Aria

"Mija, is something wrong?" Papí asked as we sat together at the table for dinner. Typically, I ate like a horse. This night however, was so different. It wasn't everyday you were helping your closest girl friend deliver news to her charming, bisexual, one-night stand about his paternity.

"Of course not." I smiled, forcing some of this tasty enchilada in my mouth.

Papí groaned to himself before shaking his head. "Was this about that girl you helped in the woods? I know memories of your mother–"

"It wasn't about her." I told him in a stern voice. "This...this is so different. Papí, Audrey lost her mother to suicide caused by her depression. It's not the same thing as what we went through."

"But we still lost her. We lost them. Our familia went from cinco to dos, mija... And we continue to mourn them."

"Well this isn't our situation and that's not why I'm nervous right now."

"Then why are you nervous?"

"Because after I'm done here, I am headed with my friend to deliver some pretty life-changing news."

Papí went silent upon hearing those words while I nodded my head and told him. "He's gonna be a Papí, just like you."

"Oh." Papí quickly nodded. "That-that is, uh...T-that's marvelous news."

"Is it really?"

"Of course." Papí responded. "Unless it's not."

"Usually it doesn't."

"How do you know?"

"It's just common sense." I told him. I let out a little scoff before folding my arms. "You know, this isn't easy for her at all."

"Well it wouldn't be for anyone."

"She's pregnant." I reiterated. "Elise Roswell... The silent badass with a book, is gonna be a mom."

"Do you think she'll keep the child?"

Like I'd know, I turned away and murmured to myself. Then I shook my head. "I have to go."

"Mija... please sit down."

I didn't even bother to answer or finish my dinner, I just left. The thought of how this all will go down, kept tearing me up inside. It didn't seem right.

"I can't believe I'm doing this." I told myself on the drive over to Elise's home. The trek was long, though I made it there on time.

"Thanks again," Elise said, closing the door.

"It's not a problem." I shrugged.

The two of us were deathly silent during the drive to the park until Elise snickered. "My god."

"What?"

"This is really happening."

"I know." I swallowed my pride with that one and continued driving.

"I'm about to get cussed out by a charming, British guy. I don't know if this is a dream or a nightmare."

"It could also be both."

"I guess you're right." Elise sighed as she stared out the window. "Oh, I-I don't understand how this could... How this happened."

"Does the scotch ring a bell?"

"Excuse me?" Elise snapped, turning right back at me. "What?"

"I tried to help you multiple times."

"Yes and I'm sorry I wasn't listening–"

"Now look where you are."

My words left her speechless for a good few minutes until she returned the verbal punch. "What the fuck is your problem?"

"I don't have a problem."

"Uh, yeah you do." Elise scoffed, nodding profusely. "You've had it since I got in this goddamn car."

"I'm only saying how I feel."

"In the most passive-aggressive way possible."

"Nothing you haven't done before."

"Alright. Stop the car." Elise demanded though I kept driving.

Moments later, I could feel her rage seething off her body. Her breath was on my face, she got so close.

"Stop... the goddamn...car." Elise softly commanded.

"No."

"Right now!" she shouted.

"Once again, no."

"Aria, I said–"

"We are less than a mile there."

"Then I'm getting out." Elise responded, unbuckling herself.

"Don't you dare."

"Watch me."

Before I could speed up, she opened the door and hopped out. My jaw dropped. "Elise!"

"I'm walking."

"Get back here!"

"Nope." She shook her head and walked through the grass.

I was left with no other choice but to stop and chase after her.

"Elise, you better stop."

"Or what?" She swiveled around and threw her arms out. "You'll just judge me again?"

"Hey, it's not me who's burying herself in her own shit."

"Wow." Elise marched over, shaking her head.

"You're only mad, 'cause I'm right and you know it."

"No, I'm mad because you're supposed to be my close friend here. Like a sister."

"Well I'm sorry I didn't live up to your expectations."

"You never had to." Elise ran her fingers through her hair and groaned. "All you have to do is be there for me. Just like you're doing for Audrey, who doesn't deserve comfort in the least bit. I mean, Johnny does that for Lyle or so I've heard. Lyle does that for all of us. Hell, Dominic even puts in an effort. Why can't you be more like them?"

"You wanna know why I can't?"

