Love Drunk: Chapter Twenty Four

After telling Dexter she was pregnant, Lainie was pleasantly surprised when he vowed to stand by her and raise the baby with her. Despite the fact that Alex could be the father, Dex wanted so badly to support Lainie through this and hoped the baby was his after their special night in the lift. But the arrival of Liv, Lainie's older sister has made things rather sour...

Roxy Harmon headed upstairs to the boys' flat. Today they were practicing. It was their first practice as a foursome and she was actually quite excited about it!

But when she arrived, Dex took hold of her and dragged her aside. "Right you! What was that all about the other night with Lainie's sister? Huh?" Roxy put her head down.

"If I tell you this, you must promise to keep it to yourself. Tell NO ONE! Understand Maloney?"

"What..."

"PROMISE!" She glared at him.

"I promise!" He mumbled as she let out a sigh.

"Remember when I told you that Alex cheated on Lainie back at Uni?"

"Yes?" Dexter didn't like where this was going.

"He had an affair with her sister Liv!"

"That ba...does she know?"

"No, hence the promise not to tell?"

"So..."

"Liv has to think you're the father because I know for a fact that they still see each other now and again! She will tell Alex about the baby and then the proverbial will really hit the fan, you get what I mean Maloney?"

Dexter felt that too familiar rage begin to bubble at the thought of Alex and Lainie's sister going behind her back! How could she do that to her own sister? Giving him a hard time for possibly impregnating her and all this time...

...Roxy was talking while he was stewing, "...and I just want you to be a happy little family, I know how much you love her Maloney and...you're going to make a wonderful father!" Dexter smiled at the word "father" and it being applied to him. They were going to the first scan today and he was so excited.

"I won't let her down Rox, I promise you!"

"I know you won't, and remember...not a word okay? Not even to your brother! I know how tight you two are, but this has to be between me and you only!"

After the practice, Dex went downstairs to pick up Lainie to go to the hospital. Yes he was excited, but he couldn't wait to get Lainie, and get out. The thought of seeing Liv, especially after what Roxy had told him, made him shiver.

And when she answered the door...

"Oh hello Dexter! Why are you knocking baby daddy? Surely after getting so intimate with my baby sister you can just walk in, no?" Liv winked and let him in.

Dexter stood awkwardly in the living room as Lainie came out of her bedroom and smiled sympathetically at him, "Hey Dexy!"

"Ready freckles?" 

Liv looked from Dex to Lainie and giggled.

"Aww sweeeet! You have pet names for each other, that's adorable!" Dexter blushed, he never thought of "freckles" as a pet name, or Dexy! All he knew was that it made his heart flutter every time she called him that.

He cleared his throat and ignored Liv's comment, "Let's get going eh? We don't want to be late for our first appointment!" Lainie grinned at him, their first appointment! Their first of many! Her and Dexter...and their baby! For a moment she forgot that Alex could be the father and basked in the dream! She imagined what their baby might look like, his eyes and her blonde hair...or the other way around. Girl or boy. If it was a boy she hoped he would be pretty like his daddy...

...and as she was basking she spotted a frown on Dexter's pretty face, "What?" Her cheeks grew hot, if he could read her mind...

"Let's go! Jeez freckles it's a little early for baby brain!" Lainie burst out laughing at that statement and made Dex frown even more. "Come on!" He muttered and grabbed her hand, pulling her gently out of the flat.

As they stepped outside, Lainie grew worried over his abrupt behaviour, "Dexy!"

"I'm sorry freckles I just couldn't wait to get out of there, your sister breathin' down on us it just..."

"Relax Dexy! It's only a scan! I'm not giving birth today! Loooong way to go!"

"I know that, that doesn't bother me...but your sister does! When is she leaving???" Lainie felt her stomach churn as he asked.

"Uh...she wants to stay and help me until the baby comes, in the diner!" Dex screwed up his face and let out a frustrated growl.

"Hire another chef! Man! I cannot do this with her lurking around and Alex..."

"Whoa!" Lainie looked at him with surprise.

"Dexy, Alex is history! We are the future, you me and the baby! Right?" Dexter shook his head and nodded in quick succession.

"Yeah, yeah that's right! I...I'll be glad when he's gone for good. I just want to take care of both of you!" He touched her stomach gently.

"I know Dexy, and I can't thank you enough for what you're doing. I'm a lucky girl to have a friend like you!" 

Dexter felt that familiar burn in his heart, didn't she get it yet? He loved her!!! And this baby that may not be his! Even if it was a part of Alex, the part that was Lainie would overpower that and he or she would be wonderful! And call HIM daddy! And maybe someday soon Lainie...

