Tattoos & Unicorns Read online

  “Whatever we find out. We'll find out together. I want to be there with you. Good news, or bad.”

  “Are you sure?”

  He nodded his head, his forehead now resting against mine.

  “All in, remember?” He whispered.

  “All in.” I whispered back.

  TWENTY

  MORGAN, AND I WERE sitting at the kitchen table the following morning eating cereal. Owen was still asleep. After our long talk last night, and with what happened to his father I knew that he could really use the rest. He took my pregnancy a lot better than I thought he would. Most men probably would have run for the hills, when their girlfriend of only a month tells him she's pregnant.

  I was scrolling through my phone, while shoveling peanut butter crunch into my mouth. I was googling pregnancy, and birth control.

  “Maybe I drank too much?” I asked aloud. “It says here that I could have thrown the pill up before it had time to do it's thing.”

  “I have a serious question.” Morgan said, tapping her spoon against her chin in thought.

  “Can you get pregnant if only one person cums? Because if that's the case, there is no way this baby is Derek's.”

  “Morgan!” I said, trying to hide my laughter. “What if Owen heard you!”

  “Owen did hear her.” He said, as he rounded the corner. “I actually think it's kind of funny.

  He leaned down to give me a kiss.

  “We don't have that problem.” He winked.

  “TMI!” Morgan said, as she stood to put her bowl into the sink.

  “Oh please!” I teased. “Are we corrupting your virgin ears?”

  “Har, har, har.” She said, before turning to face us. “So? What are your plans for the day?”

  “We're going to the women's clinic so that I can get a blood test done. I'm hoping they can tell me when I conceived.”

  “I still can't believe you've gotten yourself into this mess.”

  “Hey!” I said, with offense.

  “What? You aren't the kind of woman who doesn't know who her baby daddy is.”

  “It's not like I was messing around! And I was on the pill the entire time. Owen, and I even used protection. Well, after the first time any way.”

  “You usually aren't so irresponsible.”

  “I'm not irresponsible!”

  “Stop stressing my baby mama out.” Owen teased, as he sat down beside me at the table with a bowl of his own.

  “You mean your maybe baby mama.” Morgan pointed out.

  “Thank-you Morgan. I love thinking about the fact that I could be carrying Satan's spawn.”

  “So stop thinking about it.” Owen said. “As far as I'm concerned, he never even has to know.”

  I turned towards him then with question in my eyes.

  “What are you saying?”

  “I'm saying that I meant what I said last night. I'm all in. This baby is ours, even if it isn't.”

  I started to cry softly then, and I wiped my tears with my hands.

  “Stupid hormones.” I sniffled.

  “Your plan sounds almost perfect.” Morgan said, ruining the sweet moment.

  “She's right.” I sighed. “Derek already knows.”

  “You told him before me?” Owen asked, with genuine hurt.

  “No moron!” Morgan said, as she sat down directly across from him. “He's the reason that Ronnie even suspected that she was pregnant. He put the idea into her head, and then she had no choice but to run with it. And by the way she described it, he seemed almost happy with himself.”

  “I don't know what you ever saw in that guy.” Owen grumbled.

  “I was young, and foolish. I told you how I felt about myself back then.”

  “I know, Unicorn.” Owen sighed. “I just wish things didn't have to be so damn complicated all the time. Derek's already taken my family's business, I can't let him take you too.”

  “I will never get back together with that man.” I reassured him.

  “Even if the baby's his?”

  “Even if.”

  “I hate to point out the obvious here, but doesn't this solve all of your problems?” Morgan asked.

  “Which problems exactly?”

  “Owen needs a wife to keep his family's business. He also needs a baby. You've already got one of the two.”

  “No.” Owen said. “I can't just ask Ronnie to marry me under false pretenses.”

  “So... you don't love her?”

  “Of course I do.” He sighed.

  “Then what's the problem? Put a ring on it, save your family's business and live happily ever after.”

  “Derek will demand a paternity test.” I said. “And if this baby is his... he'll never let me be happy.”

  “Make sure it isn't his then.”

  “What a great idea! Let me just go back in time, and not sleep with him. Anyone have a spare flux capacitor laying around?”

  “Sarcasm is not an attractive trait.” She said, rolling her eyes.

  “Neither is butting into someone else's life.” I countered.

  “Alright, I get it. I'll back off.” She said, putting her hands up. “Just promise me you'll think about it.”

  “Fine.” I said, just to appease her.

  “I'm heading to Sew New today to finalize a few of the design elements. Will you be home for dinner?”

  “I think so.”

  “Great. Text me after you see the doctor.”

  Morgan had given me a lot to think about. I guess I didn't read into Derek's reaction yesterday in the same way that she did. Looking back, he did seem like he'd just won the lottery. Maybe he was just hoping to stick it to Owen? Whatever the reason, I found myself needing to know.

  After Owen helped me clean up the kitchen the two of us took showers, and got dressed for the day. I was surprised to see a duffle bag at the end of my bed this morning with his clothes in it. I hadn't even seen him bring it up. Come to think of it, I wasn't even sure where he was staying right now. He was supposed to be at his dad's place, but since his death I don't think he's been back there.

