One Night Stand

Chapter 3

It has been a few months now and so much has happened in that time.  My landlord decided to sell the house I was renting.  He gave me plenty notice and even helped me find a new house.  I had decided to buy my own place, an investment.  I would have loved to have said for my future husband and kids but with the way my life is at the moment that will not happen.

I have not been with anyone since my one night stand with Dale and I have not seen or heard from him at all.  The girls and I had a night out for Katy’s hen party at the club I met him at. Monica was hopeful I would bump into him, but I never seen him there.  I mean the city is huge and there are other clubs he probably goes to.

Anyway, as I was saying so much has happened. Like me being pregnant. Yes you heard me right. I am pregnant and the only potential baby daddy is Dale.  I have no idea how it happened as we used a condom, it must have burst or had a hole or something.

That was maybe one of the reason he bailed. He probably realised it burst and thought he could run rather than tell me. So here I am three and a half months pregnant. Alone and pregnant. A single mother at the age of 27. Just what I wanted but nothing I can do about it now.

My parents were not too happy when I told them, they wanted me to get rid of the baby. It had never crossed my mind to have an abortion, so we argued for a few weeks until my sister got involved and put my parents in their place. My parents we re always firm believers in an order that life should take. You know, meet someone, get engaged, get a house then married and then kids. I kind of done it all the wrong way for them.

I was glad my sister got involved being honest. I was having a bit of a breakdown when I found out I was pregnant, and I just wanted someone to tell me it would be ok not tell me to get rid.  I am still coming to terms with being a single parent but at least I will have somebody to love. And the baby, well, he or she will have all my love and support from my friends and family.  Just no father in the picture.

I have Katy’s wedding in a few weeks’ time, and I am struggling finding a dress to hide my bump.  Not many people know I am pregnant, I’m trying to keep it a secret for now. Not that I am worried about what people will say or think, I am still coming to terms with it myself and need to prepare myself. Everyone will have an opinion but it is exactly that their opinion, all that matters is I will love the baby no matter what.

So Monica and I are shopping for an outfit.  Monica, I don't know what I would do without her, she is the one person who has not judged me and has been behind me one hundred percent. She was the one who has been to all my doctors appointments and was even with me when I did the home test.

“What about this one?”  she asks holding up a pale pink dress. I scrunch up my nose, shaking my head.

“It will be too tight over my bump” I tell her as I keep looking.  This is useless, I will never find anything.

“Is there anything in particular you are looking for?”  the sales lady comes over.

“I need a dress for a wedding that will hide a small baby bump, please”  I tell her as I chuckle.

“Over this way, the plus sizes might be better, looser around the tummy area but still fitted at the bust”  she says as she guides to the other side of the store.

As we flicked through the dresses I find a couple I like.  I quickly head to the changing rooms and try them on.  With it being summer and the heat and with being pregnant I don't want anything that is too heavy or thick. I need my body to breath and both dresses are perfect for that.

I showed Monica both dresses and we decided to go for the second dress. It is a pale blue chiffon with floral pattern and comes to just above my knee.  It is perfect, not my normal style but I am pregnant and need to be comfortable.

After shopping we head to grab some food. I have been craving a greasy burger all day and now I can get my hands on it.  As we sit and munch Monica soon brings up the subject of Dale.

“I know you don't want to talk about him, but are you going to try and find him to tell him about the baby?”  she asks.

“I have no way of finding him Monica, you know this. I don't even know his last name or anything. I don't even know where he works.  If he was interested he would have got in touch. He knew where I stayed but he hasn’t make the effort. I was clearly just another one night for him”  I say as I finish my chips and drink.

“If you could find him would you tell him?”  she asks as we head back to our cars.

“I don't know, the chances of seeing him again after all this time are slim. And what if he wants nothing to do with us? I don’t know if I can put myself through the rejection again.” Is all I say.

“I’m sorry sweetie. We are all here for you and bump.”

After saying good byes I head back to my place.

My own three bedroom house.  I love it. It is the exact same layout as the one I used to stay in, in fact it is the same street just the other end of the street.  When it came up on the market I jumped at the chance to put in an offer and thankfully it was accepted with minimal hassle.

I’ve been living here just over a month and everything is exactly how I want it. Decorated exactly how I liked, all very neutral colours but with plenty colour within the decorations and furniture. 

After putting my dress away for Katy’s wedding I soon get stuck in to online shopping for the baby.  I need everything, I have a few gifts from people, but I need so much more.  I have a list of things that my mum helped me make and suggested. So I better get to it.

The days just keep flying by. Today is Katy’s wedding day. To say I’m not feeling up to is an understatement. I have been suffering major morning sickness these last few weeks and I am totally drained. To the point that I had not been to the bakery in over a week. Luckily I managed to do the paperwork and my manger Tony is on top of the shop itself. That is a blessing I suppose.

