{"id":929,"date":"2012-03-13T06:00:37","date_gmt":"2012-03-13T13:00:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ravenoustales.com\/?p=929"},"modified":"2013-10-01T12:57:56","modified_gmt":"2013-10-01T19:57:56","slug":"season-5-episode-9","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/ravenoustales.com\/?p=929","title":{"rendered":"Season 5: Episode 9"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>Johnny tested a mouthful of the cooked barley thoughtfully. It needed more lemon. He added another slug of olive oil and some black pepper too for good measure, tasting it again. Perfect. Or at least, it would be<\/em>, he thought, if I were making if for people that I liked. Or even knew<\/em>.<\/p>\n

He looked across his small kitchen to where Cecelia was standing, chopping lettuce to make a green salad. She was humming to herself and glanced up, beaming at him. Johnny smiled stiffly back. For about the millionth time he wondered why he had agreed to today at all; hosting her entire family for lunch was not his idea of fun. But, Cecelia was pregnant, he was the baby dada, and this was just one of those things that came with the territory.<\/p>\n

If someone had told Johnny a year ago that this is where he would be now he would have laughed in their face. He wasn\u2019t\u00a0 stupid enough to get someone pregnant! Let alone someone he barely knew, who was adamantly opposed to abortion, and who would be disowned from her very traditional catholic family when they discovered she was with child but without husband.<\/p>\n

She’d wanted to get married, but Johnny knew he couldn’t. \u201cI\u2019m just not the marrying type,\u201d he\u2019d said when she\u2019d pushed him for a reason. Not to you, anyway<\/em>, he thought. He felt no connection to Cecelia or their child, but despite this, he couldn\u2019t forget his own childhood and how hard it had been. With absent parents and estranged grandparents, Johnny had grown up almost alone. If it wasn\u2019t for his older sister looking out for him, there was no way he would have made it to where he was now. He had always been envious of people who had large families and no matter how he felt about the current situation, he wouldn\u2019t – couldn\u2019t – subject his child to the same thing. So, he and Cecelia had come to an arrangement of sorts: They would tell her family they were engaged, planning to marry within the year. In a month or so the happy couple would be shocked – but delighted, of course – to find out Cecelia was with child, nearing the end of her first trimester.<\/p>\n

Being engaged and pregnant was apparently not as bad as the other options.<\/p>\n

The happy – and now expecting – couple would announce they were postponing the wedding until well after the birth, by which time it would be too late, and they would break up. They would blame the demise of their relationship on the pressures of having a child and decide – amicably – to part ways. Cecelia\u2019s family would put up a fight, but they would be so besotted with their first grandchild that it wouldn\u2019t last for long. Cecelia would move interstate to be with her family, Johnny would get his life back and everyone would live happily ever after. The End.<\/p>\n

It wasn’t a perfect plan, but at least it seemed to be working. For now.<\/p>\n

Johnny didn\u2019t expect anyone else to understand his decision. He had picked up the phone so many times to call Mia and tell her everything, but couldn\u2019t go through with it. After all, what the hell was he meant to say? \u201cHey Mia. Could you put your life on hold waiting for me while I fake an engagement in order to help out another woman who is going to give birth to my first child?\u201d<\/p>\n

Johnny shook his head wryly at the thought. Even he<\/em> knew that was going a bit far. All he could do was hope that – at the end of it all – Mia would be there and find it in her heart to forgive him.<\/p>\n

He sighed as he finished chopping the parsley to go with the warm barley and cauliflower salad. Today he would play the part of the newly engaged fianc\u00e9 in order to keep his child from being ostracised from its extended family.
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

It\u2019s for the best<\/em>, he told himself over and over again, wishing that he actually believed that.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

\u201cEarth to Johnny,\u201d Cecelia said, laughing. \u201cThe salad is done. What’s next?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh right.\u201d Johnny dragged himself back to the present, glad that Cecelia couldn\u2019t read his thoughts. Even though they were in a fake relationship, he didn\u2019t think she\u2019d appreciate him thinking about another woman. \u201cI\u2019ll set the table. Why don\u2019t you just relax?\u201d<\/p>\n

Cecelia flashed him another brilliant smile. \u201cYou\u2019re the best fianc\u00e9 ever.\u201d<\/p>\n

Johnny shot her a warning look.<\/p>\n

\u201cFake fianc\u00e9,\u201d she added quickly, not wanting Johnny to fall into another one of his moods just before he met her family for the first time.<\/p>\n

She sat, thinking yet again how gorgeous and lovely Johnny was and how lucky she had been to get him. Well, sort of get him. She absently played with the trinket on her finger, daydreaming about how great a father he was going to be.<\/p>\n

Out of the corner of his eye, Johnny saw something sparkle. He felt his blood turn cold. \u201cWhat the hell is that?\u201d he said, pointing to Cecelia\u2019s left hand.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, it\u2019s nothing,\u201d she said hurriedly, putting her hand behind her back. \u201cIt\u2019s just\u2026 well, if we were really engaged I\u2019d have a ring.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo you just bought yourself one?\u201d he said. \u201cWithout talking to me about it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not a big deal\u201d she said, dismissing it casually. \u201cIt\u2019s not even a real diamond.\u201d<\/p>\n

Cecelia of course had other ideas about the outcome of this arrangement. Perhaps it was from watching every romantic comedy out there or reading one too many Danielle Steele books, but she was convinced that it was only a matter of time before Johnny realised he was deeply in love with her, and the fake diamond on her finger would be exchanged for a real one. She glanced at the ring on her hand again, smiling at the thought. She had chosen a copy of exactly what she wanted her real engagement ring to look like. Beyonce had said it best: If you liked it then you should have put a ring on it. Sometimes boys just needed a little encouragement to figure out what they liked. And what type of ring they should put on it when they decided they did like it.<\/p>\n

