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Nazari

    "Like this?" Ernesto asked Geneva, running sand through his fingers.
   "No, Dad," She giggled, "You have to throw your hands apart or it all funnels into one pile!" I smiled as I heard Geneva call Ernesto 'Dad' again. She'd started doing it a couple of years ago now, and at first it had started an awkward 'I'm not your dad' thing, but we'd eventually just given up on that. I could tell by the way Ernestos eyes lit up when she said it that he loved it.
  "I really hope he loves it." I muttered to myself, tracing a heart around the outline of his face on the window pane, misted up from where I'd been breathing.

    You see, a few days earlier, I'd been sick on the beach path when I was walking from one job to the next. I'd thought I was coming down with something, but every day since, bang on the same time, I'd been sick again. I remembered this from before, but I'd been nervous to take a test because I wasn't sure I wanted another baby... I mean last times saga was my own doing, but this time... What I had with Ernesto was perfect. We never got on each others nerves, because we weren't together all the time, but he was here enough to help me around the house and help with Geneva. Me not being able to read had been a worry for me when I realised Geneva would be starting school soon and I couldn't help with her homework, but Ernesto could, and did, happily. Plus, what would I tell Jordan?? Since Mum died last year, he'd been really over protective of me. If he found out I was messing around with someone who was in a relationship... Well, he'd flip.

    To my absolute shock, Natasha Gooder's friend called me the next day for a sing-a-gram for her... Apparently someone had told her that her partner was messing around with someone. Call me a bitch, but I struggled to keep a straight face while I walked to the location. I hadn't told Ernesto who I was going to see, I knew he'd stop me. I don't know why, but some sick twisted part of me wanted to go see her and hoped she was upset.

   I performed my standard 'cheer up' sing-a-gram, which comes complete with a stuffed toy rabbit, but she just kinda looked through me. I sucked it up, groaned inside, and asked her.
   "What's up, doll?"
   "Ernie used to call me that!" She bawled. Ernie?? Ew. I rolled my eyes at her.
   "Oh, I'm sorry, did he pass away?" I put on my most sympathetic voice. I had no idea why I was doing this.
   "No, apparently the bastards been doing some bimbo for a while now." She wiped her tears and looked a little angry.
   "Bimbo?" That wound me up. I knew I shouldn't, but I couldn't help it. "If you mean Ernesto Gonzalez, then your 'bimbo' is ME!"

   "You?!" She shouted, and people around us turned. "You're the stupid slut who thinks she can get my Ernie?? You've got to be kidding me. He's at least twice your age, he's leading you on, love." She laughed. "He'll drop you, don't worry, he'll come back to me."
   "Drop me? Because I'm young?" I laughed back at her, and didn't care that everyone was staring. "He does nothing but moan about you. Every time you've kicked him out for three years, he's come running to me and I've had him moaning my name more times than you've had hot dinners." My latest revelation kinda knocked the wind out of her, and she just stood there gaping at me a minute, so I continued. "I'm sorry you're such a frigid old hag, but we both know that's because you're still getting it from your boss. I hope that promotion ends up being worth it, because you'll have plenty of time to work when you're single." I didn't even wait for a reply, I just turned around and marched out of there, head held high and dancing inside. It was over. The deep dark secret was out, the truth was free, and I felt great. ...But how would Ernesto react?

    That evening when I got home, Ernesto grabbed me.
   "I've got a surprise for you!" He grinned grabbing my hand and pulling me in for a quick kiss before spinning me round to face the kitchen counter.
   "Flowers? You got me flowers!" I beamed. "Nobody's ever got me flowers before! Thankyou." I turned and pulled him close.
   "Geneva's in bed" He muttered in my ear suggestively, sending goosebumps over my skin. But no, I had to tell him.
   "Well I've got a surprise for you, too." I smiled at him, and he looked at me confused. "I'm pregnant." I came right out and said it. Not how I'd planned to, but it was out there now. A look of panic flashed across his face before it was overcome with a huge smile. He squeezed me tight.
   "We're having a baby?" He grinned, and I nodded.
   "Will you leave Natasha now?" I asked warily.
   "Of course I will babe! She's not answering her phone tonight so I'll pop over tomorrow and get my stuff-"
   "It's ok, I already broke up with her for you..." His face dropped.
   "You fucking what?" He said quietly.

   "No, you fucking what?!" We both froze. I think my heart stopped.
   "Jordan." I breathed helplessly.
   "Mate, dude, chill, yeah? Its not how you think..." Ernesto stuttered, he was shaking. Or was I shaking? Maybe we were both shaking.
   "Not how I think? You're fucking my baby sister and she's having your baby. What have I got wrong there??" Jordan was shaking too, but I think his was with anger, me and Ernesto were shaking with fear.
   "Jor, its not your business. I'm an adult." I whispered. I couldn't get my voice any louder.
   "Barely!" He exploded. "You're twenty-one!! He's forty-three! What the hell are you both thinking?"
   "Age is just a number." I rebelled, still unable to talk at a normal volume.
   "So fucking what?!" I'd never seen him so angry. "How long? How long has this shit been going on behind my back?"
   "Three years give or take." Ernesto found his voice.
   "You're supposed to be my best mate and you've been fucking my baby sister behind my back, behind Tashas' back, for three years?!"
   "It's not like that!!" Ernesto shouted back. "I fucking love her, man." My heart stopped again. He'd never said the 'L' word before. Jordan went quiet and stared at Ernesto. I think, anyway, I was staring at him too.
   "I think I love you too." I whispered. He turned to look at me, and his scowl melted into a smile as he looked into my eyes. I smiled back and I completely forgot about Jordan as he kissed me passionately. We've kissed thousands of times, but this was different. He was holding me extra tight, and as we kissed it was like we couldn't get enough of each other. It was probably the hormones, but I started crying. Happy tears. He loved me.