An Arranged Marriage with an Old Friend [one other]

Marisa raised a brow. "Why would she even feel jealous? It's not like she likes you." she scoffed, aware that the girl was most likely afraid of losing the father and being looked at as a sham, a disgrace. "Before you go....do you want this?" she asked, gulping and afraid of his answer. Meanwhile, Michael was uncomfortably sitting on the couch, waiting for the two to come back downstairs. Stacey was practically like a leach, she wouldn't stop with the flirting! "Uh..so how far along are you?"

"She wants the money," Damien answered her. "I think that's all she's concerned about..." He looked at her and looked away, not wanting to see her face when he answered. "You want me to be honest...?"

"Four months," she sighed. "I wish it didn't take so long. I feel fat all the time," she complained.

Marisa sighed, nodding. "I wouldn't have asked if I wasn't wanting an answer.." she muttered, staring him down. She wasn't hopeful that he'd say yes, but she was definitely curious.

Michael almost snickered but kept quiet. "Uh, so...how was it that this happened again?" he asked, hoping that she wasn't actually sober and let this happen to her because of their monetary success.

"If I was able to choose a wife, I'd choose you," he told her. That pretty much summed it up, right? That he still cared for her? That he still wanted to be with her? That he still loved her?

"Well, Damian's very down usually, so I invited him to a party to try to cheer him up. We started drinking and things just... well, you know," she explained. Hopefully this hunk of a guy knew how babies were made.

Marisa sighed, nodding. She was somewhat glad that he wouldn't have chosen Stacey, thankfully. Still, she couldn't help but feel lots better that he would rather choose her, out of so many girls that he probably knew in town. "So is that bottle of Jack pretty big? I might need a glass or two." she chuckled, trying to lighten up.

Michael grunted. "Yeah..." he muttered, a bit disappointed in his brother still. "Why are you with him? Honestly..."

He chuckled. "Yeah. Once you get settled, come on down for a drink or two," he offered. "I'll make dinner. What do you want?"

"He wants this baby, for whatever reason. He said he'd take care of me until the baby's born, then I'm on my own. I really have no problem with that. I don't want this kid."

Marisa shrugged, smiling a little. "Eh...whatever. I'm not too picky with how crappy I'm feeling right now. Jet lag, sucks you know?" she sighed, hugging him tight and sighing again. "I'm glad you didn't change totally..but still, we have a lot of catching up to do." she muttered, pulling away and smiling. She didn't totally trust him, but she was willing to try.

"Then why don't you just get an abortion? For both your sakes.." Michael said, not happy that his brother has to have his first child with someone he doesn't love.

"Something light, then," he concluded, hugging her back. "Hmm... I'll think of something." He turned to leave and paused in the doorway. "I'm glad you're here, Ris," he told her and walked out to go make dinner.

"He keeps saying the kid doesn't deserve that. 'It deserves a chance' and all that. I'm half tempted to get one next time I go shopping..." she mumbled.

Marisa sighed, rubbing her head. She really was fooling herself. They weren't the same as they were when they were kids. They were adults. Still, she couldn't help but feel nostalgic when they hugged. Either way, the tension downstairs was thick enough to cut with a knife, so, she patted Michael's shoulder.

"Looks like my little brother knows how to cook now?" Michael teased, getting up from the chair and walking to the kitchen to help. "Whatcha up to?"

"I can't eat carry-out every night," he shrugged, taking out some chicken from the freezer and letting it thaw in luke warm water. "What am I up to? What are you up to, showing up to my house randomly. How was boot camp," he asked, looking up at his brother.

Michael chuckled weakly, looking away. "It was uh...swell. Eh who am I kidding. It sucked. But I'm back for a while..wanted to see how you were doing. Is that so bad?" he asked, patting his brother's back.

"It's horrible," he said sarcastically. "Go away," he chuckled. "Nah. I'm glad you're here, bro. Thanks."

"Seriously though...With her? Jesus." Michael snickered and shook his head. Stacey was an airhead! Still, she did seem to somewhat regret what happened. "So, what is the baby? Boy or girl? Do you know?" he asked quietly.

Marisa had sat down uncomfortably across from Stacey, looking at her hands.

"Doctor says it's a girl," he told his brother.

Stacey ignored the apparent fiance of her baby's father. She turned on the television and played MTV, watching music videos of music children probably shouldn't be watching.

Michael snickered. "You're screwed. She'll be daddy's little girl eh?...." he said, though with a bit less enthusiasm than expected. "Bro..do you really want this baby? Honestly? Are you at all...I guess, excited, about having a baby girl?" he asked quietly, looking over his shoulder and cringing when seeing what Stacey was watching.

