章節 7: Disappointment & Anger.
"Merry Christmas Pops," I smile warmly at him before embracing him in a tight hug.
"Merry Christmas Elly!" He responds, his eyes shining brightly. He's dressed smart, wearing a crisp white shirt and black trousers. I can't help but think he's the only family I have left as he squeezes me tightly. His scent is so comforting, instantly taking me back to my fond childhood memories when my father was still alive.
Not my crazy psychotic kidnapping sperm donor. My loving father who may not be biologically related to me but will forever be my father.
"I miss dad so much."
Pops nods at my words, his own smile shrinking at the mention of his son-in-law.
"I miss him too Elly, he was a good man."
I nod in agreement. A warm arm drapes around my shoulders and I find myself being pressed into Jake's firm frame. He places a soft kiss at the top of my head before turning to face Pops —
"Merry Christmas Mr Wentworth." Jake holds out his hand and Pops takes a hold of it, shaking it firmly. I grin between my two favourite men in this world and feel so lucky to have them both in my life.
"Merry Christmas Jake. You've been treating Emily good, I hope?" Pops says firmly but playfully. He likes to do this thing where he acts like he's overly protective of me to make Jake nervous. . . It works.
"Yes Sir, only the best for your favourite granddaughter." Jake says nervously, his eyes flickering down to my stomach. I chuckle nervously and take a step back from him as if he's suddenly gained the ability to sniff out pregnancy like a trained wolf.
I clear my throat and plaster on a fake smile, wishing that Pops wouldn't notice my suspicious behaviour.
"Shall we go sit at the table? Dinner is almost ready." I say, my voice a little higher than usual. Jake immediately nods, his head bouncing up and down resembling a bobble head.
"Yeah that sounds good, I'm starving!" He responds eagerly, practically dragging me away from Pops and towards the table. He leans down until his mouth reaches my ear —
"I'm guessing he doesn't know about the baby considering I still have two working legs?" Jake whispers quietly and I nod, biting down on my lip nervously.
"He doesn't know, we should keep it that way." I whisper in response, pulling a chair back and taking a seat. Jake blows out a sigh of relief and takes the seat next to me. The table laid in front of us looks amazing. A rich red tablecloth decorated with the fanciest silverware I've ever seen. Everyone has their own champagne glass and a beautiful floral centrepiece in the middle finishes off the table's design.
"This looks amazing." I say truthfully, smiling at Jane and Tobias who are sat opposite me. Jane is Tobias' girlfriend and one that he didn't have to steal from Jake. She's a bubbly girl with short dark hair and green eyes. She appears too sweet and innocent for someone as rugged as Tobias yet the two seem to work well together.
"Auntie Myra has been stressed out about this dinner for what seems like forever." Jane chuckles. Myra is Tobias and Ivory's mother and she shares their crazy behaviour.
"I asked if she wanted me to help out with the food and she almost bit my head off." Ben chimes in from across the table. He's holding Ivory's hand and I can't help but notice how cute the couple are together. Ben is tall, shy whereas Ivory is petite and feisty.
"Are you bad mouthing my favourite aunt, Benny Boy?" Jake teases, holding up his fist. Ben laughs nervously but chooses not to respond. Around Tobias and Jake, he's definitely a lot quieter. The boys don't exactly go easy on him due to the fact he's Ivory's boyfriend.
"Leave him alone Jake." I swat his arm and Jake grins at me cheekily. "I'm only joking," he mutters, pouting his lips playfully at me. I peck them quickly before responding —
"Ben doesn't know that."
"Exactly." Jake responds, winking at me. I shake my head but can't withhold the smile that lights up my face. His over protective side for his cousin is adorable but can sometimes get a little annoying for Ivory. I guess living with two alpha males in the family has it's advantages and disadvantages.
"When is the food ready? I'm starving." I ask loudly, holding my stomach over dramatically. My stomach rumbles loudly on cue letting everyone know I'm in fact telling the truth. Everyone laughs loudly and I feel my cheeks heat up in embarrassment.
"You're eating for two now so I suppose it's understandable." Tobias chuckles and my mouth falls open in shock as the laughter around the table dies down. I feel Jake's leg jerk underneath the table followed by a loud thump. Tobias lets out a loud groan, his face confronting in pain.
