" I'll take you home," he commented, putting us back in motion while watching me through the rearview mirror.
" Thanks, is it far away? " I let my guard down a little, feeling a little better just being in his company.
" No, we'll be there soon," he assured me, falling silent again.
Will my son's father and I ever be able to have a natural conversation?
A short while later, he parked in front of a charming little white wooden house. I recognized it from the pictures he had sent me, but it looked bigger now that I was here. I got out of the car, feeling the cold breeze envelop me, and walked through the white picket fence with my heart racing in my chest.
" Did you like it? " Theon asked, walking beside me as I climbed the balcony steps that would take me to the front door.
" It's beautiful," I replied, waiting for him to unlock the door.
" I was looking for a house that would have enough room for you and the baby.
" You know we're only going to have one baby, right? " I stammered, eliciting a small laugh from him, breaking the bad mood that had been between us since my argument with Calliope.
I went to the kitchen, before returning to the stairs, preparing to see the bedrooms.
" Did you like it? " he seemed eager for an answer.
" It's great, really. I'm just thinking of everything I need to do from now on," I commented, following him to the top floor.
" These are the bedrooms," he indicated, "they're already furnished, but we can take them apart and turn them into the baby's room.”
I watched Theon, feeling all my irritation, with him, at least, pass. But he still looked suspicious and uncomfortable about what had happened earlier, all the while avoiding me.
He looked more like a realtor than the father of my son. He would have continued talking about the house if I hadn't held his arm and attracted his attention.
" Can we talk for a moment? " I asked.
It was past time to set the record straight.
" Sure... Let's go downstairs.”
The two of us made our way to a purple couch on the windowsill of the living room and settled there.
" Theon, I know this is all crazy, and that you didn't expect it," I took a deep breath before continuing.
" Samantha, if this is about my sister…”
" I need to know whether or not you will be with me on this," I interrupted him, "I don't want to be the person who ruins your relationship, the person who takes advantage of you, or the one who isn't good enough to raise a family.”
I looked away, trying to keep it from affecting me more than necessary.
" I just want to be the mother of your child. That's what I want to represent for you.”
I couldn't think of anything else to add. I felt his hand wrap around mine that was resting on my knee, and I lifted my gaze to meet his eyes.
" Sam, I know I have to improve in many ways, and I will try harder, this is all as new to me as it is to you," he sighed, "what you heard today from my sister, I'm sorry. I don't think like her, not really. I want to help you in everything, I want to be there for you, but…”
" You don't know how," I added.
" I don't know how," he agreed.
" How about you start by helping me get a job? " I suggested.
" Yes, I can do that," he squeezed my hand a little, which was still between his.
" That's a good start," I smiled shyly.
And then he smiled.
It was the first time I had ever seen that smile on Theon. It wasn't one of his half smiles, or an embarrassed smile, or one loaded with ulterior motives like I had seen a few times before. It was a natural, sincere smile.
I felt the sudden urge to lean in and kiss him, I wanted to take that smile for myself anyway.
My heart raced at the image that formed in my mind, we are alone here and...
" Is there a problem? " he frowned, causing me to come to my senses.
" No, nothing... I'm just tired," I murmured, feeling my face heat up.
" Are you sure? " he insisted, "if you're not feeling well.”
" I... we're fine," I took the hand that was still under his, and brought it up to my stomach, "I'm going to take a shower and get something to eat.”
" I'll bring your things," he looked smug as he stood up, "if you want, I can ask my mother to send something for you, she has a restaurant nearby.”
" That would be great," I accepted his suggestion, also getting up.
He left the house while I walked around, trying to get used to the new environment. It still seemed unreal, but I hoped I would get used to it soon.
Theon brought the first bags inside, and I took the opportunity to find some comfortable clothes and the bath towels by sitting down on the floor in front of them.
" I was thinking, you're a dancer, but did you study for this? " he asked as he returned to the room, carrying two boxes.
" Of course I did," I raised my eyes in his direction, "I was a dance major at St. Monica's, top of my class.”
" So you can dance anything," he placed the box on the floor beside me, "You were taking ballet classes when we met, right?”
" Yes, I was taking extra lessons to audition for a musical," I explained.
" That's good, I think I know where you might work," he helped me up.
Great, that's all I need to get back on my feet.
Theon didn't take long to unload my luggage, and left me with the assurance that he would send me dinner. I took a long shower, located my sheets in a suitcase, made up the bed, and went to sleep after dinner.
The next day I put on jeans and a black sweater and went out after my breakfast.
