Page 14 of Knocked Up, by her Best Friend's Dad!

HANNAH

I WAS GOING HOME. I’D been at his house for three nights, and was grateful I still had some clothes in Jamie’s old room as I’d been wearing them to TAFE. I used my spare uniform I kept in my locker at the nursing home staff room for work. I should be waiting until Adam got back from getting me ice-cream and chocolate, but if I saw him, I wouldn’t want to leave. I loved being with Adam and I didn’t want to leave him. I always enjoyed our time together, even just sitting and watching Netflix.

I flashed back to when I was about fifteen and I'd sat on the coach, snuggled, stuffed my face with popcorn and sipped on hot chocolate with just Adam and me. Jamie had been at a football match. I wasn’t just being with Adam for company, it was how I felt when I was with him, content, happy, loved and most all safe. Safe was something I never took for granted. My parents had told me that safe was just a word, and I didn’t know what it meant until I met Adam and his family. Happiness was new, sure I’d been happy over little things like, my parents going a couple of days remembering I was around and not getting high. I’d learned true happiness when Adam made sure I had food every night, and let me stay in Jamie’s room no questions asked, when his parents gave me clothes. I knew I was loved when affection was given freely, I was hugged and always made sure I knew I wasn’t alone. I felt safe because I knew I could always count on Adam and his family. If I didn’t leave now I would stay another night, and then another, and eventually never leave. I had work soon and I really needed to home to get a fresh pair of scrubs.

Hearing the horn of the Uber, I left the house making sure it was locked. The ride wasn’t long, and when I let myself into my house I went straight to my room and fell on the bed. I was so tired. The babies drained my energy and I was glad TAFE had been canceled today so I could have a nap before work. I couldn’t miss work, I’d missed enough so far with my morning, er night time sickness. I knew I was going to miss a lot more as the pregnancy went on. I was so grateful and felt so blessed to have such a good employer. They understood and told me to look after myself, and if I needed more time off, just make sure I gave them as much notice as I could. My job was tiring, but I did love it. I loved all the elderly that lived at the home. It was one of the best nursing homes around and from what I knew of the cost of staying there, it showed. It had to do with how well they treated their staff, and that treatment had them always putting a hundred percent into their job.

Getting my phone, I set my alarm to go off in two hours. That would give me time to get a quick shower, dressed and eat a sandwich and get to the bus on time for work.

Just as I’m about to drift off, I heard a bang and then what sounded like swearing following by more banging. Shooting up from the bed, I groaned as dizziness assaulted me. Stilling, I took calming breaths in and out until I felt okay to move. Slowly, I stood and made my way to my bedroom door. I opened the door a crack, and the scene before me had me swinging it wide and rushing out to Jamie, who was slumped on the floor against the door.

I crouched down in front him. “Jamie, are you okay?” I leaned in and stumbled back as the stench hit me, he smelled like the brewery threw up on him.

His eyes that had been closed shot open at my word. “Hannah, is that you?”

I nodded, and then realized he couldn’t see as he was staring at my breasts. “Yeah, it’s me. What happened to you?”

“Mmm, missed you.” He reached out and snagged me so I tumbled against him. I braced myself by putting my hands on the wall. “I love you,” he moaned, and buried his face against my chest.

Patting his head, I looked down towards his room and then back towards the lounge room gauging which was the closest. “I love you, too.”

He shook his head, and moaned into my breasts as he eased to a sitting position and sat me so I straddled him. “No.” His head shot up and his gaze caught mine. “You don’t understand. I love, love you.”

I shook my head. Jamie was drunk. Surely, he wasn’t talking about what I thought he was. I loved him, but like a brother. “I love you too, buddy.” I emphasized the "buddy."

“Argh,” he growled, and I tried to get off him as he grabbed my shoulders in a hard grip. “No. Not buddy. Why don’t you see me?” Before I comment or struggle, his mouth slammed down on mine and I froze. His gripped tightened and I knew I’d have bruises. His tongue sought entry but I wasn’t going to give it to him. This was doing nothing for me. Jamie was drunk and I knew drunk people did things they wouldn’t normally do. Staying still wasn’t working though, so I started fighting. Jamie took advantage, as I tried to pull away and yell, he stuck his tongue in my mouth. I pounded on him, but after a moment he stopped kissing me and eased back. I noticed something in his gaze, but was too angry to figure out what it was. Before I could yell at Jamie, I was lifted off him and helped to stand; placed behind a huge body. I touched his back as he leaned down and dragged Jamie up.