\u00a0***<\/p>\n

Within the hour, Johnny\u2019s small apartment was jammed full of Cecelia\u2019s relatives, all of whom had flown in from interstate to meet her new fianc\u00e9. They were hugging and kissing and crying, squealing as they admired the ring and telling Johnny how handsome he was.<\/p>\n

\u201cTell us exactly<\/em> how you proposed,\u201d one of the aunts gushed. \u201cWe want every single detail!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cUmmmm\u2026\u201d Shit<\/em>, Johnny thought. Should have seen that one coming<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Thankfully the doorbell rang again, and he excused himself, letting Cecelia think of an answer. He pulled the door open, wondering how on earth he was going to cram more people into his apartment. His jaw dropped when he saw who it was.<\/p>\n

\u201cMia!\u201d Johnny glanced behind him and walked outside, pulling the door slightly closed so that Mia couldn\u2019t see in.\u00a0 \u201cWhat are you doing here?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI need to tell you something,\u201d she said. She was fidgeting and looked very nervous.<\/p>\n

\u201cShouldn\u2019t you be, I don\u2019t know, at work or something?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat? Oh, I got fired,\u201d she mumbled. \u201cBut that\u2019s not why I came to see\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHang on,\u201d Johnny said, cutting her off. \u201cFired? Why?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a long story,\u201d she said, waving her hand dismissively, \u201cand it’s not important. What is important is you. I mean us. I mean\u2026\u201d she groaned. Honestly, she had planned what she was going to say, it just wasn’t exactly coming out right. \u201cWhat I mean is that you and I… the way I feel about you is… good. I feel very good about you. About us. I\u2019ve never felt anything like it before. And I think that you feel the same way. About us.\u201d<\/p>\n

The words came out in a gush. They didn\u2019t really make sense, but Johnny didn\u2019t care. He had been waiting for so long to hear the truth about how she felt. And here she was, saying words that he had wanted to say so many times before, but hadn\u2019t, for fear that he\u2019d scare her off. More than anything he wanted to throw his arms around Mia and tell her that yes, he felt exactly the same way and had done for as long as he could remember.<\/p>\n

It was just that, right now, her timing was so, so awful.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t you feel the same way?\u201d she said in a small voice, when he didn’t answer immediately.<\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t even begin to tell you how I feel,\u201d he whispered, staring deep into her eyes. \u201cBut, right now, I can\u2019t talk. Can we meet up later tonight?\u201d<\/p>\n

Mia shook her head. \u201cNo. If I don\u2019t say it now, then I never will and I\u2019ll regret it forever.\u201d She took a deep breath. \u201cThe thing is Johnny, that I am completely and utterly in lo\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJohnny?\u201d Cecelia stuck her head around the door, scowling when she saw Mia. \u201cWhat do you want?\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Mia looked warily at Cecelia. \u201cI just needed to\u2026 tell Johnny something.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s busy right now,\u201d Cecelia said. She put her hand possessively on Johnny\u2019s shoulder. A brilliant flash of diamond nearly blinded Mia.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo\u2026\u201d Mia whispered, feeling suddenly nauseous. \u201cYou\u2019re not\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n

Johnny looked down and shook Cecelia\u2019s hand off, groaning. Fuck.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not what you think,\u201d he said, trying to get away from Cecelia.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut you don\u2019t love her,\u201d Mia said dangerously close to tears. \u201cI know you don\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t talk about this now,\u201d Johnny said, begging Mia with his eyes to understand.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt’s because of the baby, isn’t it,\u201d Mia said suddenly. \u201cYou don\u2019t have to marry her, Johnny\u2026 Not in this day and age. People raise kids separately all the time. I\u2019ll help you,\u201d she pleaded, desperate.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere\u2019s our future son-in-law?\u201dCecelia\u2019s father pushed open the door, holding out his hand warmly when he saw Mia. \u201cAh, you must be one of Cecelia\u2019s friends come to give your congratulations to the happy couple! Well, come inside,\u201d he boomed, grinning. \u201cWe\u2019re about to open the champagne!\u201d<\/p>\n

Mia looked wildly from Johnny to Cecelia. I\u2019m too late<\/em>, she thought, her heart sinking. I\u2019ve lost him for good<\/em>. She willed the tears to stay where they were.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo thank you,\u201d she said as brightly as she could to Cecelia\u2019s father. \u201cI just wanted to stop past and say\u2026 congratulations.\u201d She touched Johnny\u2019s arm lightly, adding \u201cyou\u2019re going to make a great dad.\u201d<\/p>\n

Then she turned and fled, the tears she had been holding back streaming down her face.<\/p>\n

Cecelia\u2019s father looked from Johnny to his daughter\u2019s slightly bulging stomach. \u201cA great dad?\u201d he repeated, realisation dawning on his face.<\/p>\n

Johnny closed his eyes. Fuck. Why could nothing just go to plan?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Johnny tested a mouthful of the cooked barley thoughtfully. It needed more lemon. He added another slug of olive oil and some black pepper too for good measure, tasting it again. Perfect. Or at least, it would be, he thought, if I were making if for people that I liked. Or even knew. He looked […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_s2mail":"yes"},"categories":[202],"tags":[66,150],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/ravenoustales.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/929"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/ravenoustales.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/ravenoustales.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/ravenoustales.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/ravenoustales.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=929"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"http:\/\/ravenoustales.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/929\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1303,"href":"http:\/\/ravenoustales.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/929\/revisions\/1303"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/ravenoustales.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=929"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/ravenoustales.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=929"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/ravenoustales.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=929"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}