Divided Loyalties by Heather Atkinson

I’ve got past the twelve week mark after what happened last time?”
    “We won’t lose this one, I promise.  This time you’ll take it easy and I’ll make damn sure you don’t have one second of stress.  But if that’s what you want, we’ll wait.”
    She saw the earnestness in his eyes and smiled.  He’d freaked out when he’d discovered she was pregnant the first time.  Now here he was telling her how much he loved her and that he would do all in his power to stop history repeating itself.  This time she was certain it would be fine.
    He scooped her up in his arms and carried her upstairs to the bedroom where he lay her down gently.
    “From now on you take it easy.  No more staying out late at the clubs and certainly no more fights.  Alright?”
    She nodded.  “I love it when you’re masterful.”
    “I just don’t want to take any chances.”
    “I know and I promise I’ll take it easy.”
    She nestled into his chest and he wrapped his arms around her.  Despite her elation she still felt rotten and quickly fell asleep.
     
    Keeping the pregnancy a secret proved to be impossible.  Danny and Rachel were sat at the bar in the Wherry Tavern, Danny nursing a pint and Rachel a lemonade when Beth and Alex joined them and offered to buy them a drink.  When Rachel ordered another lemonade Beth frowned.
    “No white wine?  That’s not like you.”  Rachel sat quietly, giving nothing away while her best friend’s eyes scrutinised her closely.  “Lemonade, glow to your cheeks…oh my God you’re pregnant, aren’t you?”
    Rachel’s answering smile spoke for her.
    But she’d said it so loudly the whole pub heard and everyone crowded round to congratulate them, Joe the Manager the head of the pack.
    “Sorry,” Beth said when the fuss had died down.  “I didn’t mean to blurt it out like that.”
    “It’s alright,” assured Rachel.  “We were bursting to tell everyone but we were going to wait until I’m three months gone, after what happened last time,” she ended quietly.
    Alex noticed his brother wince with pain and clapped him on the shoulder. 
    “Everything will be fine this time, you‘ll see.”
    “Yeah,” replied Danny with a tight smile.
    When Ryan and Jez arrived at the pub an hour later the celebrations were in full swing.
    “What’s going on?” Ryan said, indicating the champagne being passed round.
    Danny couldn’t help but feel smug and wrapped an arm around Rachel’s shoulders. 
    “Rachel’s pregnant,” he grinned.
    Ryan’s cool demeanour disguised the stab of pain in his chest.  “That’s wonderful news.  Congratulations.”
    He shook Danny’s hand warmly and kissed Rachel on the cheek.
    Danny’s attention was taken up by Joe with some query and Ryan took the spot by the bar he’d just vacated, regarding Rachel with his grey eyes.  She looked back at him warily, uncertain of his reaction.
    “This is what you’ve always wanted, isn’t it?” he began.
    “Yes,” she replied.
    “Then I’m pleased for you.  I admit I’ve always entertained hopes that things would turn out differently but if you’re happy then that’s all that matters.”
    “I am Ryan.  Very happy.”
    He could see she meant it, the joy shining from her eyes.  “In that case, good luck.  I’m sure everything will work out fine this time.”
    “I hope so.”
    “Of course it will.”
    With that he walked away to talk to Mikey and she tore her eyes from his retreating back.
     
    Once her pregnancy passed the four month mark Rachel knew she couldn’t put it off any longer, she had to tell her parents.  They’d practically disowned her for refusing to give up Danny after he was almost killed by his psychotic uncle, Terry.  They’d gone back to Devon and hadn’t contacted her since.  Neither had she contacted them but she felt they should know they were going to be grandparents.
    She stared at the phone for a full five minutes before picking it up and dialling.  When she