“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” The rage in Adam’s voice was unmistakable. “How the hell could you not tell that she didn’t want that? She was fighting you, for Christ sake, son.” He leaned in then swore. “Fucking hell. What the hell are you doing drunk at nine-thirty in the morning?” He dragged his son down to his room, and I ran ahead and opened Jamie’s door. Adam threw his son on the bed. “Sleep it off.”

“Dad. I’m sorr—”

“Don’t, Jamie. I swear, right now I’m holding on by thread not to come over and beat you black and blue for what I just saw.” Adam raked a hand through his hair. “It’s not me you should be apologizing to, it’s Hannah.” He turned his back on Jamie and faced me. “Pack your bags. You’re moving in with me.”

I shook my head and opened my mouth, “I—”

He didn’t even let me finish but growled, “Don’t argue. I can see my goddamn son's handprints on your fucking shoulder. Start packing your stuff.”

It was the look of sheer rage still shining from his eyes that had me turning and walking out the door. I was almost out when something I heard made me stop.

“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. I thought, but I don’t. I don’t. Not like that. Sister. Sister or family. I’m sorry.” I didn’t need to turn to know that was Jamie. My heart squeezed, I would forgive him. Right then, I knew he’d needed that kiss, he’d needed it to figure out that he wasn’t in love with me, he loved me, but he wasn’t in love with me. He needed it to figure out that he didn’t love me like he thought.

I didn’t say anything, and I left the room. As much as I now understood why he did what he did, I was still so angry, so betrayed. I think what hurt the most, was he’d taken away someone, and a place I thought I was safe. I would forgive him, but I wouldn’t ever be able to live with him again, and I knew it would take me a long time before I felt safe to be alone with him again.

As soon as I reached my room, the tears fell and my heart felt like it was cracked. I went to the bed, sobs wracking my body. My shoulders that felt tender made themselves known.

When Adam’s arms wrapped around me, I fell into his embrace and let everything out. He rubbed my back and whispered, “It’ll be okay. I’ll look after you. Nothing like this will ever happen again. I promise you’re safe. It will all be okay now. I’ll never let anything happen to you.” As I snuggled against him and let him soothe, me I believed him and knew I was safe as long as I was with Adam.

ADAM

I WANTED TO KILL MY own son. The scene I came upon was out of my worst nightmare. No, I don’t even think my nightmares could conjure that up. My son had a struggling Hannah on him as he kissed her, and she fought him, clearly not wanting what he was taking. I could see Jamie was holding on to Hannah so tightly he was hurting her, and when I pulled her away I almost went for his throat to strangle the life out of him, when I saw the marks he left on her. I would have if she hadn’t placed her hand on my back, her touch soothing me as I dragged my son up, pulled him to his room, and then threw him on his bed.

Hannah wasn’t coming back here. She was moving in with me. Jamie tried to apologize, but it was too little too late in my opinion. When Hannah left to pack her bags, I stared down at my son, and didn’t miss the shame and pain that covered his face. I could tell he regretted what he’d done, but he shouldn’t have done it in the first place.

“Dad, I…I thought I was in love, but I… you were… I’m not,” he mumbled.

I didn’t say anything. I couldn’t. without Hannah, here I was scared of what I’d say to him, and I knew what I did say I would regret. I knew what he was saying and I hated to admit to myself, but I did feel relieved that he figured it out and that he wasn’t in love with Hannah. I gave Jamie a chin lift in acknowledgment and left his room shutting his door and went straight to Hannah. When I saw her on her bed crying I wanted to go back to my son and beat the shit out of him. Instead, I eased onto the bed and brought her gently into my embrace and hugged her soothing her and making promises. I don’t know how long we sat cuddling and me soothing her, but the alarm on her phone went off and she slid off me.

“I need to shower, have some food, and then go to work.” She looked around her room and then paused on the bathroom door. “Can you stay? Please.”

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