History Repeating - Part 7
Warning -Mentions of Teenage Pregnancy and Alcohol Consumption
All the books said that your baby was now the size of a pomegranate but by the look of your stomach, it was certainly more like a small melon. Over the last week your wardrobe had been reduced down to two pairs joggers and a handful of t-shirts, all of which had been originally ridiculously oversized. You knew it was officially time to delve into the world of maternity clothes. Something you had been avoiding for a while.
Considering you were now entering your 6th month of pregnancy, you were pleased you had lasted this long! You had been very lucky that the majority of your pregnancy so far had been easily disguised and you haven’t really suffered that badly. But now, things were started to change. Your body was growing and changing in ways it hadn’t before and it was feeling incredibly surreal.
Earlier in the week your mum had knocked on your bedroom door and entered with a cardboard box. You paused the film you were watching and sat yourself further up the bed. “What’s this?” You questioned, making your mum blush slightly.
“Uh… my old maternity clothes,” she said sheepishly before placing the box next to you on the bed. “I thought you might want them,” she added, her gaze falling on the belly visible between the hem of your t-shirt and the waistband of your sweatpants. “I always planned to keep them incase I had another baby. They might not be ‘your style’ but they’re better than what you’ve got at the moment.”
“Oh thanks, so you’re saying I look a mess?” You snapped, causing your mum to take a deep breath in an attempt to keep her patience.
“Grace, it’s not exactly a secret that you’re growing out of your clothes.” She said folding her arms and staring down at your growing bump. “You’re only going to get bigger.”
“Okay, fine,” Grace grumbled, opening the box and pulling out a few items. You pulled out the first thing you hand fell upon, a bright pink shirt. You carefully unfolded it and examined it with an ever growing frown appearing on your face. “Seriously? You actually wore this?” You grumbled before throwing the item back into the pile.
“Grace I’m trying to help.” Your mum warned. “Please just take a look and see if there is anything in there. If not I think we need to go maternity clothes shopping.” As soon as you had heard the words fall out of her mouth, you groaned.
“But, I don’t want too!” You moaned, sounding like a spoiled child. Everyone knew everybody here in Aberystwyth, as soon as people saw you maternity shopping the news would spread like a wild fire and you certainly weren’t in the mood for that.
“Oh Grace, get a grip! Just have a look for me and let me know.” You mum started to walk back towards the bedroom door, “We can go at some point this week before your father comes home from filming.” and with that she was gone.
You rolled your eyes and poured the rest of the contents onto your bed to examine. To be fair, some of the items were perfectly fine. You hadn’t been in the mood when she approached you about the subject.
***
You had waited as soon as you possibly could to go shopping but today certainly was the day. Your dad was finally coming home after spending the last 2 months filming in LA. You had tried to make an effort, well, when you say make an effort, it just meant washing your hair and putting on a new pair of tracksuit bottoms and jumper. Both of which were unbearably tight.
“Mum…” You called down as you approached the stairs, “Can we go shopping now?”
You watched as your mum appeared at the bottom of the stairs, she looked up and tried to contain her laughter. Your jumper was raised just above your belly-button and the waist band of your joggers was sit neatly around your thighs, unable to go any further.
“There should be a black body con dress in that box I gave you, put that on and we can get going.”
***
You spent hours trailing around the shops, who knew there were so many different types of maternity jeans!? You had resistantly allowed your mum to take the lead, if you were honest, you were glad she was there to help. You would have been completely lost and overwhelmed if she hadn’t of been there. You were both slowly leaving the last shop, bags in hand when you heard your name being called out from behind you. You turned quickly to see who it was.
Your face dropped. It was him. You couldn’t even remember his name but as soon as you saw his face everything came flashing back to you. That night. Your friends. The alcohol. The thumping music. The flirting. The dancing. The drunken not-so-consensual sex. You had been incredibly drunk, the room had swayed as you laid next to this guy. The ceiling swirled above you. You had no idea how you had got there or where you were. It wasn’t until the next morning when you woke up in his bed had you realised what had happened. You felt hot. Sweat started to drip your down back. Your heart was beating faster and faster in your chest as he approached. Your eyes darted taking in his features. You hadn’t realised how tall he had been. You thought he was much older but as you looked at him now, he looked so incredibly young. He couldn’t have been much older than you. He smiles, you don’t. You feel your body tense, your knuckles clutching onto the plastic handles in your hands.
“Gracie?” Your mum whispers, unsure of what was happening. You turn to look at her for a moment before walking closer to this guy.
