The Baby I Never Knew

Chapter 3

3 months later

We ship out next week for 12 months. I still haven’t heard from Mia, which makes me feel less hopeful she wants anything to do with me. On the other hand, my mother has been nagging me to come for Christmas and spend this weekend with her. I finally broke down and told her the only way I’d come to Colorado for Christmas was if she could convince Mia to be there. I need to talk to her, at least. Surprisingly, my mother assured me that Mia would wait for me at our house in Colorado.

Now I’m hauling ass, trying to get to Colorado as fast as possible to ensure Mia doesn’t have to endure my mother alone for too long. Honestly, I’m so excited at the idea of seeing Mia again, I feel like I’m floating on air, but then the thought of my mother’s smugness creeps into my mind, and I know Mia will probably leave if my mother isn’t on her best behavior. As I pulled into the driveway of the house, I sighed in relief that I had made good time from the airport and had that much more time to spend with Mia. Ten weeks without Mia was brutal; 12 months will be worse.

“Hello, mother,” I call as I enter the house. “Is she here?”

“Your present is waiting for you in your room as promised.” She responded without looking at me.

I took the stairs two at a time, eager to wrap my arms around Mia again. I open my door, and everything shatters. There’s a woman in my room, but it certainly is not Mia. It was Tessa Sims, a girl I met at one of my mother's parties at our beach house in Florida. She’s a smug woman who reminds me of my mother, so I kept a great distance from her. For a girl from the south, she is very fair-skinned, even now. Her black hair makes you think of Wednesday from that old television show The Addams Family. “Ryan!” She shrieks as she spots me. She closes the distance between us and wraps me in a tight hug before I have time to react.

“Tessa,” I mutter, still trying to figure out what my mother is playing at here.

“It’s been too long.” Tessa continues in a fake enthusiastic tone.

“Two years,” I comment, trying to escape her embrace.

“I was surprised when your mother called to invite me, but after talking with her, I understand why it’s taken so long. So, here I am as you requested.” Tessa continued.

“Right. Would you excuse me for a moment? I need to go speak to my mother.” I state, officially pulling out of her grip and rushing out of the room. I want to put as much space between myself and Tessa as possible. “What the hell game are you playing now, mother?” I snap as I enter the room.

“Are you not happy with your gift?”

“You know damn well I asked for Mia Tremaine, but you have Tessa Sims here instead. How did you get those two confused?” I demand.

“I told you, Ryan. Mia Tremaine has become the town slut sleeping with a different man every night, sometimes two men a day.” My mother informed me. “I know you don’t believe me, but I’m looking out for you, son. She could contract who knows what, and you don’t need that in your life.”

“I don’t care what people say about her; I know how I feel about her.”

“Well, she couldn’t come.”

“How do you know? Did you ask her?” I challenge.

“I didn’t get a chance to. Her mother came in whining about how Mia got knocked up by some guy and doesn’t know which one.” My mother answered.

“What? How far along?” I ask. Could this child be mine?

“Only four months.” My mother replied nonchalantly. I’ve been gone for almost six months, so that child can’t possibly be mine. My heart shatters at this reality. Mia didn’t wait for me; now she’s starting a family with someone else. I always thought we’d end up together with a family of our own, but I was busy running from my problems with my mother that I never stopped to think that Mia wouldn’t wait for me. After all, she’s waited three years for us to date openly, and that day never came. I guess it makes sense that she’s moving on; I just hope she’s happy. “Tessa is a nice girl; she’ll make a good match for you.” My mother commented as I began to walk back upstairs. I make one of the other rooms my room and tell Tessa she’s welcome to stay in my usual room. I’m in no shape to deal with any drama or bullshit.

***************************************************

6 months later

We finally got to the port and are giving the all-clear to use our phones. Finally, I know it’s stupid, but I instinctively call Mia’s number first, only for my calls to still be blocked. With a sigh of reluctance, I call my mother to check-in. She’s usually eager to give me the town gossip I have missed. “Ryan? How are you, son?” My mother answers.

“I’m well; we just got to port, so I figured I spare a few minutes to call and check in,” I replied. “How are things at home?”

“Great. Your engagement party is set for the weekend two weeks after you return to the states. Do make sure to invite your unit. Tessa is so excited. She’s been stressing about everything right down to the last detail.”

“Wait. What? I’m not marrying Tessa Sims.” I reply.

“Oh, you will. She’s a lovely woman, and she adores you so.” My mother cooed into the phone. Did she hit her head or something?

“Seriously, mom?”

“Ryan Anthony Miller, we are not having this conversation. You fell for the town tramp, and that is not someone my only child should be associated with. I am telling you that you and Tessa will make a lovely match, and you will marry her. You cannot just give someone a ring; then, without warning, take it back.” My mother chided.

“Ring? I never gave Tessa a ring.”

“Of course not. You were too shy. She found it in your luggage when she helped you unpack.” My mother informed me. That ring was bought for Mia. I planned to propose to her on Christmas. I completely forgot that I had a ring in my luggage when I realized Mia wasn’t there for Christmas.

“That wasn’t bought for her,” I state.

“I know, but she doesn’t, and you are not going to tell her either.” My mother warned in her threatening tone. “You will do as I tell you to, Ryan.”

“Whatever,” I mutter. There’s no sense in arguing about this. Mia has moved on and doesn’t want me in her life. She made that clear when she blocked my number and then had a kid with someone else. I guess I could do worse than Tessa; at least my mother likes her, so there won’t be any drama there.