Chapter 13

Two months later

Coming home from work I found Katie, Rose, and Erastus at my house. They probably used Laura's key to enter and here they were in my living room drinking wine like it's not weird at all. "Do I need to call 911 that there are intruders in my house or am I getting an explanation?" I asked in a joking way and all they did was look at each other and laugh. "We were just leaving. Laura let us in and we just wanted to have one of your wines since you don't drink anymore." Katie said while standing to leave. Of course, I stood in her way and told her no one is leaving until they tell me what they're doing in my house. I love my friends to death but they can be crazy. I know they were up to something, but I couldn't put my finger on it.

I stared at them and they returned the stare as if they were expecting me to say something. They put on their innocent faces as if they did something wrong and found themselves in the principal's office. I gave up because I know I won't get anything out of them by playing nice. I needed a plan.

I went to get juice from the fridge and joined them in the lounge. They started talking about Katie's wedding preparations, which was a month away like they weren't in my house for God knows why. I drank my juice growing more and more impatient by the second that I decided to get creative. "So, Rose, you and Erastus set the date yet?" I asked. "No. We have to go see my parents first, the following weekend.

After I told them about the engagement they wanted to see us, but there's no rush." she replied.

"Erastus, do I need to tell Rose something she doesn't know about you yet or are you going to tell me why the three of you are in my house?" I asked with a serious look. Rose sent a questioning glare towards Erastus and I smirked. "I can't," Erastus said. I flashed him a wicked smile but before I could utter another word, he said he would rather show me and led me upstairs. That was easier than I expected. I followed him to one of the guest rooms with Rose and Katie right behind me. Even though I had a questioning look on my face, I followed quietly. I don't even know how they know which rooms are the guest rooms, then I remembered that Laura was part of this. Whatever it is.

Katie covered my eyes with her hands, probably because she knew I would close my eyes if she told me to. The last time I was told to close my eyes and I did, it didn't end too well. It was back in high school, my 18th birthday when Erastus put a snake on my bed. He knew I was afraid of snakes but he still did it. I was so mad that I didn't talk to him for weeks. I didn't celebrate my birthday until I was 21 because of that day. He organized my 21st birthday and that was when I forgave him. That's why I hate surprises till today.

We entered the room, with her hands still covering my eyes. The suspense was killing me. "Guys, you know I hate surprises!" I protested. Rose immediately replied telling me that I will love this one. It wasn't entirely convincing but I had to trust them. She finally removed her hands, I couldn't believe my eyes. They have decorated the room into a nursery. Everything in the room was white and it was filled with many stuffed animals. By just looking around I could feel tears forming in my eyes and as much as I tried to hold them back, I failed to.

They hugged me one by one and I wiped away my tears. I have the best friends in the whole wide world. My mom and my siblings live in New York, so ever since I moved to California, Erastus, Katie, and Rose are the family I had here. They decided to leave, and after seeing them off I found myself crying again. They did something Evan and I were supposed to do together, but I am happy they did. I barely see Evan and honestly, I could care less. I went to bed happy and grateful for the friends I have. Sometimes I ask myself how I got so lucky to have them for friends. I couldn't be more grateful for them.

The following day, I came from work and found Suzanne's car parked outside our house. The engine was still rolling and she was inside. I paid no attention to her and headed inside. Trust me when I tell you that I experience disrespect every day of my life. I got to the lounge and I could hear arguments coming from upstairs. It was Laura and her father and I am not surprised. I am used to being on the receiving end of Laura's tantrums and complaints but it looks like she is giving some to her father as well. I put my bag down and I saw Evan coming downstairs buttoning up his shirt and saying, "I already told you that I will be busy tomorrow, why don't you ask your mother? "

Shortly after him, Laura came down with sadness on her face. "Dad, Lizzy is super busy too and she came last time. The Principal asked me to bring a parent with me to school tomorrow. Please dad." she said pleading. I had no idea what type of trouble Laura got herself into, but when a parent is needed at school, it smells trouble. "Laura, I won't be able to make it because I have more important things to do tomorrow. I have to go," he said and turned just to realize I was home so he stopped in his tracks. "Where are you going dad and who is that lady in the car outside? Is she waiting for you ?" Laura asked. I was waiting to see how he was going to answer those questions. "That is none of your business Laura," he shouted so loud that Laura flinched by the way he said it. "Don't you dare talk to a child like that!" I intervened.