The weather there was colder than I was used to, and I felt a little short of breath because of the altitude, but hopefully my body would get used to the new conditions soon. I retraced the path Theon had taken yesterday until I reached a wide avenue, which I guessed was the main road, where most of the city's shops were located.
I spotted a café and decided to make my stop there. I bought a decaf cappuccino, a bagel with cream cheese and settled down at one of the tables, before sending a photo of my first meal to Charlie.
I didn't wait for her response, and concentrated on feeding myself. She was still sleeping at that time. With our crazy work schedule, it was natural for both of us to sleep until noon, so I was surprised when a new notification arrived on my device. But contrary to what I thought, it was not Charlie.
" Good morning, I hope you got some rest. What are you planning for breakfast?"
Theon asked.
"I'm at a coffee shop, decided to see the city"
I replied, turning my attention back to my food. The door of the store opened, catching my attention, Calliope entered accompanied by another woman. She was tall and beautiful, she might as well have been a model or something.
I looked away, feeling uncomfortable with the attention of Theon's sister, memories of her words yesterday hit me and all I wanted was for her to ignore my presence and go on her way. Luckily, another message from my son's father arrived, distracting me.
"I've called in some favors and I think I'll get you a job. Can you meet me later?"
"Sure...can you stop by my place?"
I felt my mood improve. If I got a job, I could tell my parents that I was already established, it would help me when I decided to tell them about the baby. A shadow fell over the device, causing me to lift my gaze only to find Calliope and her friend standing in front of me.
What does she want now?
" Hello, Samantha.”
" Uh, hi... " I stammered, not sure how to react.
" How do you like the city? " she asked, adding to my confusion.
Why is she being so cordial?
" Great," I frowned, looking at the mysterious woman who kept analyzing me.
Is this another Adamos?
" I want you to meet my friend, Harper Brown," she went on, clearing my doubts.
She is not an Adamos, the question is, who is she?
" It's a pleasure to meet you," I greeted her, though I felt no pleasure at all.
" Likewise Samantha.”
I sipped my cappuccino again, expecting the two to walk away, but they didn't.
" Harper is Theon's girlfriend," Caliope explained, causing me to nearly choke on my drink.
Has she gone crazy for introducing this woman to me all of a sudden?
I looked at her again more closely. She was gorgeous, Theon has good taste!
" Oh... I didn't expect... " a new message from Theon arrived, but I didn't have the courage to open it.
" I know it's a bit sudden, but can we talk? " she asked.
My gaze went to my son's aunt, Harper didn't seem to want any trouble, but you never know.
" I'll leave you two alone," Calliope decided.
I don't want to be alone with her! I don't want the company of either of they, to be exact.
Harper took my silence as permission, and sat down at my desk.
" What do you want to talk about, Harper? " I sighed, knowing that there was no escape.
" I need to understand this whole situation" she looked uncomfortable.
" When you say "situation," do you mean the fact that I'm going to have your boyfriend's child? " I raised my eyebrows.
Yes, I was defensive, but I didn't know what method she would use to "resolve the situation," as she put it.
" Yes, that one," she looked away.
Clearly it affected her and I felt bad for her.
I didn't want to cause anyone pain, let alone someone I didn't even know.
" What do you want to know, Harper? " I sighed.
" I asked Theon for some time to think about all of this, and realized that I can't decide whether or not I want to get involved in this story because I don't know you," she explained.
" You want to know if I'm here to fight for your man, and if I'm going to use this baby to get what I want," I stated.
She looked into my eyes for the first time, maintaining a firm posture, even though her gaze was filled with insecurity.
" Harper, I'm going to tell you the same thing I told Theon and the same thing I told your friend. I don't want to raise this child alone, that's why I agreed to move to this town. But the only thing I want to be from Theon is the mother of his child. I have no pretense of stealing your boyfriend or anything of that sort, if that is your fear. I was never like that.”
She remained silent after my little speech. I should have kept quiet, but I felt that I owed it to Theon. I never wanted to get in his way.
" Look, Theon and I will have a child, we can't change that. But we are adults, we can handle the situation without having to be involved in any romantic way. I know you probably wish I didn't exist, but I hope you understand this situation and don't hate me, because I'm not interested in ending your relationship.”
She just sat there with a thoughtful expression. I gave up waiting for a reaction and stood up.
" I'm going to buy something sweet before I go home, I have a lot of packing to do," I justified.
" Oh yes, it was nice to meet you, Samantha.”
" Likewise, Harper," I smiled minimally before walking away.
I know I was right to say all those things to Harper. Theon likes her and it's not fair that he loses that because of me, but I still feel weird.
I hate these damn hormones!