CHAPTER 4

Quietly Ben opened the door to Emma’s room. Slowly his eyes adjusted to the dim light of the room and he saw her lying in her bed sleeping. Carefully, he walked over to the bed and layed down next to her, wrapping his arms around her. She cuddled into him in my sleep.

A few hours later, I woke up and was shocked to be in someone’s arms. Turning over, I smiled when I saw Ben. I lay there watching him sleeping peacefully and remembered that he had wanted us to do something that night. Then I remembered the other events that had occurred that day. How could I face him? Gently, I eased my way out of his arms. He stirred and turned over in his sleep. I walked out of the room and closed the door behind me. I found Paul and Karen sitting in the lounge eating pizza.

“Hey, you’re up.” Karen said. “Feeling any better?”

“Yeah, sort of. Kaz, can I speak to you for a minute?”

“Yeah sure. Paul disappear.”

Paul crossed his arms.

“I’m not moving.”

“Kaz, we’ll go to the kitchen.”

Karen stood up and followed me to the kitchen, taking the pizza with her, much to Paul’s disgust.

“What’s up?” she asked.

“Ben’s in my bed.”

Karen smiled.

“Don’t look at me like that. I woke up and he was there. What happened?”

Karen laughed.

“He came round a bit after you went to bed. He decided he didn’t want to watch the movie with me and Paul so he disappeared into your room.”

“He must have just layed down next to me.”

“Aw, that’s so cute.”

“Yeah, I know. Kaz, how am I going to tell him?”

“I dunno babe, but he won’t leave you. He’s not that kind of guy. Ask Paul. He'd tell you the same thing."

"Yeah, but Paul doesn't know... Does he?"

Karen couldn't hide the look of guilt on her face.

“Kaz!”

“I didn’t tell him. He kinda saw the test in the bathroom and he freaked and thought it was mine.”

“Sorry, I shouldn't have yelled. Hormones."

"That's okay, hunny. Oh, Ben almost found out the same way."

My face fell.

"What?" I said emotionlessly.

“Don’t worry, he doesn’t know. He was going to go to the toilet and I remembered how Paul found out so I had to run in front of him, looking like an idiot, to hide the bin.”

“Oh, sorry.”

“Don’t worry about it.”

I sighed.

“I wish this wasn’t happening.”

“I know.”

Karen gave me a supportive hug.

“Everything will work out okay, Em.” she assured.

“I don’t think I can tell him tonight.” I stated.

"Well, if you can't then don't but don't leave it too long otherwise he’ll get upset that you didn't tell him sooner."

"Yeah, I know.” I sighed again. “I guess I’ll let you get back to your man now, before you eat all the pizza and he yells at you.”

Karen smiled.

“Everything will be okay hun. Ben loves you more than anything, you know that.”

I nodded and we made our way out of the kitchen.

"Paulie, Are you staying tonight?” Karen asked as she sat back down and threw her legs over Paul’s lap.

“I suppose I could.” he replied, cheekily.

I crept back into my room. Ben was still asleep. I sat down on my bed and gently ran my fingers along Ben's cheek. He stirred and woke up, looking up at me sleepily.

“Hey,” I whispered.

“Hey babe.” He said groggily, giving me a lopsided grin.

I leant down to kiss him.

“What time is it?” Ben asked.

“Bout half seven, I think.”

Ben looked at me wide-eyed.

“Really?”

“Yeah. Bout time you woke up sleepyhead.”

“When did you get up?” he asked.

“Fifteen ago.” I said.

“Yet you call me sleepyhead.” he teased.

I smiled. Ben sat up and rubbed his eyes before pushing his hands back through his hair.

"Are you feeling okay?" he asked.

"Yeah, why?" I asked, guardedly.

"Kaz said you had a headache earlier.”

“Yeah, I’m okay now.” ‘If you don’t count being pregnant.’ I thought. “Um, Ben, do you mind if we go to your’s tonight? Paul's staying overnight and I don't really feel like being here."

"No that's fine. Give me a few to wake up though."

I smiled mischievously and reached for the light switch. I flicked it on and the once dark room was instantly flooded with light, erasing any evidence of it formerly being unlit.

"Argh, Em, you're horrible." Ben complained, shielding his eyes.

"How can you wake up properly if you’re sitting in the dark?” I teased.

“To think I just agreed to you staying the night with me.”

“Oi!” I said, pretending to be offended.

I hit Ben on the legs.

"Ow!" Ben cried.

"I barely touched you."

"You did too. I bet I bruise."

"You will not you sook."

"I’m not a sook, you’re the sook.”

“Oh, that was mature.” I said sarcastically.

“Yeah, well, so’s this.” He said, taking a pillow from behind him and hitting me with it.

“Ow!”

“I barely touched you.”

Ben grinned.

“Alright Adams, you win.” I said, giving in.

“Yay!”

I laughed.

“Getting back to a more serious topic, there’s something I have to tell you.” I said, knowing I couldn’t keep it from him. I had to tell him.

“I can’t do serious though.” Ben joked.

“Ben, please.” I pleaded.

"Sorry. What is it?" Ben asked, going serious.

"Okay, well... I don't actually know how to tell you this, and I have no idea how you're going to take it but I have to tell you and now probably isn’t even the right time to tell you but I don’t want to have to keep anything from you but,”

"Emma?" Ben interrupted.

"Yeah?" I said, looking up from my fidgeting hands.

"You're scaring me. What is it?" he asked, sounding worried.

"Um..." For the second time that day I seemed to have forgotten how to speak.

"Do you want us to break up?" Ben asked.

"What?! No! Definitely not. Why? Do you?”

“No! I just want to know what you’re finding so hard to tell me.” he said, his voice growing with concern.

“Sorry… um… it’s just that… um…” I looked into his eyes trying to find answers to what he was thinking as I nervously bit my bottom lip. I looked away. “I’m pregnant.” I said softly.