Chapter fifteen

I stare at my phone, Daniel's name on the screen, my finger ready to press the call button. But I couldn't bring myself to press the button. I know he has to know, but do I have to tell him right away? Can't I just keep it to myself for just a few more weeks? In a few more weeks you'll be fat. I cringe at the small voice's comment. But I can't ignore it. It's true, if I keep this to myself for another 6 weeks I'll be fat and everyone will know.

My phone vibrates and I almost drop it from the fright I got. The caller ID flashes Amanda a few times before I press the answer button. "Hello?" My voice sounds a little shaky so I clear my throat, hoping I will sound better.

"Hello, Lollipop." Amanda chimes from the other end. "I was wondering if you'd like to come over for dinner?" I am baffled by her invitation. It's not that I don't want to go, but I am pretty sure it will be beyond awkward between Daniel and me.

Screw Daniel. You miss the Greene's. Let's go. For once I don't push the voice in my head to the side and agree to the dinner, "It sounds fun." I hear the excitement in her voice as she says to be there at 7 and to just bring myself.

After sitting on the couch for a long time, wondering how I'm going to tell Daniel, I decided to get ready for tonight. Should I tell him before dinner? After? During? I shake my head as the questions keep flowing through my mind.

I decide on jeans and a slightly baggy shirt, I am suddenly very aware of the small bump. I pull on flats and pull mu hair into a bun. I decide to skip make-up, after all, it's not like I want to impress anyone.

By 7 I'm out the door and across the street. I ring the doorbell and wait for someone to open the door. When the door is opened, I am surprised to see Will on the other side. I frown, "I didn't know you were going to be here." He smiles, "I need to come to check on my baby sister and brother. Is that a problem?" I shake my head and wrap my arms around him.

I feel him slightly tens before wrapping me in his arms. I don't usually hug Will, but I really am grateful to see him. I needed this. I needed a hug to calm my nerves. I needed someone to tell me everything will be fine. Right now, wrapped in Will's arms, I feel like I can do anything. Hopefully, that feeling will last throughout the dinner.

It doesn't. I am seated across from Daniel who refuses to look my way and just behind him on a shelf is a picture of my parents. I feel the guilt sitting in the pit of my stomach, as their eyes give me disapproving looks like they were here right now telling me how horrible I was. To top it all off, Daniel decided to bring a date. She has short red hair, spiked in all different directions.

"Abby, tell us, what you do?" Taylor asks. I can see she's not impressed with her brother at all. The girl smiles and starts talking. I hear something of waitress and Taylor challenging her on her future. But I'm not really interested. As long as she keeps talking it keeps the attention away from me.

"We've missed you two." Amanda voices after a while. Will looks up from his plate, "I've defiantly missed your cooking." Amanda smiles a wide, proud smile, "Don't they feed you there?" Will laughs, "Not when you're in your last year and studying all the time. There's no time to go to the dining hall." Amanda frowns, "We better send you some leftovers then." Will thanks her before digging in again.

For a moment I thought I was saved from explaining where I've been, but I was wrong. After taking a sip of her wine Amanda turned sideways to speak to me, "And you, Lollipop?" I try to smile, "I've been working very hard the last couple of weeks. Nothing special. The studio is quite a hand full." Amanda nods, "I can believe that."

I sigh with relief. "Are you eating properly?" She asks. I bite my lip, I don't really, but I nod anyway. "I try to." Amanda nods, "We better send you some food too, then." I smile and continue eating.

"Is everyone still alright with their wine?" Dwayne asks. Everyone nods and continues eating. "Are you sure you don't want any, Lollipop?" Dwayne asks. I shake my head, "No thanks, water's fine." I see Daniel raise his brow at me. I know what he's thinking. Last time he had to pry the wine bottle from my hands. And we were drunk together the last time we saw each other. Well, he doesn't remember most of that.

"Are you sure, Linds, I know how you love your wine." I glare at Daniel. "I'm trying to cut back on the alcohol. Being fit and having wine isn't really a good combination." I say, sending him a sweet smile.

"Nonsense, when Catharina came over she always had at least one glass." Daniel says, getting up and heading over to where the wine glasses are standing in a glass cabinet. He grabs one and brings it back to the table. As he pours the glass half full a set of new questions roll through my mind. Does he know? If he does, how? And why would he do this to me? Maybe he's trying to be friendly?

"Lollipop, be a dear and go grab the pudding." Amanda asks sweetly. I nod and head to the kitchen. I hear someone else push back their chair and follow me to the kitchen. On the island, there's a large bowl of pudding with a stack of plates next to it.

