Chapter 175 Out in the open
Mom is looking worried. There are so many speculations going on in the press of who the father of my baby is. Most are saying Armando since he was the only man that I was seen with. Some are even saying Ben, because who the hell else could it be?
"Does it even matter?" Dad sighs. "Ben is dead, and Madison is safe. Wasn't that the endgame here?"
He's right. Everything has already gone to shit, what difference would it make if the world actually found out that Miguel is the father?
"The public knowing puts more attention on her." Mom says. "She's still not going to be able to go anywhere."
"Why don't we just put out a public statement and control the narrative?" Dad asks, making the most sense out of everyone in a while.
"I agree with Dad." I fold my arms protectively around my stomach. "The only problem is, I don't want to do anything without Miguel's consent. This doesn't just involve me."
"Well, where the hell is he?" Dad asks sarcastically. "He talks an awfully big game with nothing behind his words."
It feels like I've been defending Miguel forever to my parents. I don't exactly blame Dad anymore, either. It doesn't look good that he just disappeared, and if I told them about the incident, they would lose the last bit of respect they had for him.
"I told you he had to sort some things out on the West Coast." It's not exactly a lie. "He'll be back once it's done."
"You know, I never left your mom alone when she was pregnant with you. Only away games, and those felt like torture." Dad shakes his head, making my heart squeeze in agony.
That would be a perfect world, wouldn't it? Like Amelia and Alonso. He was doting on her, hardly letting her be on her feet to the point where it was comical, but cute.
Isn't that what every woman deserves?
"Did he go back to the military?" Mom asks concerned.
"Something like that." I lie once again.
"You're not allowed to talk about it, right?" She whispers as if someone can hear her.
"I'm not even supposed to know anything." That's not much of a lie. I don't know shit.
"So there's something I wanted to talk to you guys about." I take a deep breath, not knowing how my parents will take it. "Miguel bought us a house, a while back already, but with everything going on with Ben, the house has been standing empty."
Dad narrows his eyes at me, knowing where this is going before I utter the words.
"I'm planning on moving out."
"No!" Mom clutches her chest. "You can't do that! Miguel isn't even here! You're pregnant, what if something happens to you and you're all alone?"
"I'm not moving out immediately." I hold up my hands. "But I thought maybe you'd help me decorate the place, it's basically a blank slate right now."
Her eyes light up like I didn't just tell her I was moving out and Dad shakes his head at me, knowing exactly what I'm doing. But I'm a grown woman, I can make my own decisions, and I'm going to become a mother in a few months, I have to make decisions for both of us. If I stay at my parents' place, they will dictate everything that I do, even how I'm supposed to raise my child. I don't have a cooking clue what to do anyway, but I'm sure I'll learn.
Later in the day, Mom drives us to the house, and I put in the codes and my handprint, Mom raising her eyebrows.
"Fancy security, why didn't you tell me about the house before?"
"There was a lot happening, I ddn't think it was the right time."
The house looks exactly like the last time I was here, beautiful but empty.
"This is an awesome place." Mom's eyes get teary. "You're really leaving us, aren't you?"
I wrap her in my arms, hugging her tight to me. "It's not even far from your place, you can come over any time. Plus, I plan on going back to dancing as soon as ppossible, I'm going to need your to help raise the baby."
"You promise?" She sniffs.
"I promise."
She pulls away from me, wiping underneath her eyes. "We have got to get Jade on this project, he is the best in the business! Do you know he did Alonso's place? And that came out perfect for him."
I smile, happy that she's already moved on from me moving out.
"That's a plan." I smile. "I want it done by the time Miguel gets back. As a surprise."
"When will he be back?"
"I don't know." I tell her honestly. "He couldn't say how long his mission will be."
She claps her hands together. "Then we better get started. I will call Jade right now, maybe he can drop what he's doing and come over."
And she makes it happen, too. By the end of the day I have an interior decorator and rough sketches of how I want every room to be.
The only thing missing now, is Miguel.
And I hope to God he comes back.