Awakening.

Gwen turned as she woke from a slumber that seemed to have lasted forever. Her whole body felt like pieces of cardboard stuck together with stick glue. She'd had constant morning sickness during these past days.

The light from the window made her eyes tear up when the rays penetrated her lashes.

She yawned as she stretched her body over the bed.

" Alec?" She realised she was alone when her hand landed on nothing but pillows. Alec was gone, as usual. He was spending less and less time home. He was probably busy with Freya and work and stuff...right?

Gwen patted her tummy. She frowned for a second. " Too busy for us maybe..."

She laughed at herself for being so fragile. She was probably overthinking things. " Let's get up sweetie! We have a long day ahead of us. "

Today was Freya's first review. The doctor would be telling when she'd be able to have her first surgery. They'd try to restore her facial features. Hopefully , she could be a little bit of her previous self. Alec was probably at the hospital already.

She moaned as the hot shower water released all the tension in her body. The dizziness and weakness had become a daily situation. She wasn't sure pregnancy was supposed to feel this way. Her first doctor's appointment was scheduled this Friday. She wondered whether Alec would remember or not.

If he didn't remember, then she'd just go by herself. She was trying to convince herself but it wasn't working. A sadness was slowly filling her up. She missed Alec. She missed him alot. She missed him even when he was right there. She missed his laughter, his smile , the light in his eyes. Everything.

Derrick: Everything's fine here. I'll keep you posted. The doctors are doing their best.

Alec: Thanks.

Derrick: You should talk to her.

Alec: I will.

Alec stared at his phone for a while. He was fucking spent ! He was tired of everything. Why was life so stupid? Couldn't he get a single day of rest?

" You look crazy. " He kicked the sand at his feet as he laughed at his predicament.

He was by the shore, walking barefoot , in a suit , carrying his shoes and wandering around like some loafer. It was 7 in the morning!

He faced the sea and let the breeze blow through his hair. It was probably a mess already. He hadn't had it cut in a while and now it ended just above his neck.

He looked like a bloody blonde country guy. Only thing he was missing was a guitar and a cowboy accent. The silence was beautiful but it paled in comparison to the screams he kept in his head. It was like there were hands scratching his skull from within.

It'd been two weeks since the fire. It'd been 10 days since he found out why the fire happened. And each passing day felt like hell.

At first , he didn't think his dad could stoop any lower but he had proved that he was a rare breed of asshole . One of a kind.

He was so self centered and obsessed with proving his dominance that he was willing to ruin his son's happiness. Just the thought of it made Alec's stomach turn. And Louis, what a fool !

How could be so gullible ? So naive? He'd put his family in danger . He'd put everyone in a fix. How the fuck were they supposed to fight back when the enemy was one of their own? He'd promised to rip whoever did this to pieces but how was he supposed to do that now?

How was he supposed to hurt him? When he thought about this , all he could think about was Gwen. How was he supposed to tell her about how her brother ruined his mother's life?

Would she support him? Would she stand by him? Or would she stand by her brother? He was her flesh and blood after all.

The weight of the situation was getting to him. The pressure pushed him to his knees.

" What now? What the fuck now?" He yelled as he tossed his shoes into the waves. He buried his hands in his palms and groaned.

His phone vibrated in his pocket. He took it out. It was a text from Gwen.

Gwen: Good morning. I woke up and you were gone...again.

She was probably sad. He'd been acting like quite the asshole lately. He'd leave before she was awake and get back when she was asleep. He knew this was when she needed him the most. She was carrying his baby for God's sake!

He just didn't know how to hide his emotions from her. His fear , his rage...his despair. He looked at that text and saw what lay behind it. She was lonely , confused , hoping for the best. She didn't want to push him.

Gwen had changed so much. She was so quiet , serene and sweet. She wasn't a fire cracker anymore.

Their fist meeting was glued in his mind. Her red dress and her fierce eyes. Beautiful.

He'd honestly prayed to have her in his life and now that he did , he was ignoring her. That wasn't right. He had to try. For her.

Alec: Dinner tonight ? I promise to make it up to you.

Gwen stared at her phone blankly. For some reason , she was upset.

" Lying ass! He'll probably stand me up! " She pouted and texted back.

Gwen: ...

' That should keep him thinking. 'She sent the text with a satisfied grin on her face.

" I don't know if coffee is good for you in such a condition. So I'm getting you a healthy strawberry milkshake. " Leo's voice echoed from his kitchen.

" Sure...that will do. " She tried to collect her thoughts. She had to stop thinking about Alec. She was here for an entirely different purpose...but how? How could she stop herself?

" You're glowing. " Leo handed her the milkshake and sat adjacent from her.

" Fucking liar. " She rolled her eyes at him and sipped her milkshake. It was heavenly. She closed her eyes and let the lactose embrace her taste buds.

" Alright , you got me. You're moody and you look like shit. " Leo laughed.

" It's just the morning sickness and random mood swings. " She sighed and placed the cup down.

" Leo. " She cleared her throat and prepared herself to give him the greatest Peptalk of all time. " I have something very important to discuss with you. "

She even slowed down her speaking. Under no circumstances was she going to let him leave Ruth to take care of their baby alone.

" Ruth is pregnant. " The room fell silent.

" Gwen , I-"

" Leo ! You can't back out. " She interrupted him. " Yes , you don't love her. I get it. This was a mistake . I get that too . But Leo , this is a baby were talking about. It had no hand in whatever happened. It's innocent. Just please..."

" No , Gwen-"

She waved here palm across his face and stopped him. " I'm still talking ! "

" If you deny this kid. I swear , I'll never talk to you again !"

Leo just sat there with a smile on his face. This perturbed Gwen. She felt like plucking her hair out.

" What's so funny?" Gwen sneered at him.

" You're so adorable. Have you put on weight ? " He observed her fully. " Oh my goodness ! You have put on weight ! Chubby mother fucking cutie!"

Now he was body shaming her?

" Leo ...this is serious!" She was yelling now.

" Okay....calm down. " He held her hand and rubbed it. " I know. "

She took a deep breathe and maintained eye contact. " Do you?"

" I already spoke to Ruth. She told me everything. " His voice was low and more serious.

" And?" Gwen was curious but also concerned for her friend.

" And...we'll keep the baby but , we won't push this relationship. I'm not right for her. I can't force myself to love her. I'll just keep on hurting her. But I'll do my part. I'll be the best father the world has ever seen. "

" I'm proud of you. " Gwen squeezed his hand back. They were silent again.

" Are you sure you don't have any feelings for her? Even a little. She's pretty hot. Long legs and green eyes." Gwen joked and they broke out in laughter.

" I'll pass. " Leo sipped his coffee. " Hey? Just asking...."

" What?"

" Did you think you'd give me a peptalk or something? " He burst out laughing.

" Shut the fuck up. " Gwen laughed until tears formed in her eyes. She laughed till her stomach hurt. This was good.

" I'm happy Leo. I'm happy. "