"Yes." Elise folded her arms, with a determined glare on her face. "Yes I do."

"Because I've already been there for you guys."

"So?"

"If it weren't for me, we wouldn't be together. We wouldn't have even bothered to try planning our school's events. We'd be scattered again."

Elise looked me in the eyes which slowly softened as my words rung true to her. "Oh my god."

"Yeah, the Saturday meetings, the-the last-minute-No, the last second ideas I generously lent out, the neutrality and common courtesy I gave you guys despite the tensions, all me. Where were you guys when I relived the worst day of my life? You were off drinking, Dominic was off chasing Lyle, and Johnny? He gave me some of his precious time, but he really couldn't be bothered. Now that he's only got us, Lyle is his new toy."

"Don't say that."

"Well it's true." I scoffed. "You think he just went from loving Logan to Lyle overnight? Hell no. He even told me before, that Lyle was a step up from being alone. Basically how Lyle was a crutch for his wounded pride. How sick is that?"

"He's changed." Elise argued in his defense. "We've all changed."

"I can see that." I reluctantly nodded.

"And you're right about some things." Elise bowed for a moment. "Yeah, maybe Lyle was a rebound. Maybe I was horribly petty with you and Johnny. I don't know. The point is, we still care about you too. You're a part of our group."

"It doesn't feel like it."

"I understand that." Elise calmly responded. "A few weeks back, I felt the exact same way. I'd never fit in and I didn't need you guys, so I blew you off. Little did I know, my addiction would get the best of me. Now here I am, begging for your help because I was wrong."

Elise stopped for a second and sniffled. "God, I was so wrong..."

"About what?"

"Everything. The state of my alcoholism, my problems with other people not being my fault, just everything."

Finally, I tilted my head to the side with a faint smile on my face. "Well... if it's any consolation, you should know that–"

"Elise?"

I turned around and Elise did too where we saw someone emerge from the forest path a few feet away.

"Frasier?"

"Holy shit." his eyes widened as he ran to her, giving Elise a giant hug. "It's been forever. How are you doing?"

"I'm alright. You?"

The two broke off the huge where Frasier stood before her with a smirk on his face. "You remember Dmitri Gonzales?"

"Yeah."

"Well after the date we had, I'd say we've really hit it off."

"Wow." Elise gushed with forced enthusiasm in her tone. "That's... that's just wonderful."

"I know." Frasier nodded. He idled about for a moment before looking her in the eyes again. "Now, you said there was some news or your friend did–"

"That's right." Elise confirmed before shifting her eyes toward me.

I could see the subtle pain within and nodded at her request.

She then faced him again. "You should probably sit down for this."

With that said, she took him inside my car where I watched closely. I couldn't exactly hear a word, though I did see Frasier's eyes light up upon hearing Elise telling him the news. He covered his mouth and looked away. His eyes trembled before he continued speaking with her. Elise then came outside to meet up.

Once they got out, Elise asked. "Do you-do you need more time to process all of this or–"

"N-n-no. It's uh... it's fine." Frasier shakily replied in a surprisingly upbeat manner. "Bloody hell, I'm really gonna be a father?"

"Yes, you are."

His hands clutched his sides while he paced around. "I cannot believe this."

"Me neither."

"Shit. What will Dmitri think?"

"I should be asking you the same question." Elise chuckled. "What will he think about all of this?"

"Well he once dated this street thug with a real fucked-up life, ran off from his adoptive Latino family, and worked as a paid grandson, I guess it could be worse."

"Far worse." Elise agreed.

The two continued talking it out some before finally reaching a conclusion.

"So have you scheduled an ultrasound?"

"Not yet." Elise shook her head. "I'll have to tell my family first."

"I will too."

Elise smiled as did Frasier, who sniffled and beamed. "This is the both the worst and best news I've gotten in my life."

"Same here."

"I'm gonna be a father."

"I know." Elise nodded. "And I'm gonna be a mom. Hopefully better than my own."

"We'll just have to see."

Both Frasier and Elise embraced one more time with Frasier rubbing her belly before he took off. Once it was all said and done, Elise and I got in my car and drove off.

"Wow." Elise sighed the biggest sigh I've ever heard.

"So... how do you think that went?" I asked.

