• Fall Apart •

[Arabella Marie Curtis]

Arabella couldn't wrap her head around things these days. Everything had been going perfectly since Marc came; absolutely, insanely perfect. Living with him was great, and she'd easily slipped into having him around to spoil her once again. She was happily content with their relationship, especially a certain night or two that had blossomed into something more, something she was sure she would never regret. Or, she had been sure. Now, though, now she wasn't too clear on how she felt. And there was a good reason for her change of heart. She was extremely late for her "time of month". Each day that passed caused her to freak out a little more, to think about going down to the drug store during lunch and take a pregnancy test.

But she couldn't bring herself to do it. Bella wouldn't admit to the fact that she could be, and probably was, pregnant. It would mean admitting that her life was over. A baby now would do just that: end her life. She was still struggling to climb the lower rungs of the ladder to fame, and it meant devoting nearly all her time to working. An expanding stomach and crazy eating habits would totally mess it up. The baby would ruin her dreams. It'd ruin the only thing Bella had ever wanted with all her heart and soul.

And, she couldn't think of what to tell Marc. There was a wall blocking her mind from picturing that scene every time she attempted to. Bella couldn't even think of what he'd say, what he'd do. Or how the hell she was going to tell him. Sitting him down after dinner and blurting out "I think I'm pregnant" didn't seem like the right way, and it wasn't like they made Hallmark cards for explaining to your boyfriend that he might be a father in less than a year. Maybe she could hire someone to... hmm.

Bella sighed loudly, rubbing her throbbing forehead and sitting up on the couch she'd been sprawled across for who knows how long. She'd been watching a movie at some point, waiting for Marc to come back from the store or wherever he'd gone, but she must've dozed off. It hadn't been easy for her to sleep lately between the pangs of guilt and the cramps of worry. And being right next to a clueless Marc all night didn't help her much, either. She grabbed the blanket she'd been using, wrapping it around her shoulders and walking into the kitchen. Bella went to find her purse, chewing the inside of her lip all the while. There was only one person she could call who might possibly be able to help her through this without judging her or Marc. Her sister, Karilena.

She dug her phone out of her bag, clutching it in her fingers tightly for a moment. Could she really tell Kari? Would her sister catch the next plane to New York and kill her? Yeah, probably. And then she'd most likely murder Marc for getting her baby sister pregnant in the first place. But, she had to talk to somebody or she was going to lose her damn mind. Bella hugged her phone to her chest, slowly walking out of the kitchen and into the bedroom. Her and Marc's bedroom. Shaking the thoughts from her head, she took a seat on the floor, leaning back against her side of the bed which was closest to the door. She'd left it ajar for Gemma, who had a habit of waltzing in and out of rooms whenever she pleased. And, Bella wanted to listen for Marc.

With one deep breath, her shaking fingers pressed the digits for Kari's phone number. Bella knew her sister would probably snap at her for calling at what would be an insane time for her, but when else could she call?

"Bella? What the hell do you want? You know it's eleven o'clock here, right!?" yawned Kari after the first ring. Bella knew she hadn't been asleep then, and was probably watching a movie. It comforted her just a smidge. Maybe her sister would give her better advice if she wasn't half asleep.

"Yeah, I know, Kari. But... I... I gotta talk to you," Bella sniffled. The tears burned at her eyes, but she couldn't let them fall. Not now. Marc could always tell when she'd been crying, even when she personally thought she'd cleared the puffiness from her face. And, if he asked what was wrong, there was a 99% chance she would break down right in front of him.

"What's wrong, Bells?" worriedly questioned Kari.

"Well... for starters, I'm not a virgin," Bella said, biting her lip and letting out a harsh laugh as she heard Kari gasp. She could almost picture her sister's gaping mouth and widening eyes, and it made her feel even more homesick than she already had been lately.

"And... Bella, god no, please," Kari sighed now. Bella had figured she'd pick up on what was wrong eventually if she dropped enough hints. It was one reason out of a million that she loved her big sister.

"I dunno. I-I'm really late, and... I dunno. I can't be pregnant, Kari, I-I can't be! Not now," whispered Bella, her determination not to cry crumpling with every word. The tears streamed down her cheeks, releasing the pent up frustration and anger she'd been harboring. Anger at the world for letting this happen, at herself for not being more careful, at everything in general.

"Have you told Marc yet, Bells?" gently asked Kari, knowing her sister was crying.

"I can't," Bella sobbed, hugging her knees to her chest. She wiped her tears on her blanket, wrapping it tighter around herself. She turned to stand up, closing her eyes as she did so and speaking, "Kari, what do I say to M-" Bella froze as she stared straight into the eyes of Marc himself, standing in the doorway of the bedroom. Apparently, he'd taken spy lessons in the last couple hours, because she'd had absolutely no clue he'd even been in the apartment. Well, shit. You've done it now, Arabella Marie.

• • •

WORDS: 1110!
TAG: Maybe-Baby Daddy <3
LOCATION: The Bedroom, Their Apartment
OUTFIT: this classy sass!
LYRICS: "When It All Falls Apart" by The Veronicas
NOTES: <3 <3 <3

[Marc Dominique Delabarre]

New York had been more amazing than Marc had ever imagined and that was mainly because he was there with Bella. The girl held his heart more than she could ever know and he was happy about that. If life could be perfect, then this was it.
Plus, he’d been walking on air since the night they took their relationship even further. He hadn’t planned it, or even really thought that it would happen so soon, but it did and he couldn’t stop smiling whenever he thought back to it. It wasn’t some “typical guy” thing either, he never saw it in that light, but nevertheless, it was a memory he cherished and another thing to fall in love with all over again whenever he was with the girl who he was willing to give everything to.

It had been another long day at the office, so to speak. Marc enjoyed his job and loved the college kids who shared his passion and enthusiasm for computers. There was something rewarding about being to have a conversation about harddrives and backup systems without there being someone standing nearby with a blank expression on their face or looking like they were about to throw up on the exposed equipment that was too delicate to handle their lunch on top of it. The only downside to the job was the stack of reports and research papers that had built up on his desk over the course of the week. It was the hardest part of the new job as college professor and something that was constantly slipping Marc’s romantic mind until the moment he stepped into his small, but cosy office.
He couldn’t put the marking off any longer. The kids needed their grades back and he honestly couldn’t stand to see the pile get any higher. It was already leaning slightly to the left and the last thing he wanted was for a sandstorm of paper to surround his desk.

Marc had intended on having a romantic night with Bella; some candles, one of his fine French meals and maybe a cuddle session with a movie on the sofa. It was one of his favourite nightly things to do, and Bella seemed to agree. However, now, he really needed to make a start on grading these things, which meant a quick meal would be thrown together and then he’d spend most of the night sitting at his desk in the bedroom, glasses precariously balancing on the tip of his nose, until the moment when Bella would stir in her sleep, realise he was still awake and groggily force him to come to bed.
The Frenchman let out a soft sigh. He didn’t want to ruin a wonderful night with Bella, but he really had no choice. He had responsibilities to these ambitious kids now, and he’d neglected them for a little too long now. So, Marc decided to do what he did best - other than repairing computers - and that was to surprise the beautiful Bella with something special, so that she could see that he hadn’t forgotten about her.

His first issue though, was getting the monstrous stack of papers back to his car…

Finally, they were all locked safely in the trunk. Luckily, right before the avalanche of paper descended down the stairwell, Marc had crossed paths with one of his junior students who politely offered to help carry some of the papers to the professor’s car, whilst attempting in vain to explain the rules of American Football to Marc, who was one of the only professors who didn’t attend the school’s game. Mainly it was because the sport was a whole new concept to Marc, who barely understood cricket and soccer.
However, he was thankful to the lanky boy for trying to put it into simple terms for him and thanked him graciously when they reached his car.

