After getting some rest, which was more fitful than relaxing, Maria was getting ready for school when she heard Milo walk into her apartment.
"Damn it. Why did I give him a key to my apartment? Jerk." Maria fumed. She was still immensely hurt by his attitude.
"I didn't go to the grocery store and buy a frozen fetus, you idiot." she thought to herself as she was drying herself off. "You played a part in this."
As she walked out of the bathroom, he was standing there. As adorable as always with his red hair and big expressive eyes.
"Hi, Maria. Guess who's back?"
"Certainly not anyone I'm happy to see". Maria quipped. Milo looked visibly affected by those words, but he continued.
"Look, Maria. I'm a class A jerk. I got you pregnant and then unloaded on you when you told me. I acted as if this was your fault when it clearly wasn't, I was in that bed too and we made the decision together.
It's not ideal, I'm still really scared but I'm here, and I'm sorry. I love you."
"Uh huh."
"Okay, okay. I can see you're still angry and I understand. I would be too. I will prove it to you though. I will prove my love to you."
"Words are cheap", Maria thought to herself. "And they've been thrown at me my whole life. My own parents lied to me and you probably are now too. Whatever. I have to go to school, I don't have time for relationship drama.
As Maria left to go to school, she felt uncharacteristically self conscious. Her belly was growing and she didn't like it one bit.
"This is going too fast." she shuddered as she walked out the door and got into the elevator.
"God, I'm such a jerk. What's wrong with me? I never blow up at him, he's the one person in this world that has looked out for me. Sure, he hurt me, but I could have reacted so much better." Tears were streaming down her face when she spotted Milo.
"Milo!"
"Hi, baby. I know you're angry with me and I really don't blame you but can we just..." Milo couldn't finish before Maria was in his arms, clinging tightly to him.
"I'm so sorry, Milo. I shouldn't have said what I did. I know this is difficult for you, too, and I was far too sensitive. You should have time to yourself to figure things out anyway."
"That's what I'm telling you, Maria. I was wrong. I know we weren't planning on this, but it's happened and I want to be there for you. With you. I want us to move in together."
Maria was in shock.
"I, uh, you..what?"
"You heard me, space cadet", Milo teased. I want to mo.." He was taken aback when Maria flew into his arms and kissed him.
"Oh Milo, I'm so happy. I love you so much and I was so afraid I was losing you!"
"I know, baby. I'm sorry. I will spend forever making it up to you. Can I feel the baby?"
"Well, he or she is your child so I can't really say no, can I?"
"I hope they look like their mommy. She's beautiful." Milo smiled as he touched Maria's belly.
"Maria I'm going to be such a good daddy to our baby."
As Milo washed up for dinner he promised himself he wouldn't let his second chance go to waste.
"From now on, dumbass, it's all about Maria and your child. Grow up."
"Oh my god! OW! MILO!"
Milo turned around and saw Maria screaming and writhing with pain. He panicked.
"It's not time yet! Is it?"
"No! I still have 3 more weeks. But Milo, it hurts. Oh god it hurts."
Every fibre of Milo's being was telling him to run but this time, he stayed.
"Okay, baby. We'll go to the hospital and at least get you checked out. Everything will be fine." And with that, they were off to the emergency room.
As soon as they arrived and Milo saw the doctor standing outside waiting for them, he became unglued.
"Oh god. Oh god. I can't. A baby! How can I have a baby! I can't do this."
"Maria..."
"Milo?"
"I'm sorry. I hate myself for doing this again but I can't do this. I'm not ready to be a father and you deserve better than me. So does your child. I'm so sorry."
"MY CHILD? My child?" Before Maria could tell him to get out of her face for good, the pain got too intense and Maria was being wheeled into the delivery room.
Milo left.
"Of all times, he chooses NOW to bail? I'm done with him. I can't keep doing this, I'm already going to be raising a child."
"Children.." the doctor mumbled, overhearing Maria.
"I'm sorry?" Maria responded.
"Maria, it's twins."
to be continued...