Bred

“Nikki’s pregnant.”

His face dropped and he looked stunned for the first few seconds before he turned and stormed out of the room. What the fuck? Why wasn’t he coming after me with his gun? I heard the slap before I got fully back into the next room.

“You little tramp how could you shame your mother and I this way

?”

“Stan what in the world are you doing?”

Her mom tried getting between them but Stan was out for blood. I wasn’t sure what was going on, but I knew one thing, he wasn’t going to hit her again. I don’t care how angry he was.

“Whose is it?” It was then I realized my mistake. He thought she had shown up here pregnant.

When he raised his hand to go after her again I pushed him back but not too forcefully he had every right to be upset after all he was just directing his anger at the wrong person.

“Stan you misunderstood, she didn’t come here that way it’s…” Before I could finish he jumped back in again.

“You mean she met someone here and…what kind of person are you? I can’t believe I raised you…”

“Stan stop.” By now Nikki was clinging to me and crying her heart out, I felt like such a failure in that moment I’d promised her that all would be well and I fucked up.

“It’s okay baby it’s going to be fine hush now this isn’t good for the baby.” Her mom heard my words and there was a deep inhalation of breath, Stan still had blood in his eye and didn’t seem to be processing things too well.

“Oh Nicola.” Her mom hung her head not exactly in shame but in disappointment it was clear.

“Kids go on out back stay away from the pool but there’re some other cool things out there for you guys to mess with.” They were already looking shellshock by what was unfolding around them and I didn’t think they needed to see any of this. After they were gone I placed Nikki on the couch but kept my body between her and her parents.

“Stan you misunderstood that whole conversation you didn’t let me finish, first let me just say the only reason I’m letting you get away with striking her is because you’re in shock but if you lay hands on her again father or not I will lay you the fuck out.” Oh yeah I’m pissed.

“This has nothing to do with you…”

“It has everything to do with me seeing as how she’s carrying my kid.”

Pamela once again drew in a breath while Stan came toward me, I guess he came to his senses before he reached me because as mad as he was he didn’t swing, he knew damn well he couldn’t take me.

The harsh words and accusations flew around the room, I let him have his say as long as his words were directed at me we were fine, her mother rung her hands and looked back and forth between her and I before walking towards her but I got between them.

“She’s my daughter Jeremy.”

“Yeah and she’s carrying mine the next one to hit her is fucked.”

“I’m not going to hit her she needs comforting.” I looked back at Nicola and she was curled up in a ball rocking back and forth.

I let her pass but kept an eye on her as I turned back to face her irate husband.

“Fuck this, she’s old enough she doesn’t need your permission I’m sorry but that’s just the truth, I’m sorry that you’re disappointed but that should be aimed at me not her and calling her those fucked up names doesn’t say much about you as her father. Nikki is going to be fine, we’re getting married as soon as possible the only reason I haven’t done it as yet is because I wanted to do it right. Now you can either decided to be a part of our lives or not that’s your choice but what you will not do is say anything else to her that’s going to make her cry do you understand me?” he didn’t answer but he didn’t need to, he got the message.

“If you want to sit down like two adults and discuss this fine but if you’re going to rant and rave we’re done.” How did I fuck this up so royally? I wanted to go to her and take care of her all her fears had seemingly come true and I couldn’t even hold her to reassure her. Her mom was doing a good job of calming her down and she was no longer rocking back and forth, they had their heads bent together whispering. When Stan started in again with his bullshit it was his wife who jumped in and saved his ass

“Don’t be such a hypocrite Stanley how old was I when I got pregnant with Nicola?”

“Pamela…”

“No no more what’s done is done but I will not stand by and listen to you treat her this way, did you see her finger? Did you hear what Jeremy said?”

“But what about school, her life is going to be destroyed.”

“Having her didn’t destroy my life so I don’t see why having a kid should destroy hers besides she has a decent man standing beside her same as I did.” I stayed out of their little family moment and went to take Nikki out of her arms.