Marc drove home first. He wanted to get all of the work related things out of his Merc, before heading back out to buy something for Bella. He enjoyed treating her randomly from the time to time; the smile on her face brightened up the worst of days for him.
He slipped into the apartment, speaking habitually in French without realising it as he slipped the papers on his desk and then waved to his girlfriend, sprawled on the sofa, before running back out of the door. He didn’t notice the foreign language once.

He didn’t take the car this time. Instead he strolled across the street to the flower shop where he always purchased Bella’s bouquets, this time selecting a lovely bunch of pink roses, white calla lilies, pale blue limonium and white freesia. He greeted the old Italian woman with a kiss of the hand and then paid her the money, before exiting and moving up the street towards the jewellery store. It was only a small shop, but it held some beautifully unique pieces that Marc had spied many a time on his casual strolls around the city when Bella was working. He carefully picked out a small pair of earrings; delicate sapphire studs with an elegant silver teardrop laced around the precious gem.

Soon, he was on his way back up the stairs to their apartment, his eyes twinkling as he prepared for her reaction. He wanted it all to be a surprise and so slowed down his pace, taking his time and carefully twisting the lock, easing it past the part where it usually ‘clicked’. He slipped inside, clutching the flowers in his hand, whilst the velvet box containing the earrings nested in his denim pocket. Marc heard Bella in the bedroom, her voice muffled slightly.

“I can’t be pregnant…” His smile fell, heart stopped and he felt sick. He prayed silently that she was rehearsing for a part or running lines with another actor over the phone. Silently still, though this time out of shock, he crept through the bedroom door, the beautiful bouquet hanging loosely at his side now.
He didn’t know what to think, to say, so he just stood there, silently staring at his girlfriend on the floor until she looked up and saw his tall figure in the doorway. He saw the shock in her eyes at his appearance and he managed to swallow hard before he spoke. “You are…pregnant?”

[/color] Marc nearly choked on the last word.
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• • •

TAGGED! Mommy?
WORDS! 1117
OUTFIT! Stay with me?
LYRICS! When I Go - - - Slow Club
NOTES! I LOVED the spy part in your post btw xD Very clever! <3 <3 <3

[Arabella Marie Curtis]

Arabella was doing well in New York. She was building a better relationship with Clairice, and slowly, oh so slowly, getting on the woman's good side. It was what she needed. Clairice had connections, connections Bella had to have to make it on Broadway. And, if the star could show Bella off as her pupil of sorts, Bella knew she'd be getting offers for auditions left and right. Anyone who was good in Clairice's eyes was obviously good enough for the rest of the world to love. And Bella knew she was damn good enough.

What she wasn't planning on, however, was a baby. Yes, she'd adored the night her and Marc had finally gone that one extra mile, but she didn't want to be paying for it now. Forever, really. And, besides, Bella knew how swamped Marc was at work. A kid would overwork him just as much as it would her. The both of them crabby, exhausted, and out of sorts at the same time didn't seem like a good mix. That was why she kept denying things. She didn't want her entire life to get messed up. Bella couldn't risk losing Marc, not over anything. Not even over something they'd created together. It wasn't an option. Nope, not all. Too bad fate never listens to what we want.

Admitting her worst nightmare to Kari was one step of Bella facing the inevitable truth. Admitting it to Marc, though. That was going to be one hundred times harder, and she knew it. Or, he could make things simple for her by walking in on her tragic phone conversation. That sure as hell saved her a night's sleep.

Bella stared in silent shock at Marc, her eyes as wide as dinner plates. She saw his lips moving, forming words she hadn't wanted to hear him say for years. "You are pregnant?" She chewed the inside of her lip, staying frozen otherwise. Kari was screaming at her over the phone, having heard Marc's voice, no doubt. Bella would call her back later. But, for now, she needed to focus on her boyfriend and the pickle they'd both thrown themselves into.

She quietly clicked the "off" button on her phone, the room now falling silent. With a deep breath, her eyes moving down to the floor, she mumbled, "I... maybe." It took all her will power to say the two short words. Bella still couldn't believe this was happening. Marc shouldn't have found out this way; there should've been a dinner, some new gadget she'd bought, and a lot of sweet talk leading up to this conversation. And, it shouldn't have happened until the very far future.

Bella could feel her cool composure starting to crack. Her eyes were burning worse than ever, and it felt like her heart was breaking inside her body. She sniffled, dropping her phone on the bed and still not meeting Marc's eyes again. Bella sat down on the edge, fiddling with her fingers. "Marc... I-I..." she covered her face with her hands, unable to gather words to say. Hell, she was lucky she was breathing right now. Forming full sentences would be almost like her winning a marathon.

So, she gave up on it. Bella cried softly into her hands, letting her tears flow down her cheeks without hesitation. This was it. This was where he said he'd had enough, their night had been a complete mistake, she wasn't good enough for him anymore. This was where Bella's entire world really came crashing down around her feet, even harder than it had the first time.

But, what if he stayed? What if he didn't leave? It seemed like a long shot to her, but what if her nightmare never came true? Maybe... maybe it wouldn't be so hard then. Their relationship would go through its ups and downs, especially if they became full-time parents and not just workers. Bella wondered if she'd be able to handle it, having a kid and trying to make a career for herself. Then again, what if Marc expected her to stay home with the kid, then, all the time? That would drive her insane for sure. Could she put her dreams on hold as a punishment for one night's careless love-making? Even if it was for Marc?

To be honest, her answer was no. Yes, it was selfish. Yes, she knew it. But, she couldn't say yes. This was what she'd wanted all her life: to act, to be on stage. And now she so close she could taste it! Performing was the one thing nobody could take away from her. Not Marc, not her parents, not even her own child. It was her first love, and nobody ever forgot their first love.

But, could Marc and a baby replace it in her heart? Or would she be forced into being a mother unwillingly, therefore throwing away the last twenty-one years of hard work.

The answer was still no.

• • •

WORDS: 876!
TAG: Maybe-Baby Daddy <3
LOCATION: The Bedroom, Their Apartment
OUTFIT: this classy sass!
LYRICS: "When It All Falls Apart" by The Veronicas
NOTES: <3 <3 <3

[Marc Dominique Delabarre]

Children. They had always been a factor in Marc’s plan for the future, but he had never really spent a lot of time thinking about it. He just assumed that one day he’d marry the girl of his dreams and at some point after that they’d start raising a family of their own. He had never expected it to be something like this; something unplanned and the most inopportune moment. They had only been in New York for a short time, hell, they’d only really been together for a short time and that night…it wasn’t as if they’d been stupid and Marc hadn’t been forgetful.
Yes, accidents could happen and they did, quite frequently, but surely, surely this was a mistake? It had been a beautiful night that Marc didn’t want to ever forget, but for a baby to come out of it? It was all too much, too ‘just my luck’ kind of thing.

Bella, she was so determined to push her career forward and the young beauty had been working so hard to earn her place in the glamorous world of acting. If anything, this was so unfair on her. Sure, they could make it work with a baby and in just a few years Bella could go back to the stage and pick up where she left off. Marc knew that it would kill her though. She was so passionate, so enthusiastic about acting that asking her to do this was too much. If the fates had decided though, Marc would willingly do everything he could to keep her happy and to keep her in his life. He didn’t want a baby to tear them apart, regardless of whether it was planned or unplanned.

Marc wanted to be there for Bella and he would be for as long as she would allow him to be. This, this was just overwhelming though and definitely the last thing on his mind upon returning to their apartment. No one expects to find their girlfriend curled up on the floor whispering transatlantic confessions to her sister. Granted, the more cowardly side of Marc suddenly realised that if Bella was pregnant then her whole family would know that they had slept together; that he’d taken away her ‘innocence’ and, potentially, stolen her life and her dreams.

His dark eyes met hers as she uttered the two single words that, in this moment, were more powerful than ever before. His eyebrows furrowed and he swallowed hard, trying to regain some control over the moment. His feet were glued to the floor though, the flowers still hanging upside down in his hand. He remained like that - useless - until he saw the heave of her shoulders as the tears spilt. Then, then the Marc that everyone knew and loved came back to life.

