Heather's POV
"You're pregnant?!" I was shocked. Elisse just called all of us after a week and told us about this shocking news. "How did it happen?"
"What do you mean? You know how it happened!" Elisse frustratingly pointed out.
"No. I mean... I thought you're on pills."
"Well... I was drunk."
I rolled my eyes. I know Elisse might be the oldest among us all but right now, I felt she is like a teenager who was knocked up by a random guy.
"It's Jax." She said simply as if she read my mind.
"Who's Jax?" asked Trudy who just came out of the bedroom, yawning. She went straight to the bathroom without hearing the reply.
It was nine in the morning on a Saturday. We were all supposed to be headed to Jane's beach house in East Hampton, New York, when Elisse dropped the bomb to us.
"He's my... boyfriend?"
"Why does it sound like you're not even sure?"
"Well... we didn't have labels yet."
"What?! You've been f-ng this guy and you don't even know what's the status of your relationship? You're going to be parents, for godsakes, not just f-ng buddies!"
"Hey!" Elisse warned, her eyes wide. "Watch it!"
I held my hands in surrender.
"Okay, okay. But don't you even think about what you're going to do after you give birth?"
"Well... I am not sure.."
"C'mon, Elisse. This is a child, for godsakes! It is not something you can give away after you give birth."
"I am not planning to give it away, Heather," she stressed. "I'm keeping it... and it doesn't matter if Jax wanted it or not."
I stared at Elisse. She looked determined in her decision. Confident as she is, I knew that in the back of her mind, it was so hard to raise a child all by herself. Not that she cannot do it because I truly believe she can, but having no one to model it to was hard.
I remember her telling us in college that she lost her parents at a very young age and that she was adopted by an older couple who eventually passed away as well. That alone was very painful and yet, she endured everything. She didn't give us all the details on how they die. She said she did not want to recall those painful memories, but I know how it felt. I know how hard it was not having your parents to guide you and I was just lucky enough to have three older siblings who were responsible enough to help me get through life.
That reminded me of a meeting with Nathaniel a few days ago. He came down here from our house in Rockland for me to meet his new girlfriend, Anastasia Bradford.
"How did you meet her?" I recalled asking him. He was really happy that his smlie reached the tip of his ears.
"I used to have a crush on her in college," he replied. I could see in his eyes how much in love he was with this woman.
I just nodded as I looked at my brother closely. Nathaniel was two years older than me and he took a degree in fine arts in Chicago. I remember feeling so sad when he decided to move away. Among my brothers, he was the one closest to me, and that time I felt like I was losing my best friend. He is the first one to know everything. My crush, my heartbreak... and he was also the one that almost beat up Tom for being an a*hole. Now that he found the one, I couldn't be happier for him.
"When can I meet her?" I asked.
He looked at his watch and then to me. Before he can utter a word, someone came in through the door of the restaurant. He smiled as his eyes focused on that person and I creased my brows as I turned my head to look.
"Ana," called Nathaniel and he stood up from his chair as he walked towards the woman with long blonde hair with a gentle smile. She looked like a Greek goddess with that white flowy dress that hits her knees. She lifted her arms as my brother enveloped her within his strong arms. He kissed her on the lips and then, turned towards me. He whispered something to her and she laughed.
"Heather, meet Ana, my one and only little sister," Nathaniel introduced.
I stood up to take offer my hand and she took it.
"It's nice to finally meet you, Heather," she said, her blue eyes sparkled as she spoke. I couldn't help but notice how lucky my brother is to find such a beautiful young maiden who actually liked him.
I smiled at the thought. Nathaniel has always been shy around girls and had never had a serious girlfriend before. Now, meeting Ana, I knew she is a good match to him. She looked like someone who could be a great encourager to my brother.
We were about to sit in the chairs when suddenly my phone rang. It was Drake. I excused myself from them and took the call.
"Where are you?" I asked. He was supposed to meet me half an hour ago but he never texted nor called. I told him beforehand that I will be meeting one of my brothers in the café near my job and he was supposed to meet me there.
"Hey, Heather! Look, sorry I won't be able to come. Something came up. Maybe I can meet them next time."
"What? But-"
"I'm really sorry," and he hung up.
I looked at my phone, wondering why the hell he backed out with this meeting when we had agreed a frw days ago to meet Nathaniel. He was the ine who insisted to meet my brother.
"Shit!" I cursed loudly as I came back in. I saw my brother and Ana looked at me with concern.
"Are you okay?" Nathaniel asked as I came in the door and plopped down in my seat across them.
"Yeah," I replied. I should not be feeling disappointed and the meeting was more because of business, and yet, I could not hide what I felt to my brother.
"What happened?" Nathaniel asked. "Who was that?"
As protective as he was, he would not stop until I told him everything. I sighed. I glanced a bit over to Ana. Though she looked nice, I still felt uncomfortable telling her the details of my life. Although it was not exactly that interesting since Drake was not even my boyfriend yet- wait! coreection, HE IS NOT MY BOYFRIEND AT ALL.
'Stop this nonsense, Heather!' I scolded myself.
Realizing that, I forced a smile and said, "Sorry, Nathan. It was nobody. Just some guy I know."
"Some guy, huh?" and my brother smirked. I narrowed my eyes at him, suddenly knwoing what he was thinking.
"He's a friend. Red's friend to be exact."
"And who's Red?"
"Sheesh! Nath, can we talk about this next time? Sorry, Ana. My brother is just annoying."
"No, don't worry about me. But Nath, I think we should stop probing for now, okay?"
"I'm sorry, Lil Sis. It's been a while since I heard a guy's name from you so I'm just super curious."
"Of course! As always!" and I rolled my eyes. "Anyway, why don't we start ordering food. I'm getting a bit hungry. My treat this time."
"Ohhh! That's a first. Is there something to celebrate?"
"Yes. I got an offer from Lee Publishing Company. I would soon publish my very first novel!"
"Amazing! That is really something to celebrate."
"Congratulations!" Ana greeted.
"Thank you. Now, let me call the waitress."
We soon ordered our food. I watched my brother and his girlfriend as they sat side by side, looking at the menu. I smiled, happy that he finally found someone he loved. But then I wonderedd why I suddenly felt disappointednot having Drake around.
Maybe I teally enjoyed his company si much that not having him around for just one day made me miss him.
This is terrible! I should not be feeling this way towards him even though he might be gorgeous and-
'Shit!' I almost cursed loudly.
I never knew he had that impact to me. Could I be falling for him already? But... he's not even my type. Will it even be worth it? What if I hurt myself again just like with Tom?
I sighed and stared at the menu as my heart continued to feel disappointed. It suddenly felt hollow as I glanced on the seat beside me. Soon I found myself wishing that one day I would be like my brother and his girlfriend, happily in love.