...would call him her husband!

As the midwife scanned Lainie's belly, Dexter felt butterflies in his stomach. And when she found the heartbeat he thought he was going to cry...and he did! 

He couldn't help himself, the sound of a life growing inside of Lainie! A life he could have helped to create! He wanted to be the father so much more now that he'd heard it!

Lainie looked over at Dex and saw the tear fall as he smiled. "Aww Dexy, you okay?"
"Yeah!" he sniffed and wiped it away. "It's just...well it's pretty emotional hearin' that huh?"
"Yes Dexy, yes it is!" she squeezed his hand.

"Strong and steady!" The nurse smiled, "So, do mummy and daddy want to know if it's a boy or a girl?" She smiled at them as Lainie looked to Dex for guidance.

"Dexy? Do we?"

"Um...do you?" He mumbled nervously.
Lainie smiled at him, looking as nervous as he felt, "It would be a nice surprise wouldn't it?" Dexter nodded, make this one a surprise, yes. The next baby they had, then they could find out, but this one?

"It would freckles, let's be surprised!" He looked over at the midwife, "If that's okay?"

"Of course it is!" She was still smiling, "First time parents usually don't want to know so you're not alone!"

As soon as Dexter had seen Lainie safely into her flat, he rushed upstairs to show his brother the ultrasound photo. "Dude what am I lookin' at here?" Ash was grinning from ear to ear as he screwed his eyes and examined the photo. Dexter grunted in frustration.

"That's an arm, that's it's little belly and that...might be a pe..."

"Okay okay I get it, please don't say that word to your brother! It's...just wrong!" Ash winced as Dex burst out laughing. 

"So it's a boy then?" Ash was still examining the photo, turning every which way.

"We don't know, we want a surprise!" Dexter gushed.

"It's just that..." Ash began but stopped himself.

"What bro?"

"I...I got you guys some things. They're in Drew's lab!"

Dex looked at the crib, high chair and changing station that Ash had bought for his niece or nephew, they were all in yellow. "I'm pretty excited about this, gunna be an uncle!!!" Ash did a little dance and giggled. Dex felt a rush of panic hit him as the words just tumbled out of his mouth.

"Ashton remember this baby might not be a Maloney! Alex could be the father!" He cautioned him, saying it more for himself than anyone else, but Ash's expression did not change and he replied,

"Yeah he might..."

"...but you'll be it's 'daddy'!" He nudged his brother, still grinning, "He can't compete with that baby brother, nobody can! Not even blood will break your bond with that kid!"

Lainie stood in the mirror and pushed out her growing stomach as Roxy stood next to her looking at the scan picture. "Wow, imagine...a mini Dex!" She smiled.

"M-hm!" Lainie replied while looking at her swelling abdomen.

"Oh Lain, he's just perfect!"

"Not sure it's a boy, might be a girl Roxanne!" She mumbled back.

"No silly...I meant Dexter!" She laughed at her friend. "I'm going to frame this on the fridge, Maloney junior!"

"Robertson-Maloney!" Lainie corrected her.

"Whatever girl, Dexter is...well you lucked out there!"

"We're just two friends bringing up a baby Roxanne!" She sighed.

"You're so blind!" Roxy muttered under her breath, leaving Lainie alone to examine her bump.

It seemed that Ash wasn't the only one acquiring gifts for the baby. Drew had been working hard in his lab not only making the crib, high chair and changing station (for a small fee of course) for Ashton, but he was also making something for Charlotte to give to the expectant parents. "So?" Drew asked her nervously as she looked at it blankly. "Is it what you wanted?"

Charlotte walked round the object and sighed loudly. "Come on Char, you're killin' me here!"
"Andrew..." she began.

"...it's more than what I wanted! It's what I dreamed! Oh Andrew you are so clever you really are!" she gushed as she was glued to the little rocking zebra that Drew had made at her request.

"I try!" Drew boasted, "But there's one thing I have to know!"
"Yes?"
"Why a zebra?"
"My father, well the man I thought was my father, we were taken from him when we were very young but..." she paused for a moment as if a memory was coming back to her.

"...I remember a fairground. Being so tiny I couldn't climb up to see the older children on the carousel. My father lifted me up and said 'There you are Lottie, you'll be a zebra tamer sooner than you think!' And ever since, I've waited to ride my zebra!"

She walked back round and stood in front of him, "But now, Dexter and Lainie's little one will get to tame a zebra. And I can watch, and it will be beautiful!" Drew fought the urge to burst into tears and squeeze her until she popped.