He placed the flowers delicately on the nearest surface; his desk, and then in two quick steps was next to her, sitting in the empty space and wrapping his arms around her fragile form. His lips repeatedly kissed the top of her head and he whispered soothing phrases in French as he composed himself, gathering his thoughts together. Rocking her back and forth in his arms, Marc held her close, trying to give her the reassurance that she needed at this very moment. Finally, when words meant something to him again and he pulled himself together, he sat back and tilted Bella’s chin so that he could look into her eyes.

Marc smiled softly down at her before talking, and silently, he wiped the tears from her face with his thumb. “You are beautiful,”

[/color] he reminded her as he tucked her hair behind her ear, “and I love you, Ma Cherie. Nothing, and I mean nothing vill ever change zhat.”[/color] He kissed her forehead gently and then took a deep breath, nodding slowly. “Eef you are…p-pregnant zhen ve vill do zhis. Ve vill find a vay to make eet work. I vill be zhere for you and our baby. I am going nowhere, Bella. Never.”[/color] He mustered another small smile, despite his stomach threatening to bring back his lunch for a pre-dinner visit. “I love you more Zhan anything else in zee world. I vill do anything for you. You just ‘ave to say zee words.”[/color]

His arms wrapped around her again, and he pulled her onto his lap, holding her as close as humanly possible. He tried to remain logical about this, which under the circumstances, was a little difficult. Nevertheless, he managed it and he found his voice was more as the silence began to suffocate them again. “Do you vant to do a test? I can run and get you one, if you like?”[/color] There was no sense in them panicking until they were sure. It was daunting for him and he couldn’t even begin to imagine what Bella must be going through, but they’d both feel better once a test had been done, even if it came back positive.

No matter what it said though, Marc meant every word that he said. He wasn’t going anywhere and he’d be there for everything. Whether it was a bad audition or a nightly feed. Nothing would scare him away and he’d face his responsibilities to himself, Bella and their baby. It made sense for him to run, of course it did; at twenty four and in a strange country, fatherhood was not a logical step, but then Marc was a romantic; logic often went out of the window without a second thought.
And so, he would stay. He would be the doting dad and, if Bella wanted it, he’d stay at home with their baby. He didn’t need to work and his passion for computers was something he could do on his own time. She could build her career and be a mother if the fates so wanted it. He would do it; give up his job, work from home, change the diapers, do the nightly feeds and deal with the screaming baby…He’d give it all up to make Bella happy.

Hell.

Marc would sacrifice the stars for Bella if he could.
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• • •

TAGGED! Mommy?
WORDS! 1156
OUTFIT! Stay with me?
LYRICS! When I Go - - - Slow Club
NOTES! <3 <3 <3

[Arabella Marie Curtis]

Deep down, Bella knew Marc would give up his entire world just to make her happy. Hell, he'd moved to the other side of the globe for her. This baby... well, she knew it would require him to sacrifice even more for her. Part of her didn't like it. She was being selfish, asking him to stay when she knew he'd probably love to run the other direction at the mere mention of kids. Was it fair of her to expect him to stay? It wasn't like she needed the financial support, only the emotional. And, if he didn't want to stick around any longer, why should he feel obliged to dry her tears? Bella hoped he wouldn't go though. She wanted him to stay with all her heart. Raising a kid on her own... that would be a living hell. And she couldn't return to London, not in a million years. She could almost hear the "I told you so" her father would shout, the glare her mother would give her, and the words Kari would use to stick up for her little sister in front of the judgemental Curtis parents.

All of that was let out as she cried. The frustration, the fear, everything. Bella buried her face in Marc's warm chest, hiccuping as she listened to the foreign words he kept speaking. Her mind was too fried to translate them, but she knew he was trying to comfort her. He always spoke in French when he was agitated, or upset, or not remembering that she didn't speak the language as easily as he did. She didn't have enough energy to remind him of that though.

Bella let him guide her face up, sniffling as he brushed the tears off her face. She leaned gently into his touch, listening to him talk now that she could understand it. One of her hands reached up shakily to rest against his cheek and she stroked the skin softly, shaking her head at him. "I love you, Marc. With all my heart," she whispered quietly in return, unable to come up with more. But her eyes silently thanked him, even though they were still brimming with unshed tears. She cuddled back into his lap, closing her eyes and trying to force herself to stop crying. It worked for awhile. Bella could feel her breathing evening out and her body relaxing against Marc.

She snuggled into him more, flinching the moment he spoke. Bella shook her head, her whole body tensing up again as she buried herself further in his arms. "I-I can't," she choked out. No, she couldn't. She wouldn't do it, not even if he tried to make her. As long as she didn't take a test, there was still a chance she was wrong. And, those stupid things were usually wrong anyways. What if it said no, and she really was pregnant? And if it said yes when she wasn't? Bella couldn't do it. Not yet.

Before she could come up with a better excuse than "I'm scared", she felt something lumpy in Marc's pocket. Bella frowned slightly, purposely letting herself get distracted and trying to change the conversation. "What do you have?" she questioned, peeking up at him curiously. Bella softly pressed her lips up to his, her eyes closing again as she melted. The sparks flared some life back into her, some hope.

As long as she had Marc, everything would be fine. It would be. They'd work together, even if somedays they both just wanted to collapse and forget the world. Bella wanted to do that now, as a matter of fact. She wanted to run away from all the problems, the chance of a baby, her job even. All she wanted was peace, and Marc. They'd complete her life for awhile. She knew she couldn't do that, however. And, no matter of how many weekends Marc sprung on her, they wouldn't be able to escape the reality they were both in.

They were stuck here. Where they might soon be welcoming a new bundle of "joy" into their lives. Where they couldn't cuddle all day because they had to work. And where all they could do was hope to god everything worked out for the best.

• • •

WORDS: 760!
TAG: Maybe-Baby Daddy <3
LOCATION: The Bedroom, Their Apartment
OUTFIT: this classy sass!
LYRICS: "When It All Falls Apart" by The Veronicas
NOTES: Sorry it's short xD <3

[Marc Dominique Delabarre]

Marc had never once thought that Bella was selfish. A few people in his old workplace had questioned it when he first announced his resignation in order to follow her across the globe. Some thought it was romantic and a story worthy of the silver screen, but others believed that he was being foolish, following her every whim and playing some obedient boyfriend. Marc knew this wasn’t the case though. Bella had not demanded anything from him and he had done it all willingly to make her happy. Was he happy? Of course he was! Just being with Bella was enough to keep the smile plastered on his face throughout the slowest and hardest of days.

He held her close as she cried, releasing all the emotions that she must’ve been bottling up for so long. Planting soft kisses atop her head and mumbling reassuringly in his native tongue, Marc thought about what a pregnancy would mean to them. Children, a baby, was part of his life plan with Bella, yes, but it was something they had never discussed and to be honest, Marc had never thought about it in much detail.
He was sure of one thing though; and that was his love for her. He’d move stars if he could, and give her the world on a string if it was scientifically possible. She meant so much to him and nothing - not a thing in this damn universe - would change that. He wouldn’t have moved across the globe for just anyone. Bella was the girl he wanted to be his ‘forever’ and he couldn’t think of anything else but that.

Nothing would change that.
Ever.

Seeing her bloodshot eyes that were puffy from the crying, Marc wished that there was something that he could do to make it all better. He didn’t regret that night. Not even now when their world could fall apart as they knew it. He wiped away her tears and kissed her lips softly, trying to convey everything he felt for her into the simple gesture. It was times like that when words just simply didn’t cut it and other manner of communication were necessary.
Hearing those words, hearing her say them…it meant more to Marc than anyone would ever know. He was glad that it didn’t appear that she was blaming him for all of this. The Frenchman had never intended for this to happen; not for a long time, but if it had…then he would do whatever it took to keep Bella happy, their child happy and to make it all work for them.

