Epilogue
Liam
When I drove past Colton’s that night and saw Britain walking, I felt like I was going to die. Seeing her was like seeing my heart walking around outside my body. I couldn’t breathe and time stood still, when in reality I blew past her in the blink of an eye. I spent all day writing that letter. Making sure it was perfect, leaving nothing to question. She had to have read it by now. I left it right on her pillow.
She probably went home right after I left and read it, but maybe not. I saw Matt coming in as I was going out, but I didn’t stop for a polite hello, not even a fucking head nod. If I would’ve stopped for even just a second, I would’ve turned right back around and hauled her out of that bar, right back to our house. An ache creeps up my spine remembering the look on her face when I slid her ring off.
It’s been five weeks, almost six now, since that night. I don’t sleep, I barely eat, and the only thing I think about is her. I called Sandy last week to let her know I was in Sonoma, but the disdain in her voice let me know I’m on her shit list. I tried hard not to ask about Britain, but I caved. I asked if she’d talked to her, or heard from her. All she said was, “She’s good, better off without you,” and then she hung up on me. I haven’t gotten up the nerve to try calling again. “She’s good” still bounces around in my head like a stray bullet.
Sandy probably only picked up because she didn’t know it was me. I got a new number, new phone, and a new iCloud before I left for Sonoma. I didn’t want to chance me calling Britain, or her calling me. Even though I’d give almost anything to hear her voice right now, but I know I can’t.
I’m doing the right thing. I’m finally making things right. For Britain, for Matthias. I can’t spend the rest of my life looking over my shoulder, always wondering if Britain would rather be with him. I’m giving her the time and space to work through this, and figure out what she really wants. I just hope to god it’s me. I hope she chooses me.
What’s meant for me will find me. If she’s in Spearhead in three months, waiting for me, I’ll know she’s mine. Please be there, Bambi.
Tim stomps into the trailer, shaking off dirt into the stuffy air. God, it’s hot in here.
“Hey, boss, you’ve got a visitor. Pretty cute blonde thing. She’s waiting for you outside.” Britain. I’m on my feet instantly, throwing open the door of the construction trailer. She couldn’t wait, it’s like a prayer answered. Thank fuck.
“Hey, stranger.” No. That fucking voice.
“This is private property, Tori. You need to leave.”
“Oh, come on now. You don’t have time for a quick chat with an old friend?” Her crooning voice brings me back to squeaky chalk on a blackboard.
“No.” I turn around, heading back inside. “If you’re not gone in two minutes, I’m calling the police.”
“Fine, fine. I’ll go. I just wanted to say congratulations, daddy.” What?
I turn around, but don’t move forward an inch. It’s not possible. It’s literally not possible that Tori is pregnant and that it’s my baby.
“Tori, don’t even start. If you’re pregnant, it’s not mine. I’ll get a court-ordered DNA test tomorrow. You need to leave.”
“Not me, silly. I’m not pregnant, thank god!”
“Then what are you talking about?”
“Your girl, London. Or is it Britain? Niko told me all about that. Anyways, looks like my little trick worked.” She winks at me. She’s fucking sick.
“What trick?”
“You know, it took me almost 20 minutes to go through and poke a hole in every single condom. That was a big bag and all I had was a tiny little earring. Y’all must have had big plans for getting busy!” My blood turns to ice. “Well, then anyways, I saw her going into my obgyn’s office this week, and I did the math, and it seems about right. Too bad for you, though, she's already moved on. Matt looks like he’s gonna make a great step dad.” She looks down at her imaginary watch. “Welp, that was my two minutes. Congrats!”
She walks two steps before turning around. “Do you regret it yet?” She’s waiting for my answer, but I don’t say anything, I don’t know whether I want to kill her or sprint to my car.
“Well, I’ll take your silence as affirmation that you do regret firing me. Have a nice life, William!” I wait till she’s driving away, then I bolt for my car. Throwing open the glove box, I pull out my old phone. Its screen is cracked to shit, but it’ll probably still work. I threw it on the driveway right after I texted Matt, then turned it off, stuffing it away and now, unfortunately for me, it’s fucking dead. Of course. I start the car, plugging the phone in to charge and fly back into the office, picking up my laptop bag and wallet.