And as he was thinking this and resisting this drastic action, she kissed him!

"Huh!" was all he could say.
"Isn't it wonderful Andrew? Lainie is having Dexter's baby! They made a baby together, it's...it's the start of their fairytale!" she smiled coyly.

"Oh Char, if only it were that simple! Dex might not be the dad! And that really eats me up inside you know! Because he'll make a great dad!"

"Andrew!" Charlotte was still smiling, "A dad doesn't have to be the seed planter you know! A dad is the one who kisses the skinned knees better! He interrogates the potential boyfriends or girlfriends and he dries the tears when the hearts get broken! He stands proudly by his son as he takes a wife, or walks his daughter down the aisle when she chooses a husband! And that's what Dexter Maloney shall be, maybe not by blood...but by love! And when we have our babies Andrew, you will make many zebras to tame!"

Drew was a gooey mess inside, she was so amazing! And THEIR babies? "Char, I love you!" he smiled, "I will make those zebras until my hands fall off, if it means having babies with you!"

"I always wanted to be a mummy. I so envy Lainie right now! I may not want to marry again, but I don't mind having your children!" she winked. Drew laughed softly as she looked away bashfully.
"As long as we're together, I don't care! We can start there if you want! I would be honoured to be the father of your babies! If I can make you a mummy Char, I will! I Just want to make you happy!"
A few months ago Charlotte would have run for the hills at the thought of being serious with Drew, but now she rather liked it! And she looked forward to the future, marriage free...but not necessarily nappy free!

A couple of weeks later Liv was making Ashton's life rather unbearable and when Erin came round to offer an olive branch after snubbing him all this time, things got even more complicated. Liv answered the door and smiled at her, "Hello, can I help you?" Erin was rather lost for words.

"Um..."

"What can I do for you? Are you selling something or..."

"No!" Erin blurted out, "I was looking for...I was looking for Ash!" Liv gave her a look as if she had smelled something rather horrible.

"Riiiiight. ASHTON?" She yelled, still looking at Erin, "There's a little girl at the door for you!" Erin wanted to punch her face, but she reminded her of Lainie too much, and she happened to like Lainie so she refrained.

Ash appeared and was surprised to see her as a wide grin covered his face, "Erin!"

"Look if you're busy..."

"No, no!" He gently pushed Liv back inside and closed the door so that he could be alone with Erin.

"Who's she?" she pouted.

"Oh her? She's Lainie's older sister, and she is a pain in the a..."

"Are you sh*gging her?"

"Erin!" Ash was rather shocked at how aggressive she was.

"I mean if you are it's none of my business, considering we're 'just friends'!" Her lip began to tremble and a little tear ran down her cheek.

"Erin!" Ash looked her straight in the eyes. "We might just be friends right now but..." He took hold of her hands and smiled.

"There is only one girl in my heart, and it is NOT Liv Robertson!"

"Who is it then?" She sniffed.

"You're really gunna make me say it aren't you?"

"I really am!" She gave him a wry smile.

"She knows who she is, doesn't she?" He winked at her.

"Ash, I love you! But I'm not going to hang around forever. Get your act together!" She pulled away from him and headed for the stairs.

"And stay away from that skank, or I'll have to kick her a$$!"

As she stomped down the stairs, Ash called to her "Only ONE girl Erin!" And as the words escaped his mouth he fought back a laugh as she flipped the bird at him on her way out. 

"I love you too!" He whispered, and headed back inside the flat.

Liv was standing waiting for an explanation as Ash attempted to walk by her. "Er...Ashton? Who was that girl?"

"My girlfriend!" he replied, and entered his room leaving her speechless.

When Liv got back to her sister's flat, she walked in on Roxy and Lainie having a rather heated discussion about the baby. "All I'm saying is, forget the Alex factor! Dexter is here, NOW!" Roxy was flailing her arms about in frustration.

"Roxanne, it isn't fair to him! He's giving up his life for a fumble in a lift that MAY not have been the moment the seed was planted!"

"I can't believe you Lain! He's the guy you've been crazy about forever, he is willing to bring up this baby with you and still you're not satisfied!" Roxy shook her head.

"It isn't fair on him!"

"Whoa whoa whoa!" Liv piped up as the girls only just noticed her presence.

"Liv!" Lainie gasped as Roxy groaned.

"Oh great!"

"So, this Dexter might not be...it might be ALEX???"

"Liv..." Lainie started but was cut off.

"No Evelyn this is wrong! Are you and Dexter even together or...what?"

