Page 96 of See You Soon

He's drinking.

It's still early in the morning and he's already modifying his mind.

Did he always drink this much? Or was this something new?

Today was supposed to be the day of answers. I had to tell him about the pregnancy. I had to tell him about Shane.

How could I if he's already yearning to be drunk?

I wanted to confront him about his drinking instead. I wanted to bombard him with questions about his deployment. Were they able to rescue Damon? The most important question that lingers is,what exactly happened to my brother?

Something’s seriously off about Danny, and I was hesitant to pry. He continues to deprive me of the information that I need.

The need to announce my pregnancy to him is faltering and I'm growing disappointed. I wanted him to be sober when I changed his life with my words.

You're going to be a dad.

"What's wrong Ari?" He holds his glass to his lips, studying me.

"Nothing." I rush out, biting off the crispy end of the bacon.

"I'm just thinking about work. I've gotta go in today. I work at the ER on the Navy base now. I have to leave in about an hour."

"Really? That's fucking amazing. I'll take you to work then." He offers, swallowing.

"Thanks. The staff accepted me with open arms when I returned from Iraq. It's been an amazing journey." Danny drops his glass of whiskey and smirks. I just know the memories of him taking me into his room flow into his mind because that's what's happening to me. The sound of the glass colliding with the counter, rings, and he leans on the counter with both of his hands causing his biceps to flex and veins to pop out of his skin.

The sight devastatingly encapsulates me.

"I'm proud of you, baby." Butterflies begin to flutter in my stomach as the word baby rolls off his tongue. He turns around to the stove and starts to serve himself eggs on a plate from the pan.

My phone buzzes and my phone lights up with my mom's reply. I pull myself away from getting lost in the sight of him.

Ma:

Everything is good here mija. How did Danny react to the news of the baby?

I quickly snatch the phone from the counter preventing Danny from seeing her text. The pace of my breathing becomes erratic. I'm on edge. I can't keep this secret to myself any longer.

Danny deserves to know that I'm carrying our baby. There was no good time to do it though but I couldn’t risk him reading this text from my mom. This was not the way I wanted him to find out. I can only imagine how he would feel finding out about everything through someone other than me. It should come from me.

"I need to go home. I've gotta grab my scrubs and shower before I'm late."

Danny turns around and sits on the barstool across from me. He sets his plate down, grabbing a piece of egg with his fork.

"You can shower here and then I'll take you to pick up your scrubs. I can drop you off at work too. I plan on picking up your Bronco later today.” He clears his throat as the food passes down before continuing. “I've gotta stop by the office at work for an hour then I should be back home before five in the afternoon."

"Okay." I smile.

He looks up at me before taking another sip of his glass. I'm in so much trouble with this man.

"Okay." He winks at me and I freeze at his actions. God, just with him closing one eye, I’m blushing hard. I look down at the food on my plate as my appetite disappears.

* * *

Before I get to my house, I inform my mother that Danny’s still in the dark about my pregnancy. I ask him to wait for me in his truck while I run into my house and grab my necessities for work. My black scrubs, headband, and tennis shoes.

I rush into my house. The door was unlocked, and I find my mom on the phone with one of her sisters from Mexico, in the kitchen. She's deep in her conversation and she only manages to wave when she spots me. She points towards the couch with her finger, and I find my black scrubs freshly ironed and ready for me to put on.