  When we had finished getting ready, the two of us headed downstairs. I didn't have an appointment set up, but from what I've read online the women's center takes walk ins for these kinds of situations. The drive was only about twenty minutes, and as much as I wanted to take the motorcycle Owen advised against it.

  I let him drive, because my mind was all over the place. I was nervous, and I was scared. I wanted so badly for this baby to be Owen's. Derek, and I were over. There was no going back, and I couldn't imagine co-parenting with someone like him. He'd probably have a different woman every week parading through our child's life.

  When it came to character, and integrity Derek Wells had none. I may not have known Owen for very long, but the way that he conducts himself tells me a lot about the kind of man he is. First and foremost he's honest. He's never lied to me, and I definitely can't say that about Derek. He's also always told me like it is, even if I didn't want to hear it.

  We pulled into the women's center, and I felt like I wanted to vomit. I said a silent prayer hoping, and wishing against all odds that this baby was Owen's. That he or she was healthy, and that Owen and I could get through whatever happens today, together.

  “I'm googling pregnancy and motorcycle safety as soon as we get in the waiting room.” I said, in an attempt to lighten the mood.

  “Noted.” He laughed.

  “Are you nervous?”

  “A little. You?”

  “A little.”

  He reached over to grab my hand, and smiled.

  “All in, Unicorn.”

  “All in.”

  The two of us walked inside hand, in hand. As messed up as the situation was, I was glad to be going through it with someone like Owen. He had a calming effect on me, sometimes just seeing him was enough to make me feel better.

  I filled out all the necessary paperwork, and shortly after they brought us both back to a room. I
was instructed to pee in a cup, and then a nurse came in to draw my blood. She asked about my last menstrual cycle, but I told her that I hadn't missed any. She said it wasn't as uncommon as most people may think.

  My urine test came back positive, and since I didn't know my conception date they gave me the option of getting a vaginal ultrasound. I chose to do it, and a few minutes later an ultrasound technician came into the room with a rolling cart. She explained what she'd be doing, and then she asked me to go into the bathroom to change into a gown.

  When I returned, Owen was talking to the technician about his tattoos. I shook my head giving him a knowing look, and he shrugged his shoulders. I couldn't take this man anywhere without him being ogled by a pretty woman.

  I laid back on the bed, and Owen moved his chair so that he could sit beside me. He held my left hand, while the tech stood to my right. I watched as she adjusted the knobs with ease, and Owen gave my hand a little squeeze.

  “I still don't understand how this happened.” I said, to no one in particular.

  “You were on the pill?” The technician asked.

  “I was. I am. I mean I never missed a dose.”

  “Sometimes thinks happen the way that they're supposed to happen.” She smiled. “Are you ready?”

  I nodded my head, and she asked me to place my feet up on the stirrups so that she could insert the wand. It was uncomfortable for sure, but not as bad as I was expecting. It wasn't long until I heard a swooshing sound that she told us was the baby's heart beat. She took measurements, and different images at different angles, and when she finished she left the room so that I could get cleaned up.

  When I reemerged from the bathroom with my clothing back on, Owen stood to pull me into his arms. I let myself relax against him, inhaling his familiar scent.

  “Are you alright?” He asked, softly.

  I nodded against him as a tear slid down my cheek.

  “Knock, knock.” A male's voice said from the other side of the door before pressing it open.

  Owen and I pulled apart, and the man extended his hand to introduce himself.

  “I'm Doctor Shaw.” He said.

  Owen took his hand in a firm shake, and then I did the same. He gestured towards the chairs, and we all sat down before he opened the file he held in his hands.

  “After looking over your chart, and seeing the ultrasound images it appears that you're just under eight weeks along.”

  My heart immediately sunk into my stomach. This was Derek's baby. I crossed my arms over my belly, and tried to keep my tears from falling. I felt Owen's hand on my shoulder and then I couldn't help it. How could something that I wanted only months ago suddenly cause me so much pain? I knew in my heart that the chances of Owen being the father were slim, but it didn't change the way that I was feeling right now.

  “Are- are you sure?” I asked.

  “The vaginal ultrasounds are very accurate, Ms. Locke. Is something troubling you?”

  “I was on the pill.” I said, digging around in my purse for the small circular container. “I've never missed a dose! I have a timer on my phone. Every day at noon like clock work.”

  “May I see that?” He asked.

  “Sure.” I answered with confusion, before handing it to him.

  He turned the container over in his hands, studying it. He opened it next, and did the same with the pills. I watched as he popped one out, and flipped it over looking at it intently.

  “Where did you get these?”

  “The pharmacy. My ex always picked my prescription up for me.”

  He shook his head with concern.

  “I'm not sure what these are Ms. Locke, but they aren't birth control.”

  “Excuse me?” I asked, with disdain.

  “The packaging is mostly correct, but the pills themselves have nothing on them. No numbers, no letters. There should be something on them.”

  “I don't understand, how could something like this happen?”

  “Which pharmacy did you use?”

  “It was in Raleigh. I haven't had to refill it yet, because I have a ton of samples.”

  “Samples?”

