So, I decided to do a sequel to this story because I enjoyed writing Lux's character so much. If you did read the first story I hope you liked it and I also hope that you enjoy this sequel. If you didn't read the first story, I don't think it'll be a problem to understand this one. Let me know what you think anyhow! Reviews are of course always welcome and always much appreciated!
Disclaimer: I do not own The Matrix.
Lux was sitting on the bathroom floor, her back leaning against the cold metal of the wall. She was convinced that this was all just a terrible dream that she would wake from at any moment. She was staring down at a plastic strip in front of her that was turning a pale pink color. She picked up the small cardboard box that was lying on the floor by her feet and read the side.
If strip turns pink, test results are positive.
Lux looked back and forth from the reading on the box to the now dark pink strip in her hand. She was trying to see if there was some chance of error. Perhaps it was more of a mauve or red color.
Lux laid her head back against the wall and covered her face with her clammy hands. She took a deep breath and let it out shakily, allowing a small cry to escape from the back of her throat.
Why had she been so stupid? It had only been a month since that first night she had been with Cody. She hadn't even thought about using protection. Why hadn't Cody thought about it? Why had they both been so careless?
Lux shot up quickly when she heard a loud knock on the door.
"Lux, are you alright?" asked Trinity from the other side.
Lux assumed she'd probably been in the bathroom now for at least a half an hour.
"I'm fine Mom," replied Lux, forcing her voice to sound normal, "I'll be out in a minute."
Lux leaned against the wall for support as she stood up slowly, still clutching the strip tightly in her hand. She walked over to the sink and splashed cold water on her face before looking up into the mirror at her sad reflection, water dripping off her chin.
Lux wiped her eyes, willing them not to betray her and show just how emotionally fragile she really felt. She wrapped the strip in about half a roll of toilet paper and dropped it into the tiny garbage can in the corner. She bent over to pick up the box and did the same.
Lux walked out of the bathroom and headed for her room, unsure of where he mother was. Lux knew she would have to tell her parents sooner or later, but right now she preferred it be later.
She closed her bedroom door and looked around her room, searching for her sweatshirt. She had to tell Cody as soon as possible. She needed to tell someone, to let it out, and he should be the first to know.
She pulled on her black sweatshirt that was lying under her bed and walked out of her room. She was about to head for the door when she felt the nausea creep back into her throat. She'd been sick for the last couple weeks off and on and it seemed to be getting worse. It was a miracle that her parents hadn't noticed yet.
Lux ran to the bathroom as fast as she could and barely made it in time to be sick in the toilet. She kicked the door closed with her foot, praying her mother hadn't heard. She painfully emptied her entire breakfast before her stomach finally let up.
Lux had bought the test just that morning when her sickness hadn't abated. She'd walked into the store, trying to look as innocent as possible and grabbed the first test on the shelf, barely looking at the box. She had practically run over to the counter, and thrown down the box.
The cashier's eyes had grown wide when he looked down and then back up at Lux. Lux hated her celebrity status, especially at times like these. It would have been so much easier to just be an anonymous girl who happened to need a pregnancy test. Instead she was Lux, the daughter of 'The One,' who might just also be the most famous tramp of Zion! She'd thrown down the money and shoved the box under her shirt sprinting home.
Lux walked out of the bathroom once again and managed to make it down the hallway and to the kitchen. Her mother was nowhere in sight, and Lux let out a sigh of relief as she walked towards the front door.
"I'm making chicken and rice for dinner," said Trinity suddenly from the living room as Lux walked by.
Lux felt her stomach lurch again at the surprise but also at the mention of food. She gave her mother the best smile she could.
"Sounds great, but… I was going to go to Cody's for dinner."
"Oh," said Trinity in a slightly disappointed voice, "alright, well don't be home too late."
"I won't," replied Lux, heading for the door again.
"Wait," said Trinity stopping Lux with her hand, "something's wrong isn't it?"
Lux swallowed nervously and turned around slowly, her fake smile still on. Unfortunately, her mother was becoming more perceptive of her moods each day.
"Um…" stuttered Lux, desperately thinking of an excuse other than Oh it's probably just hormones from carrying a baby…
"Oh Lux," began Trinity catching her hesitation, "did you and Cody have a fight?"
Lux internally jumped for joy at her mother's scapegoat.
"Yeah," said Lux in a sad voice, "but I'm hoping we can smooth it over if I go visit him now."
"Good idea," replied Trinity with an understanding smile, "what happened?"
"Oh," said Lux, trying to think quickly, "I'll tell you later."
"Alright," replied Trinity, "I'll talk to you when you get home."
"Yup!" said Lux, already closing the door.