Marc sighed, his eyes closing gently as he processed her words. He had no idea how hard this must be for her and he didn’t want to say the wrong thing or sound insensitive when he spoke next. “Are you sure, Ma Cherie? Eet may be best to do eet now, so zhat ve know for sure…”

[/color] Bella had clearly been worried about a possible pregnancy for some time now, and whilst it was understandable that she was terrified of a test coming up positive, it was something that could only be avoided for so long. Plus, at least if she took one, then they’d know for sure whether they were to be parents before their time or whether it was just a scare. Maybe she wouldn’t have to worry so much if they knew and they could decide how to make it all work, if they needed to.

He kissed her back lovingly and gently. He knew a distraction when he saw one, but this time he wouldn’t call Bella out on it. This was hard - for anyone - and he wanted her to relax again more than anything, so if a small distraction would help, then so be it. A smile cross his lips and he shifted his weight, holding Bella with one arm as he dug in his pocket, pulling out the small velvet box and showing it to her. He leaned across to his desk and picked up the bouquet too, offering it out to her. “I ‘ad a lot of marking to do zhis evening and I felt bad for not being able to spend a night cuddled vith you. So, I bought you zhese to show you zhat I love you.”[/color] He confessed, a little less romantically than he had originally planned.
His eyes travelled to the small, unopened box and wondered. If Bella was pregnant, then he’d make an honest woman of her, if she’d let him. That was all for another time though, and snapping back to the present, he opened the box to show her the earrings, his eyes fixed on her face to gauge her reaction to his small gift.
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• • •

TAGGED! Mommy?
WORDS! 1004
OUTFIT! Stay with me?
LYRICS! When I Go - - - Slow Club
NOTES! <3 <3 <3

[Arabella Marie Curtis]

If Bella felt anything right now, besides her own self-pity, distress, and frustration, it was guilt. Why? Because she was taking Marc's life away as he knew it. She'd chased after her dreams, moving to New York and leaving her entire world behind her in London. He'd been chasing his love in London, with the computers she knew he was so amazing with. And, she'd asked him to give it all up and start over just so she could see if her life could be that of a star. And now she was giving him the possibility of becoming a father years before his time.

Or, did it really seem that early for him? He was twenty-four, after all, three years older than her. Did he want to become a father sometime soon? Did he want to get married, settle down, and be that picture-perfect couple that was always the in the ending of sappy movies? Bella wanted all that, she did, but she was only twenty-one. When she was twenty-four, he'd be twenty-seven. For her, it was a much better age to get married at. But, did he think that? She hated all the questions that had been springing up in her mind thanks to this scare. She hated the idea of children in general at the moment. Hell, she'd nearly strangled a crying kid at McDonald's the other day. (Which, if Marc asked, she hadn't been to McDonald's since he got to New York. But, anyways.)

Bella knew it was because she was scared shitless. Scared of what her parents would say, what they'd do, what Clairice would think, what everyone would think. Even the people who lived in their apartment building would judge the young couple, and Bella knew that. Would she be able to take that? Would Marc? Yeah, she knew it was stupid to worry about what everyone else would say, but she couldn't help it. Bella was an image girl, and she had been raised to be one. She'd been taught to be the perfect, rich, beauty who would one day marry some trillionaire, have ten houses, and drink iced tea for a living. The acting career had already thrown her parents for a loop, even if they were proud of their talented daughter. A baby at age twenty-one? Bella would be lucky if she could keep seeing Marc. And if her father didn't send some trained assassin to murder him. She'd be very lucky if that didn't happen.

Then again, she was also lucky Marc was comforting her right now, and not looking at her like their world's possibly crashing and burning was her fault. That was a good sign, right? She studied his face silently, trying to figure that out. He looked surprised, shocked, confused. He looked like she had when she realized she was late this month. Bella brushed her lips back against his warm ones, her eyes closing as she drank in the words neither of them needed to speak to understand. She knew this had to be as hard on him as it was on her. "I love you," she whispered again, burying her face gently in his neck and touching her lips to it. "Mon amour," she added, keeping her eyes closed as she continued to try and calm herself into a less distraut state.

His question made her work in vain, however. Bella could feel herself panicking again; her heart beating faster against her ribs, her eyes burning, her mind shutting down as it refused to accept what needed to be done. "Not now, n-not today. Please," she pleaded brokenly, shaking her head and sniffling again. "Please," she whimpered softly, keeping her eyes closed as she talked into his skin. Bella couldn't do it, not yet. Later, when she was more composed and less likely to faint from the results. When she was more in control, and when she wasn't still worried about what was running through Marc's mind. The kiss made her relax slightly, but Bella knew she was still freaking out. She'd been freaking out for a long time now. It was currently just worse. So, she focused on the feeling of his lips against hers, the sparks that were trying to tickle her body and warm her frozen mind. Automatically, she cuddled back into his chest when their lips parted. Bella couldn't stand the idea of leaving this spot now that Marc could comfort her and she could put some of her stretched-out fears to rest.

Her eyes widened as he pulled the little box from his pocket and offered her the bouquet of flowers she hadn't even noticed he'd brought in. Bella shook her head gently at him as he spoke and smiled at her. God, she felt so much fucking better now. Her eyes focused on his hand as he opened the box, and she shook her head more, carefully snapping the box closed again. "You know how much I fucking hate you right now?" she said, sighing dramatically at him and reaching up to kiss him again. Bella did hate him, with all her damn heart. He went out and bought her this merely because he'd be grading papers instead of spending time with her. How did that make her, the lazy bum who'd been off all day fretting over telling him she might be pregnant, look? "I tell you that you might become a dad, and you still give me flowers and jewelry," she scolded playfully. Bella wrapped her arms around his neck, practically straddling him to do so and crushing the flowers between their bodies. But she didn't care.

All she was concerned with was the fact that he still loved her enough to give her the expensive gifts she didn't deserve.

• • •

WORDS: 1035!
TAG: Maybe-Baby Daddy <3
LOCATION: The Bedroom, Their Apartment
OUTFIT: this classy sass!
LYRICS: "When It All Falls Apart" by The Veronicas
NOTES: "My Love" <3 :D

[Marc Dominique Delabarre]

There was an age difference between the couple that didn’t really affect their relationship in the slightest, but Marc was definitely closer to the age in which settling down and family life became more of a priority. Now that Jean-Paul was married and sending monthly photos of his one year old, the pressure from the parents was turning to Marc. It wasn’t obviously done of course, the Delabarre’s were always subtle in their plans, but it was definitely there. When he first mentioned about moving to New York with Bella, his mother had questioned whether there were wedding bells in the future. His grandmother’s engagement ring was already hidden away, just waiting for the right time, which Marc had intended to be a lot later in their life together, but if she was carrying his child, then maybe marriage was the right thing?

She was still so young. Marc didn’t want her to be weighed down with a family and a husband at such a young age. He knew that some people did get married young and they lived happily for over fifty years together with a thriving family, but that wasn’t what he wanted with Bella. He was content with their current arrangement; sharing the apartment and living as a couple whilst still having their own careers to keep them independent. After a few years, things would change, but Marc had only ever planned for things to change when they were both ready; when they made the choices together to start a family, to have a wedding, to see the world…whatever they wanted.

However, overlooking the immediate shock that had set in when she told him the possibility of the pregnancy, Marc couldn’t help but think about the bigger picture. Her family would be angry at him, understandably, but what about his own family? His mother would be overjoyed at the news of another grandchild, but out of wedlock? They were a respectable family in Arles and questions would be asked, his own person disgraced by slanderous rumours that everyone worked hard to avoid. He didn’t want to let his family down. He couldn’t let them down. Whilst he was very much his own person, there were traditions and standards that had been drummed into his head from a young age; things that had existed for generations before Marc and his siblings came along. Breaking them would be treacherous and disgraceful to the Delabarre blood, but could he really force Bella into understanding the relic beliefs and thoughts of his rather traditional family? It wouldn’t be fair, on either of them, especially when Marc only cared about keeping Bella in his life, rather than marrying her because it was ‘the right thing to do for the baby’. If there was a baby.
They were jumping ahead with this. They didn’t know for sure if she was pregnant, and they were already thinking and worrying as though they had the definite answer in their hands.