Marisa cleared her throat, looking over Stacey. "How far along are you?" she asked, trying to make amends.

"It's not the baby's fault," Damien sighed. "I screwed up. I'm trying to fix it. What would you do if you were me," he asked his brother.

"Four months," Stacey answered without looking anywhere near her direction. Why was this girl talking to her?

Michael looked at Damien, seeing the pleading look in his eyes for some advice, anything, to help smooth over the anxiety that was as obvious as can be. "Damien...I wouldn't know. I know..that I would take care of the child. But you do know eventually she'll want to know who her mom is. Right? So...first you have to think, is she better off being with you, her father, or maybe being given to a couple who can't have children. I'm not saying give her up...but, think first of the long term. Ok? Go with what your heart feels, not what society dictates being right." he said to his brother, patting his shoulder with a small smile.

Marisa grunted quietly. What a 'nice' little lady. Weren't those that were pregnant supposed to be glowing? Hah! She was glowing with selfishness and stuck up attitude! She cleared her throat and got up, going to the kitchen. "Anything I can help with?" she asked almost desperately.

"She'll still want to know her parents," he told his brother. "But I get what you're saying..." he sighed, rubbing his face in his palm. "Why the hell did I even dance with her," he groaned, not wanting to be in this position.

"Are you complaining about me, Damien," Stacey got up and went to him, crossing her arms. "Don't even start! I'm the one with the baby ruining my figure-"

"That's all you fucking care about," Damien snapped on her. "Yourself. There is a living being inside you and you're worried about gaining weight! Shut the fuck up and get over it."

"I could walk out right now and go get that fucking abortion," she fumed.

"At least I wouldn't have to deal with you anymore," he retorted.

A loud smack rung throughout the silence in the kitchen as Marisa had her hand snap against Stacey's cheek. She obviously was appaled at her words. "Really?! If you want to get an abortion then go get it. You want to kill something you didn't even think ahead about!? It's both your fault, I won't defend anyone, but either way. Think! You don't have to be at Damien's beck and call about this baby. It's your body. But don't you ever dare threaten him when he's already trying to give his unborn child's mother some decent care when she doesn't even want the poor child! To tell the truth, I feel sorry for the child more than my own situation and you two. It's pathetic." she fumed, glaring at both.

Michael watched in amazement, though he saw a cat fight would ensue if it wouldn't already. "Marisa..calm down." he said, placing a hand on her shoulder and gripping gently.

Damien thought hard for a long moment. He sighed and grabbed the keys. "Come on, Stacey," he muttered. "We'll go get the abortion. Then I'll drop you off at your place."

Stacey frowned. "Why?"

"Because I don't think my daughter wants to be raised with me being like I am and her mother not giving a shit about her. That's not a life for a kid. Come on," he said again, walking out without a glance over his shoulder.

Michael stared at Damien's back as they both walked out. "Shit..." he muttered, gulping. "Jesus, did you really need to freak out like that?" he said, sighing and rubbing his face. Now he really was worried. His little brother was always the serious one, he..well, he was serious too but only when the situation called for it. "He wouldn't do it...would he?" he asked Marisa.

Marisa stared, terrified. Was he really about to get rid of his own child? There always was that thin line of right or wrong. But was it right of her to burst like that? "Oh god....he just might." she said, afraid to move.

Stacey panicked. If he got rid of their kid, she'd have no connection to his money. "Wait a minute! I-I changed my mind," she told Damien. Damien paused and looked over his shoulder, looking at her with a disbelieving face. "I don't believe that for a minute."

"I can't let him do this.." Marisa said, shaking her head. She was sure that he would go for it. He never hesitated. She walked out, Michael following suit. Seeing them just close to Damien's car assured them both that they perhaps were talking it over. However, even if it was obvious that she was after his money. "God...he should..but then he shouldn't do it. Ugh, how does one make such a crazy..decision?" she asked Michael, staring up at him as if begging for guidance.

"Why would you change your mind now? You're gonna ruin your figure," he mocked her.

"Because maybe I do want a baby," she frowned.

"I highly doubt it," he frowned. "I bet you just want the money, don't you? Damnit, Stacey," he slammed his car door shut.

Marisa sighed, not sure whether to be relieved or not. It was obvious she must've said something to set off Damien. "I'm not sure about this.." she muttered, afraid of what would happen after the abortion. Michael himself just stayed silent and watched the two. He knew she must've been after his money and now trying to get out of getting an abortion. No baby, no money.