Once outside, Lux's forced composure faded and she let out a painful sigh. She felt the weight of her secret push down on her with every movement. She walked down the street quickly; hating that Cody lived so damn far away.
When she reached his building she sauntered along slowly down the walkway, tired from walking such a long distance. She knocked on his door and waited, hoping he had returned from work already. She realized she probably should have checked the docks before she came here and mentally kicked herself.
Fortunately, the door opened, revealing Jason who smiled at her immediately.
"Hey Lux, come on in," he said happily, as if he himself had been expecting her.
Lux forced a smile back as she stepped inside quickly and Jason closed the door behind her.
"I'll get Cody, one sec," said Jason, walking over to Cody's room and knocking before walking inside.
Lux sighed and looked around the familiar apartment. Cody had been home only a few weeks but had returned back to his life very quickly. Lux had been over almost every day since then and she was becoming increasingly comfortable in the small apartment. Thought it was much different from her own, and carried a heavy smell of chlorine and iron, Lux found comfort in it, as it reminded her of Cody.
Jason came out of Cody's bedroom and closed the door behind him again.
"He just got off work an hour ago and he was sleeping," he said with a smile, "he'll be out in a second."
"Oh," said Lux, feeling guilty, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to bother him."
"You're never a bother," replied Jason kindly, "trust me, he doesn't mind at all."
Lux smiled genuinely this time, as she felt her depressed demeanor lift momentarily. Cody and Jason were both so kind to her, she could always count on them to make her feel good about herself.
Jason walked into his bedroom and nodded to Lux before closing the door. Lux bit her lip nervously, realizing that she would have to tell Cody and suddenly not sure if she could go through with it. She thought about what his reaction would be. Would he be sad? Would he hate her? Maybe he'd get mad, think it was her fault, even blame her. Maybe he'd be happy. Lux couldn't see how he could possible be happy though. She guessed his reaction would probably be something along the same lines as hers was, total shock and fear.
A few seconds later Cody appeared in his doorway, his hair disheveled and his clothes twisted around his body. He'd obviously thrown them on just now.
"I'm sorry…" said Lux, her face cringing with guilt again.
Cody just smiled at her and reached out his hand.
"Come here," he said in a quiet low voice.
Lux complied and came forward slowly until Cody reached out his arms and hugged her close. Lux reveled in the feeling and closed her eyes, sighing with happiness. She loved being with him. It somehow made her forget about anything, anything except this however.
"Don't ever be sorry," Cody whispered into her ear, making her shiver with the closeness, "I love seeing you."
Lux bit her lip again, trying to hold it together and not get upset. She pulled away slowly and looked into his eyes.
Cody looked back at her but his smile quickly faded as he noticed the fear in her eyes.
"What's wrong?" he asked, brushing a strand on hair behind Lux's ear.
She swallowed nervously and looked down at the floor. She took a deep breathe and decided to just spit it out rather than drag it out further. If she didn't say it now she knew she'd never be able to.
"Lux?"
He sounded so concerned that Lux felt emotion well up inside of her and she spoke quickly.
"CodyI'mpregnant."
She almost choked on her words and kept her head down, not being able to look at Cody, fearing what his reaction would be.
When he didn't speak, Lux finally looked up at him and saw the same fear in his eyes. She hated herself for telling him. She knew she had to, but she knew what he was going through. He didn't deserve to feel that. Not so soon after he just got home. Everything about this felt so unfair.
Lux was about to apologize again when Cody pulled her into a tight embrace. He held her against him and Lux felt any strength she had left wash out of her. She began to cry as she held onto him as tightly as he was holding her.
"I love you," he said softly above her.
"Do you hate me?" she asked above her sobs.
Cody pulled away from her quickly and looked down at her, almost angry.
"What?" he asked her incredulously, "Lux, I just said I love you."
Lux smiled and wiped her eyes, feeling pathetic for being so emotional.
"I love you too," she said, her voice just barely above a whisper.
"I have to tell you though," said Cody, his voice serious, "I don't know what to do."
"Neither do I," replied Lux.
"Have you told your parents?" he asked, panic flashing in his eyes.
Lux shook her head before replying.
"No, you're the only one who knows."
Cody nodded slowly before grabbing Lux's chin and pulling it up so he could look into her eyes.
"I promise I'll help you," he said with intense sincerity in his voice.
Lux felt her fear begin to fade. She had plenty to be afraid of still but somehow knowing that Cody was by her made it all seem easier to deal with. Her biggest fear had been that he would abandon her.
Lux suddenly felt another wave of nausea hit her and she put a hand to her stomach instinctively, her face wincing with uneasiness. Cody noticed and looked at her in alarm.