He calmed his thoughts, logically thinking that they were jumping the gun. Everything was all ‘ifs’ and ‘maybes’ right now and dwelling on them only led to panic and worry; neither of which were good. He understood Bella’s fears and worries, and he didn’t want to push her. She would need to a test eventually, but maybe now it was better for them just to talk about it, weigh everything up and consider the possibilities. Maybe then it would be easier for her to strike up the courage and take the test. “Okay, okay. You don’t ‘ave to take zee test now. Ve can vait a little.”

[/color] He would rather know now, rather than later, but he was more worried about Bella now. If she wanted to wait, then they’d wait a little longer. He just wanted her to be alright, composed and prepared for the result. Who knows how long she had kept this all bottled up for? Marc kissed her softly, wrapping his arms protectively around her as if he could shield her from all the horrors of the world.

Marc looked worried for a moment at the expression on her face, before realising that she didn’t mean her words in that sense; the kiss confirmed that. He smiled and shrugged. “I’d still buy you presents, Bella. Eet eez my vay of showing you zhat I alvays think of you. And…eef you are…pregnant, zhen zhat von’t change ‘ow I feel about you. I love you, and I alvays vill, Ma Cherie.”[/color] He kissed her back, hugging her close and never wanting to let her go. Nothing would ever stop his love for her and as far as he was concerned, Bella was his forever, regardless of when she gave them a child, or even if she ever did.

He loved the girl, and that was all that mattered to him.
[/blockquote][/blockquote][/size][/justify]

• • •

TAGGED! Mommy?
WORDS! 956
OUTFIT! Stay with me?
LYRICS! When I Go - - - Slow Club
NOTES! Haha, I was rushing to get this done, so it‘s a little shorter than normal! <3 <3 <3

[Arabella Marie Curtis]

One thought had been nagging Bella's mind since this prospect of being pregnant had come on. What would Marc's family think of her? She knew what her own family would do. Hell, it'd be like she announced she murdered puppies for a living, not that she was giving the Curtis parents their first grandchild. But, Marc's parents? Bella knew they were traditional, extremely so. It came across pretty strong thanks to Marc, even if she did love him all the more for his somewhat old-fashion ways. How would she look to them? How would Marc himself look? The last thing she wanted to do was get Marc in trouble with his family. She knew they meant a lot to him, as did his wonderful hometown that seemed so much more amazing than her own. Would an illegitimate baby upset them? Would they force Marc into leaving her?

God, she hoped not. She could defy her own parents with ease. Because, after all, she'd been doing it for a good portion of her life. But, Bella didn't think Marc would do the same. She wondered if he saw this as his family would. As a "bad" thing. Yes, it was technically going to ruin their lives, but a baby wasn't bad. It was... a baby. New, innocent, merely needing guidance to help it find its rightful place in the crazy world we all live in. How could it be a bad thing? Not that Bella wanted one at the moment. She was happy dreaming about being a mother, decorating a nursery with Marc, picking out baby names and clothes. Doing all those silly things when they were a) married and b) both not in the middle of building their careers. She couldn't stand the idea of leaving the baby with a nanny. But, she also couldn't live with staying home twenty-four seven and driving herself insane by being a washed up housewife at age twenty-one.

However, what if things went the other way? A shot-gun wedding before her stomach started exploding would be... interesting. Bella planned on marrying Marc someday, she really did. They'd touched the topics of their future very lightly, but nothing like when they'd actually get married. She thought she'd made it clear that her acting was most important to her right now, that accomplishing something in her life was her top priority. It wasn't like he came in second or anything, it was only a personal dream that she planned on fullfilling before she settled down and became the pretty little soccer mom who, in her eyes, had the most beautiful children on the planet. Would getting married now ruin all of it? Would it tear the two of them apart?

Bella couldn't bare to think about it. At least, not while she was already having a mini-panic attack in his arms. Her lips hesitated on his softly, but she pressed as tight as she could into his protective embrace. She wanted to stay here forever and let him keep all the worries away. Bella sniffled gently again, hiding her face in his shirt and trying to take some of his strength. He was always so strong for her, always the one with a level-head compared to her flighty and dream-like ways. And it was one more thing to be guilty about.

"You're too amazing," she whispered, shaking her head at him and smiling weakly against his delicious lips. She clung tightly to him as his arms hugged her close. Bella didn't want to let him go, not now, not for forever.

But, then his previous words hit her. He was supposed to be grading papers, and now she'd dumped all this on him. God, she was messing him up. Again. With a soft, reluctant sigh, she untangled herself from his arms, sitting in his lap. "Go. You've got work to do," she smiled sadly up at him, touching her lips gently to his cheek. "Thank you," she added, taking the flowers and small jewelry box from him as she started to climb off of him. Bella didn't want to hold him back from doing what he was supposed to be doing, even if it meant giving up her one, solid rock when she needed him the most.

Part of his life didn't include her, and she had to learn that sharing him came with a cost.

• • •

WORDS: 742!
TAG: Maybe-Baby Daddy <3
LOCATION: The Bedroom, Their Apartment
OUTFIT: this classy sass!
LYRICS: "When It All Falls Apart" by The Veronicas
NOTES: Mine's short, too. But I couldn't think of what else to say xD

[Marc Dominique Delabarre]

Whilst the traditional side of life was pretty much embedded in Marc’s mind and soul, he wouldn’t turn his back on Bella, regardless of whether she was carrying his child or not. He loved the girl more than words or movies could ever symbolise and she’d be stuck with him for as long as she was willing to put up with him. He didn’t care about reputations over here; he was over three thousand miles away from his family and this was his own life. It would be hard to try and ignore the strict voice of his father echoing around his head, but if it would make Bella happy, then he’d do it. He was a loyal guy and passionate about spending forever with Bella. Sure, they’d expected to have a good few more years before really settling down into life, but if it was about to descend on them in a meteor shower when they were least expecting it, then Marc would do his best to handle the situation in the mature manner in which he had been raised. He wouldn’t run from her pregnancy, if that turned out to be what fate had in store for them.

This was a lot to take in and process, but he was doing his best. There was so much to consider and whilst he wished that Bella would take the pregnancy test so that they could both be sure before they panicked and started picking out car seats, he respected her desire to wait. If it turned out that she was pregnant, then one more day of ‘what if…?’ may be what she needed. He couldn’t begin to think about what may be playing on her mind and giving her one more day in which there were endless possibilities seemed only fair on the poor girl, who clearly had been worrying about this for some time now. Marc wanted to press her for more details and more information, but he could see how distressed and worked up she had been when he overheard the phone call and he didn’t want to see her like that again; it would definitely break his heart.

Then again, would a sudden proposal make any difference at all? It may save them some dignity and reputation, but in this day and age, a shotgun wedding would arouse suspicion, especially given the personalities of himself and Bella. They were definitely not the type of people to wake up one morning and decide to run to city hall and become man and wife. It wasn’t their style and he knew that Bella would be devastated with such a shamble of a wedding. It would only be a formality of course and then they could have a vow renewal once things were settled and they had a plan. A plan? Who was Marc trying to kid? A plan would never contain a rushed wedding and a baby when they’d only been living together for such a short time. He wouldn’t regret either of them happening, but it was far from ideal and he knew that. However, if Bella was going to make them both parents, then it was an avenue they’d have to explore and a whole new world of situations and change for them both to have to deal with. Their own dreams would be forced onto the backburner and their child would become the number one priority for them both and even though Marc strongly believed that their relationship was darn well invincible, would it be able to survive so much in such a short time when they were both so young?