"What the hell T?!" Jake hisses, gritting his teeth as he glares at his cousin. I don't dare breath as I glance up at the person who's sat at the head of the table.
Pops.
His face twists with confusion until masking over with fury and then he turns slowly until his eyes connect with mine, burning holes straight through me.
Oh no.
I don't dare breathe as my eyes connect with Pops. I gulp from the intensity of his stare, the whole room has completely silenced. If you listen carefully, you can probably hear the beads of sweat dripping from Jake's forehead onto the floor.
"Emily? Is this true?" Pops says quietly, his voice full of disappointment. I continue to stare at him, my tongue running dry, making me unable to reply. I know Pops is a good man, there's no denying it. I also know the news of his favourite granddaughter pregnant at such a young age wouldn't sit well with him. I close my eyes, wishing for the ground to open up and swallow me with it, transporting me to another place and away from the confrontation.
"Jake?" Pops asks, his voice rising in anger slightly. I hear his chair scrape back and my eyes flash open to find him stood up straight, his chest rising and falling rapidly.
"Pops, don't."
Jake's hand quickly rests on my shoulders —
"It's okay, let me." He murmurs quietly, standing to his feet. He turns towards Pops and from an outsider, it appears like the two are having a stand off.
"Yes Mr Wentworth, Emily is pregnant." Jake finally reveals, breaking the silence. I can tell from his tone of voice he's unsure on how Pops would react.
My breathing quickens as I watch Pops face contort, his eyebrows creased together. He remains silent, shock and disappointment flashing through his eyes. His chest continues to rise and fall as he glances between Jake and I over and over again.
Eventually he takes a step back, the intensity of his stare never faltering. His gaze falls on Jake before he eventually speaks, his words harsh —
"You got my granddaughter pregnant at the age of seventeen?"
I recoil backwards from the tone of his voice, it's full of anger. Jake barely flinches however I notice the surprise flash through his eyes. Pops is always laid back and calm, unless it's his family. Everyone else in the room seems to fade out, turning invisible. I can't tear my eyes away from Pops as he glares at Jake, waiting for him to respond.
"Well?!" He yells, his fists slamming down on the table hard. The cutlery around him instantly smashes to the floor and I jump backwards from the loud crash. I want to speak, shout back at him to stop him from blaming Jake. Every time I open my mouth, the words seem lodged deep in my throat, unable to escape. Jake stands up straighter, his head hung over in shame.
"Yes sir, I did."
His voice is now almost child-like, full of insecurity and... shame? I feel my eyes fill with tears and I manage to push myself to stand up, using the table to balance myself. Jake's arm instantly shoots out around my waist and he pulls me towards him, letting me use his body as support. My eyes never leave Pops and I look at him sadly, knowing I've disappointed him more than ever.
"I'm so sorry Pops, it was an accident. I swear." I eventually manage to choke out, thick tears running down my cheeks. I place one hand over my stomach and try focusing on regulating my breathing which is coming out in short little gasps.
"You're seventeen years old Emily! How do you plan on raising this child?" Pops hits back back, his arms flying in the air in fury. "You're still a child yourself!"
The door flings open and I snap my head towards it to find Myra and Michelle stood at the door, their eyes wide at the scene unfolding in front of them.
"Stan, I think you should calm down." Myra says gently, gesturing towards my grandfather. He scoffs at her words —
"Calm down? My granddaughter is pregnant! Did you know about this?" He asks the two mothers suddenly and they both look away, expressions full of guilt.
"So you all knew about this and no-one thought to tell me? I'm the only family that cares about her!" Pops yells, his face masking hurt at being kept in the dark. I feel my chest tighten at his words and my eyes squeeze tightly shut, letting the tears spill out.
He's right.
No-one else cares about me...
Not even my mother.
An invisible dagger stabs straight through to my chest, twisting painfully at his words. My mother doesn't want me, she never did since my father died.
"That's enough now!" Jake yells loudly, his grip around my waist tightening. I lean further against him, burying my face in his chest.
"You're upsetting her, I suggest you leave."
Jake gestures towards the door with his free hand. Pops widens his eyes, unable to believe Jake's proposal before he finally huffs and storm towards the door. He pulls it open and turns back towards me one last time.
"Your father would be disappointed Emily."
And with that last stab to the heart, he disappears out the doorway, slamming the door behind him as he goes.
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