"Are you okay? Do you need something? Water, or something to eat? You should sit down!" he spoke incredibly quickly, without pausing between sentences.
Lux laughed at his intense concern and shook her head.
"I'm fine," she replied, still grinning, "I've just felt sick a lot lately."
"You should lie down," he said, still looking just as concerned.
He grabbed her hand and put an arm around her waist, delicately leading her into his room and closed the door behind them.
"I'm fine, really," replied Lux, but Cody insistently pulled her towards his bed and sat them both down.
"I'll get you something for your stomach," said Cody, standing up and running out of the room before Lux could stop him.
She shook her head and laughed again to herself before leaning back against the pillow. She did feel tired. She guessed it was from all the worrying. Being upset always seemed to make her feel tired. She lay down and closed her eyes, sighing deeply.
Cody came back a second later and Lux opened her eyes to see him sit down on the edge of the bed and place a glass of water and two pills on the desk beside her.
Lux sat up slowly and looked at the pills.
"They'll help with the nausea," he said, noticing her curiosity.
Lux popped them into her mouth and took a drink of water, washing them down.
She lay back down on the bed and tapped the blanket next to her, motioning for Cody to lie down beside her.
He smiled at her and complied, moving over her cautiously and laying down gently.
Lux rolled over onto her side facing him and smiled gently, trying not to think about everything that she would have to face soon. Unfortunately, terrifying thoughts began to fill her mind. She thought about her parents' reactions, especially her Dad's. What would he think of her then? She thought about Morpheus and Niobe and how disappointed they would be as well. She didn't think she could face them.
Hopefully Ana would understand. She made a mental note to talk to Ana as soon as she could. She'd help her too, Lux was sure.
Lux sighed heavily and closed her eyes, willing herself to relax and not worry at the moment. Cody noticed her pain and hugged her close against him.
"It'll be alright," he said.
"How do you know that?" asked Lux, allowing her fears to be heard.
"It's not the end of world," he replied, "it's just a baby."
Lux felt her breathing hitch at the word. She hadn't allowed herself to say the word out loud. To hear Cody say it made it feel all the more real. She was only sixteen. How could she manage to raise a baby? She felt her nausea rise up again and she swallowed deeply.
"I have to tell them soon," she said slowly.
"I'll be there with you," replied Cody, knowing who she was referring to.
"No," said Lux quickly, "I don't know what their reaction will be. My dad… he might be angry… I don't know what he'll do."
"I don't care," replied Cody, "you're not going to do it alone. This isn't just your burden, it's mine too."
Lux felt incredibly comforted by his words. She knew how much he meant them.
"Alright," she finally complied, "let's go now."
"Now?" asked Cody looking down into her face.
Lux nodded decisively.
"It has to be now," she said, "before I lose the nerve."
Cody sighed.
"I was hoping to take a few self-defense courses first," he said.
Lux laughed and hugged him again, feeling grateful that he could make a joke.
He smiled down at her and after a moment laughed himself.
"What?" asked Lux still amused.
"Nothing," said Cody, looking away from her, grinning madly.
"Tell me!" said Lux urgently, pulling his face towards her.
He averted his eyes but then finally gave in.
"Alright, alright," he said before regaining a tone of almost remorse, "I was just thinking about… how I grew up idolizing your parents, especially your dad. I remember learning about them in school, and always wishing I could meet them someday. Little did I know I would eventually impregnate their daughter…"
Lux gasped and admonished a look of hurt and anger.
"God, I'm sorry!" exclaimed Cody upon seeing her horrified expression, "that was awful, I know."
Lux broke her serious demeanor and laughed again, taking Cody by surprise.
"What? You're not mad?" he asked, looking uncertainly at her.
"Of course not," she said, "it was just a joke."
Cody smiled and laughed too, before leaning over and kissing her. The kiss was slow and light at first but Lux moved her hand to Cody's neck, pulling him in deeper. He pulled away reluctantly after a moment and leaned his forehead against hers.
"I'm so lucky to have you," he said, kissing her again.
"Quite the contrary," replied Lux, kissing him back feverishly.
She opened her mouth slowly, allowing him to deepen the kiss, and ran her hand down his back and stopped at the waist of his pants. He pulled away from her mouth and kissed down her neck and along her collarbone. Lux sighed inwardly and relaxed underneath him. She ran her hand up his back again, underneath his shirt, feeling his warm skin beneath her fingers.
Lux gripped the material of his shirt and pulled it up. Cody broke away from her to pull it over his head and then look back down at her with intensity.
"I thought we were going to…" he began.
"We will," replied Lux, "but not quite yet."
Please let me know what you think of it so far. I do plan on making it very dramatic, so it may seem a little fluffy now, but… just wait. Haha.
