*SERENA*

Matthias just sits there with his mouth hanging open.  Oh God, he’s not taking this that well.  On top of everything else on his mind he has to deal with this.  I was hoping to put it off longer.   I mean what will Nico think?  Oh my, I didn’t even think of him.  I’m still not happy about that situation, but he still loves Mattie too.  Mattie… he’s still not saying anything.

“Matthias?  Please say something.”

“What is there to say?”

“I don’t know hun, just say something!”  He’s starting to worry me even more.  I knew this wouldn’t be good news for him.

“H-how far?”   Well, it’s not what I wanted, but it’s something.  I should have known he’d want to know that too, it’s only natural.

“About twelve weeks now.”

“How long have you known, and when were you planning on telling me?”

“I’ve known since that day you told me about Nico, it’s actually what I was doing in town when I saw ya’ll at the restaurant.”

“Oh.”  That’s it?  Just oh?  I’m close to tears now.  This should be a happy time in anyone’s life, but instead it’s full of pain and sorrow.  Who knows how bad Mattie is feeling now too.

“Mattie?  I swear I would have told you that night, but well, you know what happened then.”

He just looks at me with these eyes that are devoid of emotion.  God, what have I done?  Some women might say to heck with it, and get rid of the baby.  Not me.  This baby could be the last part of Mattie I might get.  That and I could never get rid of one of my own; it’s just not my way.  I might seem selfish for that, but I can’t help it, that’s what I feel.

“J-just, are you feeling okay now?”

I nod my head wondering where he’s going with this.

“Do you think you can handle the boys today, or do you want me to drop them off at my moms?”  My heart drops.  Oh.  He’s not even going to take the boys now.  Zainey’s been looking forward to seeing his dad all week.  Add the fact that Elijah practically worships Nico, they will be sorely disappointed.

“I think I can handle them, if not, I’ll just call Jamie and see if she’ll help.”  He must have heard something in my voice for he looks up at me and sighs.

“It’s not that I don’t want to spend time with them, I just need time to adjust to the idea of another kid.  I need a little time away.  You okay with that?”  I nod, knowing what he said was true.

“Okay the, let’s go out and let the boys know the change in plans.”

We exit the bedroom and hear laughing in the kitchen.  When we walk in we see that Nico and Elijah had some type of water fight after cleaning up the dishes left from breakfast.  I must say that I am actually grateful I didn’t have to cook.  I’m not the greatest cook, and to be honest I didn’t really feel up to it this morning anyways.

Mattie clears his through to get their attention causing Nico to start and glance at us.

“Oh, um... I was just, um…”  He starts blushing like mad as he tries to explain the mess.  Awe, so cute!  I mean what?  Bad Serena!  He’s the reason you are in this mess.

“I’m sorry, I’ll clean it all up.”  I shake my head at him, it won’t be a problem and besides I’m sure Mattie will want to leave as soon as possible.

“It’s fine.  I’m sure I can manage, I’ll just get Elijah to help me since he is responsible for some of it anyway.”  He gives me an odd look and it takes me a second to realize he still doesn’t know they aren’t taking the boys today.

“Elijah, Zainey, come over here please.”  Mattie is being awfully quiet.  My poor baby.

“Come say good-bye to your daddy, something’s come up and he won’t be staying today.”

Zainey stomps his foot and starts pouting.  Awe there’s the five-year-old coming out in him.

“But, it’s not fair.  He just got here.”  This time Matthias jumps in and picks him up.

“I know Zain, but something came up that I can’t really help, I’ll make it up to you okay?”

He just nods as Matthias puts him down, though you can tell he’s still not happy about it.  Elijah isn’t too happy, but for a different reason.  I have to laugh as I see him hanging off Nico’s leg.  Nico’s giving me a look like he’s backed into a corner and doesn’t know what to do.  Why he’s looking to me for help and Mattie, I don’t know.  I decide to take pity on him anyway.

“Come here Elijah, you can see Nico next time he comes over.”

“Pwomise?”

“Yes hun, now let go of him so they can go.”

Nico gives me a relieved look just as Mattie walks up to me and kisses my cheek.

“Look, whatever happens I promise I’ll still be around.  Like I said, I just need some time to think, okay?”

I nod dumbly and vaguely see Nico’s worried face and the hopeful one of Zainey.  Oh boy.

“Come on Nico, let’s go.”  With that they are on their way to who knows where, and I resign myself to spending the day in watching the boys.  I was hoping to get a break from them today, but I guess some things can’t be helped.