CHAPTER 22

Dawson, Evelyn, Maverick, Sophia, and Jane all sat in the living room. Everyone's face was pale and shocked. Maverick was the first to break the silence. "Does Alexander know?" Evelyn shook her head. "Are you going to tell him?" She nodded. "Good. No matter what happened between you two he should know that he's going to be a father."

"We wanted to know if we could take the trip this weekend, with all of your permission." Dawson said. He had been by Evelyn's side all while she told everyone that she was pregnant. The grownups were all shocked and like any other parent they were also disappointed but none of them was going to turn their backs on her.

"I'll drive you two there myself." Maverick said. Dawson agreed to it. Evelyn was quiet thinking how she would tell Alexander and wondering how he would react. Would he be happy about it? Or would he be disappointed? Would he want the baby? The next day at school Evelyn was feeling better in regard to her nausea. Her mom had made her some herbal tea to ease her morning sickness. She took her prenatal vitamins and this time her food stayed down.

"I can't believe we're going to be aunts." Kristine said in a whisper as she sat in the field bleachers. Natasha sat next to her. Evelyn and Dawson sitting in front of them. Ever since yesterday Dawson had not left Evelyn's side. He knew she needed his support now more than ever.

"Have you called Alexander?" Natasha asked what everyone was thinking. Evelyn shook her head.

"No. Dawson, my father and I are going over this weekend to tell him and Matthew about it." At the mention of Matthew, Natasha's eyes twinkled. She wanted to tag along so bad but decided it wasn't the right time. They weren't going on vacation; they were going for an important matter.

"How do you think they'll react to the news?" Natasha asked once more, putting aside her feelings. This was about her best friend.

"I don't know." Evelyn said in an almost whisper as she held her tummy. Inside her was a little human being. A mixture of her and Alexander.

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The weekend came sooner than expected. Maverick was on the road by 5 in the morning. The sooner they left the earlier they would get there. It was a 5-hour drive it sounded like nothing, but traffic was always an unknown factor. "How are you feeling?" Dawson asked Evelyn from the passenger seat. Maverick had brought blankets and pillows to make the backseat more comfortable for her. Right from the start you could see that Maverick was going to be the overprotective grandpa.

"Soft." Evelyn joked as she cuddled in the blankets and pillows. They had also brought a tone load of snacks for her and to be on the safe side a barf-bag. The ride wasn't awkward or silent at all. All three talked about the baby. Gender. Names. All the basics.

"I would love to have a baby boy." Evelyn said as she caressed her belly.

"You do look like a boy-mom." Maverick added looking at her through the rear-view mirror.

"What would you name him?" Dawson asked looking back at her. Evelyn thought about it for a while.

"Leeon Alexis." She said without hesitation.

"That's a unique name." Maverick said with a chuckle.

"I've always liked that name."

"What if the baby is a girl?" Dawson asked once more. Evelyn tapped her chin thinking about that one.

"Dania Anhali." Again, she said without hesitation.

"How are you coming up with those names?" Maverick chuckled once more. He was enjoying this time she was spending with his daughter. Dawson was a nice fella too. Maverick could see clearly that Dawson still loved his daughter very deeply.

"I've thought about them since I was little. I don't know, I just like how they sound."

"The girl's name is very pretty. I hope you have a girl." Dawson said as he turned to look straight forward. "She would be as pretty as you."

"I agree with you." Maverick patted Dawson's shoulder and smiled. He looked through the rear-view mirror at his yawning daughter. "You should take a nap. We still have a couple of hours to go. We'll wake you up when we get there." Evelyn nodded and snuggled herself in the backseat. After they heard her slightly snoring Maverick spoke up.

"What exactly happened to them?" Dawson knew who he meant.

"In all honesty it was my fault Alexander left her. I said things out of context, but he took them to heart. I implanted doubt in his heart which led to him deciding it was best to leave her."

"It's not your fault. Alexander's decision was his own." Maverick was scared to know what Alexander's reaction would be. He already had a Plan B if things didn't go well. "If…" He paused. Dawson turned to look at him. Maverick sighed then continued. "I hope this doesn't happen but if Alexander's reaction isn't the one, we're expecting, I'm taking Evelyn away." Dawson opened his mouth to say something but was cut off. "Sophia, Jane and I already talked about it, and we found it would be best for her to start fresh somewhere far away from things that would remind her constantly of Alexander."

"If things turn sour like that…" Dawson turned to look back at the sleeping girl. "I would like to come with you. I will take full responsibility of Evelyn and the baby."

"We all knew you would say that." Dawson turned to look at Maverick. "And I would really appreciate it if you did come along. Evelyn is a strong woman but if Alexander were to reject her and the baby and I know for a fact that she would break apart. She would need you more than ever." Dawson nodded hoping things wouldn't have to go that route. No matter how much he loved Evelyn and wanted to be with her. Being with her under those type of circumstances wouldn't be fair for either of them. The rest of the ride was silent. Before they knew it the car was pulling up into the university. "We're here. I'll give Matthew a call, he said he would be waiting to hear from us when we arrive." Dawson nodded. He turned back and nudged Evelyn softly.

"Ev, we're here." Maverick got out of the car to make the call. Evelyn stretched out as she opened her eyes. "Good morning sleeping beauty." Evelyn smiled as she looked at him.

"Morning." She looked out the window. Maverick was talking on the phone; he looked a little upset as he hung up. "What's going on?" She asked as Maverick opened the back door and helped her out. Her legs were a little numb, so Maverick held onto her until she regained her full strength. Dawson was already standing by them.

"Matthew hasn't been able to get a hold of Alexander. But he texted me Alexander's dorm room number." Maverick said. Matthew still didn't know the reason if their visit. "You two can talk to Alexander first. I'll go meet up with Matthew." Dawson and Evelyn nodded. They headed towards the dorm rooms. Each step that brought them closer to Alexander's room, Evelyn's heart skipped a beat.

"You don't have to feel nervous." Dawson said holding her hand in his. "I'm here. You can do this." Evelyn nodded. They stood in front of Alexander's dorm room. Evelyn hesitated for a few minutes before feeling the courage to knock. Soon the door opened but Alexander wasn't the one on the other side.

"Yes?"