A CONTRACT ENGAGEMENT

Well, she didn’t need him. She could do this on her own. Lots of people were doing it, why couldn’t she? She had gone home and told her father and brothers about it, and while they were all happy about the news, they all wanted to know if Julian was going to take responsibility for the baby, to which she’d assured them that he would, she didn’t think it would be a good idea to tell them exactly how it had gone down between her and Julian.

Her father had even asked when she and Julian were getting married and he’d been furious when she told him that there wasn’t going to be a wedding.

“What?” He had said,”Do you have any idea how difficult it is to raise a kid alone? I do, because I did it. Is that Julian refusing to marry you, because I swear I and your brothers are going to pay him a visit and it’s not going to be a pleasant one”

It had taken a while before she could calm him down. Telling him that marriage was the last thing on her mind, and all that she wanted right now was their support. He had agreed, although he didn’t look so convinced that she was going to be fine.

But she would be, Nina thought as she lay in the examination room. She could even move to a different place, get another job and start over without all the drama. She and her baby could have a good life. She was beginning to get used to this being a mom idea. Hell, she found herself thinking of baby names lately.

It could be fun to have someone that tiny to love and now that she was getting used to the idea, she couldn’t wait to meet this little person growing inside of her.

The door opened and assuming that it was the doctor who had returned Nina looked up, only to see Julian walk in and close the door behind him. Boy, if looks could kill, he’d be dead on the floor right now.

Julian got the message. “So I take it you are not so happy to see me” he said, trying to lighten the mood.

“Get out,” Nina said.

“Honestly, I can’t remember the last time I was in a room with you and you didn’t say those exact words to me. I have actually lost count. Do you really hate seeing me that badly?”

“Yes” she replied angrily, “Now please leave. I don’t want you here. You are not supposed to be here. I’m going to call the doctor. How did you even get in here?”

“Well, I’m the father, ain’t I? I just had to tell them that” he said.Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

“Oh so now you admit that you are the father? I don’t need you Julian. I came to tell you because I thought you deserved to know that you had a baby on the way, turns out, I was wrong, but that’s fine. I and my baby are going to do just fine without you. We have been alone for a while now, and I think we are doing okay. So you’re good. If you are here out of guilt or anything shit like that, let me help make you feel better… It’s okay if you don’t want us… Now go… Please ”

He stared awkwardly at her for a moment, his eyes looked sad and worried, then he moved forward.”I’m not here out of guilt, Red. I’m here because I want to be here. I’m here because you are carrying my child and I want to be a part of it”

“You said it wasn’t yours” Nina said, almost yelling. She hated that her voice cracked. So much for being over this, she thought.

“I know. I know I said that” Julian replied. “And it was an awful thing to say. You have no idea how sorry I am that I hurt you like that…. I was hurting… And I didn’t handle well”

She sniffed. “How did you even know that I was here?” she asked him.

“Well, Abby told me,” he replied. “But that was after she punched me a couple of times and told me how stupid I was in very colorful language for hurting you”

“Whatever she said to you, I agree with her one hundred percent” Nina said.

“I guess I deserve that. I’m so sorry Nina. I know the baby is mine” he moved closer so he stood very close to her feet. “I know that things like this happen, and I want you to know that I am happy about the baby. I really am. I have been thinking about it a lot, and I have to say that I’m excited about it and I want to be a part of it in every way…. If you let me. Whatever it is you need from me… Anything… I will do it…. Whatever you need from me”

It was a nice speech, but Nina couldn’t help noticing that she felt uncomfortable and embarrassed having him standing near her legs. She shifted uncomfortably.

“Well I do need something from you right now Julian, and I need you to stay near my head. I don’t want you standing there”

“Oh okay” he said, but the look on his face was weird as he did what she requested. He turned and looked around the room, then said, “So, speaking of being there for you and the baby, like I said I have been doing a lot of thinking and if I really want to be there for the both of you and be fully involved in this, I think we should be closer to each other, so I was thinking you should move into my place with me”

Nina turned so she could look him fully in the face. “You can’t be serious,” she said.

“Oh I am” he said, like he was suggesting a very normal and simple thing. “It will be much easier for the both of us. I’m sure you will need all the help you can get and I will be there to help you. I want to be involved and I will be. That way, we both get what we want”

“Look Julian, I appreciate you wanting to help, but I don’t need to move in with you. That is not necessary at all and it’s not a good idea”

“Why not?” he asked.