Fate at Work: A Love Compelled

The silence deepened and I was scared of saying anything especially since I couldn't read his expression.

"Can you repeat what you just said, Jess" he said after the prolonged silence. (How am I supposed to repeat that?) I was sure he heard me the first time. What was he thinking?

I swallowed hard, preparing myself for what I was about to say. "I said I'll get an abortion," I said softly this time around. "That....... that way, everything can go back to normal. Ray never has to know, and we won't ruin our friendship."

The moment the words left my mouth, I saw Don's expression change. His eyes went wide, then narrowed, a mixture of emotions flashed across his face, anger, disbelief, and then something I'd never seen before.

"No," he said, his voice low and firm. "Absolutely not." He added.

I blinked, taken aback by his response. "But Don, it's the only way-"

"I said no, Jess," he cut me off, standing up abruptly. His hands were clenched at his sides, his jaw set. "You will not," he paused, taking a deep breath, "you will not abort our child."

The word 'our' hung in the air between us. I felt my throat tighten.

Don, be reasonable," I pleaded, my voice barely above a whisper. "This will ruin everything" I said my hand to the air. "Our friendships, our lives. If we just end it now-"

"End it?" Don's voice rose. I'd never heard him speak that way. It scared me.

"Jess, this isn't just some problem we can erase. This is a life. Our child." He said

"I...... I know" I answered. "But.....but you said you'd support me." I said in a small whisper but I knew he heard me.

"Not in this. I meant in taking responsibility but not in killing our child." He said and it got me angry.

"Don't put it that way Don. Don't make me out to be a killer" I shouted. That got his attention. He suddenly tensed, his expression changing a little.

"That's....... that's not what I meant Jess" he said, his hands going to his hair before he began pacing the room. "I know this isn't what we planned. I know it's complicated and messy and scary as hell. But I won't let you do this. Not without really thinking it through." He said and I felt tears welling up in my eyes. "But Ray-"

Don stopped pacing and looked at me, his eyes softening slightly. "I know. I care about Ray too. He's my best friend. But this... this is different. This is our child we're talking about."

He walked over to me, kneeling down in front of me as I sat on the couch. He took my hands in his, his touch gentle but firm.

"Listen to me, Jess. I know you're scared. I am too. But nothing, and I mean nothing, is going to happen to this baby. Not if I have anything to say about it." He said stressing each word.

I stared at him, shocked by his words and the determination in his eyes. This was a side of Don I'd never seen before, and it both terrified and amazed me. I didn't even know what to say.

I... I don't know what to do," I whispered, feeling lost and overwhelmed.

Don squeezed my hands. "We'll figure it out together. But promise me, Jess. Promise me you won't do anything rash. We need to think this through, really think about all our options."

I nodded slowly, tears running down my cheeks. Don pulled me into a tight embrace, and I could feel his heart beating fast against my chest.

As we sat there, holding each other, I realized that everything had changed. There was no going back now. Whatever happened next, whatever we decided, our lives would never be the same. The future was there looming ahead, uncertain and frightening. But as Don held me, I felt a tiny spark of something else too, hope.

I stepped into the apartment changing my shoes by the door, I went straight to the couch. Tee was nowhere in sight. Probably in the room. Sitting there in silence, I couldn't help but think back to my conversation with Don. I felt more guilt building up inside me. I started feeling guilty right from Don's place.

I left there feeling totally lost. The walk home felt like it took forever and with each step I took, I felt worse about what I'd said earlier.

"What was I thinking?" I asked myself, shaking my head. The idea of getting rid of the baby now felt so wrong. I'd let Don down and the tiny life inside me.

Without thinking, I put my hand on my stomach. "I'm sorry," I whispered. "I'm so sorry, baby. I didn't mean it."

"What baby?" I heard a sudden voice say.

I jumped. I hadn't noticed Tee coming into the living room. She looked confused. (My God). I started panicking.

I... uh... nothing," I stuttered, trying to wave it away.

But Tee wouldn't let it go. She rushed to me, grabbing my arm. "Jess, what's going on? Who were you talking to?"

I felt trapped. My heart was racing.

"No one" I said

"Yeah, I noticed " she said

"Then whose baby are you talking about?" She asked and I tried to just shrug it off.

"No one" I said again

"You were clearly talking about a baby Jess. You were even rubbing your tummy" she said the sudden gasped "No way Jess" she screamed. (No no no, can't be happening).

"Are you pregnant?" she asked and I couldn't even deny it fast enough but I still tried.

"Me?" I asked. "Hahahah... No way" I said hoping she'd drop it but I knew I didn't sound convincing at all.

"You clearly are," she said sounding so sure.

"No I'm not Tee"

"Yes you are. Dont even try to deny it. You're a terrible liar," she said and I already knew she wouldn't drop it, so I decided to tell her some of the truth.

"Okay fine. I'm pregnant," I said quietly.

Tee's eyes got big, then she got really excited.

"Oh my God, Jess! You're having a baby? Ray must be so happy!" She squealed, hugging me tight. But my heart sank. Of course, she thought it was Ray's.

Tee was super excited. "I'm gonna be an aunt! This is amazing! I can't wait to spoil this kid! We need to plan the nursery, and go baby clothes shopping!" She kept on saying so many things as I toned out her voice.

Tee kept talking and when I couldn't take it anymore, I started crying. I couldn't help it. (Damn hormones).

Tee stopped talking when she saw me crying. "Jess? What's wrong? Aren't you happy?" She asked confused.

"Don't tell........ don't tell me you don't want the child," she said in disbelief "You've always wanted children. What changed?" She asked clearly confused.

"That's not it Tee" I managed to say between sobs.

"Then what is it? Tell me,"

I shook my head, trying to speak. I knew I just had to say it out. "It's... it's not Ray's," I said between continuous sobs.

Tee looked confused. "What do you mean it's not Ray's? Then whose...?" She stopped.

"No... Jess, please tell me it's not... Tell me you didn't....."

"Cheat on him? I did Tee" I cut her off.

"How could you Jess," she said "No I don't believe you'd do something like that"

"But I did Tee. And you know what! It's worse" I said.

"What ...... what do you mean by worse" she asked sounding scared." I knew she would be imaging alot of things but I knew she'd never imagine the truth. So I just said it out, not looking at her. "It's Don's," I shouted