"Horrible." Elise groaned. "Absolutely horrible."

"Really? I thought it was–"

"He wants to be there."

"Now that's a surprise."

"Yeah." Elise chuckled. "But I'd give him three weeks tops before he runs for the hills."

"Huh?" I looked over to see Elise looking down at her pregnant belly, softly caressing it while shaking her head.

"If he's not scared off by then, I don't know what to do."

"You don't want him in your life?"

"No, it's not that. It's just..." Elise moaned and let her eyes blink a few times before continuing. "I've never had anyone this dedicated in my life. I mean, of course the men in my family were involved, but mostly kept to themselves or worked their asses off to make a decent living."

"Frasier's willing to do that for you."

"He shouldn't have to."

"Well at least he wants to be in your life." I scoffed, sensing her less intelligent self coming out. When he passed the next corner, I turned to her and asked. "Would you rather be the struggling single teenage mom?"

"Sure." Elise shrugged.

"Seriously?"

Elise went silent and I didn't say a word either. That was until my helpful impulses could no longer be controlled. "Look, you really don't want to go down that road–"

"It's not that simple." Elise finally spoke up. "At least with their situation, there's already a system designed to help them out. Then comes the lesser scenarios where the father is involved. It's all gonna be on him and he'll grow to resent me along with his child."

"That's not true."

"Isn't it though?" Elise asked, in a woeful manner. "I know it's out of my control, but this is how society is. It's such bullshit, yet somehow it's the world we live in."

"It doesn't have to be this way."

"Got any better solutions?" Elise scoffed.

I didn't answer for some time. The question reeled in my head until I finally had something. Eventually, we pulled by the curb of her house where I parked the car and faced her. "Let him help."

"Oh, that's really-"

"No." I put my hand up and shook my head. "My turn."

Elise folded her arms before I continued on. "Yes, lots of guys bail because it's too hard and they fucked up big time. But for those who actually do want to be in their child's life, the mother should accept that unless he's doing illegal shit. Is Frasier doing any of that?"

"Not really."

"Then it's settled. Let the guy be there and relax."

"Wait, what if–"

"There's no ifs or buts. You accept his help because you're doing what's best for your child." I sighed, placed my hand on her knee, then looked her in the eyes. "Don't make things harder for yourself just because you think it seems easier that way. Sure, he could bolt at any second and you know what? If he does, I'll hunt him down. Grab a pistol from Logan's gun collection, fire that bitch, and drag him back to you."

"You'd really do that?"

"No, I'm not that crazy." I laughed while making that remark. "But I would confront him. Especially since he made a commitment."

"He really did."

"Which is why you should accept his dedication because to not even try would just... It would hurt you, your child, and the people around you." I looked down for a moment, thinking about Papí before asking Elise a question. "Remember how I said Papí has been raising me for over two years now?"

"I do."

"It's amazing to me how after what we experienced, he easily could've given up. We lost over half of our family and were utterly devastated. I remember how much pain he was in, but would always try putting on a good face for me so I'd be happy and healthy. If Frasier is anything like my Papí, you'll never have to worry about your son."

"Son?"

"I'm assuming it's a boy." I shrugged. "But you get what I mean, don't you?"

"Yes." Elise nodded.

After our resolved chat, I got out to help Elise get to her driveway before officially parting ways.

"Thanks again." Elise said, nodding at a comfortable pace. "For everything. I-I really couldn't have done this without you."

"Well it was nice being able to spend time together."

"Agreed." Elise wrapped her arms around me, which made my eyes almost jump out of its sockets. She rarely hugs other people. It wasn't her thing nor was it mine, which I guess was a reason why we connected the way we do. Though despite the shocker, I accepted it and hugged her back.

Once we stopped, Elise smiled and said, "Good luck with Audrey."

"Thanks." I nodded. "Good luck with delivering your news."

Elise chuckled. "Oh, it's gonna be one hell of a circus when they find out."

"I'm sure it will."

I waved goodbye to her as she did the same. When she closed her door, I sighed and got back inside my car. Damn, this wasn't how I expected the night to go especially when I had a bleak outlook on it from the start. That wasn't who I was. Then again, not everything has been smooth sailing and I was shaken up a bit. However, now that everything seems to be going well again... maybe there's hope for everyone after all.