“Tim, I’m leaving. Won’t be back. Lock up tonight, and you’re in charge tomorrow.” I don’t even wait around to hear if he acknowledges me. I throw all my shit into the passenger side of the car and tear out of the worksite. Come on phone, turn on.
By the time I get to the highway, the phone comes back to life. It’s like a symphony of notifications. What the hell? 156 missed calls, 43 text messages. I only give a fuck about one person, though. I open up messages and go straight to her name. The last text was almost a week ago, but there are several paragraph-length texts before that.
Bambi
Liam, please come back. If you’d just let me explain, you wouldn’t have left. I hadn’t gotten over Matthias, but then I ran into you, and somehow, some way, you made me forget about him more and more with each passing day until I realized I don’t think I ever actually loved him. I love you. I love you more than I’ve ever loved anyone in my entire life. It’s only ever been you.
Bambi
I’m at the hospital. Getting an MRI and ultrasound, but thought you should know that I’m pregnant. Will let you know if I miscarry from the concussion.
Bambi
Matthias told me you went to Sonoma, so I guess you’re not lying in a ditch somewhere dead. Was it something I did? Is there someone else? Or did you just realize you made a mistake being with me, asking me to marry you? I always thought I probably wasn’t good enough for you, guess I know that’s true now.
Bambi
Still haven’t miscarried FYI. Also still wondering why you left me, why you just fucking left me. I should tell you that I only said yes to marrying you because I already knew I was pregnant.
But that would be a lie. The only person I’d be fooling is myself. I knew I was pregnant when you asked me, but I said yes because I thought you were the love of my life. Guess I really am the fool.
Bambi
It’s safe to assume enough time has passed now that this wasn’t just some big misunderstanding. I hear you loud and clear, you don’t want me and you don’t want our baby, well, my baby now.
Bambi
Week 8, baby is the size of a raspberry. They have a nose, lips, and eyelids too and I was able to hear their heartbeat at my appointment this week. 160 bpm, that’s good. I assume you’ve probably blocked my number at this point, but this way, no one will ever be able to say I didn’t let you be part of this. I tried. Don’t worry though, I’ll never ask you to show up and I’ll never beg for your attention, for either one of us. We don’t need you, not anymore.
Bambi
Week 9, baby is the size of a green olive. Not too many changes for the baby, but next week they officially become a fetus. Unfortunately for me, though, morning sickness has hit, and so has the fatigue. Luckily I’m back in Viriginia and Jess has been taking care of me. She brings me ginger ale and pedialyte and peels me off the bathroom floor. I also had to let the girls know that I’m pregnant, not sick. They’re having a hard time understanding why the father doesn’t want anything to do with it. I won’t sugarcoat it for them, though. I just hope they’ll learn from my mistakes.
Bambi
Week 10, baby is the size of a prune. Baby is forming teeth and bones this week. I’ve gotten the morning sickness a little bit more under control now, which is good because I’m packing up the Virginia house this week. The girls are in Disney World, but thankfully I’ve got helpers. Sandy and Matthias are both here. I've gotten to show them around D.C. a bit, but mostly they’re helping me get the house in order for the big move. I won’t tell you where I’m going, you’d ask if you cared, but who knows, maybe we’ll see you around some day.
Bambi
Week 11, baby is the size of a strawberry. They have little fingers and toes now, no more webs. Next week’s a big one, I’ll get to see baby at my ultrasound. It'll be the first time since the ones I had at the hospital 5 weeks ago. I wasn’t sure we’d make it this far after my head injury, but we’re almost out of the first trimester, thanks to a little help from our friends. We also have a new OB now. Decided to keep it in the family, so Uncle Silas will get to deliver this little one. We’re moving in and unpacking this week, and it’s all hands on deck. All the Scala boys, Alex, Sandy, Jim, even Rick and Carly showed up, but not you, huh? Nope.
That’s alright we don’t need you, plenty of other people happy and willing to fill your shoes. Hope you had a great fourth of July in Sonoma.
No, no, no, no, no. “FUUCCKKKK!”