street. It was the damn leeches. Their cameras were ready and aimed.

  "Hey," one of them yelled and a car door slammed. "That's Mason!"

  I pulled up to the gate and all I could do was press the button. Think fast Chris.

  "Yes?" a crackled voice answered.

  "I'm here to see Mia Ryder," I informed.

  "There is no one here by that name," crackled back.

  I rolled my eyes. Way to fuck it up already.

  "Okay then let me talk to Amy White." I smirked.

  "One moment," was the response. A minute passed. "Your name sir?"

  I opened my mouth and froze after almost saying my own name. I quickly recovered.

  "Nicholas Shaw" I blurted out. "Could you hurry there are a cameramen on my ass?" I sat there silently praying it worked. Then the gate started to retract.

  "Yes!" I gave the ceiling of the car a victory punch.

  Driving down the long driveway the sun disappeared behind the thick trees lining it. After a minute or two there was a break in the darkness and the trees ended. Sunlight infiltrated the shadows and in the middle was a large house. I hadn't expected to see such a house. It was large, newer, and it was great.

  Once parked, I jumped out of the car and ran toward the door. I knocked eagerly, met by the large and burly, also familiar, security guard. Shit!

  He raised an eyebrow at me.

  "Christopher?" he said in a warning tone.

  "Phillip," I smirked.

  "You aren't Nicholas," he scowled at me.

  "Really?" I said sarcastically.

  "Gerald warned me about you." He smirked. "You need to go," he started to push the door shut.

  "I'll leave only if Mia tells me to," I spit out and put my hand on the door holding it open.

  "I speak for Mia, so go!"

  "No!" I shouted back.

  "What the hell is goin –?"

  My eyes snapped to Kat who didn't finish once her eyes met mine.

  "Kat, please," I begged.

  She shook her head and stomped to the door.

  "What the hell are you doing here?" She growled low.

  "You know why I'm here!" I growled back. "Now let me in!" I pushed forward, but Phillip put a hand on my chest keeping out of the door.

  "Fine," I put my hands up in surrender. Then I smirked and yelled, "Mia. Please let me talk to you!"

  "Shhh! You asshole, she's asleep," Kat hissed at me.

  "Then let me in and I won't shout again," I hissed back.

  "Kat?" Her sweet voice carried into my ears. My stomach did a flip and my heart raced. "What's going –?" And there she was, looking confused and afraid. "What are you doing here?"

  "Please Mia. I just want to talk…please baby." I shifted forward. She furrowed her brow.

  "Christopher," the guard warned.

  Kat rushed to Mia putting an arm on her shoulder. Mia turned into her embrace and I could see the perfect round bump. My baby. My Mia.

  I hadn't realized I was crying until Mia appeared in front of me and placed a hand on my cheek. Once I finally realized she was so close, I pulled her to my chest and kissed her head.

  "Oh God, Mia, I've missed you so much." I pulled back and kissed her. Then between kisses, I spoke.

  "I..." kiss "love...” kiss "you...” kiss "so...” kiss "much" kiss.

  When she pulled away silently, I became worried.

  "You shouldn't be here," she breathed out and walked away. I followed into the house and grabbed her arm lightly, turning her to me.

  "Mia –" she placed her finger on my lips. I kissed her finger before she could pull the finger away.

  "Please, you should go. I'll let you know about the baby and keep you in the loop. I'll call you okay?" Her eyes were so sad.

  "No. It's not okay." I furrowed my brow. Anger filled her eyes.

  "You'll go now," she pulled herself away from my touch.

  "I'm not going anywhere." I smirked. If she thought I was leaving her after just finding her, she was crazy.

  "I just need –"

  "I need you." Dropping to my knees, I placed my head against her stomach and wrapped my arms around her. "I want and should be with you," I whispered, nuzzling into her.

  I grabbed her limps hands and placed them on my head. When she let her hands fall away, I knew things were bad, really wrong. I'd really fucked up.

  "I love you Mia and I'm more than sorry for what I did. I'll spend the rest of my life making it up to you and showing you that I'll never do it again." I looked up to her face. Her eyes closed, tears streaming down her cheeks. Standing, I cupped her face in my hands, pressing my lips to hers gently. She pulled away.

  "Chris, I can't deal with this right now."

  "Mia, I'll never hurt you again, I swear."

  "Please, just go. I just found out about her and need to process everything."

  "Her?" I questioned. Shit, the pictures. She had seen them. "Mia, no. No, no, I'm not with her."

  "But you were." Her head shook lightly and looked away from me.

  "No, I wasn't. She was my mentor in rehab." Her eyes found my face again. I smiled. "There's and never will be anyone else."

