A CONTRACT ENGAGEMENT

“You really have to ask? Julian, for the past weeks all we have done is fight. We simply can’t stand each other. We can’t agree about a single thing, and now you think all that is just going to magically go away because we are having a baby together? Even you have to admit that that’s ridiculous ”

“I honestly don’t think it is. I think we can work through things and find a way to make it work”

“Well I don’t,” Nina replied, rolling her eyes, “And you can’t just come in here and expect me to turn my life around just because you said so. Have you ever considered the fact that I might have my own plan? No you don’t. You think that all of your idea is gold and I’m just supposed to agree with whatever you say”

Julian didn’t want to fight or argue with her, especially not in this room, so he took a deep breath. “Fine. I’m sorry I didn’t ask you first. I just wanted to be helpful, not piss you off” he said. “What are your plans?”

She turned away from him and lay down again. “Actually I was thinking of moving out of town entirely, and starting a new life somewhere else. Of course who would know where I was so you can come visit the baby. We can plan these things, like when you come over and….”

She stopped talking as Julian left her head and returned back to the leg area where she asked him to leave.

“Excuse me?” he said, “Your plan is to leave. And you really expect me to agree to visiting you…. I mean… Visiting my child like maybe once in a month… Or maybe when you decide that I can? What the hell, Red? I can tell you right now that that is not going to happen. So you better get that terrible idea out of your head”

Nina moved uncomfortably. “Can you please, stay near my head, Julian” she said.

He glared at her, but did what she asked.

“So what are we going to do then?” she asked.

“I already told you,” Julian said. “Move in with me… You need me. You know you do”

“I don’t. I can handle myself. Abby can help me too until I’m ready to move out… You don’t have to do anything until the baby comes, and even then if you don’t want to be involved that’s fine with me too”

Julian looked like he was about to say something when the doctor returned.

“You are here” the doctor said, “I’m assuming you came to be with your wife-”

“I’m not his wife,” Nina corrected, totally at ease as the doctor’s eyes swiveled nervously to the notes in her hands.

“Well, your partner, then. I was trying to explain that the baby is fine, but it’s imperative that you get enough rest and not stress yourself much for the baby’s sake…”

“He is not my partner either,” Nina said with a slight edge.

“I guess I’m a friend then.” Julian said.Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g

“You are most certainly not!” Nina retorted. “A passing acquaintance would be a more apt description.”

“Prickly, isn’t she?” Julian said, smiling at the doctor. “Hi, I’m Julian Martin, the father of the baby, not the husband or partner because evidently she can do this alone”

Nina simply rolled her eyes as Julian and the doctor shook hands.

“It’s nice to meet you, Mr Martin,” the doctor said. After a few more questions, the doctor left, and Nina put her clothes back on, she turned to Julian. “I’m ready to go now,” she said. “You know you didn’t need to come.”

“I know,” he admitted, “but I was worried about you.”

“It’s a bit late to be worried about me, Julian!” She said, She could hear the bitterness in her own voice. “Too late actually. You lost all right to worry about me when you walked out on me without a backwards glance. You lost all right to worry about me when you accused me of trying to pin my pregnancy on you. You are an asshole”

He didn’t say anything until they were out of the hospital and he walked her back to her car.

“I’m sorry Red,” he said. “I agree that I was a jerk when you told me about the baby. I was angry and I took it out on you. But that doesn’t change the fact that you are carrying my child…. And I want the baby… It came as a shock but I think it’s amazing and I’m happy that I’m going to be a father. I know it’s mine and I want to be involved… Even during the pregnancy… Please don’t leave. Don’t push me away. Stay and let me be there for the both of you. I want to help… And it’s not just because I have to… But because I want to”

Nina’s anger melted instantly. And her eyes grew misty with tears. “Really?” she asked. “Oh Julian, did you really mean everything you just said? Because I’m honestly tired of all these”

He nodded. “I do…. I mean it. And I can see that you are about to cry. Please don’t, Nina… You know crying women make me very uncomfortable”

“Then you are really not going to like what’s coming. Get ready to be very uncomfortable” Nina said, and then the tears were falling freely and she was in his arms.

She let it all out. All the emotions she had been holding in and it felt good to do it. She was so tired of trying to look strong… Tired of acting like she wasn’t scared. Julian held her, whispering in her ear and telling her that everything was going to be alright and she actually started to feel better. When he finally let her go she was embarrassed.

“I’m so sorry I broke down like that.” she said. “I didn’t really mean to”

He smiled at her and held her hand. “It’s okay. I understand”

She stared at him for a while then said, “I’m so sorry too Julian. For everything that has happened between us… I really didn’t mean for it to end with so much bad memories”

“They weren’t all bad” he assured her, “And thanks to this baby, we can make new ones. Just don’t leave”

“I haven’t made a decision yet” she replied, “And you have to know that I wasn’t really on a date with Leonard… Or anyone else. I had just met him that night when I was out with my friend. I just said that to piss you off”