Chapter 31

Tristen

"So where are we going for dinner?" Heather asked eagerly as she looked out of the window at the bustling city.

"I found a new Chinese restaurant downtown" She nodded and kept staring out of the window deep in thought. She wasn't herself.

We stopped at the restaurant. I booked a table a few hours earlier so as soon as we entered we were seated. We started chatting, we chatted about all the things that we were facing in our lives. I told her about the hardship of juggling Maya and my job and that it is tricky to do, she talked about her nightmares.

"Heather, I know you feel pain and I want to help. I talked to a therapist." I stated sipping on my wine.

"Therapist?"

"Yeah, he is a friend of mine. I don't think you're crazy sis, you just need to talk to someone outside of the situation and not family."

"Uhm." She looked jittery, I didn't want to freak her out. She was already in a porcelain state, one little thing would break her.

"You don't have to go." With that, she sprung up and ran to the bathroom, while covering her mouth. She was going to be sick again. I shifted nervously in my seat. I really hope she isn't becoming sick since she denies being pregnant (still don't believe her) she most likely had a stomach bug. Not exactly the way anyone would like to use their break.

After a few minutes, she came back and looked pale.

"No dessert then," I stated and she sighed.

"When I got that smell of fish I just couldn't keep it in. I hate being sick," I gave her a sympathetic smile. I paid for dinner and we left. I remembered that I had to pick up some diapers so I stopped at the shop. I never planned on becoming a father but so far I had to admit it was the best feeling in the world and when Maya smiles at me, I melt like butter.

I looked at her as she slumped back, wretched images of her limp body in the hospital room filled my mind. I understand why she needs a break and why my friend could help her, it was bad for me but it must've been much worse for her.

"I have to run to into the shop, are you going to be okay?" she nodded. I entered the shop and then I found the diapers and remembered I needed some milk. I walked through another isle and stopped. I wondered if I should or shouldn't. I grabbed the pink package anyways, better to know than not. I paid quickly, the cashier gave me a questioning look and I just shrugged.

I got back to the car and drove home. Heather stayed quiet. We walked to my apartment, I unlocked the door slowly. Maria was sitting on the couch watching television softly. She smiled when she saw us. I greeted her and felt my heart beginning to speed up, after all the years that I knew her she still had an effect on me. I couldn't react to it because she was happily engaged and going to get married in a month.

I hugged her tightly after she grabbed her bag. I eventually let go pushing back the yearning of just kissing her.

"I've bathed her and fed her. She is just an angel and is sleeping now. She's saving the best for later." I chuckled softly.

"Absolutely, she's my 4 AM wakeup call," Heather said goodbye to Maria and muttered something about undressing so she could get some sleep.

I dressed in my pj's, I walked to Heather's door knowing she isn't asleep yet and knocked.

She opened the door and gave me a half-hearted smile.

"Are you going to try and make me go to that therapist?"

I shook my head. "No, you can decide that for yourself. It is not my place to force you but I need you to do me a favor." I clenched the pink packet behind my back.

"Yeah sure, what favor?" I pulled the packet from behind my back and gave it to her, she studied the packet and sighed.

"So you really think I'm pregnant.  This is strange. My big brother asking me to take a pregnancy test. If it comes back negative will you not mention it again?" I nodded.

"I know this is weird but if you are then you at least know."

She sighed, she opened the door to her room so I could go in, she took out the test and went to the bathroom playfully wiggling her eyebrows at me.

I would be so happy if she's pregnant. I was mad at Nichola when she was pregnant and now happy if Heather is but, to be honest, Nichola did it purely to trap poor Alex. Heather and Gabriele have this true love and if they have a baby I know he or she would've been made out of love and not used to trap into marriage. Heather and Gabriel were anyways going to wait for a while before actually getting married. My parents would be so happy too because they get another grandbaby and my father said and I quote-" Those two will be together until the end of time" and if my father said that you know that it is damn well the truth.

I waited a few minutes then she came out with the test.

"It's says I should wait 3 minutes before it will give me an indication." She placed the stick on the table.

"Okay, then I'm going to make us something to drink. What do you want?" I walked to the kitchen turning on the kettle. She sat down on the couch.

"Some tea please, so you and Maria?" I grunted, not again, my sister doesn't want to let it go.

"Maria and I...we're just friends like I said." Complete lie. She and I dated in university but it ended because we would graduate and go our separate ways, a few years later we met up again and it was an exhilarating feeling and some of the most amazing memories but it fell apart so we agreed on friends. We both knew that friends weren't going to last long and we would be at it again. We both got into other relationships to forget, her relationship was now headed for marriage and mine ended in heartbreak.

"Oh... friends." I handed her the cup and we both drank our teas in silence. We headed back to her room and I was eager to know. Even though she is my baby sister I would love to see her and Gabriele starting a family of their own.

She picked it up and smiled.

"Nope, not pregnant." She gave me the stick which I took with my index and thumb because yeah still my sister's pee on there. Just like she said it was negative.

"Well, I guess you have the flu then. Tomorrow I'll grab something at the pharmacy for you." She rolled her eyes.

"I'll get something myself. , you have work. Thanks for looking out for me." Her voice broke at the last part, I embraced her in a hug.

"I'll always be here for you sis." She let go of me and took a deep breath before saying goodnight. I still had the stick so I went to the kitchen to get a napkin to throw it away in before washing my hands.

Well, maybe it is for the best, or maybe it was too early to detect it. I sat on my bed and then I heard my phone vibrating. I quckly picked it up.

"Tristen Jackson, hello."

"Hello," It was Gabriele.

"Don't tell me, you want to check on her again but you don't want to bother her so you are calling me again?"

"Yes kind of, how's she doing?"

"Don't stress it. She is doing very well."

"Oh, I just miss her, Luca too and it's strange for us. You know for six years I didn't need a woman, I didn't need a companion and then she fell into my life and it feels like I can't live without her." I heard him sigh, I hate being the mediator.

I have been up since 4 AM and as I mentioned Maya had a pair of lungs on her so I spent a good hour feeding her and trying to get her back to sleep. I walked up and down the apartment rocking her back and forth. I was tired and had to work later but I kept pacing until she was finally asleep. I smiled as she cuddled up in her crib when she finally fell asleep.

I sighed and made myself some coffee, I heard Heather in the bathroom throwing up.

"Are you okay sis?" A few seconds after some more gut-churning noises were heard. She opened the door.

"I hate being sick and this is just ridiculous." I shook my head walking to my coffee, sat beside me and poured herself one.

"I've been thinking, I think I should go to that therapist" I smiled.

"That would be great and I have the morning off so you could go." It was just after 7 AM when I called Joshua and after I called my work.

"Hi, so what you up to?"He greeted. We've been friends for years and I am so thankful that he agreed to help me coach her into this.

"You know, just the joy of changing diapers. Do you remember what I told you about my sister?"

"Yeah, she's already there right? I am free today so you can send her in."

"Yeah, she is. Thanks again for seeing her I'll give her the address." He said goodbye, I dressed and when I stepped into Maya's room, Heather was playing with her since she woke up again.

"She just doesn't want to sleep," I muttered.

"Because she was uncomfortable and had a wind. She's fine now and will most likely fall asleep soon." I dug in my pocket for Joshua's card.

I pulled it out and handed it to her.

"My friend's address and number." She thanked me and continued to play with Maya until she fell asleep.

I hope Heather will be okay.