Page 30 of Admiring His Omega
They stayed like that for a while, letting Bianca cry as long as she needed to. As her tears slowed, Mal wiggled out from theirhug and went back to making hot cocoa. While he was at it, he made her favorite chocolate chip cookies too.
She took the plate of cookies and mug of cocoa from him. In seconds she had devoured two of the cookies and half the cocoa. “Maybe he was right,” she finally said. “Maybe I do mess things up.”
Van snorted. “I very much doubt that. Sweetheart, what happened? When did this start?”
“Last Christmas,” she whispered. “Right after Jen left. Mom, he’s the sweetest guy. He makes me feel special and beautiful. His age really doesn’t matter. He said he was going to leave his wife. She’s really not good for him and the kids. He said we’d get married and have kids of our own.”
“You’re too young to reasonably make those kinds of decisions,” Van said, voice soft and gentle. “This man knows that. Some people will say anything to get a person to sleep with them. I don’t have to know the man’s name to know that he saw an innocent, beautiful girl and chose to manipulate her to get what he wanted.”
“I’m not stupid.” She glared at them from the covers.
“No, you’re not,” Mal agreed, sitting on the floor in front of them. “You’re young. You’ve never dated anyone before. Your best friend just moved away, and you were lonely. There is nothing wrong with any of that. What’s wrong is that this man saw all that and used it against you.”
“He wouldn’t do that.”
“Why did he break up with you?” Van asked, switching gears.
Bianca began crying again. “I told him I was pregnant. He said I was a… a lying slut.” She sobbed against Mal’s shoulder. “I’m not lying and I’m not a sl…slut. He’s the only person I’ve ever been with. I thought he wanted a baby.”
“You’re pregnant?” Van’s eye twitched and Mal shook his head, silently telling her to stay cool.
“This man broke up with you because you’re pregnant,” Mal said, voice soothing. “That means he never wanted to marry you or start a family. He doesn’t deserve your tears.”
“He just has a lot going on right now.”
Van stole a cookie. “Rule one, sweetheart. Never make excuses for someone’s mistreatment of you. No matter what he has going on, yelling at you and calling you names isn’t right.”
Mal nodded. “When you’re in a relationship with someone, you both should be absolutely honest about what you want. This man said one thing, but clearly wanted something else. How did you spend most of your time together?”
Bianca’s face turned red. “It wasn’t just about sex.”
“There’s our answer.” Mal sighed.
Bianca was quiet for a while. She ate her cookies and drank her cocoa, clearly exhausted.
“How far along are you?” Van asked, breaking the silence.
“Three months.” Bianca bundled back into the blanket. “He doesn’t want the baby. I can’t raise a kid all by myself. What am I going to do Mom?”
“Think about whatyouwant,” Van answered. “Spend a little time imagining yourself raising a baby while going to high school and college, because you’re going to college. You have options, but it is your choice. If you want an abortion Mal and I will drive you to the clinic ourselves. If you want the child, I’m right here.”
“We’reright here,” Mal corrected. “I can stay in Hobson Hills as long as you need me to. I love kids.”
“Options,” Bianca whispered. “What options do I really have? I don’t want an abortion. I don’t want to raise the baby without its father.”
“Then adoption.” Van hugged her. “We can find a nice couple to adopt the baby.”
Bianca nodded, looking relieved. “Yeah, I like that idea.”
With somewhat of a plan, Bianca quickly fell asleep on the couch. Van and Mal went to his room, shutting the door behind them. Truffle looked up, glaring at them for waking him from his nap.
“I’m so angry,” Van said, voice low. “I want this man in jail for taking advantage of my daughter. I want to scream at her for dating an older man, a married man, a man with fucking kids. I also want to scream at him for breaking her heart. Damn it, Mal. What are we going to do?”
Mal hugged her. “Exactly what we told Bianca. We’re going to be here for her and support the choices she makes about the baby. However, as soon as we know who the man is, we will file charges. I don’t care how old he is. He’s clearly a predator.”
Van nodded. “Yes. We’ll do that.” She gave him a relieved look. “I’m glad you’re here.”
“I’m glad you invited me to be part of your family.” He smiled softly. “I’ll stay here with you all. Cain will be living here anyway. It’s time I settle down, especially when my best friend and the daughter of my heart need me.”