  “My ex said that the office would give them to women who didn't have insurance.”

  “It's possible, but usually not without being seen as a patient. A man can't just walk into a center like ours and request it.”

  “Son of a bitch!” Owen said as he stood.

  He ran his hands through his hair, and shook his head with evident anger.

  “This was all him. All part of his plan to get his hands on my dad's business.”

  My eyes grew wide with understanding. Derek. Of course it was him. He admitted that he only wanted to marry me to get a leg up on Owen. If we were married, and having a baby he was a shoo-in. Would he really stoop that low though? And where the hell would he get fake birth control pills?

  Dr. Shaw stood then, and gave me a sympathetic smile.

  “I have other patients to see. If you'd like, you can set up your next appointment at the reception desk.”

  “Thank you.” I said, my own voice sounding far away.

  When he left the room I turned to look at Owen.

  “I'm so sorry.” I cried softly. “I'm sorry that this baby isn't yours, and I'm sorry that I've complicated your life so much.”

  He sighed, before dropping onto his knees in front of me. He placed his hands on either side of my face, using the pads of his thumbs to wipe my tears away.

  “None of this is your fault. Do you hear me?”

  “But-”

  “None of it.” He reiterated. “What Derek did to you was unconscionable.”

  “Owen? How can we move forward from here?”

  “One step at a time, Unicorn.”

  “How can you still want to be with me? After all of this?”

  “It took me six months before I could tell Abigail that I loved her. With you it only took me six days. When I think about what I want my life to look like you're in it. It's as simple as that.”

  He stood, reaching for my hand.

  “Come on, let's get out of here and go get some ice cream and pickles.”

  I laughed, and he tucked me into his side before kissing my temple.

  “There's that laugh I love so damn much.”

  The ride back home was silent. I knew that we were both lost in our thoughts. Both of us wanting to make things work, but neither of us really sure how. I knew that I needed to have a conversation with Derek, and it honestly terrified me. If he was willing to replace my birth control pills with placebos, what else was he capable of?

  Never, in all the years that I've known him did I ever think of him as a vindictive man. It's funny how his true colors began to show after I found him cheating. I thought back to the first time he'd picked up my prescription for me. If my calculations were correct, it was nearly six months ago. Had he been exchanging my pills the entire time?

  Mister Foster said that Derek had just met him. What if that wasn't true? What if Derek knew about Mister Foster for as long as Mister Foster knew about him? He'd been looking for his father for years. It would make sense that he'd find something.

  When we arrived at my apartment a short time later, the last person that I wanted to see was Derek. Apparently the universe had other plans for me though. Before we had a chance to brush right past him, he spotted me. He was in the gym jogging on a treadmill. He smiled wide and waved me over, and all I could do was let out a little groan of frustration.

  “You think that smile was for me?” Owen teased.

  “I highly doubt it.” I rolled my eyes. “Do you think we can avoid him?”

  “I highly doubt it.”

  Sure enough, on our way to the elevator Derek came jogging towards us with a towel around his neck.

  “Fancy seeing you here.” Derek said. “Are you alright? It looks like you've been crying.”

  “I can't believe I'm saying this but... could you come by my place when you're finished up
here? We need to talk.”

  “Count on it.” He winked.

  “Fuck boy.” Owen grumbled beneath his breath, as he bumped his shoulder against Derek's.

  Derek laughed. “See you soon baby girl!” He yelled to our backs just as the elevator doors began to close.

  I leaned back against the elevator wall, and Owen's fists clenched.

  “Maybe I should just talk to Derek alone.” I said, hesitantly.

  “There's no way in hell.” He said, as the doors sprung open.

  He gestured for me to exit first, and I pulled my keys from my purse as I did. After getting us inside I tossed my bag down onto the kitchen table and opened the freezer. Finding the chocolate ice cream, I grabbed the container and then two spoons before setting it down on the counter. I handed Owen a spoon, and he smirked.

  “I can't drink.” I said, with frustration. “So this has to be the next best thing.”

  After clinking our spoons together, we sat down at the table and dug into the cool treat. I had no idea what I was going to say to Derek. But what worried me the most about our impending conversation was Owen. He practically bashed Derek's face in the last time he disrespected me. What would he do when we confronted him about switching my pills?

  Thirty minutes passed, and we'd managed to eat nearly the entire container of ice cream. I had just put the remainder back into the freezer, when someone knocked on the door. Owen stayed seated, as I made to answer it preparing for the worst. Derek was standing on the other side with a bouquet of roses in his hand, and a satisfied smile on his face.

  I opened the door wide, and ushered him inside. His smile quickly fell when he noticed Owen sitting at the table. He handed me the flowers, and I deposited them directly into the garbage can.

  “Sit down.” I said, pointing to the table.

  “What's this? An intervention?” He joked, as he took a seat across from Owen.

  I sat on the end in between them, just in case I needed to be a buffer of sorts. The two of them were staring each other down like they were about to draw guns. The amount of testosterone revving up in the room was enough to drive even the strongest woman into a tizzy. Or maybe it was my pregnancy hormones?

  “You were right.” I said, turning towards Derek. “I'm pregnant.”