“Grace, I thought it was you! How are you? I haven’t seen you since…” His words stop almost immediately as you get closer to him. His eyes drop down and examine you.
“Since… since that night?” You question him, now unafraid. His eyes move up to meet yours as he swallows and nods. You turn your head to look back at your mum before looking back at this guy. ‘Guy’, God, you didn’t even know your baby fathers name.
“Hello I’m Grace,” You say as you drop the bags in your hand and place it out for him to shake.
“What are you doing?” He asks flustered. You take a deep breath in and say, “I’m introducing myself to you, so that you hopefully do the same, so that I know your name. Because as of right now, I don’t know who you are.” You watch him frown and realise before shaking your hand, “Hello Grace, I’m Jake.” You smile slightly in return and whisper a “thank you”.
“Can I take your number? I think we should talk at some point,” both unconsciously looking down at the dreaded bump.
“Oh, um… Yeah…” He mumbles before taking your phone and entering his number. “Um, I-I have to go b-but t-text me t-tomorrow.” He replied before quickly running off.
You watched every step he took as he disappeared into the distance. You stood frozen watching him. Would you ever build the confidence to contact him, could this be the last moment you have of your babies father?
“Who was that?” Your mum asked as she rejoined you. “Are you okay?” She frowned as she saw your face. You nod with smile at her, “Just someone I met at a party once…” You announce before picking the abandoned bags up and following your mum back to the car.
The whole journey back home you couldn’t take your mind off ‘Jake’. You closed your eyes and tried to remember more of that night. A night that some would call ‘special'. Your first time. Had it been his first time? Question after question spun through your head making you feel dizzy. You were thankful when you reopened your eyes to see the gates of your house opening. As you pulled into the driveway you and your mum simultaneously noticed your dads car parked outside the front door. You smiled knowing he was home. You had missed him and his hugs, and you certainly needed one after today.
As soon as you entered the house, the familiar sense of home hit you making you feel warm and safe. It helped seeing you father approach the front door to greet you. Even though you had grown up with you dad being away a lot to film, it didn’t mean you didn’t miss him every time he went.
“Wow, look at you!” Taron exclaimed, holding you at arms length taking you in. You rolled your eyes and frowned. “I know” You reply, dragging it out to sound more like a whine.
“We’ve just been out shopping for new clothes,” Lily called out as she placed all of the bags down. Taron kissed you on the cheek before walking over to his wife and placing a loving peck on her lips. You watched and smiled to yourself, after all these years your parents still loved each other ridiculously amounts. They showed you what a loving relationship was, something you craved in the future.
***
Before you knew it, a week or so had passed. You kept hovering your finger on the call button on Jake’s number. A part of you wished you had given him your number, but then would he have contacted you if you had? You had told him you would contact him but you didn’t think you could build the confidence up to actually go and face him. Deep down you knew you needed to talk to him. He deserved to know the truth. You knew the whole thing had made you shut down. You had spent the last few days in bed, you hadn’t really left your room, only really to eat with your parents. Even that felt uncomfortable, your parents have been acting super secretive and it was being incredibly irritating. You had just finished your dinner when your mum wiped up breaking the piercing silence.
“Gracie, your dad and I have a surprise for you.” She grinned at her husband and took your hand, leading you up the stairs and down the hall. “Ready?” She asked making you feel uneasy.
“What’s going on?” You asked feeling tense. Lily held your hand tightly as Taron opened the door of what had been Taron’s office, revealing a finished nursery for the baby. You jaw drops as your eyes trail around the room. Everything had been beautifully put together, the walls had been given a fresh lick of paint and furniture had been built and placed around the room to create a warm and welcoming environment for you and the baby.
“Oh my.” It didn’t take long for tears to form in you eyes as you walked into the room, gently running your fingers along the white dresser. “It’s beautiful. Wait, what’s happening with your office?” You asked turning to Taron looking concerned.
Taron laughed slightly at your question, “That doesn’t matter. All the matters is that you like you. I just wanted to do something special for you. But, if you dont-”
“No! no! It’s amazing! Thank you. Both of you.” You walked towards your parents and brought them both into a hug getting squished in between them. “I love you guys so much.”
“We love you too, sweetheart. We’re so glad you like it.” You mum replied.
“I love it, daddy. I can’t believe you guys did all this for me.”
“You deserve it honey. Taron and I wanted to make sure you know that you’re not in this alone no matter what.” You mum smiled and rubbed your cheek with her thumb. You hugged your parent’s again, still crying, you were so thankful your parents had helped you so much during your pregnancy. You really couldn’t have done it without the love and support.
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