29 - Eliza

I'd spent all morning not feeling well so going to dinner was really the last thing I wanted to do but I'd already told Henry I'd go so we could get the contracts signed. I was excited about working with Henry to bring my books to life, especially since he'd pitched it as a tv series instead of movie. Everything was really starting to change and not just in my professional world.

When I'd not started feeling better by lunch something had dawned on me while I sat in the bathroom throwing my guts up. I'd bought a new box of tampons when I'd got to Los Angeles because I should've started my period that Monday. It was now the following Wednesday and the box is still sitting in my bathroom bag unopened; my period was over a week late.

I'd called Shelly and had her pick me up a home test and bring it by. She sat with me while I waited for the results though I'd known before I'd even peed on the stick; I was pregnant with Tom's baby. After dinner, weather I was ready to talk to him or not, I had to talk to Tom.

Henry had picked me up and we went to dinner. I felt ridicules wearing the silky red dress Shelly had picked out for me but wearing my pajamas to Craft with paparazzi that surely sat in wait certainly wouldn't be the best idea.

"So, that's it." I say signing the last page and smiling up at Henry, "We're now in business together."

"We are. Are you excited?" He asks laying his hand on the table, palm up.

"I am, though I'm going to apologize now in case I start driving you crazy." I say, placing my hand in his as he laughs.

"They're your babies. Besides I value your input, you know your world best."

"Yeah but I'll probably start getting hormonal soon."

"What do mean?"

"I found out this afternoon that I'm pregnant. It's not common knowledge yet so please keep it under your hat for now."

"That's amazing Eliza! What does Tom think about it?"

"I haven't told him yet actually."

"I saw his interview yesterday, yall really haven't spoken since you've been here in LA?"

"No, though he's reached out several times. We didn't part on the best of terms, like he said."

"Are you worried about what he'll think?"

"Maybe a little, I mean we never even talked about having kids."

"Well what are we still doing here? Let's get you back to your hotel so you can talk to your guy."

"It's after midnight in New York. I'll call him after the signing tomorrow. Not sure springing this on him when he's half asleep would be very nice."

"You're probably right. How are you feeling about it?"

"Excited I think, though definitely scared too. I lost my first baby years ago but that's a story for another day, none of that story is happy."

"Oh, I'm so sorry. If you ever want to talk about it I'm happy to listen."

"Thank you Henry."

"Are you ready to go? I'm not in any rush but if you're tired we can call it an early night."

"Just a second. I'm going to text Tom before I chicken out." I laugh

"Of course."

I pull my phone out and take a deep breath. Opening his message I have to chuckle at how many texts he'd sent. I scroll to the beginning and start reading, rubbing my lip with my thumb.

"Please talk to me Eliza. I know about Millie. I am so sorry for what I said."

"I was wrong, please let me try to make this up to you."

"I love you, please forgive me."

"You have every right to be angry with me, I behaved horridly. I understand if you don't want to talk to me but know I still want to be with you if you'll have me."

Those were all from the Saturday I'd left, there were easily as many for each day after that until this morning. Tears fill my eyes as I read them all and every ounce of anger I'd still been holding on to evaporates.

"You okay?" Henry asks and I look up smiling.

"Yeah, I'm fine."

"You still love him too." He smiles at me.

"I do."

I look back down at my phone and start typing.

"Hey. Sorry I have been ignoring you since I left. I'm sure you've seen where I am and I appreciate the space you've given me. I need to tell you something before you hear it from someone else. Can we talk tomorrow?"

I breathe a sigh as I hit send. It didn't sum up anything I was feeling having read all of his messages but I could tell him all of that when we finally talked. I was very nervous to tell him I was pregnant but Henry was right, I needed to tell him; waiting any longer wouldn't make it any better. If he changed his mind about what he'd said in the texts after that I'd figure it out.

"Now that that's done how about I go ahead and take you back to your hotel. Sounds like tomorrow is going to be a busy day for you."

"I think you're right. You know, I'm glad you ran into me that first day."

"I am too." He laughs, standing up and holding his hand out to me. "Tom's a lucky man."

"Thank you. I hope he still thinks so." I take his hand.

As we exit the restaurant and wait for the valet to bring Henry's car back around I take a deep breath. I loved the rain, it was peaceful to me and I hoped it was a good sign of things to come. Rain renewed everything and my life definitely needed a good cleaning. Tom wasn't the only one who had things to make up for. After reading the texts he'd sent I knew I'd made a mistake ignoring him but once my walls went up it was so hard to bring them back down.

My phone chimes as the car comes around. Henry helps me in and I pull it out while he walks around and gets in. It was a reply from Tom. Opening it as Henry pulls I smile as I read it.

"I think that's a good idea. Call me after your signing."

Of course he knew about the signing. Getting the signing over with would free me up for a while so hopefully he and I could figure out what, if anything, we were going to do now.

"Good night Tom."

"Good night Eliza."