A small smile pulled at the corners of his mouth and he shook his head. “No, Ma Cherie, I just vant you to be ‘appy. I love you so much.”

[/color] He kissed the corner of her mouth softly, unsure of whether she’d want some room from him as he held her closer, his fingers laced around the lower of her back. There was so much he wanted to do in this moment to reassure her that he wasn’t going anywhere, but there was something about ‘less being more’ that Marc didn’t usually understand, but in this moment, it all made sense.

His brown eyes moved with her as she pulled away from him. Suddenly his arms felt empty, his body cold and he shook his head. This girl was unbelievable at times! He reached out for her hand and gently pulled her back down to him. Cradling her in his arms, Marc shifted positions so that they were laying side by side on their large, soft bed. He kept one arm draped loosely around her waist as he used his other hand to move the hair from her face, his fingers travelling down her jaw line as he admired her beauty. No one ever looked more radiant then Bella and in this moment, she looked like perfection. There was no act, no mask of strength and Marc found himself falling in love with her all over again. He kissed her forehead gently and smiled sweetly. “Zee kids can vait one more day for zheir papers. Tonight, I am making you see just ‘ow much you mean to me.”[/color] He pulled her closer to his embrace, wrapping his arms around her as if he could actually shield her from everything bad in the world. What was this though? Was this really bad?
[/blockquote][/blockquote][/size][/justify]

• • •

TAGGED! Mommy?
WORDS! 956
OUTFIT! Stay with me?
LYRICS! When I Go - - - Slow Club
NOTES! <3 <3 <3

[Arabella Marie Curtis]

Bella didn't want a shotgun wedding. She wanted to go dress shopping, spend time picking out cake flavors with Marc, plan the honeymoon of a lifetime that she knew her or Marc would never forget. She wanted to be that happy couple she'd seen so many times on TV, or even in real life. She wanted a fairytale that was quickly crumbling around her feet. And all because of a stupid pregnancy. But, did Marc see it that way? Sure, nothing had been confirmed yet, but was he already planning on proposing to her and rushing her out to tie the knot in some secretive, unremarkable fashion? In all honesty, Bella didn't know if she'd be able to say 'yes' to him right now. She didn't want to get married because she was carrying his baby. She didn't want him to only do the 'right' thing because their families pressured them into it. She wanted him to propose because he loved her enough to finally ask her to spend the rest of their lives together. And yet... the idea of really being married to Marc was a nice one. She'd already imagined signing papers "Arabella Marie Delabarre". And, she had to admit, it had a nice ring to it. But... it wasn't the time for them yet. This wasn't what their lives should be. They were supposed to be the couple everyone else was jealous of. The ones who had the most amazing wedding, the perfect reception, and the one that everybody talked about for years afterwards. And Bella still wanted to be that couple.

"I love you, too. And, yes, you are amazing," she whispered in return, gently turning her head to kiss him as his lips only brushed the corner of her mouth. Bella didn't want to push him away, not when she needed him to cuddle her and tell her everything would be okay. He'd make sure she was safe, that he wouldn't leave, that he'd do whatever she needed. That was what Bella wanted. Not to be distant from him, not for their relationship to fall apart at the seams when they needed to stay close together. But, she also was completely sure how comfortable she was. Definitely not as 'comfortable' as they'd gotten to cause this entire mess. No, she wouldn't be that relaxed and wanting for a long time, especially not if she did turn out to be pregnant. She just wouldn't be able to open herself to him when this loomed over her head like a gloomy storm cloud.

Bella blinked at him when he grabbed her hand, letting him cuddle her back into his warm embrace. Her eyes widened slightly when he moved them down on the bed, and she had to gulp back the urge to jump away. She knew where this was heading... and she didn't want it to go that far. Not now, not when she was still so freaked out and confused and devastated from the 'what if's' that had been floating around her mind. But she didn't know how to explain that to Marc. She inhaled shakily, eyes closing as his lips touched her forehead. Bella felt warm all over from his gentle touch, but it also felt like he was burning her. Every time his skin brushed hers, it reminded her that she might be carrying his child. And that quenched every bit of desire in her body.

The panic flooded her body when his lips touched hers and he pulled her against his strong, sure chest. Her breath stopped all together and she pulled back from his lips, trying not to whimper as she scrambled out of his arms. Bella couldn't do this. She just... couldn't. "I-I... I c-can't. I-I'm... I... s-s-sorry," she stuttered, shaking her head and wrapping her arms around herself, shrinking away from him. "I can't," she mumbled, looking up at him for a moment with eyes that showed how hurt she was. Did he really expect her to want that now? Now, of all times?

Was that all he wanted her for, now that she'd given the one thing to him that nobody else would ever have? He'd taken her virginity... and possibly the rest of her life. The devastation increased in her eyes and she sprinted out of the room, puppy paws scampering behind her as she rushed out of the bedroom and into the bathroom. The door slammed easily behind her, but not before Gemma snuck in and stared innocently up at Bella.

It was enough for Bella to finally loose it. The pain, the betrayal, the everything. She was done. And her stomach was beginning to demand she gave some release to her excess amounts to stress. She ducked over the toilet, coughing through her tears and losing the only bit of lunch she'd bothered to eat. And, still, she felt absolutely no fucking better.

• • •

WORDS: 866!
TAG: Maybe-Baby Daddy <3
LOCATION: The Bedroom, Their Apartment
OUTFIT: this classy sass!
LYRICS: "When It All Falls Apart" by The Veronicas
NOTES: I blame him... she was at breaking point, anyways. xP

[Marc Dominique Delabarre]

Ever since they’d begun dating back in London, Marc had envisioned spending the rest of his life with Bella. He’d been dreaming about the perfect way to propose to her; something that she’d remember for the rest of her life. He was irrevocably in love with her and nothing could ever change that, not even this unplanned pregnancy. He wanted to marry Bella out of his undying love for her, but would she understand that if he sprung a proposal on her at the news that she was indeed carrying his baby? He knew that weddings and marriages shouldn’t be rushed but he was completely certain that Bella was the woman he wanted to spend his forever with so would it really be so wrong for them to get married sooner rather than later if there was a little Delabarre on the way?
He had expected for a few more years to come their way first and the chance to really settle into life together before becoming serious about their mortality and making the perfect family life for themselves, but what if that family life would be upon them earlier than they ever planned it to be?
The whole thing would be so far from perfect that it would be impractical, but surely none of that mattered, so long as they really loved each other, right? People were constantly renewing their vows these days to compensate for not being able to afford the luxury wedding of their dreams or because their marriage was rushed for reasons such as babies, or husbands being shipped to the front line…it wouldn’t be all that uncommon for Marc and Bella to go down that road too.

He shook his head again softly, but smiled simultaneously. Everything that made him ‘amazing’ was just who he was. He loved lavishing Bella with surprises and gifts and the hours he spent just cuddling and holding her were purely for his own selfish reasons of never wanting to let her go. “Eef I am amazing, eet eez only because you ‘ave made me zhat vay,”

[/color] he whispered lovingly to her, smiling against her soft lips as he kissed her gently once more. Most people would be rolling their eyes at how close and cuddly Marc and Bella could be at times, but neither of them really cared. Their time together was cherished and whilst their current situation was far from an ideal evening in, Marc still relished in holding Bella close to his chest, his arms wrapped securely around her in a reassuring manner. He didn’t care what happened; he could never get bored of this or the girl who he was deeply in love with who sat before him.

Marc’s intentions when he pulled her back to the bed had been entirely pure. He had no notion of sleeping with Bella in the biblical sense this evening, not when this bombshell was looming over their heads like a dark, thunderous cloud. In his head, he just thought that laying down for a while would be best for them both; they could have a small nap in each other’s arms, cuddle and just relax. If she was pregnant, then there was really nothing they could do but learn to find the best solution to handle the matter.
Caught up in his own thoughts though, he didn’t see how it must’ve looked to Bella, especially when combined with his words. His English was good these days, but the pragmatics behind the language when he spoke it were still only just coming to him and in this modern world, things seemed a lot harder than they had done when he was eighteen and in Arles.