"Don't tell me how I can and can't talk to my daughter. She is my daughter," he said. I replied, "Is that your way of telling me she is not my daughter? Well I know she is your daughter, and I don't know who she ever wronged to get you for a father. Being her father doesn't give you the right to shout at her just because she asked you questions you didn't like. I also want to know where you are hurrying to."

I asked Laura to go to her room because I didn't want her to be a part of all of this. Evan never saw himself having this conversation because he looked like he was in a hurry to leave before I got home. This is probably what he does every day, come home to change while I am at work since I don't see him anymore. Looks like luck wasn't on his side today since I left work early. "I have work to do," he said shortly and I couldn't help but laugh. "Is it the work that is in the car parked in my driveway?" I asked sarcastically while removing my shoes. I started to rub my feet because they were swollen. He didn't answer my question, he just sat opposite me while doing something on his phone.

"If you got somewhere to go, just pack a suitcase. That way I don't have to see your face at my house. Firstly you brought her into my house for dinner and now you have her waiting for you outside. That just shows how you have zero respect for me, for Laura, and our marriage. Wow! Why don't you choose one? I think you already chose her so leave once and for all and we will get a divorce." I said as I stood up and headed for the kitchen. "Divorce?" he said. I don't even know if it was a statement or a question. I continued walking, took a glass of milk, and headed back to the living room. A part of me hoped that I find him gone because I never thought there'd be a day where we would talk about divorce. Finding him still in the living room made me realize there is a day we will talk about it and it was today.

"Liz, why are you talking about divorce? You are not thinking of filing for divorce, are you?" he asked. I seriously played this conversation over and over in my head and it looks like it was happening. Like right now. If I wasn't pregnant then I would probably need a beer for this conversation. "I am not just thinking of it, I have decided to do it. Why do you sound surprised? You thought I would just sit at home and wait for the day you decide to come home? To just be here waiting for you to finally grow up and realize that you have a daughter and a five-month pregnant wife at home? Looks like you overestimate my level of patience." I concluded already getting angry. He kept quiet for a while staring at his phone.

Next thing I am hearing a car starting and driving off from our driveway. I guess he told Suzanne to leave without him. I drank my milk in silence, ignoring the fact that he was looking at me. "Are you sure? I mean, what about the kids. They will probably be the ones greatly affected by this?" he asked. I felt that pain like a knife being driven to my heart. Here I was talking about divorce with my husband and he is asking me to consider just for the kids. Looks like he was alright with it.

"I am very much aware that Laura will be affected but as far as the baby is concerned, he won't even know what happened. What about you, will you be affected by the divorce, because last time I checked I didn't marry the kids, I married you. It seems like you are good with the divorce." I said. I was so close to crying but I seriously just couldn't cry in front of him. I have made up my mind that I am filing for divorce, but I guess there was still a part of me that hoped that he would want to save our marriage. That little glimpse of hope got me heartbroken again.

"Of course I will be affected. I know you Liz, and I know that once you make up my mind, there is no turning back. I am using the kids as an excuse because I know that I can not change your mind. But before you do that, please just think of how many people are going to be affected by this." he said. He was being sincere, but I didn't buy it. "Think about everyone? What do you think I have been doing putting up with you not sleeping at home and bringing Suzanne to our house from time to time? You know very well that every Sunday we have lunch with your family but I have been covering up for you for months giving some very stupid excuses. I think about everyone else but for once I am choosing myself and my happiness. No one around here seems to realize that I do exist or that I have feelings at all. You thought you could just keep me at home like a trophy while you go out there? No sir! We get a divorce and you will be free to do whatever you want with whoever you want to do it with. You can't have it your way and have both a wife and a girlfriend, at some point, you have to choose one. It is very clear who you chose so I don't even know why we are still having this conversation." I said. I don't know where I got the strength to say all of that but I felt pretty damn good about myself.

"You want a divorce, Liz? Fine, but know for sure that I am not going to divorce you," he said. I looked at him hard because I was meeting this dumb version of him for the first time. "Look, it's not really up to you. We can do this the easy way or we can go to court. The ending is the same in any case anyway." I said and walked away to my room. I was tired and heartbroken and I just wanted to be alone. Never in a million years did I ever think I'd be where I am today: pregnant and going through a messy divorce.