Monica and her boyfriend Nathan are picking me up in half an hour and I have still to do my makeup. My mum came over earlier to help me with my hair, she is a hairdresser and is brilliant and doing updos.

We were chatting about the baby and how my dad is going to help decorate the nursery and build the furniture for me in the next couple of weeks. I still have like 5 and a bit months to go so plenty time but I want to be organised for when the day comes.

“Bree, I know your dad and I weren’t very supportive when you told us about you being pregnant, and I’m sorry for being a bitch” My mum says as she finishes up my hair.

“I know mum. I know I disappointed you both, but I am happy. Stressed and scared but I am happy.” I tell her.  Scared more like petrified.

“We are all here for you sweetie. I just wish you would let your dad try and find this Dale character so he can be there for you both.” She says for god knows how many times. She thinks because my dad is in the police force that he will be able to find him, but he needs a full name, and that is something I do not have. 

“I have no information about him mum. I don't even know his second name”  I remind her as I start to get my dress on.  “The city is a big place and plenty of men with the name Dale live around here.”

“I know. I just feel that he has a right to know. I know he left you that morning, but he still has a right”  she huffs.

“I know mum and if I ever see him I will tell him. Its been nearly 4 months now and the chances of that happening are slim.”

“You look amazing”  she changes the subject, which I am thankful for.  Just then the doorbell goes, and I hear Monica shout my name as she lets herself in

“Thanks mum”  I hug her and shout down to Monica.

The car journey to the church was a smooth ride, with the window open and a cool breeze flowing through the car.  Nathan seems a bit moody, but he did admit he hates the ceremony part of the wedding unless you are part of the wedding party it is pretty boring he says.

“When do you plan on proposing Nathan?”  I ask him. I know the answer even before I asked,

“Soon”  yeah, the same answer he has been giving for the last year or so.  Monica and Nathan have been dating for the last four years. Every wedding or engagement I like to wind him up about it. Monica doesn't mind, she says she is not bothered about being married. As long as she and Nathan are together that’s all that matters to her.

I know for a fact I will never get married. Who would want a single mother as their bride? I will just have to be the only single one in our group. Which does get to me if I’m being honest. Like today for example. I’m third wheeling with Monica and Nathan. All our friends will be with the partners or at least have a plus one with them. It’s just me and bump today and soon me and my baby.

The ceremony was beautiful. Katy looks stunning in her wedding gown and her groom, Daniel looks very handsome.  After several hundred pictures later we eventually get seated for our meal.  A table for 11, yeah five couples and me. On my own.

“I saw that guy the other day, you know the one you had a one night with”  Zara said, one of our other friends, well she was never really my friend but I tolerated her for Katy’s sake.  That got my attention.

“Really?”  I asked.  I need more information but I’m not wanting to look desperate.

“Yeah, at that cute little Italian along the high street. Looked like he was on a date. The woman he was with was well older than him. He didn’t see me, not sure he would have recognised me anyway as he only had eyes for you that night”  she chuckled, where I nearly choked on my water.

“Might have been his mum or a sister?”  Nathan says to me quietly. Almost like he is defending Dale for being with another female.  I nodded my head soon zoning out of the conversation around the table. My mind drifting to Dale and his date. I suppose I can’t blame him, he is a player, obviously he is going to see other woman. Its not like I could stop him.

As the night went on I really was not feeling up to staying any longer, but I was driving Nathan and Monica home, so I had to hang about until they were ready to leave.  I had managed to sneak away as most of them were dancing to a nice romantic song with their partners.  I had danced with Katy’s dad and brother earlier but was not in the mood to watch all my friends cosy up and being cute.

As I sat on a bench on the balcony of the function hall, watching the stars high in the sky.

“Hey, you ok?”  I hear Nathan from my side.

“Yeah, just needed some fresh air”  I tell him as he comes and sits beside me.

“You’re going to be alright you know”  I look at him confused.  “My mum was a single mother with three kids after my dad bailed on us. If she can do it I know you can.  You’re strong and independent.  And you have all off us to help and support you”  he says.

“Thanks Nathan. I just didn’t see this happening in my life plans. I suppose I just need to get used to the idea of being on my own.”

“You will find someone. Maybe not right now, but in the future.”  I nod my head in agreement. Well, I don't believe him, but I suppose I can dream.

We eventually left the wedding in the small hours and headed home. Nathan and Monica staying at my place for the night, seeing as the live on the other side of the city and I am driving Nathans car.

The drunken pair giggling and acting silly all the way home did make me smile and made me forget about being a single mum for a while.  My mind going back to that one night I had with Dale. I really need to get a grip if I’m going to move on with my life.

If only he had at least woke me up before he left, I would have listened to his excuses or whatever, maybe he sobered up and realised I was only good for a one night thing. I guess I will never know.