"Lindsey," I turn around to see Daniel behind me his hands stuffed in his pockets. He looks so sweet, a slight smile on his lips. "Are you alright?" His smile turns into a slight frown and all I want to do is reach up and wipe it away.

"No... I, gosh, how do I say this?" I looked over at him, his face still in the frown. I smile at him, "She's lovely." I say looking at the door, tears welling up in my eyes. "She is." I heard the smile in his voice.

"You never mentioned her before." When did he start seeing her? Before or after we had our night? "You weren't here." Daniel shrugged. After, definitely after.

I look over at Daniel who's leaning against one of the walls. The frown was turned into a small smile again. Did that happen when he spoke of her?

"Why are you here?" Daniel said pushing away from the wall. He had a point. Why was I here now, when I've been absent for weeks? "I wanted to see William, tell him something." I say walking to him. "No, you didn't even know he was going to be here. Why are you here?" He asks. "What is it Linds?"

I look over my shoulder, I hear Abby laugh. I look up at him, "Are you happy?" He sucks in his lip and casts up his eyes like he's thinking. He starts nodding and then looks down at me, "Yes, I think so." I smile, "That's good."

I bite my lip, I cast my eyes down then back up to him. I take his hands and smile, "Would you pass on the message to Will?" He nods, "Sure, Linds, but why don't you tell him yourself, he's just in the other room."

I bite my lip and let go of his hands. I walk to the door, "How do I say this? This is so bloody hard." I say raking my fingers through my hair.

"Spit it out, Linds, you're scaring me." Daniel says walking closer. I step back, trying to avoid his touch. "If you get the chance, tell Will he's going to be an uncle." Shock rolls onto his face and his grip loosens. I take it as my moment of escape and hurry out the door.

I call over my shoulder, "Just tell your mother I'm feeling tired." "Lindsey, wait." Daniel grabs my hand in an attempt to stop me, but I pull away and head home as quickly as I can.

Either he's thinking I slept with someone or he is putting two and two together now. I hope it's the latter. I don't need him and Will telling me how irresponsible I was. At least if he knows it's him he will hold off on telling Will. I don't believe Will will forgive him for knocking me up. I'm 99% sure Will will kill him if he found out we slept together, never mind having a kid together.

Tiredness overtakes my whole body after I sit down on my couch. At least I didn't lie when I said I was tired. I sit back and let out a heavy sigh. I lean my head back and shut my eyes. This is only the start.

"What the hell?" I open my eyes and sit up. "Daniel, how did you get in here?" He rolls his eyes, "This is my second home, I know where the key is hidden outside." I glare at him, "Get out." He shakes his head, "You can't drop a bombshell like that and just leave."

I roll my eyes and get up from the couch, "Well, I did." I push past him and head to the kitchen. I hear him following me and want to scream. "Why did you leave?" He demands. "I saw you with Abigail, happy, and... and I realize I couldn't ask you to be with me. I already tried to forget us. I can't be so selfish. I left so you could be with her."

"You knew? You knew we were together that night and didn't say anything?" He asks. For a moment I thought I heard the pain in his voice.

"You knew we were together?" I ask turning to face him. He nods, "I thought I took advantage of you while you were drunk." Shame and hurt are present on his face. He looks like a little kid, apologizing that he stole the last cookie. "I thought you were too drunk to remember." I confess, the anger and irritation leaving my body bit by bit.

He looks at me, "I could never forget that." He reaches out and cups my cheek in his palm. I lean into the touch and close my eyes. In that moment I thought everything was perfect.

Then he drops his hand and I open my eyes to see what's the matter. "How long have you known about my baby? How long were you going to keep it to yourself? You must be what? Five weeks? And you didn't tell me?" His eyes are ablaze with anger again.

"I'm six weeks along." I correct him. "I found out earlier today, Daniel." I add softly. He shakes his head, "No, I don't believe you. If you could keep quiet about remembering our night together then you can keep the news all to yourself as well."

I shake my head, "I didn't know. The test is still in the bathroom if you'd like to see." I feel my own anger returning. "Why don't you go back to your date? They're all probably wondering where the pudding is anyway." He glares at me, "I am not leaving." I roll my eyes, "You don't have to be here. If you want to be the kid's father, fine, but don't expect me to explain myself to you. Like I said, I found out today and I told you. Believe me or don't, I don't care."

He doesn't move. He just stands there, glaring at me. I roll my eyes and head up to my room, leaving him behind. Why can't he just be happy?