  "I don't –"

  "They completely blew it out of proportion. Her name is Shay and she was my therapy mentor. In fact, I still have her number in my cell if I need someone to talk to during rough moments. I'll call her now if you want, hell I'll invite her here to meet you. Lord knows she would love to finally meet the infamous Mia."

  She turned her head away from me, eyes closed. "I can’t do this, Chris. Just go."

  "No, I won’t." Grabbing my pho
ne, I immediately dialed Shay.

  "Chris, don’t. Please just —"

  "Hey, Chris, everything alright?" Shay had answered quickly.

  "No, Shay, it’s not."

  Tears streamed down Mia’s face.

  "Do you need a session set up with Dr. J? Or do you just need to talk?"

  "I need you to explain to Mia what you are to me."

  "You need me to wha…Oh. Oh my, put her on the phone and I’ll —"

  "You’re on speaker."

  "Oh…okay. Mia, I’m a mentor from the rehab. I know it’s probably hard to believe but —"

  "I’m sorry he’s put you through this embarrassment." Mia reached out and ended the call. "I can’t believe you did that to her and to me. Do you know how embarrassing that was?"

  "I need you to believe me."

  Mia took my phone and pushed a couple of buttons.

  "No, it’s Mia." "Yes, he found me." "It’s okay, listen. I need to know who the redhead in the photos is, please."

  After a few long minutes on the phone, it wasn’t until she thanked Nicholas that I knew who she’d called. She studied my face for a long time, but said nothing.

  "Mia—"

  "I love you," she whispered and pressed her lips to my mouth. The smiled that spread across my face couldn't have gotten any bigger.

  "Thank you," I grabbed her face with both of my hands and kissed her – less gently than she’d kissed me.

  She pulled away with a confused look on her face.

  "For still loving me." I answered her silent question. "For not hating me."

  Placing my hands on her stomach, I looked down at her expanded belly. With a smile, I looked back up to her face. Then I felt the nudge.

  Filled with shock and amazement, I pulled my hand away. Mia giggled. I placed it back on her stomach and felt it again.

  "Was that the –?" Before I finished she was nodding her head with a nervous look on her face. I kissed her fervently.

  "You should sit down." I walked her over to the couch.

  "I'm fine," she sighed, but let me move her and sit her down anyway.

  As soon as she sat, I dropped onto my knees between her legs. Placing my hands on her stomach, I just waited quietly. Then there was movement. It wasn't a quick bump. It was a slow rolling under her skin. Lost in amazement, I placed my head in her lap. Her fingers ran through my hair.

  "Christopher?" she spoke softly.

  "Hmm...?" I responded from my peaceful trance.

  "Do you want to know the sex of our baby?"

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  "Do you want to know the sex of our baby?"

  "Y-you know?" he looked up to me in amazement and sadness.

  I nodded.

  "My last doctor's appointments when I found out." I bit my lip.

  "Oh," he sat back on his heels, his hands resting on my knees.

  "If you don't want –"

  "I just wish I would've been there," his brow furrowed. "I'm an idiot."

  He put his head down on one of my knees and instinctually my hand went to his head.

  "I'm so sorry about I acted and that I haven't been here for you."

  "Shh…it's okay. Kat's been a great help and –" his head snapped up.

  "It should've been me, not Kat. I keep fucking up. I hurt you and then disappeared on you." His eyes were a mixture of anger and sadness. I cupped his face with my hands.

  "You'll be there for your daughter though and you know it."

  "I'll try…Did you say my daughter?" A smile started to spread across his face. I nodded. Before the squeal left my lips, he'd lifted me up bridal style and started toward the stairs.

  "Which door?" he asked with determination.

  "Christopher, put me down," I growled.

  "Which door? I'll kick them all open," he warned.

  "End of hall, on the right," I growled out.

  Once inside, he laid me on the bed and climbed next to me. Leaning on his hand, his face lined up with my stomach.

  "My daughter," he whispered and sucked in his bottom lip. It was strange, but the click of his teeth against his lip piercings warmed me. It was a sound I knew too well and had missed so much.

  He reached for the hem of my shirt and pushed it up. I grabbed it and pushed it down. He smacked my hand and pushed it back up.

  "Stop," I groaned, pushing it down again.

  "No, you stop," he chuckled pushing the shirt back up. "I can do this all night," he warned. I gave up, crossing my arms over my chest.

  His nose slid across my skin while his hand glided around my stomach. The fingertip calluses of a guitarist gave me goose bumps.

  "When will she move again?" His face buried in the flesh of my abdomen.

  "When she feels like it," I lightly laughed.

  "Well when does it usually happen?" He looked up from my stomach.

  "When I want to sleep," I said flatly.

  "Go to sleep," he laughed. I smacked his head. "Hey!" he feigned hurt.

