He Saved Me, Loved Me, Wanted Me

My little nap seemed to take forever, but I don’t think it was all that long, actually. I stood up from the bed and adjusted my baggy blue shirt and grey yoga pants as I walked out of the room, down the hall and down the steps.

“Zina?” I called out.

“Ana, I’m in the kitchen, come in and meet by brother,” Zina said, almost not in her normal tone.

“Ummm… okay,” I said, walking to the kitchen. As I walked in, my gaze was directed at Zina then fluttered over to her brother… Zacky?! My eyes bulged and my jaw slacked, as did his.

“Zacky!” “Ana!” We said each others names at the same time. He jumped up and embraced me tightly. Zacky started spinning me around.

“Oh, god! We’ve missed you so much!” Zacky said. I was on the verge of happy tears.

“I’ve missed you too!” I said, gripping onto Zacky with my life. In a way the smell of him reminded me of Brian. “Oh, Zacky, I’ve tried to look for you guys for so long!” I said, and now I was sobbing.

“We’ve tried looking for you to. Brian’s been a wreck. He went to Paris yesterday to find you.” I pulled away.

“He went all the way to Paris for me?” I asked, a bit dumbfounded. Zacky smiled and nodded, bringing me into one more hug.

“I miss him so much,” I said.

“So… you’re pregnant, huh?” Zacky said. “Everyone’s really excited. I know Brian knew, but what about everyone else? We found out cause of this E! thing on the web.” I nodded. So Brian knew… and he thought it was his. But I’m not sure about that.

“So you really do know my brother,” Zina spoke up.

“Yes,” I said to both.

“I didn’t talk much about them because I didn’t know if you’d be an estranged fan or not and only be my friend because who I was friends with,” I continued, to Zina. I looked to Zacky. “How is everyone?”

“Tired as hell, it’s been so long. But I’m sure everyone’s mood will lighten up once they see you.” I smiled.

“How’s my piano?”

“It’s still good. We always bring it just incase you show up. What all happened, anyway?”

“Where’s Brian?” I said, changing the subject.

Zacky looked a little taken back. “He’s in New York right now. We’re on a bit of a break from tour.”

“This is so weird, no wonder I thought you looked familiar!” Zina said. I looked to her and smiled, then back to Zacky.

“When are you going back on tour?”

“I’m taking a plane tonight.”

“Will you take me with you?”

“Of course,” he said, hugging me tightly.

“Not too tightly,” I said, out of breath. He immediately loosened up.

“Sorry. So can I see the belly?” I looked at him like he was crazy.

“Zack loves babies,” Zina said with a laugh.

I pulled the t shirt tight around my abdomen and turned to the side. “It’s small, but still growing.” Zack’s face lit up. It was almost like he was going to be an uncle… again. Only this time to Brian and I’s (hopefully) child. When I tell them about what all happened, I want everyone to be there so I don’t have to repeat it. My moment is going to have to be strategically placed, as not to damper any shows. It’s not a happy story.

“That’s so cute,” Zack said.

“I know, isn’t it?” Zina asked, sipping at some juice. My jaw dropped, and so did the tightness of the shirt.

“Do you have any for me?” I asked. Zina laughed and got down another glass.

“Here,” Zack said, handing me his phone. “Call Brian.” My heart sped up thrice fold and my face lit up.

“Ana, here’s your juice.” I gladly took it.

“I’m going to be in the guest room, Zack; I’m stealing your phone for a bit.”

Zack laughed and just nodded while I took the phone and juice to the room I’ve been staying in. I shut the door behind me as I took a sip. I sat down the glass and jumped on the bed, flipping open Zacky’s phone.

Going through the contacts, I chose Brian’s number and hit SEND. I became extremely nervous. Something made me want to think he moved on, but I wouldn’t let myself to believe that.

“Zack, bro, what is it?” it was Brian. My breathing hitched and I prayed he talk more. “Zack? You there? Hello?” That voice meant more than anything to me in this world.

“I’m sure Zacky doesn’t sound like me,” I finally managed to say. His reaction was the same as mine, so I did him a favor and just kept talking. “I have this really good juice and I don’t know what it’s called, it’s sort of like a mixture between grape and something else, but I’m not quite sure. I don’t even know. And I really want some macaroni and cheese and ketchup right now. That’s what I’m craving. Give me that and a big glass of this juice and-”

“Ana, is that you?” Brian said.

“Yes,” I said, my smile huge. “Please talk, Brian. I miss you so much.”

“Oh, dear God, Ana!! Where are you? Why are you on Zacky’s phone? Is this some kind of practical joke? Please don’t let me be dreaming, I’ve wanted you back home for so long.”

“Yes, there is a lot to explain. I met Zacky’s sister, Zina and she brought me to California. I didn’t even know she was Zacky’s sister until just a little bit ago.”

“Jesus, Ana! I’ve hired a private eye and everything! I’ve been looking for you for so long!”

“I’ve been looking for you too, baby.”

“I love you so much Ana and I’m so happy to hear your voice and know you’re safe.” I smiled.

“I love you too. I’ve missed you like crazy.”

“Have I missed out on anything life altering?”

“Well, I’m sure you know I’m pregnant.”

“I do. How far along are you?”

“Two months.”

“That means you’ll be due in July, possibly on my birthday!” I could hear him smile. “I’m so happy we’re having a baby.”

“Brian, there’s something I need to confess.” I had to tell him. I didn’t wait for him to reply. “When Ricky kidnapped me, he raped me.” Brian was silent, but I could hear his teeth clench. “I don’t know if the baby is yours or his but I’m hoping to God it’s yours.”

There was a long pause on his end and I was guessing he was trying to control his anger. “I am too. How long are you going to be over there?”

“I’m going back with Zacky when he goes back to tour. The plane leaves tonight.”

“So I’ll get to see you tomorrow, hopefully. Oh, God, baby. I can’t wait.”

“Neither can I. I miss you like crazy. I’ve even sat around people that smoke the same cigarettes as you.”

“Speaking of which, I’m not going to smoke around you and I hope nobody else will either. I want that baby as healthy as possible.”

“I know. I’m doing my best.”

“I know you are. You’re going to be an amazing mother.”

“And you’ll be an amazing father.”

“Ana, the only thing I’d be concerned about is not being able to be around you and the baby all too much.”

“Bri, I’m sure you’ll be able to schedule around it.” A beep was heard on the phone, and a call was coming in. “Hold on, there’s a call coming.”

“Okay,” I clicked over.

“Hello?” I asked.

“Umm… hello, who is this? Listen, bitch you better not be fucking my man or there will be some serious consequences.”

“Gena!” I said happily. “It’s Ana!”

“Ana?! Ana?! Oh, God, I’m so sorry I said that to you I totally didn’t - how do you have Zacky’s phone?” I laughed.

“I’m on the other line with Brian.”

“Oooh. I thought he was just saying your name in his sleep again. Wow this is weird. Ana! I’ve missed you!” I could hear her heels click as she walked.

“I’ve missed you too, sweets,” I said, “I’m going to go, ask Brian the details later, I’m going to talk to him. Bye.”

“Bye.”

I clicked back over. “It was Gena, and she thought I was someone random chick with Zacky.”