It was only when she pulled away from him so suddenly that he realised how his words and actions had been misinterpreted. Now they had crossed that particular line in their relationship he had hoped that it would happen again, but now? No way. Did Bella think that lowly of him? Did she think he’d moved across the world just to have sex with her?! It felt like a dagger to the heart for him to believe that she thought so little of him, after everything he had given up for her, everything he had sacrificed to make her happy!

As she ran from the room and he heard the door to the bathroom slam behind her, Marc sighed, putting his head in his hands. This wasn’t easy on either of them, but they were both raw right now and the scene that had just unfolded replayed in his head, but this time with a different doubt behind it.
Did Bella hate him? Did the thought of carrying his child simply repulse her so much that she couldn’t even lie in bed with him again? And did she really think that at a time like this the only thing he wanted was sex? All of it hurt him and he felt a tightness in his chest that hadn’t experienced since Daphne. He couldn’t lose Bella. He just couldn’t.

With a heartfelt sigh, he pushed himself from the bed and slowly moved through their apartment to the bathroom. This was all heading downhill, his gut told him so, but he knew that this couldn’t be avoided. Raising his hand, he tapped gently on the door. “Bella? Ma Cherie, please, come out. I did not mean to upset you at all, but I think you may ‘ave mistaken my actions.”[/color] He kept his voice calm, hoping to avoid a fight with his, slightly dramatic, girlfriend.
[/blockquote][/blockquote][/size][/justify]

• • •

TAGGED! Mommy?
WORDS! 930
OUTFIT! Stay with me?
LYRICS! When I Go - - - Slow Club
NOTES! Gotta love the difference between Marc and Romeo where their girls lock themselves away! <3 <3 <3

[Arabella Marie Curtis]

Bella was a Drama Queen. It showed through in every little thing. From her actual drama involved performances, or her daily life. She was dramatic, and there wasn't much she could do about. It wasn't like people could go around changing their nature or personality when it wasn't for an entirely, totally bad trait. Being dramatic was part of her job, and killing it off meant murdering a part of herself that was entirely innocent.

But, she didn't want a dramatic life story. Sure, the whole "I moved from Milwaukee to London, and now I'm back in New York working to become a famous Broadway star" was a little out there, but that was Bella's dream. A baby, a shotgun wedding, and scorn from her and Marc's families was definitely not on her list of things to experience in life. Yeah, falling in love hadn't been either before Marc waltzed into her life, but he wasn't so much of a preventer. A child, though? Definite preventer. She'd have to be a mom, or feel guilty about dumping yet another thing on Marc. And she couldn't do that. Bella already felt bad enough for tearing him away from his family back in Europe. Forcing him into being the "stay at home mom" here in America would be even more selfish, and she knew quite a few people who would call her out on it. They'd seen Bella throw a bitch fit, and knew she could, at times, be conceited.

But she'd never been like that with Marc. He brought out the good in her, the side that most people wouldn't believe she had. And Bella planned on keeping it that way. It felt wrong whenever she pictured herself throwing some dramatic, diva (cough Clairice cough) fit in front of him. She couldn't stand the idea of him looking at her differently, like she'd disappointed him in some way and deserved to be punished. And she wouldn't be able to stand it if he looked at like she was a child, and he brought that slight age gap into play. It'd pain her even worse than this whole pregnancy dilemma.

"My amazingness rubbed off on you, right?" she teased softly, smiling warmly up at him and pulling away from their light kiss. Bella loved kissing him, she really did, but she didn't want it as much as usual. She just wanted him to cuddle her and say that he'd be there for her. That this, simply holding her, was enough. She didn't need the fancy gifts or the insane compliments. She only needed Marc telling her he loved her, holding her in his protective embrace, and promising he wouldn't leave becauseof this tragedy. That was plenty for her.

After her lunch finished re-visiting her, Bella's tears increased. She stood up shakily, planning on ridding her mouth of the disgusting taste of bile. Gemma was whining up at her, clearly worried about Bella. Bella gave her a very weak smile, hiccuping and quickly grabbing her tooth brush and toothpaste. She brushed her teeth silently, looking at herself in the mirror as she did so.

She looked like crap.

Her hair was a mess, her eyes were all big, puffy, and red, and her entire face was a pale, sickly color that scared her. Was she really getting sick? Or was it just this stupid pregnancy that was taking its toll on her unprepared, unready body?

With a sigh that sounded more like a choked sob, Bella spit out her toothpaste, washing her toothbrush out and leaning on the counter of the sink for a moment. She needed to think, to clear her head entirely of all the lingering clouds that kept causing her to overreact to the simplest of things. Marc wasn't the kind of guy to only be sex minded. Bella was as sure of that as she was her own name. And yet... in that one moment of panic, how could she even think that about him? He was her Marc, the sweet, charming nerd who wouldn't do anything on the planet to hurt her, or her heart, in any way. So why had she run away from him?

Because she was afraid of being pregnant. She was afraid of becoming a mom, especially so soon in life. Bella didn't think she'd be a good parent; she could barely take care of herself without going half insane. Bella closed her eyes for a moment, stepping away from the counter and sitting down on the cool, tile floor. Gemma climbed into her arms right away, snuggling into her chest and looking at her with eyes so innocent, it was almost painful. Bella kissed her head, holding her closer as she heard Marc's foot steps right outside the door.

She clutched Gemma to her chest and buried her face in the soft puppy fur as he spoke. Bella blinked a few times, trying to clear off the tears that burned at her eyes again from his words. She'd been right; he wasn't trying to get sex out of this whole thing. He only wanted to comfort her and make sure she felt better. But, if you knew Bella, you'd know she was not one to admit to being wrong.

Gemma pulled at Bella's arms as she heard Marc's voice, and Bella let her puppy go scratch at the door, almost like she wanted to make sure he was okay, too. Bella could hear the strained calm in his voice, and it was tearing at her heart again. She needed to see him, to say sorry for even thinking he'd try that at such a stupid moment. But, first, she had to say she was sorry for ruining his innocent plans.

She stood up again, resting her hand on the door knob while Gemma looked expectantly up at her. "Alright, alright. You win," she muttered to the puppy, whose tail began to wag happily. Spoiled pet. Bella slowly turned the handle, taking a deep breath as she started to pull the door back. Her eyes automatically stared down at the floor, and a few more tears wriggled their way down her cheeks.

"You didn't..." she gulped, trying to find the right words to say, along with the confidence to say them. "You didn't want to... to have... you didn't want to have sex with me, did you?" she finally said, the words gushing from her mouth in the most unelegant, untrained way possible. Bella's eyes peeked up at him, the sorrow and nervousness swirling in the dark pools that still had tears leaking from them.

• • •

WORDS: 1164!
TAG: Maybe-Baby Daddy <3
LOCATION: The Bedroom, Their Apartment
OUTFIT: this classy sass!
LYRICS: "When It All Falls Apart" by The Veronicas
NOTES: Psh, she's dramatic for a living! xP

[Marc Dominique Delabarre]

He couldn’t believe this was happening, and he wasn’t just thinking about the pregnancy now either. The fact that Bella had run from his was almost enough to break his heart and for the first time in their entire relationship, he was hurt by what she had done. Marc appreciated the delicate matter that she was dealing with, but surely she knew him well enough to know that he’d never try something like that in such a problematic time for the young woman? He was part of this too and if she was or wasn’t pregnant, he loved and respected her in a way that was rarely found these days. Couldn’t she see that?