Lainie looked guiltily at her sister and shook her head, "But we're very good, dear friends who will love this baby more than..."

"Evelyn this...Alex could be having a child with you! You can't just keep him out of the loop I mean..." Roxy butted in.

"Leave it Olivia! It's got NOTHING to do with you!"

"I'm her sister Roxanne! So it has even LESS to do with you!" As the girls began fighting, Lainie felt a pain in her stomach and cried out.

"Lain?" Roxy turned to her friend.

"I'm fine, it's just a kick! But Liv?"

"What is it!"

Lainie gave her sister a stern look, "You need to go!"

"But..."

"You're only here to check up on me and to torture Ash, mission accomplished on both counts so...please Liv? If you love me you'll leave!"

"I think you're making a big mistake with this...Dexter Maloney! He's not the baby's father!"

"Oh yeah? And how do you know that Olivia???" Roxy spat.

"Because he knows it! Believe me Lainie, that boy knows! And he's trapped, because of his feelings for you he's trapped!"

"Oh shut it Liv, you know nothing about Dexter Maloney, or his feelings!" Roxy wanted to hit her so hard!

"This will end in tears little sister, mark my words! You're making a huge mistake!!!" Liv warned her, "I just want to look out for you, I might not have been the best sister in the past but...well I wanted to make up for that and be here for you and the baby! You've got me all wrong you know! I actually like Ashton, but his girlfriend turned up today, emphasis on 'girl', and he has no interest in me. I know when I'm not wanted, on both counts!" she mimicked her sister's previous statement and stormed off in the direction of Lainie's room.

Liv left that night, vowing to tell their parents what a fool her little sister had been. But that was two months ago and Lainie was now five months pregnant and getting bigger by the day. Alex was still calling and texting. She ignored him as usual and focused on her "arrangement" with Dexter. Because that was what it was, they weren't a couple despite both being single and not remotely interested in anyone else.  Dex had warned Alex within an inch of his life to stay away from the building, but the texts and calls were out of his control. Unless Lainie agreed to get a new phone or change her number, they would continue! And that annoyed Dex, she knew that!

Dexter was extremely attentive and very affectionate towards her. Lainie put it down to his love for the baby growing inside of her. He would often wrap his arms around her and rub her expanding abdomen. 

He would play with her hair and nuzzle her neck. It made her feel like grabbing hold of him and just kissing him until he turned blue! He had no idea what effect he had on her, it made her want to repeat the night in the lift all over again! But she decided it was just her hormones running amok in her body, that she and Dexter were still just friends!

He would often stay with her until late in her flat, just snuggling on the couch. His hands never too far away from that bump of hers! 

Waiting for it to move, but it seemed to be quite a still baby during the day. It was in the early hours the fun started and Dex was in his own flat away from them both, missing all the action from Maloney Junior as Ash liked to call it!

But the most amazing thing he did was come down every night before closing and see her out when she locked up. Help her up the stairs now that she had a phobia about the elevator since getting trapped in it. See her to her door, make sure she was safe inside, then he would watch a movie with her, or sit and talk about names for the baby! Lainie felt guilty, he could be out there finding someone to share his life with and instead he spent every night with her!

That night, when Lainie was locking up, Dexter was rambling on about the name Luke for a boy, "Luke Ashton Maloney!"
"Luke Ashton Robertson-Maloney!" she corrected him, then let out a little squeak and pressed her hand to her belly.

"What? What is it freckles? Is it the baby? Talk to me?"
"Oh Dexy quick!"

She grabbed Dexter's hand and placed it where her own had been and giggled, "It's kicking!" she beamed.
"Oh wow!" Dexter exclaimed and knelt down.

Putting his head against her bump, he felt the slight tapping on his cheek and he laughed out loud. "Ahahahaha! That's...oh my god!" he exclaimed excitedly.

Wrapping his arms around her waist, he closed his eyes as the tapping got harder, was this a little foot? Or a fist? If he placed his hand where it was coming from, would he be high fiving the baby? He laughed again, as the tears of joy threatened to fall once again!

They stood at the back door for a very long time, feeling this moment together for the first time. But in the back of his mind, Dexter still had his worries...

...worries that he wasn't this little miracle's dad, that Alex had a claim on something else he wanted so badly as well as Lainie! And that scared him more than anything had ever scared him before!

Poor Dexy, he wants to be happy and just be a family with Lainie and the baby, but he knows that Alex has a 90% chance of being the father to his 10%. And what if Alex finds out about the baby? Who knows what could happen? :/