  "Kat has tried everything to get her to move on command, but that just isn't her style," I shrugged. "It's on her terms."

  "Just like her mother," he winked.

  I stuck my tongue out.

  "Now see you shouldn't have done that." He climbed up my body and attacked my mouth.

  Pulling away to catch my breath he placed kisses over my collarbone and into the crook of my neck. My fingers laced in his hair. He cupped my left breast with his hand and began to massage.

  "Well these have grown." He smiled against my lips.

  "You are such a –"

  He ran his thumb over my sensitive nipple and I moaned. He attacked my mouth again.

  "Mia?" Kat called through the door.

  Christopher groaned and rolled back to his position next to my stomach.

  "Yeah," I called out breathlessly.

  She walked into the room and grinned at Christopher.

  "What's up?"

  "Are you hungry?"

  "Not too much, why?"

  "Well I was thinking –" Then she gave me a look.

  "Mama Casa's?"

  Kat giggled and nodded.

  "Oh god, I love you!" I rolled off the bed. Turning back to Christopher, who looked amused by my reaction, "You hungry?"

  He chuckled, "sure."

  "Want me to place the usual order?" I nodded. Christopher pulled me back down next to him.

  "Don't leave me yet. Kat can order it." He snuggled back up to my side.

  "Can we talk for a second?" I asked when Kat left the room.

  "Of course," he said hesitantly.

  "Are you still seeing doctor J?" I chewed on my lip.

  "Um…I haven't since I left the rehab, why?"

  "I think you should continue to see him," I shrugged.

  "I'm good Mia, I swear…now that I'm with you I'll be even better." He tried to reassure.

  "Christopher, you attacked him." I looked at him. "I mean like animalistic attack." I placed my hand on the side of his furrowed face.

  "I'm glad you got more help, but you need to make sure you still see and/or talk to the doctor."

  "Ok, fine," he mumbled.

  "No, Christopher, promise me you'll still see him. Please?" I brought my other hand up to the other side of his face. "Please?" I begged.

  He covered my hands with his.

  "Of course I will. How can I say no to you?" He smiled and pressed his lips to mine.

  Over the next few weeks, Christopher was with me every day. I worked on the song and he started to work on it with me. Kat even sat in to play guitar a couple of times so we could work out the lyrics together. It was really coming together, even if we had to stop and argue every fifteen minutes.

  Living together in a homelike situation was a revelation for us both. I learned a lot about Christopher. First, he was a slob, which was driving me crazy. I was a bit obsessive about having order and being clean, but he would leave his socks in the living room, clothes on the floor, wet towel on the
bed, food wrappers and cups everywhere.

  "You're an adult, clean up after yourself!"

  "It's just a cup. Why don't you have a maid around here to take care of the house?" he argued.

  "Seriously? You're seriously going to justify being a slob on the fact that you don't have a maid? Unbelievable! You are fucking unbelievable!" I stomped up the stairs.

  Second, Christopher hated the smell of fingernail polish and remover. Hell, he hated the smell of everything. He would growl when I would paint my toenails.

  "That shit smells horrible. I don't think you should inhale it while you're pregnant." He growled.

  "Oh, shut up. It's just fingernail polish. I'm just thankful I can still reach my damn feet at this point." I

  He climbed out of bed with his pillow.

  "I'll be on the couch," he snarled and headed toward the door. "Let me know when you're done poisoning my baby."

  "Yeah, sure, that's what I'll do." I rolled my eyes. When I was done, I left him on the couch.

  Third, he couldn't stand the toothpaste tube squeezed from the middle. I made sure we got the kind in the plastic bottle going forward, because I wasn't going to listen to it.

  Fourth, he was a sneaky bastard. It took an entire day for me to realize he'd hired a cleaning person. On top of that, he scheduled her hours so I would be less likely to run into her.

  "Are you really that lazy?" I criticized. Blame the hormones.

  "It's practical. I've had one for years. It's what I'm used to." He shrugged.

  "How about tell me about shit like this next time, so I don't just happen upon some random woman in the house?" I lectured before leaving him in the living room by himself.

  There were so many things to learn about each other and to get used to. At one point he couldn't handle having sex with me because he thought it would hurt the baby. I was about to snap. I was beyond sexually frustrated and he wouldn't do anything to help me.

  Now deep down I knew I was over reacting, but part of me couldn't help but assume he wasn't attracted to me now that I was the size of a blimp. Every time he rejected my physical attempts, because of his fear, I would roll over and silently cry until it just got to be too much.

  After one night where I practically begged him to touch me and he still couldn't do it, I got up and left. I ended up spending most of the night in the studio of the house playing the guitar and working on lyrics. I hadn't heard him enter, so when his hand touched my shoulder I jumped.