She had been crying, that much was clear, but didn’t she see what she had done to him? He may have gotten her pregnant, but she had basically accused him of being selfish, primitive and insensitive to her feelings when Marc was everything but! They were in this together, yet after all the consoling and comforting he had done for her, she had pushed him away in such a brutal manner, criticising him of being, what was deemed to be, a “stereotypical” man. He loved this girl, he really did, but in this moment, he felt like he had been the one to do all the giving and take things as she wanted them.

He took a deep breath, realising that he was being as emotionally irrational as she had been moments before. She had hurt him, yes, but neither of them was thinking straight at this moment thanks to the bombshell of a maybe pregnancy. He still wished that she’d take the test now, just to clear the situation up, but Marc had been raised as a gentleman – something Bella seemed to forget a little while ago – and he had to regain control of the respectful nature which he prided himself upon. This was far from easy on them both, but it was still unfair of her to do what she did, but he knew that that was possibly a conversation to be saved for when they were both thinking more soberly and not wrought with emotions.

At her words, Marc made no movement to comfort her, but met her eyes with a firm expression embedded in his own. He couldn’t believe that she even had to ask him that and he was deeply insulted that she even thought – for a millisecond – that those had been his intentions with her. “No. Of course not.”

[/color] Controlling his uncharacteristic temper he stepped forward, but still didn’t reach out for her. He hadn’t moved across the world and sacrificed so much for her to think so little of him when he arrived and the first obstacle came their way. She had to know how he truly felt right now; what her accusatory actions had done to him. “Arabella, ve ‘ave been together for two years. In zhose two years I ‘ave never pushed or pressured you into sex. Zhat eez not something I vould do now or ever and for you to ‘ave even thought zhat for a split second hurts me. I thought you knew me better zhan zhat Bella.”[/color] He averted his eyes to the floor and shook his head. This whole evening was as surreal as they came and the Frenchman couldn’t believe that they even had to have this conversation.

He turned his back to her and walked across the apartment, jaw tight as he continued to think about this situation and what it meant for them. “Do you really think so little of me? I never once tried to come on too strong and I only became intimate vith you vhen you asked me to do so. Nothing ‘as changed Arabella! Just because ve ‘ave ‘ad sex does not mean zhat I’m going to vant to sleep vith you every time we ‘appen to be on zee bed together.”[/color] He was hurt, yes, but he was letting rogue emotions get the better of him when the situation didn’t require them.

Marc took a deep breath and sighed, shaking his head and closing his eyes as he calmed himself down again. It wasn’t like him to get irritated or angry and the whole situation had just been a misunderstanding. “I am sorry, Bella. I know zhis eez ‘ard for you, for both of us, but I am not zhat kind of man and I know zhat you know zhat.”[/color] He reached for her hands and held them gently as he met her gaze again. “I love you, but please, never, ever think zhat I vould do such a thing.”[/color]
[/blockquote][/blockquote][/size][/justify]

• • •

TAGGED! Mommy?
WORDS! 815
OUTFIT! Stay with me?
LYRICS! When I Go - - - Slow Club
NOTES! short, but I think it works best this way! <3 <3 <3

[Arabella Marie Curtis]

Marc didn't know the half of what was going through her mind. This was like what had happened how many years ago with the boy she'd thought to be her true love. But, look how that one had turned out. It was natural for Bella to suspect him, and, though she thought they had, the quick fears hadn't died out of her body yet. Marc was totally different thank Linkin, and yet, Bella still had the same insecurities she'd had back then. She worried that she'd end up being the one hurt in all of this; that was why she prickled so easily, even at Marc. The slightest hint that he was going to push her, she was bound to react to. It was inevitable. And, then there came the fears of him leaving because she wouldn't do what he wanted. Frankly, to her those were worse than being pushed over the edge. But, could she afford to lose Marc over her own stupid insecurities? Bella knew he wouldn't try anything on her. And, yet, she'd gone and reacted exactly as she would've done back with her last serious boyfriend. She got the hell away from him as fast as she could.

Bella's eyes hardened as she saw the firm tightness lining his. Her face remained still, but her eyes changed with every emotion that coursed through her body. Some things even actors couldn't hide perfectly. Almost automatically, Bella stepped back from him as he moved towards her. "Knock it off, Bells. He's not going to hurt you. He's not Link," she reminded herself, closing her eyes for a moment to blink back that hurt. No, Marc wasn't that last guy who had messed her up. So why was she acting like he was? She kept her mouth clamped firmly shut, letting his every word slice into her skin. The use of her actual full name made her flinch, but she tried to hide it. Bella hated this; hated having him scold her for reacting the only way she knew how: by running away. Their night... even then she'd been so tempted to tell him to stop, to run off like she'd just done. For her, it wasn't merely making love. It was getting over that fear that he'd only use her, then dump her the next morning because she hadn't been good enough, or she'd served the only purpose he'd wanted her for. And, no matter who she was with, it was always going to be that. She needed to defeat herself before she could give that piece of her up for someone else to hold, even if it was Marc.

She kept her ground as he strode away from her, leaning against the door frame. If she needed to, Bella would be hiding back in there again. She needed to think without her boyfriend yelling at her for something she'd done on a rash decision, when her emotions were most obviously out of whack. She had to clench her jaw even tighter when he made it sound like their "becoming intimate" was all her fault. That this pregnancy shit was all her fault. She shook her head at him, biting the inside of her lip.

It was happening again. Everything was.

She was losing the only person who could destroy her, really truly destroy her, and it was all because of her goddamn issues with sex.

His hands burned hers as held them, and the eyes he met were not the crying ones he'd seen when she'd opened the door. Bella wasn't about to let him make this her fault. He'd been the one who'd layed her down in ther bed, mentioning how he was going to "show her how much he loved her". What the hell did he expect her to think!? And, then saying that their being intimate was her idea? Plus, the him calling her by her first name wasn't helping anything. It was only adding to the frustration and anger and pain brewing inside her stomach.

"Don't. Fucking. Touch. Me," she whispered slowly, venom clear in her voice while she yanked her hands out of his and shook her head more. "Bella, don't. Don't say it. He's just mad and upset... c'mon, Bells," she could practically hear her inner self screaming at her. But it didn't matter. He wasn't the only one who was hurt; he wasn't the one he might be goddamn pregnant. And he sure as hell wasn't the one who had their partner making it look like they're making a move, then rounding on them the next second when they react, she would admit, a little dramatically. Bella shoved her way past him, walking out into their little living room with her hands running through her hair. It was her nervous habit, the one thing she always did when she was upset, no matter if it was a good or bad upset. But now was definitely not good.

Suddenly, she spun around, face now blank of the cool, actress expression it'd had on before. Now, Bella was going to be Bella. And she sure as hell wasn't going to hide her anger from him. "What the hell did you expect me to do, Marc? You didn't exactly make things sound innocent! And, no, I don't think you're a low-life, sex-minded male. Hell, I know you're not. But, when you do that to me, lay me down in a goddamn bed and start whispering how you're going to show me how much you love me, what do you expect from me?" she rounded on him, struggling to keep herself from shouting. "And my name's Bella! B-E-L-L-A. Bella! Only my dad calls me that stupid dutch crap! I don't need you using it while you're yelling at me like I'm a child!" Her firy eyes flickered from him to the floor, and she took a deep, shaky breath, trying to calm herself back down. Bella didn't usually let herself do this. Especially not in front of Marc!

Her eyes closed and she rubbed her temples, trying to clear her pounding head. And then those words from Link came flooding back into her mind. "You're not good enough, Bella... You'll never make it out there. And a bitch like you won't ever find someone to put up with her mental-ass ways."

Bella shook her head, covering her face with her hands and flopping down onto the couch. No, Marc wasn't Link. He'd never call her that, or say something that cruel to her. He loved her... But all she could think was,

Not after this...

• • •

WORDS: 1196!
TAG: Maybe-Baby Daddy <3
LOCATION: The Bedroom, Their Apartment
OUTFIT: this classy sass!
LYRICS: "When It All Falls Apart" by The Veronicas
NOTES: <3 <3 <3